Tomorrow, around 1,000 cleaners, security guards and food service workers from nine countries across Europe will come together in Brussels to demand social justice. The Socialists and Democrats stand with them and UNI Europa, the European Services Workers Union, in demanding better EU public procurement legislation to ensure that public contracts with private firms for the delivery of goods and services are signed only if they provide good working conditions.
Gaby Bischoff, S&D vice-president for social Europe, said:
“Throughout the Covid-19 crisis, we were applauding essential workers who risked their lives to keep us safe, fed and clean. The health emergency is over, but now we see them struggle with the social emergency. They need more than our applause, they must get social justice.
“When trying to secure her second mandate, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised better EU public procurement rules. The Social Democrats will be watching closely whether she keeps her word. This will be one of our priorities for the next five years.
“We will be the guardians of workers’ rights in the newly elected European Parliament in view of the strongest ever presence of extreme right forces. While the neoliberal centre right is flirting with the extremists, we are defending workers and trade unions.”
Estelle Ceulemans, S&D spokesperson on employment, added:
“Essential workers are employed on public contracts with private firms, which are mostly awarded on the principle of favouring the lowest price at the expense of decent wages and working conditions. This demeaning race to the bottom must be stopped.
“We stand with workers and trade unions in demanding respect of collective bargaining as the only way to ensure respect of workers. This means fair wages, good working conditions, training and fair job transitions for workers, as promised by von der Leyen.
“Tomorrow, we will listen to workers’ testimonies and exchange with trade unions to build our further action together. Our goal is to ensure human EU procurement rules that will protect workers and promote fair and sustainable societies and economies.”
Note to editors:
As UNI Europa points out, public procurement amounts to two trillion euros or 14% of the EU’s GDP. Half of all public tenders across the EU are awarded solely based on the lowest price, ignoring workers’ rights.
More information about the protests here
