The failure of Europe’s politicians to protect their citizens’ social rights has led to the growth of populism in Europe, said Patricy Dury, national president of Luxembourg’s christian union, LCGB, during a speech in Remich on Labour Day yesterday, while calling for resistance to that populism through commitment to raising and enforcing social standards for all Europeans. 

Highlighting the gains in peace, economic gains and fundamental freedoms that the European Union has brought to people’s lives since its founding 60 years ago, Dury said that the institution’s record nonetheless remains mixed, citing a lack of dynamism within the European project and the neglect of social rights. 

“Directly equating the situation of employees of one country with the employees of another, has created a levelling down for all,” he said. “Beyond this, unlimited globalisation … and the refusal of member states to introduce the European social protocol as a minimum standard has lead to catastrophic consequences.”

Dury praised Luxembourg’s approach to immigration and diversity and the national and social cohesion the state has fostered within that, while calling for a more progressive approach towards other elements such as taxation. He also noted how strong social supports had facilitated the country’s economic resilience even as others struggled to recover from the crisis of 2008. 

In that context, Dury expressed his amazement that current government reforms do not reinforce or improve the social system. “Our social policy is not marked by a political desire to initiate new or even improved social benefits,” he said, adding “the government does not aim for coherent development of social policy, but a clear assessment and even cost containment. This policy is not in the interest of the citizens of our country.”

The LCGB called for a paradigm shift in public policy approaches to social and employment policy, that values the interests of employees, pensioners and social security, with the support of the country’s employers.