Werknemersfractie in Economisch en Sociaal Comité solidair met Nederlandse vakbonden (en)

Press release from Group II (employees)

Solidarity of Group II with Dutch Trade Unions

Taking the floor in the debate that followed the speech of the Dutch Minister Mr Atzo Nicolaï, at the EESC plenary session on 16 September, Group II President Mr Mario Sepi expressed his trade unionist solidarity with the Dutch confederations FNV, CNV et MHP whose representatives within the Employees group of the EESC had decided not to attend the plenary to protest against the anti-social policies of the Netherlands government, that is presently assuring the EU Presidency.

Motivating their decision, the Dutch members had denounced at the Group meeting before the session that this government tries actually to appear to be social at the European level, but it is undermining our national social security system; and it refuses to negotiate with social partners, despite the fact that the Dutch social model is based on the Polder system.

"This attitude is even more contradictory Mr. Sepi added if we consider that a priority of the European programme of the Dutch Presidency deals with the relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy, and with the related demand for an increasing involvement of social partners, that is the reinforcement of the social dialogue!"

Mr Christophoros Koryfidis also reiterated Group II solidarity with Dutch colleagues and expressed criticism and disappointment of all the trade unions of those European countries who hitherto considered the Dutch negotiation system to be a significant model for their action.