EU Level developments
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: Conference highlights differences in national implementation of health and safety Directives<#PDF_LINK>Participants at a December 1997 conference on the working environment in the European Union, organised by the Trade Union Technical Bureau, discussed the differences in implementation at Member State level of the framework health and safety Directive and the individual Directives adopted under it. The importance of the Directives adopted under Article 118A as a cornerstone of the European social dimension was highlighted, but it was argued that this was being undermined by incomplete transposition and significant variations in their implementation at national level.
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: Lightening the load of long working hours among Europe's managerial staff<#PDF_LINK>A conference hosted byEUROCADRESin December 1997 concluded that managerial staff in the EU are working too many hours, which has a severe impact on their health and ability to reconcile their work and private life. EUROCADRES criticised the exclusion of managerial staff from much of the working time Directive and stressed the importance of policies to reduce working time. Discussion at the conference was based on a report on professional employees' working hours in Europe produced by two experts in the field.
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: Public sector employers stress importance of negotiated modernisation to tackle unemployment<#PDF_LINK>In an opinion issued in late 1997, CEEP, the European body representing public sector employers, outlined its priorities in the area of employment policy. It wants to achieve greater job creation and a more even balance between the economic and social aspects of the single market.
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: Towards a Europe of knowledge - Commission outlines action on education and training<#PDF_LINK>In November 1997, the European Commission issued a Communication outlining the parameters of future Community action in the area of education and training. It forms the basis for new legal instruments in this field which will come into force on 1 January 2000.
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: Report assesses role of SMEs in employment creation<#PDF_LINK>The 1997 annual report by the European Observatory for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) outlines trends in the formation of SMEs. It finds that such firms create more jobs than larger enterprises, though the rate of liquidation of SMEs is also high.
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: 1998 employment policy guidelines adopted<#PDF_LINK>In December 1997, the Commission adopted a final proposal forGuidelines for Member States employment policies for 1998, which was subsequently adopted by the Council. The guidelines are based on the four pillars of employability, entrepreneurship, adaptability and equal opportunities. The aim is for Member States to adopt action plans for employment policy reflecting these priorities. Progress of the implementation of these action plans is to be monitored on an annual basis.
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: Social Affairs Council adopts Directive to implement part-time work agreement<#PDF_LINK>At its December 1997 meeting, the Labour and Social Affairs Council adopted Directives on the implementation of the framework agreement on part-time work and on the burden of proof in sex discrimination cases, as well as extending the Directives on European Works Councils and parental leave to the UK. Ministers also adopted theGuidelines for Member States' employment policies in 1998.
- 28 Dec 1997
EU Level: 1997 Annual Review for EU Level<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews 1997's main developments in industrial relations at EU Level.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: Commission launches second phase of consultations on national information and consultation<#PDF_LINK>Following the receipt of responses to the first round of consultations with the EU-level social partners on national information and consultation, the European Commission decided in November 1997 to launch the second phase of consultations. This enables the social partners either to return an opinion within six weeks or to decide to start autonomous negotiations with a view to reaching a framework agreement on the issue.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: Commission suggests boosting job-creation potential through VAT cuts<#PDF_LINK>In preparation for the special Employment Summit on 20-21 November 1997, the European Commission launched a proposal which would give Member States the option of reducing VAT rates for certain labour-intensive services provided locally, in order to boost employment opportunities in this area.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: Commission proposes extension of social security Regulation to third-country nationals<#PDF_LINK>In November 1997, the European Commission adopted a proposal to extend to third-country nationals Council Regulation 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed people and families moving within the European Union. The aim is to support the functioning of the single market and contribute to the fight against racism and xenophobia.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: Commission proposes to increase competitiveness of textiles/clothing and construction<#PDF_LINK>Proposals emanating from the European Commission's Directorate-General III (Industry) in October and November 1997 seek to increase the competitiveness of the European textiles/clothing and construction industries by highlighting the importance of training, the introduction and application of quality standards and the application of new technologies.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: European Parliament gives qualified support to part-time agreement<#PDF_LINK>In October 1997, the European Parliament Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted a report on the social partners' June 1997 framework agreement on part-time work, which gives qualified support to the agreement. The report criticises the fact that the agreement is limited to part-time workers and argues that its provisions fall short of existing ILO standards.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: Commission adopts Action Plan to further the free movement of workers<#PDF_LINK>In November 1997, the European Commission adopted an Action Plan to improve the conditions for the free movement of workers within the European Union. The Action Plan reinforces previous commitments to completing the single market and aims to improve cooperation between different actors and information about career opportunities in other Member States.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: Conference highlights controversy over abolition of duty free<#PDF_LINK>A conference held in September 1997 highlighted the continuing controversy over the abolition of duty-free sales within the EU. Abolitionists argue that duty free distorts competition, while representatives of European retailers state that it adversely affects other retail outlets. Trade union representatives are worried about the impact on jobs.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: European Health and Safety at Work Week launched<#PDF_LINK>The second "European Health and Safety at Work Week", held in October 1997, highlighted the achievements as well as the shortcomings of current European legislation and policy in this area.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: Employment Summit agrees limited package of measures to combat unemployment<#PDF_LINK>European political leaders, meeting in Luxembourg on 20-21 November 1997 for a special Employment Summit, agreed a limited package of measures aimed at improving employability, supporting entrepreneurship, increasing adaptability and strengthening equal opportunities. However, the European Council failed to agree on many of the ambitious targets placed on the negotiating table prior to the summit.
