Brussels, 29/08/2013
In its open letter, the ETUC stresses that Latvia and Ireland, having shed 20 and 15% of all jobs, can hardly be seen as an example to follow. The only lesson to learn from Latvia is that action to restore growth must come first! Europe should delay applying a 3% deficit limit until economies return to health and a strong recovery is secured– probably around 2016-2017. The ETUC’s open letter also denounces the race to the bottom that the Commission’s wage competition is provoking in many Member States
“As we predicted, austerity is not working. We are in favour of policies that stimulate activity, accompanied by salaries and pensions that encourage consumption” declared Bernadette Ségol, General Secretary of the ETUC.
- ETUC Open letter: http://www.etuc.org/IMG/pdf/300813_Commissioner_Rehn.pdf