EU Level developments
- 21 Dec 2005
EU Level: European Council focuses on jobs and migration<#PDF_LINK>A European Council summit was held in December 2005, under the UK Presidency, which discussed the topics of growth, employment and migration. The Council issued a text on adopting a global approach to migration, focusing on the EU’s neighbouring regions in Africa and around the Mediterranean.
- 21 Dec 2005
EU Level: Agreement on working time Directive eludes December social Council<#PDF_LINK>An EU social affairs Council held in December 2005 looked at a range of issues, including the controversial proposed revision of the working time Directive. Although progress was reported, no consensus was reached. However, ministers were successful in reaching political agreement on a proposal to recast EU equality legislation.
- 21 Dec 2005
EU Level: European Parliament adopts resolution on globalisation<#PDF_LINK>In November 2005, the European Parliament adopted an own-initiative resolution on the social dimension of globalisation, focusing on what can be done to ensure that workers and citizens are protected from the negative effects of this development.
- 21 Dec 2005
EU Level: Performing arts social partners issue joint declaration on cultural diversity<#PDF_LINK>In November 2005, European-level social partner representatives from the live performance sector agreed a joint declaration on cultural diversity. The document seeks to establish the position of the performing arts in relation to cultural policy and public funding of the arts, especially with regard to the position of the arts in negotiations on the General Agreement on Trades and Services (GATS) being held under the auspices of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
- 08 Dec 2005
EU Level: Commission issues 2006 work programme<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the European Commission issued its legislative and work programme for 2006. In the area of employment and social affairs, it concentrates on tackling the challenges of an ageing population, increasing worker mobility, modernising labour legislation, drawing up a new health and safety strategy and promoting gender equality.
- 08 Dec 2005
EU Level: Social dialogue agreement in the postal sector <#PDF_LINK>In November 2005, the Universal Postal Union and Union Network International signed a cooperation agreement aimed at promoting social dialogue between the two organisations.
- 08 Dec 2005
EU Level: UNI holds first ever conference on call centres<#PDF_LINK>As unions are being urged to increase cooperation at national and international level to organise workers in the fast-growing call centre industry, the first ever global conference dedicated to call centres was held in Athens in October 2005. Interim results from a global survey of the industry were presented at the conference.
- 28 Nov 2005
EU Level: Summit debates globalisation adjustment fund <#PDF_LINK>An informal European Union summit was held in October 2005 in the UK to discuss a range of strategic issues. It was agreed that a proposal for the creation of a globalisation adjustment fund would be put forward, to equip workers to deal with the effects of globalisation. It was also agreed that proposals will be drawn up on dealing with illegal migration and using the benefits of legal migration. The meeting was preceded by an informal tripartite social summit so that the social partners could provide input into the ministerial summit.
- 28 Nov 2005
EU Level: UK Presidency stages equality conference <#PDF_LINK>An EU conference on gender equality, followed by a ministerial meeting on the same issue, was held in Birmingham, UK, in November 2005. Both events discussed the progress made so far towards achieving gender equality and debated how to move forward.
- 07 Nov 2005
EU Level: Commission issues draft Directive on the portability of supplementary pensions<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the European Commission issued a proposal for a Directive on the portability of supplementary pension rights. The aim of this is to increase the labour mobility and career development of European workers. The proposal covers issues such as the acquisition of supplementary pension rights, the preservation of dormant rights and the transferability of rights.
- 07 Nov 2005
EU Level: Commission employment report reviews active labour market policies<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the European Commission published its annual employment report, which reviews recent developments in the labour markets of the enlarged EU, concentrating in particular on the results of active labour market policies.
- 07 Nov 2005
EU Level: Allianz to become European Company <#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, the German insurance group Allianz announced that it would merge with its Italian subsidiary RAS and create a European Company under the 2001 European Company Statute. Negotiations with employee representatives will set up employee involvement provisions in the new company, which will be covered by German national implementing legislation.
