On 16 June, Ceemet brought its community together in Brussels for an afterwork dedicated to one simple idea, that the MET sector speaks loudest when it speaks together. The evening gathered our member federations and their Brussels-based company representatives for a relaxed but purposeful exchange. It opened with a presentation by Director General Delphine Rudelli on Ceemet’s activities, its stakeholder network, and its priorities in the social policy field, followed by a lively Q&A.
The heart of the evening came from our member federations themselves, who shared why Ceemet matters to them. Two of our Nordic federations – Technology Industries of Sweden and Technology Industries of Sweden – pointed to the value of insight into national developments across Europe, from collective bargaining trends to the practical effects of EU initiatives, and to the network that lets members coordinate on implementing directives. The French federation, UIMM, highlighted how Ceemet allows members to anticipate EU legislation at an early stage and to align their messages, noting that speaking with one voice gives employers far greater credibility with policymakers. The German federation, Gesamtmetall, observed that while Brussels is crowded with business voices, very few engage on EU social policy, which is precisely where Ceemet makes the difference. And the federation from the UK, Make UK, underlined the value of the network from a third-country perspective, helping UK business stay connected to the social policy files that may shape future UK and EU relations.
After the presentations, participants engaged in an interesting discussion about the EU’s recent simplification efforts and what expectations European industries have from policymakers in Brussels. As the formal programme gave way to drinks and finger food, the conversations carried on, a reminder that behind a strong European industry stands a network of members united by a common mission. Our thanks to everyone who joined us and helped to build the first step of hopefully a long-lasting partnership.