EU Level developments
- 28 Dec 2000
EU Level: Social dialogue launched in PVC industry<#PDF_LINK>The European-level social partners in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) industry decided in October 2000 to create a forum for social dialogue. The forum will discuss the industry's development, health and safety, environmental issues, training, EU enlargement and European Works Councils.
- 28 Dec 2000
EU Level: Parliament endorses draft Charter, employment package and social policy agenda<#PDF_LINK>On 14 November 2000, the European Parliament voted to approve the draft EU Charter of fundamental rights and instructed its President to proclaim the Charter together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission at the European Council meeting in Nice in December. In separate votes on 24 and 25 October, Parliament also endorsed the Commission's "employment package" and its five-year social policy agenda.
- 28 Dec 2000
EU Level: No agreement yet in negotiations on EU consultation Directive<#PDF_LINK>Despite intensive discussion of the draft Directive on national information and consultation rules under the French EU Presidency, the Employment and Social Policy Council meeting of 27-28 November 2000 did not reach agreement on the proposal, though significant progress towards its eventual adoption appears to have been made.
- 28 Dec 2000
EU Level: ETUC adopts resolution on tackling child labour in Europe<#PDF_LINK>In October 2000, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) adopted a resolution on the issue of child labour in Europe. It highlights the causes and forms of child labour in Europe and outlines a number of strategies for action. In particular, the resolution recommends the negotiation of a ban on child labour in Europe between ETUC and the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE).
- 28 Dec 2000
EU Level: Council debates participation proposals<#PDF_LINK>A wide range of social issues was discussed at the EU Employment and Social Policy Council held on 27–28 November 2000. However, although a discussion was held on the proposed Directives on worker involvement in the European Company Statute and on national-level information and consultation of workers, no formal agreement was reached on either.
- 28 Dec 2000
EU Level: Nice summit agrees new Treaty and reaches consensus on worker involvement in European Company Statute<#PDF_LINK>A European Council meeting was held under the French Presidency in Nice on 7-9 December 2000. The summit reached agreement on a new Treaty, and also achieved a consensus on the long-standing proposals for worker involvement in the European Company Statute.
- 28 Dec 2000
EU Level: 2000 Annual Review for the European Union level<#PDF_LINK>This record reviews 2000's main developments in industrial relations at the European Union level.
- 28 Nov 2000
EU Level: Commission proposes Directive regulating occupational pension provision<#PDF_LINK>In October 2000, the European Commission proposed a Directive which seeks to create a European framework for institutions offering occupational pension provision, in order to ensure a high level of such provision in the future.
- 28 Nov 2000
EU Level: Biarritz Council approves Charter of fundamental rights<#PDF_LINK>The informal European Council held in Biarritz in October 2000 approved the contents of the draft EU Charter of fundamental rights. The Council agreed to adopt the Charter as a political declaration at the Nice summit in December 2000, but there is still pressure from organisations such as the European Trade Union Confederation, European Commission and European Parliament to make the Charter legally binding. It has been suggested that a decision on legal status could be deferred and resolved under the Swedish Presidency in 2001.
- 28 Nov 2000
EU Level: Dispute over union recognition at ECB<#PDF_LINK>A row has erupted over the issue of trade union recognition at the European Central Bank (ECB). European finance unions stated in September 2000 that if the ECB management continued to refuse recognition, a legal challenge could be mounted.
- 28 Nov 2000
EU Level: Advocate-General delivers opinion on first EWC case to reach European Court of Justice<#PDF_LINK>In September 2000, the European Court of Justice published an Advocate-General's opinion on the first case concerning the European Works Councils (EWCs) Directive to have reached the Court. The opinion, which is not binding on the Court, seeks to clarify management's responsibility to provide employee representatives with information about the number and distribution of employees and the structure of the undertaking/group, including the disclosure of relevant documents, prior to any employee request for negotiations about a possible EWC.
- 28 Nov 2000
EU Level: Economic Policy Committee reports on state pension systems<#PDF_LINK>In November 2000, the EU Economic and Financial Affairs Council discussed a report drawn up at its request by the advisory Economic Policy Committee, investigating the impact of the ageing population on public pension systems across the EU. The report highlights the characteristics of current state pension systems and provides an assessment of current and future pension provisions.