- 24 Oct 2005
EU Level: Summit marks 20 years of EU social dialogue <#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, representatives of trade union and employers' organisations and of the EU institutions met to celebrate 20 years of European-level social dialogue. The summit highlighted achievements to date and discussed the way forward.
- 24 Oct 2005
EU Level: EMF holds fifth collective bargaining conference<#PDF_LINK>In October 2005, the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) held a collective bargaining conference, focusing on three key issues: collective bargaining coordination; the reduction of precarious employment; and the launch of a common demand on an individual right to training.
- 10 Oct 2005
EU Level: New global health and safety portal<#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, the EU Agency for Safety and Health at Work announced the launch of its new online information portal.
- 10 Oct 2005
EU Level: Commission to withdraw a range of proposals <#PDF_LINK>The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, announced in September 2005 that the Commission will abolish 68 legislative proposals, following a screening process. In terms of social affairs, the fate of the temporary work proposal is uncertain and the optical radiation proposal’s provisions on sunlight will be removed.
- 10 Oct 2005
EU Level: High-level group on free movement of workers holds first meeting <#PDF_LINK>The high-level group set up by the European Commission to examine the free movement of workers met in September 2005 for the first time to debate the issue of migrant workers within the EU since its enlargement from 10 to 25 Member States. Its discussions will form part of the process of reviewing the current restrictions on migrant workers from eight of the 10 new Member States.
- 21 Sep 2005
EU Level: European Parliament votes on optical radiation Directive <#PDF_LINK>In September 2005, the European Parliament amended a proposed Directive aimed at protecting workers against optical radiation, during a second reading of the text. The main amendment removes a controversial obligation on employers to take measures to protect workers against exposure to sunlight, devolving the regulation of this issue to national governments.
- 20 Sep 2005
EU Level: Cross-sector social partner accord on gender equality<#PDF_LINK>The central EU-level social partner organisations concluded in March 2005 a joint text on gender equality. Aiming to enhance gender equality at the workplace, the framework of actionsfocuses on four priority areas, giving guidance on how to increase equality by means of concrete actions. The text also gives details of 20 best-practice case studies.
- 20 Sep 2005
EU Level: Global framework agreement signed at Schwan-Stabilo<#PDF_LINK>A global framework agreement was concluded between the German-based company, Schwan-Stabilo, the International Federation of Building and Wood Workers (IFBWW) and the German Metalworkers' Union (IG Metall) in September 2005. It acknowledges the company’s social responsibility and contains commitments to comply with ILO Conventions in a range of employee rights areas.
- 06 Sep 2005
EU Level: New international framework agreement at Röchling<#PDF_LINK>A new international framework agreement, concluded at the German-headquartered manufacturer Gebrüder Röchling KG, commits the company to adhering to ILO Conventions in a range of employee rights areas. It also commits the parties to working together in a spirit of cooperation. The company also encourages its business partners to adhere to the provisions of the accord.
- 06 Sep 2005
EU Level: European finance unions agree common approach to UniCredito-Hypovereinsbank merger <#PDF_LINK>The global union UNI Finance and its affiliates from Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Italy agreed in June 2005 on a joint approach towards the proposed merger between UniCredito and HypoVereinsbank Group.
- 22 Aug 2005
EU Level: Social partners reply to European Commission on restructuring and EWCs<#PDF_LINK>In July 2005, the European Trade Union Confederation and the private sector employers’ body UNICE responded formally to a European Commission Communication on restructuring and the role of European Works Councils. This article highlights the key points of the two organisations’ submissions.
- 12 Aug 2005
EU Level: Informal Council discusses employment<#PDF_LINK>In July 2005, EU employment ministers met informally in Belfast, Northern Ireland, under the UK Presidency. The theme of the meeting was to find ways of increasing employment and improving social cohesion.
- 11 Aug 2005
EU Level: 2006 is declared European worker mobility year <#PDF_LINK>In June 2005, the European Commission stated that 2006 would be the European Year for mobility of workers. The aim of this is to encourage EU citizens to work abroad and in different sectors in their home country, to enable them to benefit from new skills and experience.
