The President of the European Public Services Union (EPSU) says one year of COVID-19 has exposed the fragility of the continent’s public health systems, and the total lack of capacity to respond to such a shock.
Mette Nord (pictured) says the tragedy is that this does not come as a surprise.
“Europe’s Public Service unions were protesting staff shortages, under-funding and inadequate resources long before the outbreak of the pandemic,” Ms Nord said.
“When the first wave hit, it is no wonder that health systems and care homes were completely overwhelmed,” she said.
“It is a sad reflection on neoliberal policies that it takes a watershed moment such as a global pandemic to acknowledge the need for well-funded public services and the workers that deliver them.”
Ms Nord said the past year had made the drawbacks of privatisation and budget cuts an unavoidable fact, and there was now a broad understanding that a revaluing of the public sector was needed.
“We cannot go back to the austerity policies of a pre-pandemic world — we must build back better,” she said.
“That is the message of the millions of Public Service workers across Europe on this milestone day.”
Ms Nord said the immediate priority was to strengthen public health and care systems.
“This requires public funding and an end to taxation policies that favour corporations and the rich,” she said.
“Governments must act here at both national and European level; we owe this to our health and care workers, many of whom are being treated for post-traumatic stress,” Ms Nord said.
“Just as there were over 100 strikes in the health and care sectors in Europe just before the outbreak of the pandemic, health and care unions will continue to be militant in demanding pay rises, better working conditions, increased staffing levels and support services.”
However, Ms Nord said other public services had also been on the front-line of the crisis.
“From the waste, water and energy sectors, to social security and employment services, public service workers have been crucial in the continued functioning of society and in dealing with the socioeconomic fallout from lockdown measures,” she said.
“Their role will become more crucial as we recover from the economic crisis,” Ms Nord said.
Brussels, 15 March 2021
