EU Fortress Reform

international | eu | news report

Thursday February 19, 2004 22:24

by Fergus

Britain is pushing for maximum liberalisation.
Germany has already made labour market and social security changes - with last years cuts in jobless benefits, incentives for low-wage jobs and extra health charges.
The French plan to reform the social security system this Autumn but fear fierce public opposition.

Meanwhile, the front page of todays Irish Times claims that Germany, France and Britain were talking about "protecting social welfare systems for future generations".

Germany, France and Britain had a Dublin Summit in Berlin yesterday - and they had the courtesy to send a six page letter to EU President Bertie Ahern.

According to today's Financial Times it was a belated Valentines containing -

A call for a restructuring of the EU Commission as the main point and also containing two joint statements on.
1 - innovation.
2 - reforms of the labour market and social security.

Yesterdays Financial Times outlined the positions -

Britain is pushing for maximum liberalisation.
Germany has already made labour market and social security changes - with last years cuts in jobless benefits, incentives for low-wage jobs and extra health charges.
The French plan to reform the social security system this Autumn but fear fierce public opposition.

Meanwhile, the front page of todays Irish Times claims that Germany, France and Britain were talking about "protecting social welfare systems for future generations".

I guess you can explain the difference in reporting between the two papers over the same event as -

"Ireland's Ethical Journalism"

'It is not enough to be truthful in reporting. Sensitivity and care and a sense of proportion and balance are required... journalists... have to take responsibility... to the people they report about and finally to the audience.'

If they're the rules, it's lucky I'm not a journalist.
Particularly with EU elections in Ireland coming up in June - wouldn't want to make the electorate queasy.
Its enough to argue about e-voting - never mind what the EU Constitution is actually about.
And sure these days.
Racism is only for poor people.

Anyway enough gutter speculation.

For the real stuff, check out these articles

'Win-Win' ? - The ERT and EU enlargement.

Innovation : Corporate Restructuring of Europe.

http://www.corporateeurope.org/observer3/general.html

EU Fortress Reform ?

Make knowledge yer trusty hammer !