- 28 Nov 1997
EU Level: New European survey focuses on workplace innovation and employment<#PDF_LINK>The results of a new survey sponsored by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, presented in September 1997, indicate that since the beginning of the 1990s, Europe has seen a significant increase in a variety of new forms of work organisation with strong direct participation of employees.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: The transition of the Hungarian industrial relations system<#PDF_LINK>This feature reviews the transition of the Hungarian industrial relations system from state socialism to "industrial democracy". In particular, it looks at the impact of the Hungarian Labour Code of 1992, which introduced the institution of works councils, and assesses to what extent recent reforms have been successful in creating a new structure of collective bargaining.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: Conference highlights contribution of sectoral social dialogue to the European employment strategy<#PDF_LINK>A major conference on "New job opportunities in the cleaning services" was held in Brussels on 9-10 October 1997, as a follow-up to the "joint memorandum on new sources of employment" signed byEFCIandEuro-FIET, the European-level social partners in the sector, in October 1996. The cleaning initiative illustrates the potential of the European sectoral social dialogue to contribute to employment creation.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: OECD Labour and Social Affairs Ministers discuss measures to combat unemployment<#PDF_LINK>Meeting in Paris on 14-15 October 1997, OECD Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs highlighted the importance of the institution of effective active labour market policies, policies specifically targeted at low-paid workers and less-skilled and long-term unemployed people, as well as policies to encourage life-long learning.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: Eurostat registers fall in EU unemployment<#PDF_LINK>According to recent Eurostat figures, unemployment in the European Union fell in the months of June and July 1997, with average levels down by 0.1 percentage points to 10.6% in July.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: Commission adopts draft Directive on Supplementary Pensions<#PDF_LINK>On 8 October 1997, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Directive on safeguarding the supplementary pension rights of employed and self-employed people moving within the European Union. This proposal represents one more step towards the completion of the single market, and is aimed at removing one of the remaining obstacles to the free movement of workers across the EU.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: European social partners do not agree on EU regulation of national information and consultation<#PDF_LINK>Responding to the first round of consultations on a framework EU-level regulation of worker information and consultation at the national level, launched in June 1997 by the European Commission,ETUChas signalled its broad support whileUNICEhas rejected the need for further EU intervention in this area.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: Labour and Social Affairs Council dominated by preparations for Jobs Summit<#PDF_LINK>The October 1997 meeting ofEULabour and Social Affairs Ministers was dominated by preparations for the special Jobs Summit in November. Among the other issues on the agenda were the follow-up to the Davignon report, the Directive to enact the framework agreement on part-time work concluded byETUC,UNICEandCEEP, and the White Paper on the sectors and activities excluded from the working time Directive.
- 28 Oct 1997
EU Level: Commission adopts guidelines for Member State employment policies<#PDF_LINK>In preparation for the special Jobs Summit in November 1997, dedicated to the issue of employment, the European Commission adopted a package of three documents in October. These highlight the current labour market situation in theEU, outline the Commission's guidelines for Member State labour market policies in 1998 and provide analysis and examples of good practice to back up these recommendations.
