Letter to Barosso

Letter to European Commission's President

José Manuel Barroso

Dear Commissioner Barroso,

I am writing to you on behalf of Workability Europe, the largest employer body representing providers of work and employment services to people with disabilities in Europe. It is a not for profit organisation and has 40 member organisations in more than 23 European Countries.

In the light of the economic downtown of the last months, I feel compelled to write to you in order to draw your attention to the situation of employers of people with disabilities, which Workability Europe represents.

Similarly to most other businesses in the European Union, Workability Europe's members are also struggling to cope with the impact of the global financial crisis. While many groups of people are struggling in the current climate, the situation of people with disabilities is particularly precarious. Potentially the consequences of the ongoing crisis could destroy progress made during the last years, even decades. Our social systems are important social stabilisers and in times of economic uncertainty these systems are of increased importance to society. Social Europe needs a strong social economy and an inclusive employment sector.

We believe that concerted action at European level, fostered by the Lisbon Pillars for Growth, Jobs and Inclusion, will be a powerful catalyst for economic recovery hand in hand with National Social Inclusion Programmes of Member States.

Workability Europe offers its expertise and cooperation to the European Commission in order to provide solutions and mechanisms to address the growing social marginalisation of people with disabilities.

Please find attached to this letter Workability Europe's Bucharest Declaration as well as our annual review. If your services have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Hans Vrind, President, Workability Europe

1049 Brussels Belgium 19 June 2009