Klijnsma: ‘The biggest challenge facing Europe is in the heads of its citizens’

Source: Dutch Presidency of the European Union (EU2016NL) i, published on Friday, February 19 2016, 9:43.

Dutch state secretary for social affairs and employment Jetta Klijnsma presented the Netherlands’ ambitions for its Presidency to the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) on 18 February.

The EESC is a socioeconomic advisory body made up of representatives of employer groups, employee groups and civil society organisations. Ms Klijnsma spoke at length about the need to create decent jobs, tackle occupational cancer and fight poverty.

Silken thread

In her speech, Ms Klijnsma said the greatest challenge currently facing Europe was in the heads of its citizens. ‘They are sceptical. They think Europe can no longer deal with the problems. And they have lost their faith. Many think they are being swallowed up by a huge, uncontrollable Europe. And Europe as a whole looks more distant than ever before. The bonds have become a silken thread.’

‘The problems we are facing tempt us to live from day to day. But we have to look to the future and keep moving forward. In the twenty-first century, knowledge and innovation are still the keys to competitiveness, in the Netherlands and the Union. Good policy will inspire businesses to create extra jobs for the next five to ten years and strengthen the European agenda for jobs and growth. The Netherlands’ Presidency wants to realise these ambitions,’ according to the state secretary.

A future for people

Ms Klijnsma stressed that a decent Europe offered people not only decent jobs but also a future. ‘The crisis has hit us hard, and poverty has risen throughout the EU. This is a thorn in my side. It really is time to turn the tide and work together to reduce the number of people living in poverty. Fighting poverty is one of the priorities of the Netherlands Presidency.’