- 28 Sep 1997
EU Level: Framework agreement in agriculture: a milestone in the European sectoral social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>On 24 July 1997, the European social partner organisations in the agriculture sector officially signed Europe's first sectoral "recommendation framework agreement" on the improvement of paid employment in agriculture in the Member States of the Union. The agreement has attracted a lot of interest and could be seen as a model for other similar agreements. Here we chart the history of the agreement within the agriculture social dialogue, its content and the initial reactions from national and transnational social partner organisations and European institutions.
- 28 Sep 1997
EU Level: Trends in the development of labour markets and labour relations in Central and Eastern Europe<#PDF_LINK>In light of the commencement of European Union accession negotiations with five countries in Central and Eastern Europe, due in 1998, there is a growing preoccupation with the impact of enlargement on labour markets in the potential new Member States and in the rest of the EU. Accession will also bring the involvement of social partner organisations from new Member States in the European social dialogue process. We highlight the key trends in the development of labour markets and labour relations in Central and Eastern Europe, with particular attention to the challenges facing trade unions and employer organisations in these countries.
- 28 Sep 1997
EU Level: Eurocadres urges Luxembourg Presidency to push for new employment initiatives<#PDF_LINK>The Council of European Professional and Managerial Staff (Eurocadres) met with representatives of the Luxembourg Presidency in September 1997 to present its vision for employment creation in Europe.
- 28 Sep 1997
EU Level: Scandinavia and UK leaders on training for adult workers, says Eurostat<#PDF_LINK>A report by Eurostat, published in September 1997, shows that across the EU an average of 5.6% of workers over 30 received training at their workplace in the survey period in 1996, with significant variations between countries.
- 28 Sep 1997
EU Level: UNICE outlines demands for British Presidency<#PDF_LINK>AT a meeting in September 1997 with British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, UNICE outlined its demands for the UK Council Presidency, which falls in the first six months of 1998.
- 28 Sep 1997
EU Level: Social partners in the textiles industry sign first European Code of Conduct<#PDF_LINK>On 22 September 1997, the social partner organisations representing workers and employers in the textile industry signed a European Code of Conduct designed to show their commitment to promoting basic human rights in the workplace.
- 28 Sep 1997
EU Level: Luxembourg Presidency outlines objectives of Employment Summit<#PDF_LINK>As the date for the special European Employment Summit approaches - it is to be held on 20-21 November 1997 - various parties have outlined their priorities for the summit. Here we concentrate on the objectives outlined by the Luxembourg Government, which currently holds the Presidency of the Council.
- 28 Aug 1997
EU Level: European Works Councils update: One year after the transposition deadline<#PDF_LINK>This feature summarises the progress of the national transposition of the European Works Council Directive one year after its implementation deadline in September 1996. It also outlines the experience of pre-emptive agreements and assesses their impact on the emergence of European collective bargaining.
- 28 Aug 1997
EU Level: Agenda 2000 and the European social dimension - countdown to enlargement: The case of the Czech Republic<#PDF_LINK>This feature reviews the content of the Commission'sAgenda 2000programme on EU enlargement, issued in July 1997, particularly in relation to its social dimension. It also looks at the impact of enlargement on the future of the European social dimension. Furthermore, this article contains the first in a series of reviews of the industrial relations systems of the Central and Eastern European Countries which have applied for accession to the European Union, discussing their potential to accommodate to existing structures in the Union. Here we focus on theCzech Republic.
