EU: electricity social partners point to the social dimension of the EU’s external energy policy

Joint response.  Eurelectric for employers and the EPSU and EMCEF for unions point to the social dimension of the EU’s policy in this area.  They particularly request that the European strategy takes account of the “Just Transition and Decent Jobs agenda” recognized by the international community in the 2010 Cancun agreement on climate change.  These principles, initiated by the International Labor Organization, aim to guarantee a socially responsible environmental transition taking account of the social partners’ opinion.  The joint response also suggests associating to the future initiatives the social partners from neighboring countries, notably within the framework of energy partnerships with each of them.  As regards the EU side of an energy dialogue this is to involve the European sectoral social dialogue committees.  The social partners also call for a high level of health and safety in the sector and demand an evaluation of the impact on employment and working conditions in the sector of an external energy policy more connected with neighboring countries.