- 28 Nov 2000
EU Level: Strengthening social dialogue in the graphical industry<#PDF_LINK>A new report, issued in September 2000, looks at ways in which European graphical sector trade unions could strengthen social dialogue and cross-border trade union networks in their industry.
- 28 Oct 2000
EU Level: No agreement on working time in road transport<#PDF_LINK>Consensus on the regulation of working hours in the road transport sector remained elusive at the meeting of the EU Transport Council of Ministers held on 2 October 2000. However, a further meeting is scheduled for December 2000.
- 28 Oct 2000
EU Level: UNI takes position on green cards<#PDF_LINK>The issue of shortages of information technology (IT) professionals in the EU, and the possible subsequent introduction of "green cards" for non-EU workers in this area, has been highly topical during 2000. In September 2000, UNI-Europa's IBITS committee, representing trade unions organising IT workers, adopted a position paper on the matter.
- 28 Oct 2000
EU Level: Draft EU Charter of fundamental rights agreed<#PDF_LINK>The final draft EU Charter of fundamental rights, which sets out a variety of social and economic rights, was adopted by the drafting Convention in October 2000. The draft, which recognises trade union rights, the right to strike, the right to collective bargaining and the right to worker information and consultation, was to be considered at the October Biarritz European Council.
- 28 Oct 2000
EU Level: Council reaches political agreement on framework anti-discrimination Directive<#PDF_LINK>In October 2000, the EU Employment and Social Policy Council of Ministers reached political agreement on a revised text of the proposal for a framework Directive for equal treatment in employment and occupation. The Council also discussed issues such as the proposed Directive on informing and consulting workers at national level.
- 28 Oct 2000
EU Level: Report highlights health and safety risks facing workers<#PDF_LINK>A study of the state of occupational safety and health in the European Union was published by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in September 2000. The report identifies construction as the most dangerous sector, while work as a labourer in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport is the most hazardous occupation. The study also highlights stress as the area where most preventive action is necessary. The report has been welcomed by the European Commission as a valuable contribution in the preparation of its occupational safety and health strategy.
- 28 Oct 2000
EU Level: Commission issues new employment package<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission issued a new package of proposals aimed at encouraging employment growth in the European Union in September 2000. The package comprises three draft documents – a review of Member States' employment and labour market initiatives in 2000, recommendations for improvements in the implementation of their policies, and Employment Guidelines to Member States for their 2001 National Action Plans on employment.
- 28 Sep 2000
EU Level: Positive assessment of 1999 social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>The EU-level social dialogue process in 1999 has been given a positive assessment by the European Commission in its latest annual report on the subject, published in May 2000. The report examines both multisectoral and sectoral dialogue and records increased activity at both levels.
- 28 Sep 2000
EU Level: OECD issues updated guidelines on conduct for multinationals<#PDF_LINK>In June 2000, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) agreed a revised set of guidelines on responsible business conduct for multinational enterprises. The guidelines, which were adopted by the governments of 33 countries, cover a variety of areas, including employment and industrial relations.
- 28 Aug 2000
EU Level: Global labour standards agreement signed at Freudenberg<#PDF_LINK>It was announced in July 2000 that an agreement setting out minimum labour standards for all those employed by the German multinational manufacturing group Freudenberg had been concluded by company management and international and national trade union organisations.
- 28 Aug 2000
EU Level: Draft EU Charter of fundamental rights stirs controversy<#PDF_LINK>The preliminary draft EU Charter of fundamental rights, which sets out a variety of social, economic, political and civil rights, was published on 28 July 2000 to a mixed reception. For example, the European Trade Union Confederation is disappointed, owing to the perceived lack of clarity over economic and social rights and British employers believe that the draft Charter is "totally unacceptable". Meanwhile, the European Women's Lobby believes that the draft uses sexist language and ignores the concept of gender equality as a basic right.
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: Social issues debated at Feira Council<#PDF_LINK>The final European Council meeting of the outgoing Portuguese EU Presidency was held in Feira on 19–20 June 2000. The Council debated a number of social policy-related issues, including follow-up measures to the March 2000 Lisbon summit, institutional reform, and a "European charter for small enterprises".
