Esther Lynch: ‘The far-right is the beneficiary of austerity policies’

Esther Lynch is secretary-general of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). ETUC is the largest a trade union organisation at the European level, representing about 45milions workers (93 trade union organisations in 41 European countries). 

Voxeurop: How can we analyse the abstention rate in the last EU elections in relation to the level of inequality in Europe? 

Esther Lynch: The European Parliament’s pre-election poll showed that workers were most likely to prioritise the fight against poverty, quality public services and job creation. However, it also showed that they were much less likely to vote than bosses. Clearly ensuring working people participate in European elections is key to ensuring Europe acts on their priorities.

Over the last 40 years or so, in almost all Western European countries, we have witnessed the transition of a class-based voting: the working classes have begun to vote right. Is the left responsible? The question of work and working conditions is at the heart of this problem. What can we say about the situation in Europe today?

A study by the Hans Bockler Foundation shows that people who are dissatisfied with their pay and working conditions, and have little say over their job, are more likely to be vulnerable to far-right messages. By contrast, better working conditions create trust in democratic processes and institutions. Another study (The political costs of austerity, 2022) shows that the far-right  has been the main beneficiary of austerity policies that have destroyed collectively bargained wages and working conditions.

The rise of the far-right is a backlash against neoliberal policies which weakened our social model. So, it is not just a responsibility for the left. All democratic forces have a responsibility to rebuild security and hope by delivering quality jobs and higher living standards, improved public services and a just transition in which workers have a real say, so that no worker or community is left behind.

In the last two or three years, we have seen a new interest in trade unions in Europe. Workers everywhere have taken to the streets. Whether they are farmers, factory workers, healthcare workers…. What can we say about working conditions in Europe today?

Blatant unfairness is what lies beneath growing social unrest in every sector of the economy. One of the key demands of the farmer protests has been to reign in the power of multinationals within their sector, as these companies drive down farm prices to the detriment of wages and working conditions. This is an experience that’s very familiar to people working in Amazon factories.

We need to raise standards  in all sectors of the economy. We should do this by attaching social conditions to public funding, as the Biden administration did in the US with the Inflation Reduction Act.

Currently, family farms are being asked to do more in order to receive public money than multinationals like Amazon, which continue to be awarded contracts without competition, or based solely on the fact they’re offering the lowest price.

Companies should not get public money unless they act in the public interest. They should negotiate decent wages and working conditions with trade unions and reinvest profits to create new jobs and raise productivity.

What’s the future of Social Europe?

During the election campaign, I was repeatedly asked whether results such as these would mean it would be more difficult to achieve social progress in the coming term. These results make social progress more urgent than ever – and there is still a democratic majority in place to deliver it.

Those in power should not however take it for granted that workers’ support for Europe will continue if they do not take this opportunity to change it, delivering on the real priorities of working people. To paraphrase the former commission president Jacques Delors, our aim must be to ensure that – before the next European elections – the person in the street can enjoy the daily experience of a tangible social Europe.