October
31, 2001
Dear Prime
Minister,
In the
case of a recession, employee share ownership and participation can bring a
major help. You are aware of the positive impact that employee
share ownership and participation have on productivity, in particular, and
economic and social development and employment, in general. This factor can be
of high importance,
since it
is estimated at 1% a year additional growth of the GDP. In terms of employment
in Europe, this is potentially million of additional jobs.
Employee
ownership and participation
is a positive factor in economic and social development in all regions of the
world where it has been encouraged.
In a European strategy for employment, it must be regarded as of pivotal
importance.
Furthermore,
Europe needs such main social project, in view of its integration and the new
knowledge society.
This
is why we ask you to be aware that the promotion of employee ownership and
participation will be at the highest place within the next Declaration of
Laken.
On the
other hand, the Social Agenda agreed at the Lisbon Summit in 2000 invited the
European Commission to publish an Action Plan and Communication on Financial
Participation before the end of 2001. To this end, the Commission organized a
consultation procedure.
We draw
your attention to the Opinion of the European Federation of Employee Share
Ownership for this consultation (see in appendix). We ask your government to
support this opinion and the Action Plan that we are
proposing.
We look
forward to you and your government´s support for these efforts and their success
for the future of Europeans.
Yours
sincerely