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: Commission consults social partners on modernisation of work<#PDF_LINK>In late June 2000, the European Commission issued a first consultation document to the European-level social partners on the issue of "modernising and improving employment relations". This consultation in is line with the conclusions of the March 2000 Lisbon European Council, which agreed to encourage the social partners to take a more active role in the modernisation of the "European social model".
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: Commission proposes social package for road transport sector<#PDF_LINK>In June 2000, the European Commission issued a Communication setting out a series of measures relating to working time, employment conditions and vocational training in the road transport sector. The issue of working time in road transport has been particularly contentious, as it is now the only sector still excluded from the scope of the 1993 working time Directive.
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: EPSU agrees framework for coordinated action<#PDF_LINK>At its sixth general assembly, the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) agreed in April 2000 to put into place a framework for joint collective action, which it hopes could pave the way to a coordinated system of collective bargaining in Europe's public services.
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: Costs and benefits of EWCs assessed<#PDF_LINK>Research published in the UK in June 2000 evaluates the costs and benefits of establishing European Works Councils (EWCs) in 10 major multinational companies. The costs of annual EWC meetings were found to vary significantly between companies, with the major factor being the cost of translation and interpreting. Most companies perceived the benefits of EWCs as largely symbolic.
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: Informal Employment Council maps out agenda for French Presidency<#PDF_LINK>An informal meeting of the Employment and Social Policy Council on 8 July 2000 in Paris set the social priorities for the French EU Presidency of the second half of 2000. It focuses on the European Commission's recently-issued social policy agenda, making progress on the national information and consultation draft Directive and combating poverty and exclusion.
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: Commission proposes fifth gender equality programme<#PDF_LINK>In June 2000, the European Commission issued a proposal for an action programme to promote equality between men and women. The programme will take over from the existing gender equality programme, which expires at the end of 2000, and will run from the beginning of 2001 until 2005. The programme focuses on the promotion of gender mainstreaming, research, analysis and exchange of views and best practice, although it also makes some concrete proposals for legislative review.
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: The impact of EMU on industrial relations<#PDF_LINK>The coming of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is one of the defining moments in the development of European integration. There has been considerable speculation about the implications of this momentous event for industrial relations - but so far little empirical research. This feature reviews the main points to emerge from a recent six-country programme of company case studies in three sectors, involving interviews with representatives of employers' organisations, management, trade unions and works councils.
- 28 Jul 2000
EU Level: Commission issues new five-year social policy agenda<#PDF_LINK>In late June 2000, the European Commission issued a Communication on a new social policy agenda in which it sets out its proposed social policy objectives and actions over the coming five years. All the main social policy issues are covered, including gender equality, discrimination, the new work environment and fundamental rights. The social partners are also called on to play an active role in the development of policy.
- 28 Jun 2000
EU Level: ESC adopts opinion on anti-discrimination proposals<#PDF_LINK>The EU's Economic and Social Committee (ESC) adopted an opinion on 26 May 2000 on the European Commission's package of measures designed to combat discrimination. While welcoming the proposals, the ESC has made a number of suggestions and recommendations to the Commission.
- 28 Jun 2000
EU Level: CEC sets out position for temporary agency work negotiations<#PDF_LINK>In May 2000, the European Confederation of Executives and Managerial Staff (CEC) outlined its position on the forthcoming EU-level social partner negotiations on temporary agency work. CEC states that while it recognises the usefulness of temporary agency work, it recommends that recourse to this form of work should be limited and in some cases banned. CEC also wants to guarantee the social rights of temporary agency workers in the client companies.
- 28 Jun 2000
EU Level: French employment minister outlines social agenda for EU Presidency<#PDF_LINK>In May 2000, the French Minister for Employment and Solidarity, Martine Aubry, outlined the priorities for the French EU Presidency which begins on 1 July 2000. Ms Aubry stated that the Presidency will have a social focus and proposed a European summit on social exclusion. She also pledged that the draft Directive to combat racial discrimination would be adopted during the French Presidency.
