Industry, EC announces the Charlemagne Prize category for work ethics

(Brussels, March 12th, 2021)

The European Charlemagne Prize family is about to expand itself. The European Commission has, in fact, announced today that a work ethics category will be added. Any European-based industry will be eligible for the prize - a half million euros check -, and the assessments will be taken directly by the EC.

"This will be a great occasion for ethical industries to have a special spotlight in an overcrowded market", said Commissioner for Industry and Labor, Mariele Mamer. "As European Union representatives, we just feel right to recompense those industrials who are keen to bring in their workplaces, and thus in the global market, good values like diversity, respect towards the employees, equity and fairness, that are the basis of the European Union itself. Fair industries are the cornerstone of a fair market".

Commissioner Mamer also announced that a letter to all the eligible industries has already been sent, and inspectors will be displaced soon. "The inspectors will also check on the compliance of those industries with the European fiscal and labor laws. This will also help to discover the ones who are operating as outlaws", Mamer concluded. This places the Charlemagne Work Ethics prize as an instrument against fiscal evasion and employees mistreatments.

(Reuters)

Charlie Bucket locked his smartphone and scratched his head, worried about the possible outcomes of this news. He was the only one (letting out the other Golden Ticket winners) that managed to enter in the reclusive Wonka factory, and was wondering how his mentor would react to it. He couldn't wait any longer: he ran as fast as he could towards the first glass elevator available and pressed the Headquarters button. He was certain to find Willy Wonka there, submerged in paperwork for the next round of shippings. In the meantime, Commissioner Mamer's voice resonated from the Bucket family TV, tuned on BBC news.

"Thank you for the floor, James Crisp for The Guardian. Can we consider the Charlemagne Prize for Work Ethics as a sort of post-pandemic recovery measure?"

"That's a really good way to put it!" Commissioner Mamer replied with a big, sunny smile. "I expect all industrials to have learnt something from this pandemic mess. That's why we created the Work Ethics category for the Charlemagne Prize: the half million euros check will surely be a great aid for those manufacturers who were greatly damaged by COVID-19, but the industrials must show us that they deserve the money and prestige. Thank you."

"We can take only one last question for today", said the EC Head Spokesperson, Eric Mamer, who shared a visible resemblance with the young Commissioner. "I'll pass the floor to Tommaso."

"Thank you, Tommaso Gallavotti for ANSA, Italian news agency. I was wondering if also big corporations are eligible for this prize. This could be a little bit counterproductive for the image of the EU as aid for small enterprises affected by COVID, don't you think so?"

Commissioner Mamer shared a puzzled look with the Spokesperson, hiding a hint of frustration. She expected such a question to come off during the briefing following the prize news. "First of all, I want to put the accent on the fact that we already provided a big load of State aids and money for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Next Generation EU fund, whose planning and drafts are redacted by national governments. So, if you don't see a monetary injection in your country's economy, you only have to blame your national government for this!" Mariele's statement was followed by a burst of laughter in the Berlaymont Palace's press room. "Second, the focus on the prize is mostly on work ethics, rather than the enterprise's size or estimated damage by the pandemic. It's all about promoting good democratic values in a merciless market, and if we see a big corp doing this, we must be only happy about it. But don't worry: every enterprise can win only a Charlemagne Prize round in all of its existence. In this way we'll guarantee that this half million euros check can go in other worthy hands in the following years. Thank you."

Eric launched a prideful look at the Commissioner. She handled this tricky question with class, intelligence and a hint of sarcasm that was always a good source of laughter in the boredom of the press room. "That was all for today, thanks to Commissioner Mamer for her patience, and we'll meet you all again tomorrow at Noontime, thank you for coming!"

"I like that Mamer girl!" said Mrs. Bucket while turning off the TV.

"It would be funny to see how Willy would react to a forced visit from a stranger! And even from an European Union officer!" muttered Grandpa Joe amongst laughter. "I remember him not liking politicians at all!"

Charlie was thinking about the same thing while traveling on the glass elevator. It's so strange that he didn't receive an SMS from Wonka yet, not even asking for a hand with the shipping paperwork. This was really weird from him, since he was always keen to talk to his heir. Maybe he already found out about the prize... While he was lost in thoughts, the glass elevator abruptly stopped in front of Charlie's destination, slamming the young man on the elevator wall. Just like his mentor used to do.

Knock, knock.

Not an answer.

Knock, knock.

Dead silence.

"Willy, it's Charlie here!"

All he could hear was just muffled and confused garbling before the Headquarters door opened by itself. The scenario in front of Charlie was confusing, to say the least: already handled shipping papers were scattered all over the floor, and the desk was empty, except for one letter placed in Willy Wonka's trembling hands. Speaking of which, the chocolatier has surely passed better moments than this: his silky chestnut hair was frizzy and tangled, his face was paler than usual and he was constantly biting his own lower lip.

"I came here to bring you some news" said Charlie, with a worried voice. "Judging by the way you look, it seems that you already received it..."

Willy raised his amethyst eyes, looking at Charlie. He couldn't stand a visit from a stranger, especially government officials. For sure, he had absolutely nothing to hide: he regularly paid his taxes and, even if the wage for the Oompa Loompas was in cocoa beans, he already deposited all the justifications for this to the local tax office. He just couldn't stand another invasion of his comfort zone, and that was all.

"Heh, hello Charlie... If you are talking about the EU prize, yes. Unfortunately, I already received the news. And directly from the higher-ups..." stated the candy man waving that letter in front of Charlie. A letter with a familiar logo on the bag: a grey silhouette of the Berlaymont palace with the EU flag and the words "European Commission". Charlie took the paper and read the letter out loud, with disappointment of Willy.

"Dear Wonka Industries,

I'm writing you to announce that your enterprise is eligible for the new Charlemagne Work Ethics Prize.

In the following days, an European Commission official will pay a visit to your working place to make sure that it's compliant not only with the requisites of the Charlemagne Prize, but also with the EU regulations on a broader side.

I expect from you maximum cooperation and transparency during the checks. Honesty and transparency are key values of the European Commission's way of communicating with citizens. We expect the same treatment from industries as well.

Our official will be at your gates on March 15th, 2021 at 10:00 AM, Central European Time.

May this be a great start of a fruitful and great cooperation between your industry and the European Commission. And good luck with the Charlemagne Prize!

Yours sincerely, Mariele Mamer, European Commissioner for Industry and Labor".