Speeches

Mr. President! If a woman stiffens and becomes mute with shock when a thief breaks into her house, no one thinks that the thief may steal her jewelry. But if the same thing happens when you talk about intercourse, then suddenly we disagree. The latter is far, far more serious. It's about something as fundamental as the right to one's own body. I really want us in Europe to have common rules, because in Europe you do not have to shout out loud to be heard. You don't have to have bruises to be taken seriously, and your rights can't disappear just because you cross a land border. Legislation must be on your side, no matter where you are: For the young person on education in Poland, for the woman on holiday in France or the unconscious on the street in Copenhagen. When I was young, I think you'd say it was about something as old-fashioned as honesty. The message is straightforward: Only yes means yes!

Mr. President! At a time of war in Europe and turmoil in the world, EU enlargement is no longer a matter of 'if'. It is a question of "when". Because this is about the security of Europe. But there is another question: How do we ensure that enlargement does not come at the expense of workers' conditions? Because it happened last time. With the 2004 enlargement, many workers from the new EU countries travelled west in the hope of good jobs and money for the family. But far too many ended up in wretched jobs with low pay and poor work environment. We can't offer that to other people. Neither then nor now. In order for the EU to grow, decent working conditions need to grow. The least we can demand is the inclusion of a fair wage, a safe working environment and a fierce fight against social dumping. Then everyone wins on a new expansion. Thank you.

Mr President! As a trade unionist and social democrat, you might think that I would talk about the workers today. But I'll start somewhere else; at the companies. Because when we talk about subcontractors, it's not just about taking care of those who work there. It is also about protecting the companies that play by the rules. Too many of them are today being outcompeted by immoral companies with shady business models, wretched working conditions and bogus contracts. After all, the proper companies are the ones that deliver quality and deliver to deadline. Those who have trainees have employees on decent terms and who take responsibility for the working environment. But how can they survive when fraud and social dumping pay off? This is not fair competition. The choice is simple; Do we as a society want companies that cheat by hiding behind long chains of subcontractors and grossly exploiting people? Or do we want those who do things properly and take responsibility?

Madam President! As a young, newly trained hospital laboratory technician in the nineties, I was educated to high unemployment. So I packed my bag and went to Norway. Got a job in a hospital. Low-paid, but I was ready to work. Shortly after I was hit by pneumonia, I had no savings left after I graduated. I'll never forget that I can't afford penicillin. It was terrible. Many in Europe experience this in their daily lives. We are talking about millions of Europeans. Europe is suffering from a disease that spreads poverty. The disease is called "working poor." People go to work every day, but the wages are not enough for medicine, for housing, for food and not for a safe old age. Let's call it what it is: It's a job that doesn't work for ordinary people. We must ensure proper working conditions. We need to ensure affordable housing for all and affordable pensions.

Madam President! Commissioner, Minister. Competitiveness has become the buzzword of European politics. Competitiveness is important, but it is simply not true that Europe will be stronger if we remove a sea of rules. On the contrary. The right companies need clear and fair rules of the game. Otherwise, they will be knocked out by those who are completely indifferent to the whole, to people, to our society. Our workforce, our labour market, is at the heart of Europe's competitiveness. That's what we need to build the plan on. When people have a good working life, they become more productive, more innovative and have money for the family. It all wins business. In many parts of Europe, there is a shortage of labour. That is why it is downright foolish to wear people out with stress, fraud and a bad working environment – that is, it is a really bad business. Our European strength is a labour market where people can get a decent salary to buy in for, have security at work to be innovative and get the whole home to the family again.

Mr President! It is very overwhelming to feel the broad support there is for Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark from all my good colleagues. Thank you. Because the situation is serious. Threats to take another country's territory. Penalties. Fake news and ridicule. It's all in the hemp. Enough is enough. Europe is not bowing. We've only moved closer together. Dear Greenland: You're not alone. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you.