- 11 Aug 2005
EU Level: European conference on demographic change<#PDF_LINK>A major conference on demographic change in the EU was held in July 2005, to debate issues raised by a Green Paper published by the European Commission in March 2005.
- 27 Jul 2005
EU Level: ILO holds 93rd conference<#PDF_LINK>The International Labour Organisation met for its annual conference in May-June 2005. It discussed a range of issues, including youth employment, the elimination of child labour in small mines and quarries, globalisation and decent work for all, health and safety and forced labour.
- 27 Jul 2005
EU Level: International framework agreement concluded at EADS<#PDF_LINK>An international framework agreement was concluded in June-July 2005 between the European Works Council and management at the European defence company EADS. It commits the company to adhering to a range of ILO Conventions and other international instruments in order to ensure a fair and decent working environment for its workforce worldwide.
- 05 Jul 2005
EU Level: Electricity sector social dialogue committee meets <#PDF_LINK>The European electricity social dialogue committee met for a plenary meeting on 22 June 2005, at which a range of issues were discussed, including employment, equality, corporate social responsibility and health and safety.
- 05 Jul 2005
EU Level: Commission promotes safety in construction industry<#PDF_LINK>In June 2005, the European Commission launched a publicity campaign in the 10 new Member States, highlighting the need for safety in the construction industry.
- 05 Jul 2005
EU Level: Restructuring Forum holds first meeting<#PDF_LINK>A new EU Restructuring Forum met for the first time in June 2005. The meeting was addressed by key figures from European social partner organisations and institutions. The debate focused on how to help minimise the negative effects of restructuring.
- 24 Jun 2005
EU Level: June social Council discusses working time Directive<#PDF_LINK>EU employment and social affairs ministers met in June 2005 to discuss issues including revision of the working time Directive, a proposal to give legal effect to a social partner agreement on the working time of workers operating cross-border rail services, new employment guidelines, a Green Paper on managing migration to the EU and the creation of a new European Gender Institute.
- 24 Jun 2005
EU Level: World Economic Forum examines gender gap<#PDF_LINK>In May 2005, the World Economic Forum released a study that attempts to quantify the gender gapin a number of areas, including pay and labour market access, across 58 countries. The Nordic countries are found to be those with the smallest gender gap.
- 07 Jun 2005
EU Level: Commission adopts Communication on youth policies<#PDF_LINK>At the end of May 2005, the European Commission adopted a Communication on youth policies as part of the follow-up to the adoption of the European Youth Pact by the European Council in March 2005.
- 07 Jun 2005
EU Level: Creation of new health, safety, research and education institute <#PDF_LINK>A new European health and safety, research and education institute, ETUI-REHS, was created on 1 April 2005, following a merger of three European trade union institutions. It is hoped that the new organisation will become the centre for expertise in these fields.
- 07 Jun 2005
EU Level: Gender mainstreaming in the use of EU structural funds<#PDF_LINK>The EU’s high-level group on gender mainstreaming met in May 2005. At the meeting, a range of best practice examples of gender mainstreaming in the use of EU structural funds were presented.
- 31 May 2005
EU Level: EU social partners issue joint statement on EWCs<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, EU-level employer and trade union bodies published a joint assessment of the operation of European Works Councils (EWCs) to date, based on case studies of the experience of a number of major companies. We highlight the main points of the document.
- 31 May 2005
EU Level: European Parliament votes to end opt-out from working time Directive<#PDF_LINK>At its May 2005 plenary session, the European Parliament approved a text amending the European Commission’s draft Directive on the revision of the working time Directive. One of the main areas of revision is the elimination of the opt-out from the maximum 48-hour week after three years.
- 31 May 2005
EU Level: ILO organises world day for safety and health at work<#PDF_LINK>Every year, on the world day for safety and health at work organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), governments, employers’ and workers’ organisations are encouraged to conduct awareness-raising activities within their areas of influence on the theme of accident and ill-health prevention. On 28 April 2005, as in previous years, there was a wide range of events in which governments, employers and workers participated.