- 28 Aug 1997
EU Level: Part-time work Directive and employee representation are priorities of the Luxembourg Presidency<#PDF_LINK>The Luxembourg Presidency of the EU, which covers the second half of 1997, has confirmed that its priorities include the transformation of the social partners' framework agreement on part-time work into EU legislation, progress in the discussions on employee involvement, and the ratification of the Amsterdam Treaty.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: Commission seeks to encourage debate on new forms of work organisation<#PDF_LINK>TheEuropean Commissionadopted a Green Paper on new forms of work organisation on 16 April 1997. This document aims to encourage debate on this issue among interested parties across Europe. This feature outlines the main arguments and questions presented in the document, details initial reactions from the social partners and seeks to assess to potential for drawing up a European model of work organisation.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: Amsterdam Treaty brings small advances for employment and social policy<#PDF_LINK>On 17 June 1997 inAmsterdam, theEuropean Councilagreed a new draft Treaty. This feature presents those contents of the Treaty which are set to have an impact on European industrial relations, outlines the reactions of the social partners and provides an initial assessment of the outcomes.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: Commission examines measures to encourage the use of apprenticeships<#PDF_LINK>A Communication from theEuropean Commission, issued in June 1997, sets out recommendations designed to encourage the use of apprenticeships in the Member States.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: Council reaches common position on burden of proof in sex discrimination cases<#PDF_LINK>Labour and Social Affairs Ministers from the Member States, meeting on 27 June 1997, discussed Directives relating to sex discrimination and health and safety, and debated employee information and consultation measures.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: Commission publishes White Paper on sectors and activities excluded from the working time Directive<#PDF_LINK>In July 1997, theEuropean Commissionpublished a White Paper seeking to address the issue of working time and holiday regulation in sectors covered by derogations from the 1993 working time Directive. Here we examine the content of the White Paper in connection with action taken on these issues by trade unions representing road transport workers in the European Union and worldwide.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: Commission adopts draft Directive on part-time work<#PDF_LINK>In July 1997, following the adoption of a framework agreement on part-time work by the European social partners, theEuropean Commissionagreed a proposal for a Directive aimed at transposing the agreement into European law.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: Commission adopts a Communication on the social and labour market dimension of the information society<#PDF_LINK>TheEuropean Commissionadopted a Communication in July 1997 aimed at stimulating debate on the social and labour market dimension of the "information society", as a follow-up to its 1996 Green Paper onLiving and working in the information society.
- 28 Jul 1997
EU Level: European agriculture social partners sign first sectoral framework agreement<#PDF_LINK>The European-level social partners in the agriculture sector signed the first sectoral "recommendation framework agreement" in July 1997. The accord is concerned with the improvement of paid employment in agriculture in the Member States of the European Union.
- 28 Jun 1997
EU Level: Social partners reach framework agreement on part-time work<#PDF_LINK>After nine months of intensive negotiations, the European social partners concluded a framework agreement on part-time work on 14 May 1997. The agreement, which was formally signed on 6 June, aims to eliminate discrimination against part-time workers in the area of employment protection, and make this form of employment more attractive to employers and employees alike. We look at the background to the negotiations and the content of the deal, and provide an initial assessment of the agreement.
- 28 Jun 1997
EU Level: European social partners discuss the social impact of restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In the aftermath of the Renault Vilvoorde crisis, and despite efforts over May-June 1997, the European social partners have so far failed to arrive at a common declaration on the social impact of restructuring, as a result of differences of emphasis. Over the same period, several other EU-level proposals on employee participation (covering national-level information and consultation and worker involvement in the European Company) have appeared.
- 28 Jun 1997
EU Level: Amsterdam summit agrees new draft Treaty<#PDF_LINK>The Amsterdam European Council summit meeting concluded on 17 June with the agreement of a new draft Treaty. We outline the contents and some initial reactions to the draft text, which is due to be signed in Amsterdam in October 1997.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Social affairs Council takes stock of information and consultation initiatives<#PDF_LINK>At their meeting on 17 April 1997, EU labour and social affairs ministers reviewed reports on the work of theDavignon Groupon employee involvement, the outcomes of the informal social affairs Council in March, and the Round Table on information and consultation hosted by the Dutch Presidency on 15 April. TheLabour and Social Affairs Councilalso considered proposals on the burden of proof in sex discrimination cases and equal opportunities for men and women regarding access to employment, training and promotion.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: The future of social protection in Europe: anatomy of a debate<#PDF_LINK>In March 1997, theEuropean Commissionhas recently issued a Communication on the modernisation and improvement of social protection in Europe. Here we outline the reasons for the current concern with the reform of social protection systems and highlight the development of Commission proposals, as well as the approaches taken by the social partners.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: New Commission report and initiatives on continuing training<#PDF_LINK>In a report published in April 1997, theEuropean Commissiontakes stock of progress made towards the achievement of equal access to continuing training. The report also recommends a number of concrete initiatives aimed at involving the social partners and member state governments more closely in the process of monitoring, and the development of strategies for improving access to continuing training.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Commission publishes first annual review of the EU-level social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In its first annual review of the development of the social dialogue process at European level, theEuropean Commissionhighlights what it sees as the main achievements, as well as shortcomings. The review, adopted in May 1997, lists the initiatives which have been taken at interprofessional and sectoral level and stresses the success of consultations and negotiations under the Agreement on Social Policy annexed to the Maastricht Treaty.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Commissioner Flynn responds to income distribution and poverty figures<#PDF_LINK>Padraig Flynn, European commissioner with responsibility for employment, industrial relations and social affairs, has expressed his concern over the most recent findings on poverty and income differentials published in May 1997 byEurostat. He underlines the need for a dialogue on social exclusion with member states, social partners and civil society.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Davignon group on worker involvement publishes recommendations<#PDF_LINK>The Commission-convened "high-level expert group on worker involvement" presented its final report on 14 May 1997. The report assesses the reasons for the lack of progress in European legislation on a European Company Statute and makes recommendations which it believes would help to overcome these difficulties.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: UNICE urges IGC to prioritise competitiveness<#PDF_LINK>In its opinion on the conclusion of the Intergovernmental Conference, issued on 30 April 1997, UNICE expresses its concern about the perceived lack of importance attached to improving the competitiveness of European companies in the current proposals for Treaty revision.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Social partners reach draft agreement on part-time work<#PDF_LINK>A draft European-level agreement on part-time work was reached byETUC,UNICEandCEEPon 14 May 1997.Padraig Flynn, the commissioner for employment, industrial relations and social affairs, has welcomed the deal as a positive step towards Social Europe and a reminder of the important role played by the social partners.