Mr President! When we talk about labour shortages in Europe, we too often forget to talk about the shadows of the labour market. Because when workers from outside the EU get a job in the EU, there is a high risk that the employment will be on poor terms. Recently, the Commission has proposed an EU Challenge pool, an EU job portal to make it easier for employers to recruit from outside the EU. And then I get a little worried, because when the workers come here, they do not have an earthly chance to see what rights they have in the European labour markets. Social dumping not only undermines the conditions for employees, but also creates unequal competition for those companies that hire on collective agreements, respect the working environment and pay their taxes. If the EU really wants to tackle labour shortages in the EU, it must invest seriously in people, in education and a good working environment. If we go for the quick fixes, we'll all lose it.

Mr. President! More and more people are struggling with work-related stress. Europeans in all professions, from office workers to electricians, experience being contacted by the workplace during their free time. I am therefore really disappointed that European employers have not wanted to find common ground with the trade union movement. We can't just expect the problem to go away on its own. Even if you're paid for overtime, that's not good enough. Everyone needs undisturbed time with their family, without the tasks ticking into the phone. When employers do not want to help find a solution, the Commission must step in now. So, Commissioner, we need solutions now. For every day we hesitate, even more people are on sick leave with stress. We have a job to do. We must guarantee Europe's workers the right to turn off the phone.

Mr President! Three years ago, I met Dan. In his youth, Dan was apprenticed as a plumber, and on an ordinary working day in his new apprenticeship, he was exposed to asbestos. When I meet Dan, it's been twenty years, and Dan's terminally ill with mesothelioma. He has decided that he will spend his final days making sure that no one ever suffers the same fate as him. His message was clear: No one should die from their work. Therefore, I am incredibly proud that I can now say: “Dan, we did it!” Because with the asbestos directive, we can save tens of thousands of lives in Europe every year. We are setting a European limit value based on the Dutch model, which currently has the lowest limit value in Europe. We are phasing out the old measurement methods and bringing asbestos prevention into the 21st century. No one should work with asbestos unless they are fully professionally qualified to do so. Dan - he is fortunately still alive today and has opportunities to see his wishes fulfilled. I therefore also hope that we in the European Union will soon be able to fulfil Dan's second wish. All houses and buildings in Europe are screened for asbestos before the craftsmen start working. I am therefore using my speaking time today to send a clear message to the Commission. An ambitious screening directive is essential for the asbestos directive to work. If we do not set requirements for how we detect asbestos, we will never be able to prevent it thoroughly enough.

Mr President! The Myanmar junta has recently dissolved 40 political parties, and we in the European Parliament cannot ignore this resolution. The dissolution of political parties is another act that fundamentally erodes the democratic rights of civilians. Recently, the trade unions in Myanmar reported how labour rights are also suffering. Not only are politicians imprisoned, so are trade union leaders. In the EU, we have a special responsibility. The Made in Myanmar project receives EU funding, but the project no longer respects workers’ basic rights. In the European Union too, we have an obligation to ensure that human rights are respected in Myanmar and not to invest money in projects that legitimise the junta's rule. I take the call of the trade unions from Myanmar seriously and call this evening for the Commission to consider stopping the 'Made in Myanmar' project if fundamental labour rights cannot be guaranteed. Human rights are labour rights. Labour rights are human rights.

Mr President! Europe has become poorer and more insecure for ordinary families. The work is done more than ever on digital platforms. Wages are rattling down and food banks are being opened in streaks to prevent people from starving. This is a bomb under the welfare state if we don't fix it now! We can talk a lot about which solutions are the right ones, but one thing is for sure; We can do a lot in the EU! First of all, we need to shovel under the growing number of bogus self-employed, because employers are pushing away responsibility for fair wages, insurance and pensions. If you work as an employee, you must also be employed as one. We need to do much more to strengthen the social partners in Europe, ensure good conditions for collective bargaining and make it clear that the right to join a trade union is OK. We must ensure that no one gets sick or dies from their work. We can reverse the trend. Let's get started!

