The next European Union Summit will be held in Helsinki, probably starting on 16 December. On that day, unemployed movements and associations should take action against offices of eg organisations handlingse1unemployment benefits in all towns and cities in Europe. For the very first time, we hope to see media images from hundreds of
Europe's unemployed
The long march...
We call on the un- European Parliament employed and those in of Unemployed insecure jobs to join Cologne, 1" June 1999 actions and occupations happening everywhere, simultaneously, and regardless of national frontiers!
The principal common demands include the rejection all forced labour measures ("workfare"). Unemployed movements across Europe are also calling for a "an income which allows everyone to have a decent standard of living without any discrimination of age, sex or origin or any other form of discrimination"
The Parliament of the Unemployed unsuccessfully debated the level of this decent income. Suggestions ranged from 750 to 1000 Euros/month. But southern European activists, from Spain or Greece, where the standard of living is low, thought that the higher limit was unrealistic.
Attempts were then made to find a common definition applicable to different economic systems. Suggested definitions were either based on a minimum salary (but not all EU countries have one), or the poverty level, or gross domestic product... The debate on this issue remains open.
On 25 May, a European Marches delegation was received in Brussels by the German minister of labour and social affairs, Walter Riester in his capacity as president of the ministers for social affairs in the EU. The delegation presented demands drawn up at the Brussels and Cologne European meetings. It is worth pointing out that if we were received in 1999 but not in 1997, it was very likely due to the effect of important struggles by the unemployed that have since taken place in many European countries.
An international demonstration is planned for the year 2000 in France. The goal is to attract at least 35,000 participants-like the Amsterdam and Cologne rallies. France has some of the most imaginative social movements in Europe, and the highest level of class struggle. Organisers promise that this event will Tully live up to participants expectations. [PS/JD] * European Marches against Unemployment, 104 rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris, France. Tel: +33 1 44 62 63 44, Fax: +33 1 44 62 63 45 <marches97@ras.eu.org> www.mygale.org/02/ras/marches/
"We, the accept employment; existing collectives and • a massive reduction of to associations or to create unemployed...
working hours through-
We, the unemployed out Europe to be finan- Here and now, we call and those in insecure ced by a tax on profits, upon all those unempjobs in Germany and in and without flexibility loyed and in insecure many other European or lower wages; jobs to take part, whercountries... call on EU • the right to decent ever possible, in a Euroheads of state to take housing, to health care, pean day of action into consideration the to training, to free ac- against workfare that following social cess to all forms of will coincide with the demands: public transport, and Helsinki European • a minimum guaran- access to all other forms Summit (December 99). teed individual income of public services (the In the year 2000, we for all, to enable people means of communica- want to demonstration to live in dignity, with- tion, electricity, etc.) all together again out discrimination of necessary for full and during the French presiage, sex or of origin, active participation in with without condi- social life. tions, or any form of activity in exchange, or any obligation to new ones.
dency of the EU."
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International Viewpoint #315 October 1999