UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 18

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VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 18 MAY 2014

Contents EUROPE DAY

A People’s Europe Europe has always been a hotbed of conflict, culminating in the atrocities of the last two World Wars. Europe’s founding fathers had the right, long-term vision. Peace and stability in Europe only work within the framework of a united Europe. The European project took off, and most people will agree that coming together has resulted in a multitude of advantages socially, culturally, and even economically. Many people were lauding European monetary integration, skills transfer due to free movement of workers and people, as well as a more robust European identity. Europe was fast becoming a major player on the international stage. However, events happening over time have produced challenges and alarm bells. A stark reminder of the fragility of peace in Europe was the Balkan conflict in the 90’s, described as the deadliest conflict since World War II, resulting in VOICE OF THE

WORKERS

The Road to Opportunity

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Europe Day

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Celebrating Europe Day

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An Inclusive Europe

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The European Reality

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the deaths of 140,000 people. From 2008, the world, Europe included, witnessed the largest economic and financial meltdown since the Great Depression of the 30’s. Financial institutions were going belly-up, and with them businesses, and whole states. Europe, and the world, seemed helpless to do something about it. Member states started asking for bail-outs. Greece was the most serious, followed by Portugal, Italy, Spain and Cyprus.

that far-right, eurosceptic parties will significantly increase their share of popularity. The European Union risks facing its biggest threat to its integration and development.

The economic and financial crisis had a profound effect on the social fabric of most of Europe. Unemployment, especially youth unemployment, soared. Poverty has become a much bigger issue, and the future is far from certain. All this, and other issues are bringing about a fresh wave of Euro-scepticism. Britain wants a fresh referendum on whether it wants to opt out of EU membership, and polls suggest

Success can only be achieved through mature, constructive dialogue between the social partners. All social partners are in the same boat, and their fates depend on each other’s success. Europe cannot be the exclusive realm of the bureaucrats and the politicians. Europe needs to be more of a people’s Europe, where citizens are not just legally integrated, but also feel that way too.

EDITOR’S NOTE JOSEF VELLA

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