At the beginning of the new EU legislative period, after the EU Parliament has been formed and before the hearings of  the designated EU Commissioners begin, AK EUROPA is presenting a List of Demands promoting a better future for the EU from the perspective of employees and consumers. While the topics of competitiveness, single market and defence currently are at the centre of attention and likely to shape EU policy in the coming years, the AK EUROPA List of Demands focuses first and foremost on social goals and balance. Concrete proposals for a fair green and digital transition, democratic co-determination, a sustainable EU trade policy and good work will be submitted to MEPs and the new EU Commission. Overall, the catalogue presents the demands of the Chamber of Labour on various EU policy issues in compact form. It is divided into four sections.

EU General. Pushing forward in the right direction
The catalogue begins with the topic of the EU’s future. In order to further a democratic and social union, the EU Parliament needs, among other, to be strengthened. By the same token, legislation must be designed in such a way that all stakeholders’ interests are taken into account. It is also important that the corporations' superior power of lobbying will be constrained. There is also a call to strengthen public services of general interest, which will require a massive increase in investment. The issue of EU enlargement is also addressed. Fairness in the sense of the EU’s democratic and social progress is being called for.

Economic policy fostering prosperity and fairness
The promotion of sustainable development regarding well-being and prosperity must be at the centre of the EU Semester, i.e. the coordination of EU Member States’ economic, fiscal and social policies. Austerity policies at the expense of employees are therefore rejected and the necessary leeway for future investments is demanded. In this sense, the revision of the so-called debt sustainability analysis is urgently recommended. Social balance must also be given the highest priority in the design of the EU single market. To counter social dumping, the Social Progress Protocol (SPP) must finally be implemented. But even beyond Europe, attention must be paid to the interests of the many in the field of trade policy, which is why, among other, sanctionable trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapters are recommended.

The AK EUROPA List of Demands also addresses the important issue of competitiveness. In order to promote this in a socially and environmentally sustainable way, the interests of employees must be fully taken into account. This means, among other, focusing on secure jobs and good wages, whereby a European industrial policy aimed at prosperity and employment forms a necessary basis. Other elements include the sustainable organisation of public procurement and subsidy policy, whereby social conditionality is a key starting point. Another economic policy tool is the taxation of companies, where planned measures such as a standardised corporate tax in the EU must finally be implemented. From the perspective of consumers, the abolition of unjustified price increases on branded food and pharmacy products and better protection against online banking fraud are called for.

New momentum for social Europe
The last EU legislative period (2019-2024) saw important social policy achievements such as the Minimum Wage Directive and the Platform Work Directive, as well as progress in gender equality (for example in respect of wage transparency and women on supervisory boards). The adopted legal acts must now be effectively implemented in the forthcoming legislative period. At the same time, new initiatives are urgently needed to continue to breathe life into the European Pillar of Social Rights and to address the EU-wide labour and skills shortages in the interests of workers. From AK’s point of view, this requires, among other, binding social minimum standards and measures against wage and social dumping. AK EUROPA presents the recommendations for action in this field not only in its List of Demands, but also in a project on the Pillar of Social Rights in cooperation with civil society organisations.

Shaping the green and digital transition fairly
Five years ago, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice-President Frans Timmermans introduced the European Green Deal. It aims at making the European economy more sustainable and the transition as inclusive as possible. Much has been achieved in terms of legislation over the past five years, not only in respect of core areas of the Green Deal such as climate policy, but also beyond, with acts such as the Supply Chain Directive. At the same time, the challenges of the changing geopolitical environment – in particular the effects of the energy crisis and the need for a strategic industrial policy – have come more to the fore during the legislative period. In the interest of workers and consumers, the social dimension must now be placed at the centre of the green and digital transformation agenda. In addition to a comprehensive framework for a just transition, this requires, among other, strengthening the circular economy, ensuring affordable energy, actively shaping the mobility transition, the careful use of our water resources, and measures for human-centred AI and digital fairness for consumers.

Work in progress
The 35 demands currently included in the catalogue were developed by the specialised departments of the Chamber of Labour. The Catalogue also presents the background, reasons and arguments for the demands. It is designed as an open process. Obsolete demands can be discarded or updated and new sheets added. The catalogue is to be further developed along new political events and debates.

Further information
AK EUROPA: List of Demands for a good future from the perspective of employees and consumers