In an effort to revitalise his position as the current EU President, British Prime Minister Tony Blair along with David Blunkett, the work and pensions secretary, will hold talks with the European Union politicians, business leaders and trade union chiefs on Monday to generate a consensus on the employment concerns prior to the EU summit on Thursday. European Commission President Jose Manual Barroso is also likely to be present on Monday’s meet.
Agreeing that imminent danger is posed to Europe due to extreme globalisation, trade and the loss of inclusion, Mr.Blunkett affirmed that these issues have to be dealt with an in your face approach as not taking them seriously will only lead to further chaos.
Mr. Blunkett also said that he would make it crystal clear at the EU meet that apart from analyzing the US, and its wage disparities, Britain’s assessment is closely based on European social model, which is followed in most Nordic countries.
Meanwhile, Unice, the European employers' group, has been severe on the British government claiming that though Mr Blair made some great statements at the European parliament regarding the social issues and overall future of Europe, nothing of note has been done since.
In an effort to curb these negative impressions, Mr Blunkett and the trade secretary, Alan Johnson, have decided to come out with a booklet outlining the challenges created due to China’s rise and also wanting the EU to support active inclusion of those affected by immense competition as well as shortage of talent.
Mr.Blunkett sounded a stern warning stating that while China and India was growing at 9.5% and 7.5% annually, in the next 25 years, the working age population of the EU is likely to decline by 7% and conversely, those the proportion of people above 65 years will rise dangerously.
Recent employment figures show Europe in very poor light; 7% of those in the working age group were jobless i.e. 93 million, which means they will have to create job openings for 22 million in order to meet the target set at the 2000 Lisbon summit.
The meet on Thursday, where the heads of state of 25 EU will come face to face at Hampton Court, might see a tussle between the UK and France as the former is in favour of a liberal policy to tackle the crucial employment issues while France wants the EU to adopt a more social stance on the issue
Posted
on : Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:05 GMT | Pensions News
By : Chris Rowe
|
