RESOLUTION OF THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE on the social aspects of the General Objectives for Steel for 1985 (adopted unanimously at the 232nd session of 18 February 1983)

THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE,

Having heard the report of its Subcommittee for Labour Problems which met on 2 February 1983 to examine the social implications of the General Objectives for Steel for 1985 and also the various measures proposed by the Commission regarding industrial reconversion policy in the regions affected by the crisis in the steel industry, and the accompanying social measures which it proposes,

Taking note: - of the analyses and economic factors which formed the basis for the General Objectives for Steel for 1985,

- of the urgent necessity, in view of the deepening world economic and structural crisis, of continuing to restructure the European steel industry so as to achieve in 1985 a reasonable utilization rate of its production capacity and a level of profitability allowing of essential depreciation and investment and to enable it to take its rightful place in the world steel market,

Concerned about the fact: - that after a loss of 247 000 jobs between 1974 and 1981 in this sector, there is still a danger of losing around 150 000 further jobs between 1982 and 1985,

- that of the 11,5 million registered unemployed in the European Community, 40 % are young people below the age of 25 who have no real or early prospects of employment or re-employment,

Welcoming the fact that the Commission has met its request and drawn up for the General Objectives for Steel for 1985 proposals regarding social and reconversion measures to support the restructuring measures in the steel-producing areas,

Recalling: (a) the resolutions which it has adopted since 1976 on the Community's social and industrial reconversion policy, and more particularly those of 26 June 1981 (1) and of 24 September 1982 (2);

(b) that Articles 2, 3, 5 and 56 of the ECSC Treaty, together with the social means for reconversion, and also the regional and financial aids which the EEC has available, provide the Community institutions with adequate tools to deal with the social problems which the continuing crisis is aggravating in each country;

Whereas the social problems and job losses in the steel industry are destroying the industrial fabric of other sectors in the regions involved, 1. requests the Commission to urge the Council to implement a commercial and employment policy on the basis of joint strategies for taking effective measures to rapidly reduce the rate of unemployment so as to gradually re-establish full employment by means of: (a) financial support measures for national policies aimed at encouraging further investment to provide employment, while coordinating these aids and monitoring their use;

(b) specific and concrete aid to undertakings using their specific potential, whether they be large, medium-sized or small, by encouraging them to carry out experimental projects, supporting them in their investment plans, plant and machinery requirements and the coordination thereof, their management requirements and their research and development;

2. calls on the Commission to propose increased means under a European industrial policy in order: (a) that Europe may have an appropriate position in the new technologies; (1) OJ No C 188, 29.7.1981. (2) OJ No C 276, 19.10.1982.

(b) to carry out a research programme on new and alternative energy sources, as well as in the field of reducing the cost of energy-saving investments;

(c) to increase its aid to developing countries, which will contribute to an upswing in its own industries;

(d) to coordinate and inject new life into national research and development projects on the basis of concrete proposals which should be for joint projects where possible;

(e) to pay particular attention to activities and investments which pormote steel consumption;

3.calls on the Commission, while taking advantage of efforts to restore the economy and to develop overall industrial policy, as mentioned above: (a) to make maximum use of Community financial instruments besides those of the ECSC;

(b) to support national reconversion projects in the programmes which specifically deal with the consequences of the restructuring of the steel industry;

(c) to increase Community efforts in all regions most affected by this restructuring;

(d) to allow these to benefit from a satisfactory policy of economic restoration;

(e) to make available, as soon as possible, to all the socio-economic circles concerned a complete list of all the Community means existing for this reconversion, by a proper combination of the instruments specific to the ECSC Treaty with the other Community facilities;

4. requests the Commission to adopt new social measures covering the period 1 January 1983 to 31 December 1986 which would: (a) restrict unjustified overtime and thus create more jobs;

(b) continue to aid national measures on the release of employees which provide for agreements on early retirement, or other mearures having a similar effect;

(c) continue payment of compensation for short-time working;

(d) provide financial support for jointly-agreed schemes that enterprises can afford for worksharing and to reduce working hours at all levels;

(e) encourage, by the granting of employment aids, the re-insertion of workers who have been made redundant in a new employment, including experiments in temporary work;

(f) accelerate, with a view to reconversion, permanent vocational training and retraining;

(g) contribute towards aiding the work of coordination bodies operating in reconversion regions and which have particular responsibilities in the field of employment planning;

5. calls on the Commission to propose, on a scale vastly exceeding that of the ECSC budget alone, the financial resources which are essential for implementing this social and industrial economic policy by projects, eligibility criteria, favourable terms and expansion, and by harmonizing and coordinating the financial instruments at its disposal;

6. insists that these financial instruments should be decided on and made available to the Commission as quickly as possible, otherwise they will fail in part to serve their purpose;

7. requests its President to present this resolution to the Commission with the further request that this body forward it to: - the Presidency of the Council,

- the European Parliament and its Committee on Social Affairs and Employment,

- the national governments,

and advise them that the ECSC Consultative Committee remains at their disposal for making any contacts to taking any action which the may consider appropriate in the pursuit of these objectives. In particular, the Committee is ready to offer its good offices to the Commission to respond to the wish of the European Parliament to hold a European Steel Conference.