On the occasion of the Portuguese General Motors site closure in Azambuja, the General Secretary of the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF), Peter Scherrer and the President of the General Motors European Works Council; Klaus Franz met with the EU Commissioner responsible for Industrial Policy, Günter Verheugen. The Vice President of the EU Commission, Verheugen emphasised the importance of the automotive companies' social responsibility. "European industrial policy should of course ensure sustainable job security in such an important key industry as the car manufacturing industry", stated Verheugen.

While GM Europe has been carrying out for some time a cutback in personnel throughout Western Europe, the company creates additional capacities at the same time. Klauz Franz appealed to European politicians not to accept the fact that due to overcapacity in regions outside Europe, jobs are being cut back on existing sites.

The EMF General Secretary, Peter Scherrer underlined, that the employment policy aspects of the EU Commission's industrial policy initiatives needed to be clearly outlined. Peter Scherrer made clear that in the long-term employment could only be secured in the automotive industry through constant innovation and significant growth in the sector. It was agreed that the European metalworkers' trade unions would intensify their discussion with the Commission concerning the future of the automotive industry.
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PRESS 22/2006
The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metalworking industry. The EMF has a mandate for the external representation and coordination of the metalworkers' unions and a mandate to engage in bargaining at European level.

For further information please contact:
Editor Peter Scherrer, EMF General Secretary