EU Level developments
- 19 Dec 2001
EU Level: Social partners set out future shape of social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In a joint contribution to the Laeken summit, held on 14-15 December 2001, the European-level social partners set out their vision for the future of the social dialogue. Their suggestions include a specific role for the social partners in European governance, a clearer distinction between bipartite social dialogue and tripartite concertation, the creation of a new tripartite concertation committee in the place of the Standing Committee on Employment, and, most significantly, the development of a work programme for autonomous social dialogue.
- 18 Dec 2001
EU Level: Wide-ranging Employment and Social Policy Council<#PDF_LINK>European Union employment and social policy ministers met on 3 December 2001 to discuss a wide range of issues. The agenda included theemployment package, pensions and social inclusion, plus discussion of a number of proposals for statutory instruments, such as a Directive on worker involvement in the proposed European Cooperative Society and a proposed modernisation of the protection of workers against risks associated with exposure to asbestos.
- 05 Dec 2001
EU Level: European Monitoring Centre on Change launched<#PDF_LINK>A new European Monitoring Centre on Change was launched in October 2001, with the task of helping people make more informed decisions about managing the processes of change.
- 05 Dec 2001
EU Level: Little progress on social issues at WTO talks<#PDF_LINK>The fourth round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks, held in Doha, Qatar, in mid-November 2001, did not make any significant progress on social issues, although ministers declared that they supported statements previously made by the WTO and that they took note of the International Labour Organisation's work in this area.
- 05 Dec 2001
EU Level: EMF urges Commission to consider social aspects of mergers<#PDF_LINK>At a conference held in November 2001, the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) asked the European Commission to create a more balanced approach to the assessment of mergers by taking social factors into consideration.
- 05 Dec 2001
EU Level: ILO adopts code of practice on managing disability in the workplace<#PDF_LINK>The International Labour Organisation adopted a new code of conduct in November 2001, aimed at encouraging employers to recruit, retain and promote people with disabilities. It also sets out the role that employers' organisations, employee representatives and relevant authorities can play.
- 20 Nov 2001
EU Level: Office staff in road transport sector excluded from working time Directive, confirms ECJ<#PDF_LINK>In October 2001, the European Court of Justice ruled that the exclusion of the road transport sector from the scope of the 1993 EU working time Directive applies to all workers employed in the sector, including office staff.
- 20 Nov 2001
EU Level: International agreement on restructuring at Danone biscuits<#PDF_LINK>A new international agreement was concluded in October 2001 by the French-headquartered food multinational Danone and the international trade union organisation for foodworkers, IUF. The accord sets out the social provisions to be applied in the context of the company's restructuring plans for its European biscuits division, announced in March 2001. It contains a number of commitments, including a pledge not to make any compulsory redundancies, to try to find new owners for sites due to close, to provide appropriate training and to guarantee salary levels for a year.
- 07 Nov 2001
EU Level: Commission issues joint report on social inclusion<#PDF_LINK>A draft joint European Commission/Council report examining the progress of EU Member States in combating social exclusion and poverty was published in October 2001. The report is part of the EU's strategy to eradicate poverty, based on theopen coordinationmethod, which involves the setting of common objectives, the drawing up of regular national action plans by the Member States, and the review of these plans by the Commission and Council.
- 07 Nov 2001
EU Level: Social partners begin teleworking talks<#PDF_LINK>Negotiations on the issue of teleworking began on 12 October 2001 between the EU-level intersectoral social partners – ETUC, UNICE and CEEP. The parties are hoping to produce a text regulating this form of working. However, one pressing issue to be resolved is the final status of the accord, as UNICE has in the past indicated that it would prefer a voluntary agreement, against the preference of ETUC for an accord which could be given legal force.
- 07 Nov 2001
EU Level: Fifth international day of action held in road transport<#PDF_LINK>Workers in the road transport sector held an international day of action on 15 October 2001. The workers were demonstrating in support of better working conditions and fewer working hours for lorry, bus and taxi drivers.
- 07 Nov 2001
EU Level: Commission proposes new Regulation on drivers' hours<#PDF_LINK>In October 2001, the European Commission issued a proposal for a new EU Regulation on the driving and rest times for drivers of heavy vehicles. It should replace an existing Regulation dating from 1985 and is intended to complement the current proposal to extend some of the protection of the 1993 working time Directive to the road transport sector.
