However, the EMF stresses that anti-dumping measures should not assist in building walls around Europe. Cross-border trade is essential to industrial development. “Fair competition under equal rules is the future of European economic sustainability and it ensures the future of the European steel workers”, says EMF General Secretary Peter Scherrer.

Measures taken by the Chinese government to protect its domestic steel producers though different forms of state intervention are causing an imbalance on the steel market, which is damaging to the European steel industry and its labour force. It is important that the European Commission, the industry represented by Eurofer, and the trade unions react together, through increased social dialogue to maintain the best possible conditions for sustainable steel production and employment in the steel industry.

Press 46/2007

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The EMF is the representative body defending the interests of workers in the European metal 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, Tel.: + 32 2 227 10 16