- 28 Jun 2000
EU Level: Commission proposes amendments to 1976 equal treatment Directive<#PDF_LINK>In June 2000, the European Commission published a proposal which aims to amend the 1976 EU equal treatment Directive. The main innovation concerns new provisions relating to sexual harassment, which is characterised as sex discrimination at the workplace. The proposal also amends the 1976 Directive in accordance with case law, Treaty changes and recent EU legislative proposals in the area of discrimination.
- 28 Jun 2000
EU Level: Employment and Social Policy Council agrees race discrimination Directive<#PDF_LINK>The EU Employment and Social Policy Council held on 6 June 2000 reached unanimous political agreement on the Commission's proposed Directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin. The Council also discussed a number of other issues, such as social protection and minimum safety and health requirements regarding the use of work equipment.
- 28 Jun 2000
EU Level: Report allays fears over impact of eastwards enlargement<#PDF_LINK>In May 2000, the European Commission issued a report which attempts to allay concerns about the potential social and economic impact of the integration into the European Union of the 10 candidate countries from central and eastern Europe. The report predicts that enlargement will have only a limited impact on jobs and pay in western Europe.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: Commerce social partners agree joint employment declaration<#PDF_LINK>A joint declaration on promoting employment was agreed by the European-level social partners in the commerce sector at their conference held in Lisbon on 14 April 2000. This declaration was made in the context of the continuing social dialogue in this sector.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: UNI negotiates labour standards accord at Telefónica<#PDF_LINK>A new agreement committing the signatory parties to respect core labour standards worldwide was signed by the international trade union organisation Union Network International (UNI) and management at the Spanish telecommunications multinational Telefónica in April 2000. The deal also provides for the establishment of a dialogue on a number of issues, including the drafting of a code of conduct regarding trade union rights.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: UNICE to open talks on temporary agency work<#PDF_LINK>On 3 May 2000, the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) formally announced its decision to open European-level negotiations on the subject of temporary agency work.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: Commission challenges Ireland over incorrect transposition of parental leave Directive<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to the Irish government on 3 April 2000, informing it that it has not properly fulfilled its obligations related to the transposition of the EU parental leave Directive. The Commission maintains that the cut-off date for parental leave entitlement included in the Irish transposition legislation constitutes an additional condition which is not permitted by the Directive.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: ABB Alstom workers protest against restructuring<#PDF_LINK>Employees of the Franco-Swiss power-generation equipment company ABB Alstom Power demonstrated in Brussels in April 2000 against the company's restructuring plans and its alleged failure to inform and consult the workforce about its intentions. The European Metalworkers Federation, which organised the protest, and the European Trade Union Confederation have called for the reinforcement of workers' information and consultation rights.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: Commission reports on implementation of European Works Councils Directive<#PDF_LINK>In April 2000, the European Commission published its long-awaited report on the implementation of the European Works Councils Directive. As widely expected, the Commission is not proposing any immediate revision of the Directive, but there are indications that the Commission is likely to pursue amendments at a later stage, pending progress on related EU information and consultation measures.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: Extension of working time Directive agreed<#PDF_LINK>On 3 April 2000 the European Parliament/Council conciliation committee agreed a compromise text of the EU Directive designed to extend the 1993 working time Directive to excluded sectors and activities. This was agreed under the co-decision procedure provided for under Article 251 of the Treaty, whereby in the event of disagreement between the Council and Parliament, a conciliation committee attempts to negotiate a compromise text.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: Employment and Social Policy Council discusses economic guidelines and anti-discrimination package<#PDF_LINK>The EU Employment and Social Policy Council met on 8 May 2000 to discuss the drafting of the EU's broad economic policy guidelines, as required by the conclusions of the March Lisbon European Council. It also discussed the progress of the Commission's package of anti-discrimination proposals, with the Presidency expressing optimism that the draft Directive on discrimination on the basis of race and ethnic origin could be adopted soon.
- 28 May 2000
EU Level: ECJ rules that pension entitlement may be backdated<#PDF_LINK>In what is being hailed as a landmark judgment, the European Court of Justice ruled on 16 May 2000 that UK rules limiting the right of part-time workers to retroactive membership of an occupational pension scheme are contrary to Community law. While some commentators maintain that this might lead to vast expense as employers are obliged to settle backdated claims, the full impact of this judgment will not become clear until the UK House of Lords has clarified a number of issues which the ECJ has left to national courts to decide.