- 01 Nov 2001
EU Level: European Parliament calls for amendments to information and consultation Directive<#PDF_LINK>In October 2001, the European Parliament voted to support a series of amendments to the draft EU information and consultation Directive, but a crucial amendment designed to strengthen the sanctions for non-compliance with the Directive did not receive the backing of sufficient MEPs to be adopted.
- 01 Nov 2001
EU Level: Commission proposes formalising pensions cooperation<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission issued a Communication on pension strategy coordination in July 2001. Aiming to adapt Europe's pension systems to the requirements of today's labour markets and meet demographic challenges, it proposes a total of 10 objectives to be achieved by Member States. This would entail drawing up annual national strategy reports which would be evaluated by the Council and the Commission.
- 01 Nov 2001
EU Level: Joint declaration agreed on temporary agency work<#PDF_LINK>A joint declaration between the EU-level sectoral social partners in the temporary agency work sector was concluded on 8 October 2001. The signatory parties hope that the 13-point declaration will serve as a basis for an EU Directive regulating this area, following the breakdown of EU-level intersectoral negotiations on this issue.
- 18 Oct 2001
EU Level: Employment and Social Policy Council adopts European Company Statute<#PDF_LINK>EU Employment and Social Policy Ministers met on 8 October 2001 in order to discuss a range of social policy issues. The most important outcome was the formal adoption of the Regulation governing the creation of a European Company Statute and the accompanying Directive governing worker involvement.
- 18 Oct 2001
EU Level: Parliament debates equal pay and bullying<#PDF_LINK>At its plenary session on 20 September 2001, the European Parliament adopted resolutions on equal pay for work of equal value and onmoral harassment, or bullying.
- 18 Oct 2001
EU Level: Euro-demonstration held in Liège<#PDF_LINK>The European Trade Union Confederation organised a demonstration in the Belgian town of Liège on 21 September 2001. The demonstrators called for measures to sustain economic activity and jobs in Europe and protested against deregulation in the public transport sector.
- 28 Sep 2001
EU Level: Commission issues annual employment package<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission launched its annual employment packagein September 2001. The performance of Europe's labour markets is praised, although recommendations on how to improve labour market strategy are made to all Member States. The Employment and Social Policy Commissioner also warned that the current strategy must continue, despite the likelihood of an economic downturn.
- 21 Sep 2001
EU Level: European Metalworkers' Federation holds fourth European collective bargaining conference<#PDF_LINK>At its fourth collective bargaining conference, held in June 2001, the European Metalworkers' Federation (EMF) discussed a number of issues related to European collective bargaining. It reviewed the progress of its 1998 strategy aimed at a European coordination of bargaining, debated a draft training charter and discussed a draft position paper on a future European industrial relations system.
- 19 Sep 2001
EU Level: EP approves European Company Statute proposals<#PDF_LINK>The formal adoption of the proposal for the creation of a European Company moved a step closer following the approval on 4 September 2001 by the European Parliament of the draft Regulation on the European Company Statute and the accompanying Directive on worker involvement.
- 19 Sep 2001
EU Level: Commission launches high-level group on company law<#PDF_LINK>A new high-level group was created in September 2001 by the European Commission with a brief to look into issues relating to company law, and notably takeover bids. The Commission is expected, on the basis of the group's recommendations, to formulate a new draft Directive on takeover bids, following the rejection of the previous proposal (which included employee information provisions) by the European Parliament.
- 19 Sep 2001
EU Level: UNI holds first world congress<#PDF_LINK>Union Network International's first world congress, held on 5-9 September 2001, discussed a broad range of issues, including the rights of workers in thenew economyand the importance of forming and nurturing global union alliances.
- 06 Sep 2001
EU Level: Commission issues working paper on employee financial participation<#PDF_LINK>A European Commission working paper on employee financial participation was published in late July 2001. The Commission is asking all interested parties for their views on this subject, in order to form the basis for a Communication and action plan.
