Brussels, 27/03/2013
“The conclusions of the High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth in February, set out proposals on regulatory compatibility and liberalisation, which will have enormous consequences for workers on both sides of the Atlantic”, stated Bernadette Ségol, ETUC General Secretary, “and yet the public is not privy to how the Commission or our governments will define the EU’s mandate. This is a huge challenge to democracy, and will not help engender public support for these negotiations.”
“We know from recent European Court of Justice cases that business has privileged access to these documents and policy makers”, she continued, “this increases the danger that trade negotiations are perceived as a corporate agenda to reduce working conditions and the room for public services. Transparency is essential to demonstrate good faith from our trade negotiators.”