New Year’s Reception 2010 hosted by AK EUROPA and the ÖGB Europabüro: Work out the crisis!
ÖGB President Foglar: Managers seem to have Christmas all year round
In his introductory words Erich Foglar, President of the Austrian Trade Union Federation, referred to the closure of the Opel factory in Antwerp/Belgium and the associated job losses of almost 2,500 workers. It would be difficult to understand, said the ÖGB President, that agreements, which had been concluded with the European Trade Union Confederation would now not be adhered to. It appears that the managers of General Motors have Christmas all year round. The expected returns are supposed to be paid for by the workers, said Foglar and ensured the Belgian workers of the full solidarity of the Austrian Opel workforce in Vienna/Aspern. Another of Foglar’s concerns was the regulation of the financial markets. “We must not allow that the attitude ‘let’s continue where we left off before the crisis’ manifests itself” said the President in fighting mood. The top priority always had to remain growth and employment to prevent poverty and social exclusion.
AK President Herbert Tumpel: if necessary, implement financial transaction tax single-handedly
Herbert Tumpel, President of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, pointed out that although unemployment had also increased in Austria, compared internationally, however, its rise had been less dramatic. He emphasised that efficient measures against the downward spiral, which had been triggered by the crisis, still needed to be taken. President Tumpel also had a clear message to all present: the crisis is not the fault of the workers and the financial markets urgently need proper rules. The top priority is the introduction of a financial transaction tax. He rejected the idea that a financial transaction tax would only be sensible at G20 level. Some countries that had introduced the tax single-handedly were the best proof. With regard to Austria he mentioned the stock exchange transfer tax, which had been abolished 10 years ago. He denied that banks, which had not been bailed out by the state, were not responsible for the crisis and not involved in it. As an example Tumpel mentioned the rescue of the Hypo Alpe Adria Bank, where its collapse would also have had an impact on all other banks. That is why a solidarity contribution of the banks had to be the order of the day, as these had also benefited from the bailout of the Hypo.
EU Vice President designate Šefčovič has a message for the finance ministers: no to education budget cuts
Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth and Commissioner designate for Interinstitutional Relations and Administration addressed the still too low representation of women in managerial positions. The figure in the EU would stand just about at 20 %. He promised that there would be changes within the next twelve months and that one could take his word for it. At the same time, he emphasised the importance of lifelong learning and education in general. 80 million Europeans had only low qualifications. It would be necessary to concentrate in particular on this group and to give them the opportunity to improve their skills so that they could obtain key qualifications. Šefčovič proudly presented the successful Erasmus programme, which already 2 million students had completed. He appealed to all finance ministers in Europe not to make any education cutbacks. He finally declared that he would attach great importance to equality and that his cabinet would consist of 14 women and 6 men.
ÖGB President Foglar and AK President Tumpel also used the opportunity to provide Commissioner Šefčovič with the positions of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the ÖGB on the Green Paper on the European Citizens’ Initiative. In his capacity as the future Commissioner for Interinstitutional Relations and Administration, Šefčovič will be responsible for this Dossier.Pictures of the event