- 28 May 1997
EU Level: Commission publishes Green Paper on new forms of work organisation<#PDF_LINK>In April 1997, the Commission released a Green Paper onNew forms of work organisation. The purpose is to stimulate a European debate on how competitiveness and employment opportunities can be improved through new forms of work organisation based on high skill, high trust and high quality.
- 28 Apr 1997
EU Level: Progress of the Intergovernmental Conference<#PDF_LINK>1997 is to see the culmination of the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) for the revision of the Treaties. This feature outlines the process and progress of the current IGC, as at April 1997, and the impact that proposed Treaty revisions are likely to have on industrial relations and employment and social policy.
- 28 Apr 1997
EU Level: EU continues to feel impact of Renault crisis<#PDF_LINK>In April 1997, Belgian and French courts condemned the actions of French car marker Renault in announcing the closure of its Belgian plant without prior consultations. The European Union has instituted a number of processes to assess how the situation of workers affected by large-scale redundancies or business transfers can be improved. At the same time, uncertainties remain over how to address the problems of European industries facing financial difficulties in times of budgetary stringency.
- 28 Apr 1997
EU Level: Commission to bring infringement proceedings against three member states<#PDF_LINK>On 3 April 1997, theEuropean Commissionrevealed that it is to bring infringement proceedings againstFrance,GreeceandItalyfor failing fully to apply Community legislation in the social field. The 1996 report on the application of Community law showed that onlySwedenandFinlandhad satisfactorily implemented all Community Directives in the areas of labour, equal opportunities, free movement, health and safety and public health legislation.
- 28 Apr 1997
EU Level: ETUC organises European Day of Action for Employment<#PDF_LINK>A number of information campaigns and protest actions are planned across the European Unions and in Central and Eastern Europe to highlight theEuropean Trade Union Confederation's demands in the run-up to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) in Amsterdam in June 1997.
- 28 Apr 1997
EU Level: Commission reports on progress of social action programme<#PDF_LINK>TheEuropean Commissionhas recently published its report on the implementation of the current social action programme. The report outlines the achievements to date, as well as next steps to be taken prior to the revision of the social action programme following the Intergovernmental Conference.