- 10 May 2005
EU Level: Informal social affairs Council discusses restructuring<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, social affairs ministers met informally to discuss the issue of social responsibility in industrial restructuring. Ministers agreed on a range of elements deemed necessary for the management of change.
- 10 May 2005
EU Level: ETF stages civil aviation action day<#PDF_LINK>The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) staged a European action day in April 2005 in defence of employment, social and trade union rights and in protest against any further deregulation of the civil aviation industry.
- 09 May 2005
EU Level: Anti-noise campaign launched<#PDF_LINK>A European-wide campaign was launched in April 2005 to raise awareness of and tackle one of Europe’s most persistent health problems, noise at work.
- 30 Apr 2005
EU Level: Spring Council and social summit debate mid-term review of Lisbon strategy<#PDF_LINK>The European Council's annual spring meeting on economic and social matters was held in in Brussels in March 2005, preceded by a tripartite social summitinvolving the EU-level social partners. The main focus of the social summit and the Council was a mid-term review of the EU’s 10-year Lisbon strategy, based on proposals from the European Commission. The Council agreed that the strategy should be relaunched to improve governance and implementation over the coming five years.
- 30 Apr 2005
EU Level: Commission issues Communication on restructuring and employment<#PDF_LINK>In early April 2005, the European Commission published a Communication outlining measures aimed at improving the EU’s capacity for anticipating and managing the impact of restructuring. The package of proposals includes enhanced coordination between key strands of EU policy, new and refocused financial support, adaptation of the regulatory framework and the greater involvement of the social partners. The Communication also initiates further consultations with the EU-level social partner organisations about restructuring and European Works Councils.
- 30 Apr 2005
EU Level: Commission adopts 2005-8 integrated guidelines package<#PDF_LINK>In April 2005, the European Commission adopted a set of integrated guidelines for the EU Member States' employment and economic policies, which it described as a three-year blueprint for growth and jobs. This integrated guidelines packageseeks to lay down a comprehensive strategy of macroeconomic, microeconomic and employment policies to redress Europe’s weak growth performance and insufficient job creation.
- 22 Apr 2005
EU Level: New European Institute for Gender Equality proposed<#PDF_LINK>In March 2005, Vladimír Špidla, the EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, proposed the establishment of a new European Institute for Gender Equality. It would be an independent centre of excellence at European level that collects, analyses and diffuses reliable and comparable data
- 21 Apr 2005
EU Level: March social affairs Council prepares for spring summit <#PDF_LINK>An EU employment and social policy Council meeting was held in Brussels in early March 2005. The main items on the agenda included preparations for the spring 2005 European Council summit, a set of conclusions on the social dimension of globalisation, the revision of the working time Directive, a proposal to amend two social security Regulations and an overview of private pension provision in the EU.
- 01 Apr 2005
EU Level: Trade unionists demonstrate in support of employment and social rights<#PDF_LINK>The European trade union confederation (ETUC) has called a demonstration in Brussels in March 2005 in defence of employment and social rights and against the proposed Directive on services in the internal market.
- 01 Apr 2005
EU Level: Commission issues proposal on working time for cross-border train drivers<#PDF_LINK>The Commission has issued a draft Directive giving legal effect to a social partners’ agreement on working time for mobile workers employed on cross-border services in the rail sector.
- 01 Apr 2005
EU Level: Joint collective bargaining declaration in banking<#PDF_LINK>Trade unions in the European banking sector issued in November 2004 a joint declaration on collective bargaining coordination and cooperation.
- 25 Feb 2005
EU Level: Draft 2004-5 joint employment report issued<#PDF_LINK>The EU's draft joint employment report for 2004-5, issued by the European Commission in January 2005, states that Member States need to embrace reform more decisively to create more jobs.
