A new apostolate for bluecollar workers” “” “

Contract work, lack of protection, clandestine employment, precariousness and uncertainties that exacerbate frustration and difficulties in planning for the future: these are just some of the features shared by European youth, according to the findings of the meeting “Youth, work and employment: questions for a European bluecollar worker apostolate” held in Brussels from 22 to 24 November on the initiative of GEPO (European bluecollar worker pastoral group), a coordinating body that helps to liaise between the pastoral work of various European countries (see the fact file below). We put some questions to Father Etienne Mayence , coordinator of GEPO, a diocesan priest who works in the pastoral care of manual workers in Tournai (Belgium). “GEPO does not create employment for young people – he explains – but it does offer a forum for the exchange and sharing of ideas and initiatives. At the end of our meetings we send our conclusions to various bodies that represent the Churches and episcopates of Europe”. What labour problems do the young people of Europe have in common? “The employment situation of young people is very serious. When we exchange experiences, we realize that the working conditions are similar, though with some nuances. We live in a globalized world and find the same mechanisms at work everywhere: the concentration of wealth, the growth of poverty and exclusion, the threats to social security, the tendency to privatization…The consequences are the same, even if at different levels, because some countries have stronger social guarantees than others. If today a young person succeeds in obtaining a labour contract for 6 months he can count himself lucky, but clearly with a contract of this type it is impossible to build a future”. Are the EU’s youth employment policies having any positive effects? “There have undoubtedly been some positive effects, but these policies do not guarantee a long-term and secure employment. Often the policies in question stimulate atypical and temporary work that only defers problems to the future. We hope that the social Europe may be built in a stronger and more decided manner than the economic Europe, and that a common social security programme may be implemented throughout the EU. Only in this way can we give hope to the young and ensure that inequalities do not increase”. Also present at the Brussels meeting was Father Paolo Tarchi , director of the Office for social problems and labour of the Italian Episcopal Conference. What efforts are being made for the labour apostolate in Europe? “In the post-industrial society in which we live, in which big industry is disappearing and the labour market is being fragmented, the person is ever less represented and precariousness is growing. The Church cannot run away from these problems. With the imminent arrival of the Euro and in a context of globalization, the problems faced in Europe are similar, and this increases the need for common action. We need to take on board the problems of labour because otherwise we risk the barbarization of labour relations: contracts are being eliminated, free time reduced, working conditions are deteriorating. In this context, any attempts that bring people and pastoral initiatives together are welcome, because they help to identify strategies at the service of individuals and families”. In this field too do we now need to “think European”? “That is inevitable. Just as in the past we had the regions, now it’s the national States that are becoming the new regional level. There is a great effervescence of European labour policies, but we need to be on our guard: the white paper on labour published recently says that in the next five years it will be necessary to increase employment by 70%. But on what conditions? There is a risk of increased employment impoverishing life and lowering its quality. It’s not enough to give people a job; we need to ensure its quality: respect for the dignity of the person, proper protection of health, the opportunity to enjoy holidays, leisure time, etc.”. P.C.