Last Updated on Friday, 17 February, 2023 at 1:11 pm by Andre Camilleri
The European Parliament backed a resolution spearheaded by Alex Agius Saliba, designed to make the EU industry fit for a green and socially just future.
MEP Agius Saliba explained that for the Socialists and Democrats, it is paramount to have European industry prepared to seize all the opportunities offered by the ongoing digital transition and for the Green Deal objectives. This is key to allowing the EU industry to lead the way internationally, to ensure Europe’s strategic autonomy, and to create quality jobs for all Europeans.
Alex Agius Saliba, S&D Group vice-president for a strong digital Europe, said: “It is of paramount importance to speed up the transition to a green economy while keeping high-quality jobs in Europe. We expect more from Europe when it comes to working families, equality, and environmental justice. Quality jobs with fair working conditions and good pay, bargaining with trade unions and respect for collective agreements, avoiding redundancies, and deterioration of working conditions have to be part of the strong social dimension in the Green Deal Industrial Plan.”
During the debate held in the Parliament’s Plenary session, the Labour MEP stated that while a step in the right direction, the Commission’s communication for a Green Deal industrial plan needs concrete measures and definitely more ambition. Agius Saliba said that he expects more from Europe, if at least not the same level of commitment as in the IRA, when it comes to working families, equality, and environmental justice. He further commented: “It is a pity that the EPP was divided even on protecting these fundamental principles. They were divided and voted against protecting our industries, our workers, and our environmental sustainability.”
In his concluding remarks, MEP Alex Agius Saliba noted that the strengthening of the industry should come together with improving social conditions, including upskilling and reskilling. He added that particularly in these times of social crisis, it is crucial to improve workers’ rights and ensure they can benefit from safety nets and social protection.
