EU expansion opportunities highlighted
The second meeting of a group established to help the European tanning industry take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the expansion of the EU eastwards over the next three years has taken place in Romania.
Held in Bucharest on October 21-22, the EU-sponsored ‘Forum of the Social Partners in Tanning and Leather’ was attended by tanning industry representatives from across the continent. The meeting focused on EU enlargement and support programmes, as well as training and other labour market issues.
Speakers included D. Lascu president of PIELARUL (Romanian Trade Union Federation in the Leather and Tanning Sector), Mr D. Sbarcea, president of OPINC (Romanian Employers Association) and Mrs F. Orlandi of UNIC, the Italian tanning industry association. In her presentation, Mrs Orlandi a public/private sector project in Italy where immigrants from Eastern Europe had been helped to find work in the tanning sector, highlighting the benefits for the tanners involved.
At the meeting, COTANCE secretary general, Mr G. Gonzalez-Quijano, also announced that the organisation had been successful in its bid to secure EU Commission funding for its ‘Perfect Link’ project.
The meeting ended with Mr Quijano expressing his confidence in the ability of the candidate EU countries to meet the challenges posed by accession, provided the present rate of progress in implementing social and environmental safeguards is maintained.
