The General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), Esther Lynch, stated at the Forum Europa in Brussels that Spain is a “role model” and “an attractive investment destination” thanks to its commitment to the green transition.
At a briefing organised by New Economy Forum in the EU capital, Lynch emphasised that investment in the green transition “is key to the future” and pointed out that it must be accompanied by “social and territorial conditions” to ensure that the jobs created in this new phase are “high-quality” and “backed by collective agreements”.
The ETUC General Secretary framed this discussion as part of the proposed Industrial Acceleration Act, which aims to increase the share of manufacturing in European GDP and prioritise European preference in strategic sectors such as aluminium, cement, the automotive industry and net-zero emission technologies.
“We have supported production in Europe precisely because it takes place in Europe, with quality jobs protected by collective agreements”, she said at the meeting. Lynch emphasised that, in order to advance this European preference, it is necessary to “promote negotiation, offer support and develop the necessary infrastructure” for the sectors most affected.
However, she expressed some concern about a possible setback and warned that the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034 “is nowhere near having sufficient resources, nor the necessary guarantees” to ensure that the investments required for this transition are made.
“We need a vision for the future, a plan and, subsequently, the funds to implement it. Furthermore, we must join forces to achieve this", she emphasised. Also she warned that no sector or region can be left behind, particularly at a time of social unrest.
During her speech, Lynch congratulated Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Fair and Competitive Transition, “for the work she has been doing to drive these transitions forward”.
THANKS TO THE SPONSORSHIP OF