- 28 Apr 1997
EU Level: Commissioner Flynn outlines priorities and current status of IGC<#PDF_LINK>In a public lecture in Ireland on 18 April 1997, the commissioner for employment, industrial relations and social affairs outlined theEuropean Commission's priorities and the current status of negotiations in the Intergovernmental Conference.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: The Renault case and the future of Social Europe<#PDF_LINK>The announcement in February 1997 by French car makerRenault, of the closure of its Belgian plant has generated an unprecedented storm of protest and raised questions over the ability of European legislation to prevent multinational companies from enforcing economically motivated decisions on the location of production, without prior workforce consultation. It has also generated a much-needed debate on the use of Structural Fund resources in the relocation of business activities to areas of lower labour costs.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: Commission issues Memorandum on Transfer of Undertakings<#PDF_LINK>On 5 March 1997, theEuropean Commissionissued a Memorandum on the interpretation of the 1977 Directive on the transfer of undertakings. The Memorandum seeks to address the criticisms levied against its attempt at updating the Directive in the light of the changes resulting from the single market, and of judgments by theEuropean Court of Justiceas well as national courts.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: UNICE outlines its vision for the future of the European social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>On 26 February 1997,UNICE, the European employers' body, issued its response to the recent Communication from theEuropean Commissionon the development of the social dialogue at Community level. The document shows a considerable degree of agreement between European intersectoral social partner organisations on the future shape of the European social dialogue process.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: Commission rejects French textile plan<#PDF_LINK>In March 1997, the European commissioner responsible for competition policy, Karel Van Miert, rejected as "illegal" a plan by the French Government to support its ailing textile industry by reducing non-wage labour costs. The use of subsidies to help maintain employment has recently become heavily disputed.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: Commission launches second stage of consultations on sexual harassment<#PDF_LINK>In March, the European Commission launched the second stage of consultations with the European-level social partners on a policy to counter sexual harassment at work. The social partners now have to decide whether or not to launch autonomous negotiations with the aim of drawing up a framework agreement.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: Commission issues Communication on the modernisation of social protection systems<#PDF_LINK>TheEuropean Commissionhas launched a new Communication on the modernisation and improvement of social protection systems in the European Union. The document, issued in March 1997, presents the Commission's analysis of the need for reform, and presents its agenda for future action and analysis.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: First annual report on equal opportunities published<#PDF_LINK>TheEuropean Commissionrecently published its first annual report on equal opportunities between men and women, reviewing developments both at the European Union level and within individual member states.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: Commission publishes amended proposal on transfer of undertakings<#PDF_LINK>TheEuropean Commissionadopted a new version of its draft Directive amending Council Directive 77/187/EEC on 24 February 1997. It reflects the Opinions submitted by theEconomic and Social Committee, theCommittee of the Regionsand theEuropean Parliament.
- 28 Mar 1997
EU Level: Commission underlines the role of the social partners in fighting racism<#PDF_LINK>Speaking in March 1997 at a conference on the fight against racism and xenophobia, organised by theEuropean Trade Union Confederation(ETUC), commissionerPadraig Flynnhighlighted the important contribution of the social partners in combating racism in the workplace and in society as a whole.
- 28 Feb 1997
EU Level: European social partners issue joint declaration on Confidence Pact for Employment<#PDF_LINK>After a long period of negotiation, the European-level social partners issued a joint declaration late in 1996 on the priorities and actions proposed byJacques Santerin his Confidence Pact for Action on Employment in Europe. However, disagreements remain over a number of issues in the debate on how to address the problem of unemployment in Europe.
- 28 Feb 1997
EU Level: The future of the social dialogue at Community level<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission is currently considering the future development of the social dialogue, in the light of new challenges faced by the EU. Initial indications from the responses generated by its consultation document highlight the desire of European social partner organisations to improve and extend the dialogue process
- 28 Feb 1997
EU Level: European Commission publishes progress report on equitable wages<#PDF_LINK>The findings of a recent Commission study show that most member states have the basic legislative framework in place, aimed at achieving an equitable wage. Direct intervention in wage policy is, however, regarded as being undesirable by the majority of member state governments.
- 28 Feb 1997
EU Level: Social partner negotiations on part-time work near deadlock?<#PDF_LINK>Disagreements on the scope of a framework agreement, aimed at extending employment and social protection rights to part-time workers, are threatening negotiations between the social partners, which are currently talking place on the basis of the Agreement on Social Policy.
- 28 Feb 1997
EU Level: Employment and Labour Market Committee holds first meeting<#PDF_LINK>The recently-established Employment and Labour Market Committee held its inaugural meeting in Brussels on 29 January 1997. The Committee was established to support the European employment strategy.
- 28 Feb 1997
EU Level: Commission report links employee financial participation and productivity<#PDF_LINK>A new Commission report on the Promotion of Participation by Employed Persons in Profits and Enterprise Results (PEPPER II) indicates a link between the implementation of such schemes and increases in productivity and - to a lesser extent - flexibility and employee participation.
- 28 Feb 1997
EU Level: European Parliament debates employee consultation measures<#PDF_LINK>At its plenary session of 16 January 1997, the European Parliament debated the future of the European Company Statute and adopted a revised draft of the Transfer of Undertakings Directive