Mr. President! When the AB5 law in California was introduced, Uber and the other platform companies spent over $200 million in anti-campaigns against that law. The law to stop the gross exploitation of fake self-employed people on digital platforms. With this campaign, they managed to secure an exemption for Uber drivers that still applies today, even if it is unconstitutional. It's something that was only thought to be American. But it has also happened in Europe. Uber has, to say the least, been carried through the EU system by heads of government and EU commissioners. Here, big business has apparently been allowed to have a very special access to tell about their business model. And today we only have a simple statement without any sanctions. Although 124,000 pages in Uber Leaks prove completely, we should do the opposite. Next month we will vote on the Platform Directive. There is also strong opposition in the European Parliament to decent working conditions and pay for those working on digital platforms. I'm going to make a big call now; Stop Uber's lucrative access to the EU institutions and instead support workers' conditions. Huge billion-dollar companies should not have direct access to influence European legislation.

Madam President! When the EU-ASEAN summit begins tomorrow, we will mark 45 years of diplomatic cooperation between our regions. Our cooperation spreads across a wide range of areas, on peace and democratic principles, on respect for human rights and on cooperation on trade agreements and its important chapters. Trade agreements between us have ensured economic prosperity in both regions over the years, but have also improved labour rights, secured ratification of ILO conventions in ASEAN and introduced several important environmental requirements, most recently in the trade agreement with Vietnam. But among the ASEAN countries there are also states where democratic rules of the game, human rights and working conditions are still being compromised. There is still a long way to go before we are where we need to be. That is why, as Vice-President of the European Parliament's delegation to ASEAN, I would like to stress the importance of the European Union continuing to uphold and press for democratic rights.

Mr. President! Since the junta in Myanmar took power in February 2021, there have been increasing numbers of attacks and killings against civilians, religious minorities, peaceful democratic protesters, human rights defenders and journalists. The list is long and it's a terrible read. The junta is fighting violently against any form of resistance and continues to undermine press freedom. That is unacceptable. Freedom of the press is essential for a free and democratic society. Journalists should not be treated as criminals and should not fear for their lives just because they are doing their job. It is crucial that we in the European Union do everything in our power to stop the systematic human rights violations taking place in Myanmar. I urge the EU to strengthen sanctions against Myanmar's junta. The democratic elections for 2020 must and must be respected.

Mr President! After all, it was the pioneers who invented the airplane in the last century. It has given us a sense of freedom, but our freedom is now under threat. Threatened by the black footprint we leave behind every time we fly. We are now in a new century on the threshold of a new era. An era of green planes. It is time to act, because the green transition of aviation does not happen by itself. It requires investment and a pioneering spirit, because the transition goes through sustainable aviation fuels - fuels that are not many at the moment. But if we want more sustainable fuel in the tank, we need to increase demand. It is simple logic. Large-scale production is the way to cheap green fuel. Europe does not need a bureaucratic cap on green ambitions. Europe needs space for high political ambitions and freedom for those who will lead the way in investing in and developing sustainable aviation fuels. This is the only way to ensure cheaper alternatives to fossil fuels in the future. It is time to give the green pioneers of our time the freedom to pave the way for the aircraft of the future.

Madam President! In Belarus, we have recently witnessed a violent outcry against trade unions and their representatives. A hetz that has taken place over a number of years, but which escalated in April when at least 18 trade union leaders were imprisoned. This was reportedly to disturb public order, but in fact to be critical of the Belarusian regime. Several of them are now awaiting long prison sentences. In Belarus, trade unions have played an absolutely essential role in fighting for a free and democratic Belarus. I therefore condemn the arrests. Terrorising trade unions is a direct attack on fundamental rights and must have consequences. I fully support the EU reaching out and helping the Belarusian trade unions. Because they must know that there is always support and support from the European Union for freedom, peace and democracy. I therefore call on the regime in Belarus to immediately release all trade union leaders, drop all charges and respect ILO conventions.