- 28 Aug 2001
EU Level: Joint declaration on subcontracting signed at Club Méditerranée<#PDF_LINK>In June 2001, the European Works Council and management of the Club Méditerranée leisure group signed a joint declaration on the respect of fundamental principles and rights at work in the context of subcontracting. The initiative is in response to employee representatives' concerns about the growing trend towards subcontracting in the group.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: Belgian Presidency sets out priorities<#PDF_LINK>Belgium took over the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers on 1 July 2001. The Presidency's priorities in the employment and social policy field cover: employment; a socially fair Europe; equality between men and women; and developing a European social economy.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: EP delivers opinions on range of social policy proposals<#PDF_LINK>In May and June 2001, the European Parliament delivered opinions on a range of important social and employment policy proposals, including the draft Directives: amending the 1976 equal treatment Directive; regulating working time for mobile workers in the road transport sector; and concerning work equipment for work at heights. However, in July, the Parliament rejected a conciliation committee text of the Directive on company takeovers, which included information rights for employees.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: High-Level Task Force on Skills and Mobility launched<#PDF_LINK>In June 2001, the European Commission launched a High-Level Task Force on Skills and Mobility. This initiative forms part of the Commission's attempt to open up pan-European labour markets, particularly in the area of information and communications technologies, by 2005.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: Unions protest over risk to jobs posed by euro<#PDF_LINK>A demonstration was organised at the headquarters of the European Central Bank in June 2001 by international trade union organisations representing print workers. The unions claim that thousands of print workers' jobs will be under threat from the introduction of the euro on 1 January 2002.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: European code of conduct agreed in hairdressing<#PDF_LINK>A code of conduct was signed in June 2001 by the European-level social partners in the personal services (hairdressing) sector. The code, hailed as the most comprehensive adopted at European level so far, covers issues such as working conditions, fair wages, profits, lifelong learning, information and consultation of employees and combating non-declared work.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: Green Paper promotes greater corporate social responsibility<#PDF_LINK>A Green Paper on the promotion of a European framework for corporate social responsibility was published by the European Commission in July 2001. The document, which aims to stimulate general debate, covers a wide range of topics, including responsible actions during corporate restructuring, promotion of "work/life balance" and corporate codes of conduct on social rights.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: Commission proposes strategy for promoting labour standards and better social governance<#PDF_LINK>In July 2001, the European Commission launched a strategy aimed at promoting core labour standards and better social governance in the context of globalisation. Stating that it hopes to ensure that everybody benefits from globalisation, the Commission aims to improve existing initiatives and mechanisms at international and EU level, in addition to recognising the importance of voluntary company--level initiatives.
- 28 Jul 2001
EU Level: Employment in Europe 2001 report highlights improved labour market performance<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission's Employment in Europe 2001 report was published in July 2001. The report praises the EU for increasing its overall employment rate, stating that the target of a participation rate of 70% by 2010 is within reach. However, it also notes that some challenges remain, particularly in the area of skills, labour market mobility, gender gaps, youth unemployment and the participation of older workers.
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: Temporary agency work talks break down<#PDF_LINK>Talks between the central European-level social partners on the issue of temporary agency work broke down definitively in May 2001 despite renewed attempts to reach agreement over the previous month. The EU Employment and Social Policy Commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou, has stated that she will issue draft Community legislation in this field in the near future.
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: Commission issues package of measures to reduce social impact of redundancies<#PDF_LINK>A new package of measures designed to reduce the social impact of large-scale job cuts was issued by the European Commission in May 2001. The package contains: commitments from the Commission concerning various areas of Community legislation; advice to companies on their obligations under the existing Community legislative framework; promises of funding assistance from the European Social Fund; and an overview of best practice.
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: ETUC and UEAPME agree joint declaration on development of social dialogue<#PDF_LINK>In May 2001, a joint declaration on the development of the social dialogue as "a tool to meet the economic and social challenges of small enterprises" was agreed between the European Association of Craft and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: ECJ rules on employees' information rights prior to seeking establishment of an EWC<#PDF_LINK>In March 2001, the European Court of Justice delivered its judgment in the first case concerning the European Works Councils (EWCs) Directive to have reached the Court. The ruling in thebofrost*case highlights the responsibility of undertakings which are part of a group to meet employee requests for information about the number and distribution of employees and the structure of the group, including the disclosure of documents if necessary, so that the employees can determine whether they have the right to seek negotiations about a possible EWC.
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: Council of Ministers reaches political agreement on employee consultation Directive<#PDF_LINK>In June 2001, the EU Employment and Social Policy Council approved a compromise text of the proposed Directive on national information and consultation rules. The measure now returns to the European Parliament for a second reading and final adoption is possible before the end of the year.
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: Council reaches common positions on equal treatment, information and consultation and noise Directives<#PDF_LINK>The EU Employment and Social Policy Council held on 11 June 2001 reached political agreement on common positions in the case of three legislative proposals: a text amending and updating the 1976 equal treatment Directive; a proposed Directive on national-level information and consultation of workers; and a draft health and safety Directive protecting workers from risks related to noise.
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: Gothenburg summit focuses on employment and the ageing workforce<#PDF_LINK>EU heads of state and government met in Gothenburg on 15-16 June 2001 for the final European Council summit of the Swedish Presidency. Discussions focused on enlargement of the EU, employment, quality of work and future strategies to deal with problems associated with an ageing European workforce.
- 28 Jun 2001
EU Level: Labour standards agreement signed at Chiquita<#PDF_LINK>An international agreement on labour standards, freedom of association and consultation rights in the event of corporate restructuring in the Latin American operations of the international fruit and vegetable producer and distributor Chiquita Brands International Inc, was signed by the company and trade union organisations in June 2001.
- 28 May 2001
EU Level: Temporary agency work talks extended<#PDF_LINK>A meeting in April 2001 between the EU Employment and Social Policy Commissioner, Anna Diamantopoulou, and representatives from European-level social partner organisations has resulted in the latters' talks on the issue of temporary working being extended until May. Prospects of an agreement on the issue had earlier seemed to have collapsed.
- 28 May 2001
EU Level: Rail workers stage international day of action in support of rail safety<#PDF_LINK>Rail workers staged an international day of action on 29 March 2001 in support of safety in the rail industry. The action was organised by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and aimed to draw attention to the problem of safety in the sector, as well as supporting a safety memorandum drawn up by the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF).
- 28 May 2001
EU Level: New global workers' rights deals<#PDF_LINK>New "global agreements" providing for the respect a range of workers' rights in their worldwide operations have recently been concluded in three major European multinationals – Carrefour (France, commerce), Skanska (Sweden, construction) and Telefónica (Spain, telecommunications). These are the latest additions to a growing list of similar accords negotiated between multinationals and international trade union organisations.
- 28 May 2001
EU Level: Teleworking agreement signed in commerce<#PDF_LINK>A new European agreement on guidelines for teleworking in commerce was signed on 26 April 2001 by EuroCommerce, representing the sector's employers, and UNI-Europa Commerce, for trade unions. The new agreement contains detailed guidelines regulating areas such as the introduction of telework, employment conditions, confidentiality, equipment and trade union rights.
- 28 Apr 2001
EU Level: Employment and Social Policy Council prepares for Stockholm<#PDF_LINK>The EU Employment and Social Policy Council met on 6 March 2001. Ministers discussed a range of social policy issues, including preparations for the Stockholm summit meeting and safe and sustainable pension systems.
- 28 Apr 2001
EU Level: Second stage of social partner consultations on teleworking<#PDF_LINK>In March 2001, the European Commission launched the second stage of European-level social partner consultations on the issue of teleworking. The social partners have been asked to consider a number of principles as a possible framework for European-level regulation of the matter.
- 28 Apr 2001
EU Level: Temporary agency work negotiations break down<#PDF_LINK>Talks between the European-level social partners over an agreement on temporary agency work appeared to have broken down at the end of March 2001. The parties to the negotiations failed to agree on the issues of the conditions of recourse to temporary agency work and of equal treatment between temporary agency workers and user company employees.
- 28 Apr 2001
EU Level: Board-level participation agreed at Aventis<#PDF_LINK>In March 2001, it was announced that an agreement on board-level employee participation had been reached at the Franco-German chemicals group, Aventis. The agreement, which provides for employee and trade union representatives from both France and Germany to sit on the Aventis supervisory board, is seen as an important precedent in this area.
- 28 Apr 2001
EU Level: Intermediate employment targets agreed at Stockholm<#PDF_LINK>European Union heads of state and employment and social policy ministers met in Stockholm on 23–24 March 2001 at the annual spring economic and social European Council. The 2001 Council carried on the work of the 2000 Lisbon Council, focusing on the employment of older workers and setting intermediate targets for employment levels.
- 28 Apr 2001
EU Level: Benchmarking and the Europeanisation of industrial relations<#PDF_LINK>The findings of research being carried out under the UK Economic and Social Research Council's "One Europe or several?" programme, published in April 2001, indicate that, rather than legal regulation and collective bargaining being the main engines of "Europeanisation" in industrial relations, developments involving "benchmarking" are to the fore. Furthermore, the research suggests that benchmarking is increasingly acquiring quasi-regulatory status, raising major questions for theory and practice.
- 28 Apr 2001
EU Level: The consequences of corporate restructuring for employees and unions<#PDF_LINK>Recent research explores the implications of corporate restructuring for employees and trade unions in Europe, based on accounts of mergers and acquisitions from 10 trade unions (from seven countries) affiliated to Eurocadres, the European body representing professional and managerial staff. The study, conducted in 2000, finds both similarities and differences in the effects of restructuring, reflecting the existence of both common pressures across countries and distinctive national systems of industrial relations.
- 28 Mar 2001
EU Level: Parliament adopts resolution on social consequences of industrial restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In February 2001, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the social consequences of industrial restructuring. The resolution makes a number of requests to various bodies, including a call for a revision of the European Works Councils Directive and adoption of the draft Directive on national-level information and consultation of employees.
- 28 Mar 2001
EU Level: First meeting of high-level group on industrial relations and managing change<#PDF_LINK>A high-level group briefed by the European Commission to examine industrial relations and managing change held its first meeting on 9 February 2001. It is due to produce a final report by January 2002.
- 28 Mar 2001
EU Level: Statoil global workers' rights accord revised<#PDF_LINK>A revised worldwide agreement on workers' rights was signed in March 2001 by the Norwegian-based petrochemicals group, Statoil, the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions (ICEM) and a Norwegian ICEM-affiliate, NOPEF. The accord, which updates a 1998 agreement, covers trade union and other human rights, health, safety and environment issues, information and training.
- 28 Mar 2001
EU Level: New Commission strategy for pan-European labour markets<#PDF_LINK>In late February 2001, the European Commission presented a new strategy to open up pan-European labour markets by 2005. The strategy comprises two stages: tackling the major obstacles to the emergence of new European labour markets; and setting up a high-level task force to examine skills and mobility problems.
- 28 Mar 2001
EU Level: UNICE offers negotiations on telework<#PDF_LINK>In March 2001, the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) announced that it was prepared to enter into European-level social partner negotiations with the aim of concluding a non-legally binding agreement on the issue of telework. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has expressed its surprise that UNICE would like to negotiate a non-binding accord.
- 28 Feb 2001
EU Level: Unions stage European day of action over Vauxhall<#PDF_LINK>A European day of action was staged on 25 January 2001 by the European Metalworkers' Federation, in protest against the decision announced in December 2000 by General Motors to close its Vauxhall car manufacturing facilities at Luton in the UK.
- 28 Feb 2001
EU Level: Informal Council discusses equal opportunities<#PDF_LINK>EU ministers for gender equality and social security met informally in Norrköping, Sweden, on 21–23 January 2001 to discuss gender equality and social insurance as a preliminary to forthcoming European Council meetings in Stockholm and Göteborg.
- 28 Feb 2001
EU Level: New framework equal treatment Directive examined<#PDF_LINK>The EU Council of Ministers formally adopted the Directive establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation - covering age, disability, sexual orientation and religion/belief - on 27 November 2000. The Directive subsequently came into force on 2 December 2000 and Member States have three years to transpose its provisions into national legislation, extended to six years in the case of discrimination on grounds of age and disability. The Directive significantly extends the EU-level framework relating to protection against discrimination.
- 28 Feb 2001
EU Level: New telework guidelines adopted in telecommunication sector<#PDF_LINK>The European-level social dialogue committee in the telecommunications sector adopted new guidelines for the organisation of telework in February 2001. The guidelines are intended to provide a European framework for the implementation of teleworking in the sector.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: Social partners sign declaration on implications of electricity liberalisation<#PDF_LINK>In November 2000, the European-level social partners in the electricity industry –the Eurelectric employers' organisation and the EPSU and EMCEF trade union organisations – signed a joint declaration on the social implications of liberalisation in their industry.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: Agreement on European Company Statute and working time in road transport industry<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, political agreement was reached by the EU Council of Ministers on two outstanding social policy issues – an extraordinary Employment and Social Policy Council reached agreement on the worker involvement provisions relating to the European Company Statute, while the Transport Council concluded a deal on working time in the road transport industry.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: ETUC executive committee endorses guideline on collective bargaining coordination<#PDF_LINK>In December 2000, the European Trade Union Confederation's executive committee welcomed and endorsed a guideline on the coordination of wage bargaining, formulated by the ETUC's committee for the coordination of collective bargaining.
- 28 Jan 2001
EU Level: European Foundation survey reveals that working conditions in Europe are deteriorating<#PDF_LINK>The preliminary results of a recent survey carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, published in December 2000, point to an increase in work-related health problems in Europe. These include issues such as physical health, intensification of work and flexibility practices which do not always benefit employees.