OBESSU supports the European Day of Action and Solidarity of ETUC
OBESSU expresses its solidarity with the teachers, students, researchers, workers and citizens of Europe who are on strike, today, November 14th in occasion of the Multi-National European General Strike called by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The Europe-wide strike will take place in Greece, Spain, Portugal and Italy. In addition, in many other countries such as France, Poland, Romania and Slovenia, solidarity actions and demonstrations are being held, to protest against austerity measures and their consequences.
The severe austerity measures implemented across Europe are threatening millions of people, and severely affecting their lives. Poverty levels are rising and societal gaps are widening, all contributing to political unrest and societal anxiety. The groups which are affected most by the crisis are youth, women, refugees and minorities; groups which are often already disadvantaged and marginalised. The rate of young people not employed and not in education is increasing dramatically, and is having strong effect on society. The current situation is no longer possible, and we must have a change in direction: actions promoting quality education and jobs, thus fostering growth.
Education at all levels has continuously suffered because of reforms introduced by irresponsible governments, in the past four years. By introducing these reforms, governments seem to consider students and youth more like a burden, and Education like a cost, rather than an investment. This, together with rising unemployment figures, is a serious threat to our generation. Investing in education and fostering growth is the only way out of the crisis, and it will help overcome many of the challenges we face today.
OBESSU, conscious about the highly precarious situation of young people in Europe, join the call coming from Europe’s trade unions on this day, November 14th, agreeing that we need a social compact to foster development, social justice, employment, culture and education for all, our pillars for building a better and fair Europe.
Written by Daniele Di Mitri