Mr President! Commissioner! We know that transporting people and goods across national borders is a vital cornerstone of any country. Transport is a prerequisite for society to develop and thrive. In times of crisis, this fact becomes even clearer. We saw it most recently during COVID-19. Here, vital supply chains stalled and people's connections to the outside world were shut down. These are consequences that the international community is still suffering from. The EU transport sector is at the heart of the global community. We need transport by land, sea and air to continue. We have dedicated employees in the industry who every day pump life into even the smallest of corners. As I stand here, Putin continues his illegal war of aggression a few thousand miles from here, on territories we still hope to be able to call Ukraine tomorrow. I therefore call for the EU to continue to strike Putin's Russia right at the heart. Only by blocking vital transport routes in the EU and shutting down Russia’s external connections can we hope to stop his illegal war of aggression in Ukraine.

Madam President! We're writing in 2022, but we don't have a peaceful world. It has been more than a year since the junta in Myanmar took power and has since committed the killing of the civilian population. I strongly condemn the fact that Russia, China and Serbia, as UN members, have helped the coup plotters to supply arms to the military regime in Myanmar. Supporting a military regime that uses force against the civilian population deserves condemnation and sanctions, not help from UN countries. The Myanmar population should not live with torture and abuse as part of everyday life. I am referring to the Rohingya, who are particularly vulnerable. I want a peaceful solution that respects the 2020 democratic elections and gives power to the civilian population - the civilian population's choice of a government. If there are no improvements, we should seriously consider more sanctions, because more than 14 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Many children and adults are starving. I call today for the EU to stand united on sanctions against Myanmar's junta.

Madam President! Thank you for your words, Commissioner Schmit! I am very pleased that we have a common agenda here. Work in the EU must be carried out in a healthy and safe working environment. It is terrible to think that while we are talking in this Chamber, there are people who are injured in the workplace. We need to change that. I look forward to the summit. I am not the only one who produced the report. Thank you very much to all the shadows, to the EMPL staff, to the secretariats and, not least, to team Vind. You have made a huge effort. Without everyone's efforts, we would not have included algorithms, women in the labour market, COVID, the right to disconnect, asbestos, climate change, stress, etc. It really means a lot. It will be a comprehensive report that will make a big difference to the working environment for Europe's workers. I'm happy about that.

Madam President! European workers have been fighting for a better working environment for over a hundred years. Yet more than 3,300 people die every year in workplaces in the EU. Over 200 000 people die each year from work-related illnesses after the work they have had. But we can therefore do much better, and that is why I see today's vote on the EU's seven-year strategy on health and safety at work as a light in the dark - a path to a better working environment for all. We have negotiated a fantastic report. Thank you to my colleagues for the incredible effort we have made together. A common strategy to ensure better safety and health for millions of Europe's workers. The report sets the ambitions sky high. It's something I'm proud of. The Commission's proposal was fine, but Europe's workers deserve more. Because we should not have an EU where hundreds of thousands die each year from work-related cancer. We should not have an EU where more than half of workers experience stress in their everyday lives, nor should we have an EU with more than 3 million accidents per year at work. All the figures I mention about accidents, illnesses and mentally ill working conditions are scandalous. The Commission's Vision Zero approach is a very good idea. But we want to extend this vision to cover all accidents at work. And I believe that we in Europe have come far enough to demand that you do not get hurt or sick from your work. It must be possible for all employees to be protected in relation to their physical and mental health when they go to work. A good example is asbestos. Asbestos has been banned in the EU since 2005, but there are still many old buildings in need of proper renovation and many of them have asbestos in them. So many craftsmen come to work with asbestos unknowingly, unaware of the consequences and unaware that over 80 000 people die annually because of it. But the renovation wave that's coming is going to increase that number. That is why we are proposing a much lower limit value for asbestos work, just as we want stricter limit values in relation to a large number of carcinogens. You don't get cancer from doing your job. The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on our working conditions. Many were sent home and therefore lost the opportunity to see their colleagues in everyday life. And a large group of people have had to work more than usual, have been on the front line and have worked under extra pressure and at risk of illness. When you can work from home, it also means that you can work all the time with devices. It is therefore important that we discuss the right to take time off. The right to be offline. Turn off the computer, turn off the phone - keep free when you are off. Homework is not something that goes away - and fortunately for that. It provides flexibility, but it is really important that we ensure access to the good working environment in the home. This also applies to stress. Because it's not okay to show up at work with a lump in your stomach and the thought of: How am I going to get through today? It's not supposed to be like that. Finally, I would like to dispel a well-known myth: Health and safety is not a huge expense. Working environment is a good investment. Businesses need to see health and safety as an investment, not an expense. It is worth investing in a good working environment. With this report, we have a solid foundation for creating good European legislation that improves the working environment for the whole of the EU. I hope the Commission will take it on board.

