EU Level developments
- 28 Dec 1999
EU Level: Some progress at November Labour and Social Affairs Council<#PDF_LINK>At a meeting of the Labour and Social Affairs Council on 29 November 1999, ministers discussed a variety of employment and social security issues, including the Commission's "employment package", the Commission's new anti-discrimination proposals and a range of social security-related matters. However, no agreement was reached on the draft Directive on employee involvement in the European Company.
- 28 Dec 1999
EU Level: Commission issues anti-discrimination proposals<#PDF_LINK>In November 1999, the European Commission issued an anti-discrimination package of proposals consisting of two draft Directives, a draft Decision establishing a Community action programme and a Communication to the European institutions. The legislative proposals are based on Article 13 of the European Treaty.
- 28 Dec 1999
EU Level: Seattle WTO talks fail<#PDF_LINK>The World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks held in Seattle from 30 November to 3 December 1999 ultimately resulted in failure to make any progress on the contents of the next round of global trade negotiations. One of the main causes of dissent amongst the participants was the issue of including labour standards in international trade agreements.
- 28 Dec 1999
EU Level: New anti-discrimination Directives proposed by Commission<#PDF_LINK>A new anti-discrimination package of proposals was issued by the European Commission on 25 November 1999. Based on Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty, the new proposals aim to help combat discrimination on a much wider range of grounds than existing EU legislation.
- 28 Dec 1999
EU Level: 1999 Annual Review for the European Union Level<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews 1999's main developments in industrial relations at the European Union Level
- 28 Dec 1999
EU Level: New anti-discrimination Directives proposed by Commission<#PDF_LINK>A new anti-discrimination package of proposals was issued by the European Commission on 25 November 1999. Based on Article 13 of the Amsterdam Treaty, the new proposals aim to help combat discrimination on a much wider range of grounds than existing EU legislation.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Labour and Social Affairs Council debates employment issues<#PDF_LINK>The EU Labour and Social Affairs Council met on 22 October 1999 to discuss a number of employment issues, including the Commission's "employment package" - consisting of the draft 1999 Joint Employment Report, recommendations on the implementation of Member States' employment policies, and the proposed Employment Guidelines for 2000.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: European day of action in shipbuilding<#PDF_LINK>A European day of action was staged in November 1999 by trade unions representing workers in the shipbuilding industry across Europe. The action aimed to persuade EU industry ministers to take steps to safeguard the European shipbuilding industry.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: ECJ rules against Luxembourg for non-transposition of EWCs Directive<#PDF_LINK>The European Court of Justice ruled on 21 October 1999 that Luxembourg has failed to implement the European Works Councils Directive, rejecting Luxembourg's argument that it has prepared draft legislation and that most of the Luxembourg companies falling within the scope of the Directive have voluntary EWC agreements in place.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Michelin redundancies stir unrest<#PDF_LINK>Plans to make 7,500 redundancies across Europe over the next three years were announced by the French tyre manufacturer Michelin in September 1999. This led to calls for an urgent meeting of Michelin's recently-established European Works Council and prompted the French government to legislate against companies making redundancies unless they have concluded a 35-hour week agreement aimed at safeguarding jobs.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Current EU information and consultation initiatives reviewed<#PDF_LINK>A number of employee information and consultation initiatives are currently on the EU agenda. We outline the position reached, as of November 1999, by the draft Directives on national information and consultation and employee involvement in the European Company Statute, the draft 13th company law Directive concerning takeover bids, which includes provisions on employee information, and the review of the European Works Councils Directive.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Public administration sector social dialogue conference agrees on closer cooperation<#PDF_LINK>A public administration sector European social dialogue conference was held on 2 November 1999 in Helsinki, attended by representatives of the European Federation of Public Service Unions, employer representatives in the area of national public sector administration in EU Member States, and representatives of the European Commission. Delegates agreed a structure for further regular informal meetings.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: Commerce social dialogue agrees on fundamental workers' rights<#PDF_LINK>The social dialogue in the European commerce sector, between EuroCommerce (for employers) and Euro-FIET Commerce (for employees) has developed further over 1999. Notably, in August it produced an agreement on fundamental rights and principles at work, covering the elimination of forced labour, a ban on child labour, the elimination of discrimination, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining. Topics for future social dialogue discussion in this sector include racism, teleworking and the situation of older workers.
- 28 Nov 1999
EU Level: European Works Council agreements online<#PDF_LINK>As of October 1999, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions has made available on its website a database containing the details of some 450 European Works Council agreements, plus the full text of around 220 agreements.
- 28 Oct 1999
EU Level: ETUC adopts equality action plan<#PDF_LINK>In September 1999, the European Trade Union Confederation executive committee adopted an equality action plan. The plan, which was originally discussed at the ETUC equality conference linked to its Congress in June 1999, aims to boost the position of women in trade unions and, more widely, in the workplace.
- 28 Oct 1999
EU Level: Tampere Council initiates drafting of a charter of fundamental rights<#PDF_LINK>The European Council meeting held in Tampere, Finland on 15-16 October 1999 launched work on drafting a charter of fundamental rights in the European Union. This is the latest development in a long-running debate concerning fundamental rights and a direct result of the conclusions of the June 1999 Cologne Council, which called for the incorporation into a charter of all the fundamental rights currently applicable in the European Union.
- 28 Oct 1999
EU Level: Drivers demand shorter working hours<#PDF_LINK>A Europe-wide demonstration of lorry and bus drivers took place on 5 October 1999 to highlight the continuing hiatus over the regulation of working time for mobile workers and self-employed drivers in the road transport sector. Although a draft Directive to address this matter was issued almost a year ago, its progress in the EU Council of Ministers has been slow.
- 28 Oct 1999
EU Level: Commission launches anti-discrimination initiative<#PDF_LINK>A new draft initiative aimed at combating labour market discrimination was adopted by the European Commission in October 1999. Launched within the framework of the European employment strategy and running from 2000 to 2006, the initiative provides for the setting up of local development partnerships.
- 28 Oct 1999
EU Level: Collective bargaining coordination agreed in textiles, clothing and leather<#PDF_LINK>Guidelines aimed at improving European coordination of collective bargaining on pay were adopted in September 1999 by the European Trade Union Federation - Textiles Clothing and Leather (ETUF-TCL). The Federation hopes subsequently to negotiate a European sectoral pay agreement.
- 28 Oct 1999
EU Level: Ministerial conference calls for improved gender equality<#PDF_LINK>A two-day ministerial conference on equal opportunities and employment policy ended in Helsinki on 1 October 1999. Ministers concluded that national governments and social partners should play a more active role in promoting gender equality in the labour market and in reconciling work and family life.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: Commission assesses progress of employment strategy<#PDF_LINK>In September 1999, the European Commission published a package of key documents which complete a full cycle of the European employment strategy process. The draft Joint Employment Report 1999 reviews the progress made in the implementation of the 1999 Employment Guidelines and the impact on the Union's employment performance. The Commission also proposed that the Council of Ministers make a series of recommendations to individual Member States on the implementation of their employment policies, highlighting the areas where the Commission feels that certain - or all - Member States have not yet made sufficient progress in the implementation of the Guidelines. Finally, the Commission issued its draft Guidelines for 2000. As for 1999, these Guidelines emphasise continuity, while stressing that further emphasis should be placed on certain aspects such as adaptability and gender mainstreaming.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: Social dialogue takes shape in the European hairdressing sector<#PDF_LINK>A European-level sectoral social dialogue in the hairdressing sector got underway in September 1998. Since its inception, the social partners have carried out joint actions in the area of vocational training and have initiated joint studies to gain a better understanding of the profile of the sector across the European Union. Overall, the hairdressing dialogue has had a very active first year.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: Commission publishes its strategy for a Europe for all ages<#PDF_LINK>In May 1999, the European Commission published a Communication entitled "Towards a Europe for all ages - promoting prosperity and intergenerational solidarity". The document examines demographic trends and outlines the policies that the Commission feels need to be adopted in order to deal with the ageing of the European population.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: Commission publishes concerted strategy for modernising social protection<#PDF_LINK>In July 1999, the European Commission published a Communication on "A concerted strategy for modernising social protection". This new document follows on from the 1997 Communication on modernising social protection and outlines key challenges to EU social protection systems and the Commission's proposals for how Member States should address these issues.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: UNICE outlines its vision for social Europe beyond 2000<#PDF_LINK>In September 1999, the European employers' organisation UNICE presented its vision for social Europe in a report entitled "Releasing Europe's employment potential - companies' views on European social policy beyond 2000". In its document, UNICE calls for greater flexibility and respect for the principle of subsidiarity. The European Trade Union Confederation has called the paper "disappointing".
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: International super-union on the way<#PDF_LINK>Following unanimous votes in favour by delegates at congresses of the Communications International (CI) and Media and Entertainment International (MEI) in September and October 1999, the stage is now set for the creation of an international trade union alliance of CI, MEI, the FIET white-collar and private sector service workers' union and the International Graphical Federation (IGF). The plan is to have Union Network International (UNI) in place for for the start of the new millennium.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: Transport unions organise day of action to underline lack of progress in working time debate<#PDF_LINK>The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), with the support of the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) organised an international day of action for 5 October 1999 to underline the lack of progress in the debate on drivers' working hours, both at European level and internationally. Under the banner "Fatigue kills", drivers across the world were due to protest to highlight the dangers of long working hours.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: Reduction of VAT on labour-intensive services agreed<#PDF_LINK>On 8 October 1999, EU Economic and Financial Affairs Ministers reached agreement on a Directive allowing Member States the option of cutting the VAT rate on certain labour-intensive services with the aim of creating employment. The list of services covered had been agreed at an informal ministerial meeting in September.
- 28 Sep 1999
EU Level: Commission takes legal proceedings against seven Member States<#PDF_LINK>At the end of July 1999, the Commission decide to launch or pursue proceedings against a number of Member States in relation to their transposition of EU labour legislation. These relate primarily to uneven implementation of the pregnant workers' Directive, the Directive on minimum health and safety requirements applicable to the use of equipment by workers, the transfer of undertakings Directive and Directives on collective redundancies.
- 28 Aug 1999
EU Level: Managerial and professional unions agree to cooperate in European social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In July 1999, two bodies representing managerial and professional staff at European level, CEC and EUROCADRES, signed a "protocol of cooperation for the European social dialogue". The protocol provides for the establishment of a liaison committee, the future participation of the two organisations in the institutions and processes of the social dialogue, and greater cooperation.
- 28 Jul 1999
EU Level: New Directive set to improve rights of fixed-term contract workers<#PDF_LINK>The adoption of a Directive implementing the the European social partners' framework agreement on the rights of workers on fixed-term contracts is pending in summer 1999. We take this opportunity to review some key features of the agreement and look at a recently study of regulation on fixed-term contracts in Europe.
- 28 Jul 1999
EU Level: Ninth ETUC Congress calls for a European system of industrial relations<#PDF_LINK>The European Trade Union Confederation's ninth Statutory Congress took place in Helsinki between 29 June and 2 July 1999. The Congress emphasised the importance of the development of a European system of industrial relations and the greater coordination of economic and social policies in the European Union. A conference on gender mainstreaming, which took place on the eve of the Congress, recommended for adoption a new plan to promote equality in ETUC, which aims to increase the representation of women in collective bargaining and trade union decision-making bodies. Persistent pay inequalities are also targeted.