- 28 Apr 2000
EU Level: Civil aviation social partners conclude working time accord<#PDF_LINK>An agreement on the organisation of working time was concluded on 22 March 2000 between the European-level social partners in civil aviation, within the framework of the sector's social dialogue. The deal, which adapts the principles of the EU working time Directive to this sector, should be given legal effect by a Council decision.
- 28 Apr 2000
EU Level: Railway workers' unions stage day of protest<#PDF_LINK>European railway workers' trade unions, coordinated by the European Transport Workers' Federation, participated in a day of protest on 29 March 2000. The aim of the protest was to criticise EU plans to introduce a "European rail freight network" which, according to the unions, could lead to "social dumping" and lower safety standards. The day of action also promoted the railways infrastructure as an environmentally-friendly and safe mode of transport.
- 28 Apr 2000
EU Level: Council and Parliament reach conciliation agreement on working time Directive extension<#PDF_LINK>A text extending the EU working time Directive to previously excluded sectors and activities was agreed on 3 April 2000 by the Conciliation Committee set up to find a compromise between the positions of the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. This is the first major social policy issue to be decided using this procedure.
- 28 Apr 2000
EU Level: Lisbon Council agrees employment targets<#PDF_LINK>An extraordinary European Council was held in Lisbon on 23–24 March 2000 in order to discuss how to harness the power of the emerging "knowledge economy" in order to create employment growth. The conclusions of this Council focus on a 10-year strategy for the European economy, including a framework for concrete targets in employment and training. It was also agreed that from now on, special European Councils will held each spring in order to debate economic and social issues.
- 28 Apr 2000
EU Level: Progress on EU Charter of fundamental rights<#PDF_LINK>Work on drawing up a Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union is continuing with a view to submitting a first draft to the European Council to be held in Santa Maria da Feira in June 2000. Meanwhile, the question of the status of the Charter has come to the fore, with the European Parliament overwhelmingly supporting a motion in favour of a legally-binding Charter written into the Treaty and non-governmental organisations launching a campaign to the same end.
- 28 Mar 2000
EU Level: Belgium, France and Italy present joint priorities for Lisbon summit<#PDF_LINK>The Belgium, French and Italian governments presented a joint position on 21 February 2000, setting out their priorities for the forthcoming Lisbon European Council summit on employment. The position paper, entitled "For a Europe with full employment and social cohesion", emphasises employment growth, training, the organisation of work and combating social exclusion.
- 28 Mar 2000
EU Level: Parliament seeks review of Directives on collective redundancies and EWCs<#PDF_LINK>On 18 February 2000, the European Parliament called on the European Commission to evaluate the application of the collective redundancies Directive and to speed up its current review of the European Works Council Directive. This call was contained in a parliamentary resolution criticising US-based tyre manufacturer Goodyear-Dunlop for not following redundancy and information and consultation procedures when closing its plant in Latina, Italy, and electricity suppliers ABB and Alstom for not following European-level information and consultation procedures when restructuring.
- 28 Mar 2000
EU Level: Social affairs Councils examine discrimination proposals and prepare for employment summit<#PDF_LINK>EU labour and social affairs ministers met twice during February and March 2000. The first meeting was an informal Council, held on 11 February in order to discuss preparatory papers for the March European Council summit in Lisbon, which was to focus on employment issues. The second was a formal Labour and Social Affairs Council, which looked at the European Commission's package of anti-discrimination measures, in addition to holding further discussions on preparations for the Lisbon summit.
- 28 Mar 2000
EU Level: UNICE and ETUC draw up position papers for Lisbon summit<#PDF_LINK>As preparations intensified in the run-up to the special European Council on employment, held on 23-24 March 2000 in Lisbon, ETUC and UNICE issued policy papers, listing their objectives in the area of social and business policy, and making detailed suggestions for action in order to achieve these goals. ETUC's focus is on high employment, increased social protection and the involvement of the social partners in future action, while UNICE concentrates on issues such as the encouragement of entrepreneurship and the reduction of regulatory and tax burdens on business.
