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The aim is to defend the European economy in the event of a crisis. But the criticisms fuse and among them, the need to guarantee the fundamental rights of workers. Associations of European industrialists see it as an attempt at a Chinese-style planned economy.
From our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
The Emergency Instrument was born out of lessons learned from the pandemic. Its aim is, for example, to replicate the recent successes of united Europe in supporting the purchase and production of vaccines and to avoid scrambles over the supply of surgical masks.
Guarantee the circulation of goods
There would be two successive levels in the event of a crisis. First, the “vigilance” mode intended, for example, to build up reserves of products or raw materials. Then, the “emergency” mode, it could go in its most extreme version until asking companies to accept certain orders in priority, even to produce certain types of goods.
This has made manufacturers scream, whose representatives in Brussels affirm that the credibility and the respect of contracts are at stake. Thierry Breton, Commissioner in charge of the Internal Market, defends himself from any intention of taking over one sector or the other: “ It is not a question, for us, of having an instrument which will control the industries. It is the manufacturers who do their job, not us. But on the other hand, in extreme cases, such as a pandemic, an earthquake, key factories which would come to close for various reasons… it is only in extreme cases that we switch to red activation, that we can have, at that time in particular areas, this vision in the case of the general interest. »
To the detriment of the workers, according to some
For its part, the European Trade Union Confederation also criticizes the project, because, according to it, the right to strike is threatened. This project must now be approved by both the European Parliament and the council of the 27 member states.
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