European Workers Warn Against Cutting Social Spending for Defense Increases
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June 25, 2025 Hour: 10:05 am
Governments must ensure that the wealthiest pay their fair share of taxes, the ETUC pointed out.
On Wednesday, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) warned that social budgets should not be affected by European leaders’ plans to increase defense spending, which are under discussion at the NATO summit.
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The ETUC said social spending must be protected, while also voicing support for “coordinated and enhanced security policies that ensure Europe contributes to securing peace, the rule of law, human rights, and social progress at the international level.”
“EU funds originally intended for cohesion and recovery programs have already been redirected toward the defense sector,” the European unions said.
The announcement came during this week’s NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, where European leaders are discussing ways to raise defense and security spending to 5% of member states’ GDP. Most currently allocate between 1% and 2%.
Governments “must avoid increasing the financial burden on workers” and “ensure that the wealthiest pay their fair share of taxes,” the European unions pointed out.
ETUC Secretary General Esther Lynch said the lack of investment in public services will leave Europe unprepared for the challenges it faces.
“The EU must stop draining already insufficient social funds, and governments must not make workers, retirees, or people with disabilities pay the price for unrealistic targets they have set,” she said, calling for safeguards to ensure that the rise in public defense spending does not “simply enrich shareholders and CEOs of weapons manufacturers.”
“Funding must be tied to social conditions that guarantee workers in the sector are covered by collective agreements ensuring fair wages, working conditions, and training,” Lynch concluded.
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE