EUROPEAN COUNCIL : DECLARATION ON GROWTH AND JOBS FAILS TO CONVINCE.

• Position: Brief article

The informal European Council of 30 January sparked mixed reactions among players in the social sector. The day after the meeting, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) voiced disappointment in the limited ambition shown by the heads of state and government. "The informal summit was promoted as a summit on growth and employment. [ ] It ended with the announced fiscal compact' and a bland and inconsequential declaration on growth and jobs," regret the European trade unions. The chair of the S&D group, Hannes Swoboda, echoed this disappointment: "While sanctions can be applied if a member state does not ensure its financial stability, no sanctions are foreseen if a country fails to implement measures for employment and growth. There is an imbalance with the fiscal stability pact being based on a treaty and the initiative for jobs and growth...