Responding to the European Commission’s proposals for a Preparedness Union Strategy, ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch said:
"Preparedness means being ready for climate, biological and security events. We’ve received reports time and again that the workplace dimension was overlooked. This is a real risk when there is top down decision-making that discards the reality on the ground, trade unions need to be included.
"That’s why the emphasis in the European Commission’s proposals on social partners working together is an important step. Negotiating preparedness agreements at company, sector and national level will root preparedness across workplaces and communities.
"The social partner summit will be a focus to build on positive experience of the past, such as during COVID, and embed our European social dialogue approach.
"In-work poverty is a growing reality in Europe, one that has devastating consequences in emergency response situations. An honest assessment and effective planning must take the reality of those working people who are struggling to put food on the table for today – let alone store it away for some future situation – into account.
"Endless subcontracting chains are often used in public procurement, including for essential infrastructure. The review of public procurement rules included in this proposal should address the security risks created in long subcontracting chains, by limiting the length of the chains and ensuring joint and several liability."