- 28 Jul 1999
EU Level: Commission Communication urges coordinated modernisation of social security systems<#PDF_LINK>A European Commission Communication adopted in July 1999 argues that, in the light of EU Economic and Monetary Union, national social security systems should be reformed to meet the key objectives of: making social protection systems more conducive to job creation; dealing with the ageing population; combating social exclusion; and offering affordable healthcare for all citizens.
- 28 Jul 1999
EU Level: Informal Social Affairs Council addresses problems of older workers<#PDF_LINK>An informal Labour and Social Affairs Council meeting was held under the Finnish Presidency on 8-10 July 1999. Ministers examined the problems facing older workers on the labour market and reviewed the 1999 National Action Plans for employment and proposals for the Employment Guidelines for 2000.
- 28 Jul 1999
EU Level: Commission President presents new team<#PDF_LINK>In July 1999, the new President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, presented his proposed new team of Commissioners. The team selected reflects a desire for a fresh start after the allegations of irregularities which had beset the Commission, and a number of responsibilities have been redistributed. Anna Diamantopoulou, from Greece, has been entrusted with the employment and social affairs portfolio.
- 28 Jun 1999
EU Level: Commission report assesses potential impact of cutting non-wage labour costs<#PDF_LINK>A report published by the European Commission on 31 May 1999 estimates the job-creation potential of a reduction in non-wage labour costs, with an accompanying reduction in public expenditure, to be approximately 1%. The report shows that average EU non-wage labour costs are significantly higher than in the USA and demonstrates different models of offsetting the drop in revenue caused by a reduction in taxes on labour. The document serves to highlight the complexities of such a strategy.
- 28 Jun 1999
EU Level: Council agrees to extend working time Directive to excluded sectors<#PDF_LINK>At their Council meeting on 25 May 1999, EU Labour and Social Affairs Ministers reached agreement on their common position on a draft Directive amending the 1993 working time Directive with the aim of ending the exclusion of the majority of sectors previously outside the scope of this legislation. Specific sectoral measures on the working time of seafarers, based on a framework agreement reached by the sector's social partners in September 1998, were also approved. No progress was made on the European Company Statute, but the social partners' framework agreement on the rights of workers on fixed-term contracts was widely welcomed.
- 28 Jun 1999
EU Level: Joint social partner conference highlights challenges facing European private security industry<#PDF_LINK>At a joint conference held in Berlin on 10-11 June 1999, the social partners in the European private security industry took important steps towards a common approach regarding the challenges facing the sector. CoESS and Euro-FIET, representing employers and workers in the industry, signed three joint texts covering mutual recognition, the award of contracts to private security companies in the public sector, and the forthcoming accession of central and eastern European states to the European Union.
- 28 Jun 1999
EU Level: Expectations and outcomes of the Cologne European Council<#PDF_LINK>Prior to the European Council meeting in Cologne on 3-4 June 1999, the European Trade Union Confederation called for an investment-led employment and growth pact, while the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe re-emphasised its call for structural reform and greater labour market flexibility. In the event, the summit meeting delivered a little of both, with the announcement of additional funding for a variety of investment and labour market initiatives and calls for a review of national tax systems to make them more "employment-friendly".
- 28 May 1999
EU Level: Commission adopts draft Directive to implement fixed-term contract agreement<#PDF_LINK>In May 1999, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Directive transposing the framework agreement on the rights of workers on fixed-term contracts into European Union legislation. The proposal aims to put into effect the European framework agreement signed by ETUC, UNICE and CEEP in March 1999.
- 28 May 1999
EU Level: Communication emphasises need to coordinate economic and employment policies<#PDF_LINK>In a Communication on Community policies in support of employment issued in April 1999, the European Commission emphasises the importance of the coordination of economic and employment policy objectives. if the long-term objective of moving to an EU employment rate of 70% (currently 61%) is to be achieved. The Communication sets out the role which EU, national, regional and local authorities and social partner organisations can play in attaining this goal.
