Brussels, 14/11/2013
About 120 young trade unionists and youth NGO representatives from all over Europe gathered in Paris for the Youth Summit for Quality Jobs on the occasion of the summit of European head of states and ministers of labour. The summit was complemented by many side events organised jointly by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), the French trade unions (CFDT, CGT, FO and UNSA) and the European Youth Forum, with the support of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCDE).
A joint position between the present workers’ organisations and the European Youth Forum on the necessity to boost both good quality employment and youth guarantee schemes was presented. The trade union representatives also stressed the fact that, regarding the youth guarantee, much more needs to be done. This argument was supported by a research conducted by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) on the level of implementation of different youth employment initiatives all over Europe.
“Structural labour market reforms will, whatsoever, not create the necessary jobs. The risk is high that, in 2014, we will face a fragile growth without job creations. It is thus time for the member states to put in place the youth guarantee. But also, for the EU, to adopt a plan of investment, sustainable growth and quality jobs”, said Patrick Itschert at the Summit.
The ETUC and its member organisations will make a close follow-up at both European and national level on the implementation of the youth guarantee, and will continue fighting against austerity measures and for quality jobs.