- 25 Feb 2005
EU Level: Commission issues five-year social agenda<#PDF_LINK>In February 2005 the European Commission issued its social policy plans for the coming five years. Key proposals include the establishment of a European gender institute, a Green Paper on new forms of work, a second round of social partner consultations on restructuring, an initiative on the establishment of a voluntary framework for transnational collective bargaining and an initiative on data protection for workers.
- 25 Feb 2005
EU Level: Global framework agreement signed at Rhodia<#PDF_LINK>In late January 2005, a global social responsibility agreement was concluded at the French chemicals multinational Rhodia. The agreement commits the company to adhering to a range of ILO Conventions and the UN Global Compact. It also contains a number of other commitments in areas such as health and safety, protection of the environment, non-discrimination and social dialogue.
- 14 Feb 2005
EU Level: Agency sets out 'business case' for safe and healthy work<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work published two reports. One identifies 10 occupational safety and health criteria that underpin corporate social responsibility and the other finds strong links between the quality of work and productivity.
- 14 Feb 2005
EU Level: Commission holds conference on disability<#PDF_LINK>A conference on equal opportunities for people with disabilities took place in Bulgaria in December 2004, organised by the European Commission, bringing together delegates from Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia and Turkey.
- 14 Feb 2005
EU Level: Commission launches new social dialogue website <#PDF_LINK>At the beginning of February 2005, the European Commission launched a new social dialogue website, aimed at providing a research and information resource to all those with an interest in the European social dialogue process.
- 14 Feb 2005
EU Level: President sets out Commission's vision for future of EU social policy <#PDF_LINK>In February 2005, the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, addressed the European Parliament, setting out what he believes are the social and employment priorities for the coming five years. These include reworking the Lisbon strategy and focusing on internal market proposals.
- 31 Jan 2005
EU Level: Commission issues 2004 industrial relations report<#PDF_LINK>In January 2005, the European Commission issued its latest industrial relations report. The report examines issues such as the quality of industrial relations, developments in the social dialogue, the main legislative developments, corporate governance and the situation in the new EU Member States.
- 31 Jan 2005
EU Level: ETUC issues report on collective bargaining<#PDF_LINK>The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) issued in January 2005 its latest annual report on collective bargaining developments, based on data from its member confederations. The report analyses trends in the light of ETUC’s 2000 guideline on the coordination of collective bargaining in Europe.
- 31 Jan 2005
EU Level: Commission Green Paper on managing economic migration to EU<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission issued a Green Paper launching a public consultation on how to manage economic migration at EU level in January 2005. The Commission believes that some coordination is needed and stakeholders are asked to submit their comments on the idea and content of such an EU-wide initiative by April 2005.
- 17 Jan 2005
EU Level: Luxembourg Presidency sets out employment and social priorities<#PDF_LINK>The Council of the European Union will be presided over by the Luxembourg government during the first six months of 2005. It has issued its priorities for its term, including the mid-term review of the Lisbon strategy and the progression of a range of proposals, including the draft Directive on the revision of the working time Directive.
- 17 Jan 2005
EU Level: EU social partners in hotels and restaurants sign joint CSR statement<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, the EU-level social partners in the hotels and restaurants sector signed a joint document on corporate social responsibility (CSR), covering areas such as equality, working conditions, pay, training, health and safety and restructuring.
- 17 Jan 2005
EU Level: Formal social dialogue begins in chemicals industry<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, the European Commission formally announced the establishment of an EU-level social dialogue committee in the chemicals industry.
- 17 Jan 2005
EU Level: Commissioner calls for end to discrimination against people with disabilities<#PDF_LINK>In December 2004, speaking at a conference in Brussels, the new European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimir Spidla, called for a change in attitudes and a new approach in order to end discrimination against people with disabilities.
- 17 Jan 2005
EU Level: Commission takes five Member States to ECJ for failing to implement anti-discrimination Directive<#PDF_LINK>The European Commission announced in December 2004 that it is to refer five EU Member States to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for failing to transpose the 2000 framework equality Directive.