- 28 May 1999
EU Level: Social partners assess impact of electronic commerce on employment<#PDF_LINK>One of the main areas of discussion in the European social dialogue in the commerce sector is the issue of the employment impact of the increasing proliferation of electronic commerce. In 1999, the social partners, EuroCommerce and Euro-FIET, are following up the conclusions of a conference on the subject held in Athens in April 1998, and have a launched a major training project.
- 28 May 1999
EU Level: European Parliament adopts resolution on draft information and consultation Directive<#PDF_LINK>On 14 April 1999, the European Parliament gave a first reading to the European Commission's proposed Directive on the information and consultation of workers at national level. The Parliament proposed a number of amendments.
- 28 May 1999
EU Level: German Presidency presents draft employment pact<#PDF_LINK>The German Presidency of the EU launched its proposals for a "European employment pact" at an informal meeting of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers on 26 April 1999. The proposed pact emphasises the importance of a strong "synergy" between labour market policies at EU and Member State levels, as well as between wage, fiscal and monetary policies. The draft paper went forward to the June European Council meeting in Cologne.
- 28 May 1999
EU Level: Amsterdam Treaty enters into force<#PDF_LINK>The Amsterdam Treaty entered into force on 1 May 1999, bringing a number of innovations in the European Union's scope for decision-making in areas including the labour market and social affairs.
- 28 May 1999
EU Level: Focus on greater women's representation in decision-making<#PDF_LINK>In April 1999, on the occasion of a European conference on gender balance in decision-making, a declaration on women in decision-making was signed by ministers from 13 EU Member States and an action plan was launched. Meanwhile, research by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) shows that much remains to be done in its member organisations to achieve balanced women's participation and to "mainstream" equality policies, and ETUC will thus launch an equality plan.
- 28 Apr 1999
EU Level: New report assesses economic impact of health and safety measures<#PDF_LINK>A report from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, launched in March 1999, provides the first extensive overview of how economic factors are related to the formulation of occupational safety and health policy in the EU Member States. This feature provides an overview of the key findings, as well as the implications for health and safety policy.
- 28 Apr 1999
EU Level: Commission reviews implementation of pregnant workers Directive<#PDF_LINK>In March 1999, the European Commission adopted a report on the implementation of the 1992 pregnant workers' Directive. The Commission is generally satisfied with implementation, but identifies a number of areas in which the legislation of some Member States is argued to fall short of the Directive's requirements. In addition, the Commission expresses its desire to rethink a number of elements of the Directive in order to reduce discrepancies between countries and to improve equality of opportunity.
- 28 Apr 1999
EU Level: Conference explores role of social partners in the enlargement process<#PDF_LINK>At the initiative of the European-level social partners, a major conference on EU enlargement was held in Warsaw on 18-19 March 1999. The conference brought together social partner organisations from the European Union and from the countries which have applied for accession to the EU, and prompted a wide-ranging debate on the role of the partners in the enlargement process. At the end of the conference, the social partners signed a joint declaration aimed at demonstrating their commitment and cooperation in furthering the process of enlargement.
- 28 Apr 1999
EU Level: European Work Organisation Network launched<#PDF_LINK>The European Work Organisation Network (EWON) was launched in March 1999. The main aim of the network is to support and speed up the modernisation of work organisation across European enterprises.
- 28 Apr 1999
EU Level: Proposed VAT cuts for job creation welcomed by construction industry<#PDF_LINK>In March 1999, the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) welcomed the European Commission proposal for a Directive giving EU Member States the option of introducing for an experimental period of three years a reduced rate of VAT on labour-intensive services, with the aim of job creation.
- 28 Apr 1999
EU Level: ETUC anticipates green job creation under Kyoto protocol<#PDF_LINK>In a March 1999 working document, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) expresses the belief that the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, signed up to by the EU inKyotoin December 1997, represents enormous employment creation potential, particularly in respect of energy-efficiency techniques.
