Transcript European Parliament Hearing – 3 December 2009

People’s Tribunal on
EU Economic Governance and the Troika
Brussels, 16 May 2014
Impact of austerity on poverty
and social exclusion in the EU
Fintan Farrell
European Anti Poverty Network
Outline of the Presentation
 What is EAPN?
 The economic, financial and poverty crisis in 2009-2010
 The impact of the Troika
 The negative effect of EU economic governance
 EAPN’s proposals for a sustainable recovery
 Conclusions
What is the European Anti
Poverty Network - EAPN?
 Independent Network of NGOs committed to
fight against poverty and social exclusion,
with and for people in poverty.
 Started in 1990 – key actor in poverty
programmes and development of social OMC.
 Receives financial support from the European
Commission (PROGRESS / EaSI)
 29 National Networks and 18 European NGOs
as members (6000+ organisations)
 Participation of people with direct experience
of poverty must be part of the solution.
The economic, financial and poverty crisis
2009-2010
Main focus of the recovery packages – focused on growth
and competitiveness, little regard for social impact
Major cuts to social inclusion and social protection
budgets, as well as services
Rising unemployment, proliferation of low-quality jobs,
erosion of working conditions, increased in-work poverty
Indebtedness, financial exclusion, homelessness
Not all in the same boat – those most vulnerable were
hardest
 Social NGOs see their funding cut, while demands on their
services and support increase
More information: Social Cohesion at Stake – The Social Impact of the Crisis and
of the Recovery Package, EAPN, December 2009, access here.
The economic, financial and poverty crisis
2009-2010
 The social impact is getting worse – recovery means
austerity, which makes the poor pay and undermines a
sustainable recovery
 Fiscal stability is sought at the expense of social
cohesion – Governments are making it worse!
 Income, services, inclusive employment – massive
setbacks and cutbacks, as the situation worsens
 NGOs squeezed to address increasing demands with less
funding and support
 There are alternatives – restore the core values of the
European project and use Europe 2020 to drive an
inclusive recovery
More information: Is the European project moving backwards? – The Social
Impact of the Crisis and of the Recovery Policies, EAPN, February 2011,
access here.
The impact of the Troika
 Troika – European Commission (EU); International
Monetary Fund (IMF); European Central Bank (ECB) or
World Bank – not just a Eurozone concept! Also in RO,
LV, HU…
 Provide loans below market rates (but at a profit) to
sovereign states who are shut out of financial markets,
in return for fulfilling specific conditions expressed in
legal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)
 EAPN Report: Lifeboat or life sentence? The Troika and
emergency assistance programmes and their impact on
poverty and social exclusion, December 2013, can be
consulted here.
The impact of the Troika
 Public spending cuts - shrink budgets, staff and competencies in
public administration; cuts and reforms in health and social
services, housing and education; cuts in welfare cash benefits
and in eligibility; increase in conditionality, especially working
age;
 Tax “reform:” mainly regressive and consumption-based (eg,
VAT);
 Privatization and deregulation: of state assets, including state
owned enterprises, liberalisation; deregulation and price rises or
new user charges - e.g. medicines and transport;
 Labour market deregulation, weakened trades unions: Cuts to
public sector wages; weaken collective bargaining; cuts in real
value of minimum wage; “conditionality” tightened for
unemployed;
The negative effect of EU economic
governance
 Europe 2020 targets far from being reached – the situation for some
is worse than in 2010, ie 10 million at risk of poverty and social
exclusion poverty (114 million to 124 million).
 Social objectives not prioritised in the European Semester, and
undermined by the relentless pursuit of macroeconomic objectives,
without social impact assessment;
 Fiscal Compact, Two-Pack, Six-Pack – contain negative provisions
for social rights, and directly promote poverty.
 Unprecedented levels of external surveillance – Troika, but also
budgetary review in October of each year, under the Two-Pack
 Lack of transparency, democratic participation and stakeholder
involvement – in the European Semester, and the Troika process.
 Social Investment strategy proposed, but unclear yet how it will
function in practice, and whether it will restore balance to objectives.
EAPN’s proposals
for a sustainable recovery
 Put the financial economy at the service of people
 Prevent a further slide into stagnation or “double dip” recession
 Challenge pay inequality and invest in quality jobs
 Support adequate minimum income and social protection
 Support social investment and quality services
 Support social and territorial cohesion
 Support tax justice through progressive taxation
 Build a social and sustainable future for all
 Put forward a European social and green New Deal
 Reinvigorate democratic values and participation
Further EAPN action,
proposals and analysis
 Europe 2020 and the European Semester
- National Reform Programmes – annual analysis reports (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 upcoming)
- Country Specific Recommendations – annual implementation report and shadow proposals
(2012, 2013, 2014)
 Impact of the crisis and of the austerity measures
- Crisis reports (2009, 2010) and policy conference (details and conference report here).
- Re-engaging Hope and Expectations. Getting out of the crisis together – alternative
approaches for an inclusive recovery, March 2012 – read here.
- Lifeboat or life sentence? The Troika and emergency assistance programmes and their impact
on poverty and social exclusion, December 2013, can be consulted here.
 Working in Alliances
- EU Alliance for a more Democratic, Social, and Sustainable European Semester – read the
joint CSR report and check out the launch event (EAPN-led project financed by the European
Commission).
- (Joint Social Conference) Alter Summit – for a democratic, ecologic, social and feminist
Europe
Thank you for your attention!
For more information, please consult
www.eapn.eu
Or contact
[email protected]
[email protected]