Mr. President! Dear Commissioners, Dear rapporteurs, Dear colleagues! Every year, 120 000 Europeans get cancer from doing their job. It's the plumber who inhales asbestos and gets cancer in his lungs. It is the carpenters who are exposed to UV radiation and get skin cancer and veterinary nurses who take x-rays of our pets and get thyroid cancer, and many other professional groups who work with drugs or in environments that increase their risk of cancer, and 80 000 of them lose their lives. It is mothers, fathers, siblings who die because they do their job. Every case is tragic, but the whole picture is outright scandalous. It's time to step up our ambitions. It's time for us to use some of the tools that we know work. It's time to get rid of cancer in the workplace. Today's decisions are an important step in the right direction. No one gets cancer from going to work, and in my opinion one cancer patient is one too many.

Mr President! European cooperation is based on the principle of free movement. It has created growth and prosperity across national borders for decades. But freedom of movement has also led to social setbacks, with many hard-working Europeans facing downward pressure on their wages and working conditions. Fortunately, this is not a law of nature. It doesn't have to be like that. Social backsliding can turn into progress. Freedom of movement can become fair movement. But it requires political will. In the municipality of Copenhagen, the political will resulted in an experiment with ID cards on several public buildings. This has eased the control of the authorities and brought fraud to light. In fact, it was so successful that the scheme is now permanent. Because even the companies were happy about it, because the easy control wiped out all the fraudster companies. But social dumping is not a problem we can solve with a "vupti". It is the long, tough haul of organisation, legislation and control that can slow down progress and ensure decent wages and conditions for employees. Still, an ID card has proven to be low-hanging fruit that we haven't picked yet. Therefore, we should follow in the footsteps of Copenhagen and their experiences. We should follow suit at European level and introduce an ID card for all the many Europeans who work in a country other than their country of origin. This will make it easier for authorities to check compliance with the rules. This will lead to fewer people being scammed by gruesome employers. And thus we can put an end to the downward pressure that hard-working people experience on their wages and working conditions. That is why I hope that a majority in the European Parliament will help to put pressure on the European Commission so that, with an ID card in the toolbox, we can begin to make it free. Movement is fair.

Mr President! By 2035, up to 35 million buildings will be subject to energy renovation in the EU. There will be a wave of green renovations that will lead to major energy savings. But if we are not careful, the renovations will also cause a wave of cancer cases. A wave that will cost the lives of thousands of Europeans, because the buildings contain deadly asbestos. We have a limit today, yes, but it is not high enough. We have a screening effort, it's just too bad. We have legislation, yes, but there is a lack of enforcement. This means that there is still life-threatening asbestos dust. It gives workers cancer that takes their lives. That is unacceptable. We need to lower the threshold. We need to improve the screening of buildings before renovations begin, and we need to ensure that there is more control. It is not right for people to risk their lives to do their job. Asbestos already has many lives on its conscience. Let's make sure it ends now, before the next generation loses its life.