- 28 Mar 1999
EU Level: Local government social partners sign joint declaration on equal opportunities<#PDF_LINK>In March 1999, the European-level social partners in the local government sector, CEMR Employers' PlatformandEPSU,signed a wide-ranging joint declaration on equal opportunities. They call for the promotion of positive action, enhancement of training and career opportunities for all regional and local authority employees, measures to combat sexual harassment and to ensure the provision of equal pay for work of equal value, and the development of more "family-friendly" working practices.
- 28 Mar 1999
EU Level: European employers' organisations forge closer links within social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In December 1998, the presidents of UNICE and of UEAPME - which represents small and medium-sized enterprises - agreed to strengthen collaboration between the two European employers' organisations within the social dialogue, by signing a cooperation agreement.
- 28 Mar 1999
EU Level: Labour and Social Affairs Council discusses European employment pact<#PDF_LINK>The EU Labour and Social Affairs Council held on 9 March 1999 reached agreement on a number of instruments in the area of European employment policy, including the reform of the Standing Committee on Employment and a resolution against illegal work. The content of the German Presidency's proposed "European employment pact" was also discussed, while other issues on the agenda included progress on worker involvement in the European Company and the extension of the working time Directive.
- 28 Mar 1999
EU Level: Commission adopts third Annual Report on equal opportunities<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission adopted its third Annual Report on equal opportunities for women and men in March 1999. It focuses on 1998, a year when equal opportunities was a very important item on the European policy agenda and when the EU's "twin strategy" - combining mainstreaming in all policy areas with action specifically aimed at women - was found to have produced tangible results.
- 28 Mar 1999
EU Level: Social partners sign fixed-term contracts agreement<#PDF_LINK>Following approval by the executive bodies of ETUC, UNICE and CEEP of a text agreed in January 1999, the European framework agreement on fixed-term employment contracts was officially signed on 18 March 1999.
- 28 Mar 1999
EU Level: Energy unions express concern over liberalisation of markets<#PDF_LINK>The European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers' Federation (EMCEF) is organising an "action day" in Brussels on 11 May 1999 to coincide with a meeting of the EU Council of Energy Ministers. The initiative seeks to highlight the perceived negative impact of the liberalisation of gas and electricity markets on employment.
- 28 Feb 1999
EU Level: New era in sectoral social dialogue takes shape<#PDF_LINK>In May 1998, the European Commission adopted a Decision which set in train a shake-up in the organisation of the European-level sectoral social dialogue. The Decision provided for the establishment of new "sectoral dialogue committees" to replace the existing joint committees, informal working groups and non-structured discussion groups. By 1 February 1999, the social partners in almost all sectors with existing dialogues had submitted their applications for the establishment of the new committees, while new sectors are also seeking to join the dialogue. The reorganisation has led to some restructuring of the dialogue and is expected to provide the impetus for innovation and renewed focused activity at this level, along the lines of the priorities outlined in the EU Employment Guidelines, particularly in their "adaptability pillar".
- 28 Feb 1999
EU Level: Social partners assess implications of internal electricity market<#PDF_LINK>On the eve of the introduction of a European internal market in electricity in February 1999, the social partners in the electricity industry held a workshop in Brussels in order to assess the implications of the internal market and restructuring on companies and employees. The workshop, which took place on 18 January 1999, was attended by around 100 employer and employee representatives from across the European Union and Central and Eastern Europe. Discussion at the workshop focused on the impact of restructuring on employment, the need for greater customer orientation, and equal opportunities for women and men.
- 28 Feb 1999
EU Level: Commission proposes experimental job creation initiative through VAT cuts<#PDF_LINK>In February 1999, the European Commission presented long-discussed proposals for a Directive which would allow Member States to apply a lower rate of VAT to labour-intensive services. This is aimed at creating jobs, particularly in services which are often performed in the underground economy.
- 28 Feb 1999
EU Level: European trade union action day at Unilever<#PDF_LINK>A European day of action was organised in February 1999 by trade unions representing workers at Unilever. Unions were protesting against what they perceive as a lack of information and consultation prior to the recent closure of various of the company's European sites. Unions also sought to highlight the detrimental impact of Unilever's rationalisation policy on employment.
- 28 Feb 1999
EU Level: Commission assesses impact of abolition of duty-free on employment<#PDF_LINK>In response to a request by the European Council and the support by the UK and German governments for calls to safeguard the future of duty-free sales, in February 1999 the European Commission issued an assessment of the impact of the abolition of EU duty-free sales on employment. The Commission's analysis, based on national studies, argues that the loss of duty-free would not have a significant impact on employment.
- 28 Feb 1999
EU Level: Uncertainty over definition of European employment pact<#PDF_LINK>The German EU Presidency of the first half of 1999 is keen to achieve agreement on a "European employment pact" similar to that recently agreed in Germany. However, progress in this area has so far been limited and an informal meeting of social affairs minister in Bonn in February produced few concrete results.
- 28 Jan 1999
EU Level: Commission proposes Directives to end exclusion of sectors from working time Directive<#PDF_LINK>In November 1998, the European Commission adopted a Communication outlining an extensive package of proposals for Council Directives to cover workers in sectors currently excluded from the provisions of the 1993 working time Directive, following consultation with the social partners at sectoral and intersectoral level. The proposals pursue a flexible, differentiated approach, enabling the Commission to accommodate existing European-level sectoral agreements in the maritime and rail transport sectors. The proposal also takes into account the points of convergence in the failed negotiations in the road transport sector.
- 28 Jan 1999
EU Level: Economic and Social Committee introduces work programme for 1999-2000<#PDF_LINK>In December 1998, the EU's Economic and Social Committee presented its new work programme, which emphasises the Committee's role in fostering the dialogue and involvement of the social partners and other parts of "civil society" in the development of the European Union. The Committee is particularly keen to highlight youth unemployment and the achievement of greater equality of opportunity, in its contribution to the 1999 Employment Guidelines.
- 28 Jan 1999
EU Level: Commission invites social partners to take the lead in modernising work organisation<#PDF_LINK>In November 1998, the European Commission adopted a Communication on "Modernising the organisation of work - a positive approach to change", aimed at stimulating and strengthening partnership in the modernisation of work organisation. The Communication calls on the social partners at all levels to consider the best possible means to facilitate and complement the "adaptability pillar "of the EU Employment Guidelines, and to develop at appropriate levels a framework to advance the modernisation of work organisation. The new document builds on the responses to the consultative Green Paper on work organisation launched in April 1997.
- 28 Jan 1999
EU Level: Social partners reach draft framework agreement on fixed-term contracts<#PDF_LINK>After 10 months of intense negotiations, during which success did not always appear likely, the central EU-level social partners - ETUC, UNICE and CEEP - reached a draft framework agreement on fixed-term employment contracts on 14 January 1999. The deal aims to enshrine the principle of non-discrimination between open-ended and fixed-term contract workers and to establish a framework to prevent abuse arising from the use of successive fixed-term contracts. The agreement must now be ratified by each organisation's governing body.
- 28 Jan 1999
EU Level: Social partners issue joint declaration on 1999 Employment Guidelines<#PDF_LINK>In December 1998, the central European-level social partners issued a joint declaration to the Vienna European Council on the 1999 Employment Guidelines. They underline the need for continuity in order to strengthen the four "pillars" of the Guidelines. However, disagreements remain - particularly in relation to setting targets for an increase in the employment rate.
- 28 Jan 1999
EU Level: ETUC calls for amendments to European Works Council Directive<#PDF_LINK>In a working paper issued in December 1998, ETUC calls for the review of the European Works Council Directive to lead to a clarification of information and consultation rights, so as to ensure that information is given in a manner which gives employee representatives sufficient time to prepare a response. It would also like to see workforce-size thresholds lowered and sanctions strengthened. The Directive is to be reviewed by September 1999.