- 28 Mar 2000
EU Level: Commission issues reports on gender equality<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission issued two reports concerning gender equality in March 2000. The first reviews progress made during 1999 to improve equal opportunities across the EU, and details action undertaken under the European employment strategy as well as plans to revise the 1976 equal treatment Directive. The second report reviews the implementation of a 1996 Council Recommendation on the balanced participation of women and men in decision-making processes.
- 28 Feb 2000
EU Level: Portuguese Presidency holds conference on developing the European social model<#PDF_LINK>On 19-21 January 2000, the Portuguese government, which currently holds the Presidency of the European Union, organised a conference to debate social policy and prepare the ground for the Lisbon employment summit in March 2000.
- 28 Feb 2000
EU Level: Commission launches jobs strategy for the knowledge economy<#PDF_LINK>In February 2000, the European Commission launched an employment strategy aimed at providing workers with the skills needed to operate in what it terms the "knowledge economy". It focuses on exploiting the opportunities provided by information and communications technology in the fields of education and employment, calling on governments and social partners to act to reduce the skills gap in this area.
- 28 Feb 2000
EU Level: Commission sets out five-year objectives<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission issued two policy documents on 9 February 2000. One outlines its strategic objectives for the coming five years and the other details its plans for 2000. In terms of social policy, the emphasis in 2000 is on drawing up a new social policy action programme and a new gender equality framework programme, and on social partner consultation on the modernisation of work.
- 28 Feb 2000
EU Level: IGC launched as governments take position on qualified majority voting<#PDF_LINK>The Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) on institutional reform, which aims to negotiate a definitive set of reforms for the European Union's institutions prior to enlargement, was launched on 14 February 2000. While the European Parliament and the European Commission have called for the extension of qualified majority voting to more areas of decision-making - including many social policy issues - this move is being resisted by some Member State governments.
- 28 Jan 2000
EU Level: Helsinki Council discusses employment, enlargement and institutional reform<#PDF_LINK>The Finnish Presidency of the EU culminated in the Helsinki European Council summit which was held on 10–11 December 1999. Discussions focused on employment creation, enlargement and reform of the EU institutions.
- 28 Jan 2000
EU Level: Portuguese Presidency sets out employment priorities<#PDF_LINK>The Portuguese government has announced its priorities for its Presidency of the European Council during the first six months of 2000. Its employment and social affairs objectives include an extraordinary European Council on employment, economic reform and social cohesion, which aims to assess progress in this area and chart future policies. Other priorities include action to improve social inclusion and equality.
- 28 Jan 2000
EU Level: ETUC adopts resolution on review of EWCs Directive<#PDF_LINK>The executive committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) adopted a resolution in December 1999, outlining the areas it would like to see included in a review of the European Works Councils Directive.
- 28 Jan 2000
EU Level: ECJ rules that women should be allowed to join German army<#PDF_LINK>In a judgment given on 11 January 2000, the European Court of Justice ruled that German legislation barring women from employment involving the use of arms in the German army is contrary to the Community principle of equal treatment between men and women, although derogations concerning certain special combat units are possible.
- 28 Jan 2000
EU Level: ETUC seeks action from Portuguese Presidency on a range of initiatives<#PDF_LINK>In January 2000, the European Trade Union Confederation published its recommendations for action during the Portuguese Presidency of the European Council. It believes that the Presidency should be seeking to create full employment and wants to see progress on the draft Directive on national employee information and consultation rights. In addition, ETUC is keen for progress on the recently-announced Article 13 anti-discrimination package and action on a number of social affairs issues.
- 28 Jan 2000
EU Level: Divergent views on future role of social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>Over much of 1999, there were indications of continuing differences between the European Trade Union Confederation and the European private sector employers' organisation UNICE over the agenda and role of the EU-level social dialogue process. This feature reviews the current state of the debate.
- 28 Jan 2000
EU Level: Commission sets out proposals for IGC<#PDF_LINK>On 26 January 2000, the European Commission presented its opinion on the areas of institutional reform which will be covered by the forthcoming Intergovernmental Conference. The Commission's suggestions concerning the extension of qualified majority voting would have a considerable impact on decision-making in the area of social policy. Other proposals cover the reform of the European Parliament, the Commission and the voting procedure in the Council of Ministers.