In March 2020 the Commission presented the new industrial strategy for Europe, that is closely linked to the European Green Deal, the Single Market Enforcement Action Plan and the SME Strategy.

The present position paper sets out the Chamber of Labour's (AK) core positions. In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, the AK demands to focus on urgent and necessary measures and investments to combat the economic crisis, specifically also to support important goals in the industrial strategy. In the opinion of the AK, investment should prioritize tackling the climate crisis, supporting digital infrastructures, investing in key strategic areas such as education/further training, as well as fighting unemployment and poverty. The AK welcomes the importance that the Commission attaches to the industrial sector in general and to the strategic autonomy of this sector in the new industrial strategy, stressing the importance of future-oriented technologies in competition with other economic regions and strengthening European value chains. Only a joint commitment by the EU, the Member States, the regions, companies and stakeholders can allow for prosperity gains to the benefit of all. In the view of the AK, the distribution issue is therefore at the centre of the realignment of European industry and structural change, which can only succeed with the support by society as a whole and a strong representation of workers.

Please click on the link below to obtain the full position paper.