Weber, Tina
Amsterdam Treaty enters into force
27 May 1999
After having been ratified by all Member States, the Amsterdam Treaty [1]
finally entered into force on 1 May 1999. The Treaty (EU9707135F [2]) was
formally signed in October 1997 and the final ratification instruments were
deposited by France and Greece in March 1999.
[1] http://ue.eu.int/Amsterdam/en/traiteco/en1.htm
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/amsterdam-treaty-brings-small-advances-for-employment-and-social-policy
Focus on greater women's representation in decision-making
27 May 1999
A European conference on gender balance in decision-making was held in Paris
on 15-17 April 1999, organised with the support of the European Commission by
a number of French ministries. The event focused on balanced participation in
political and professional life and the role of NGO s and social partners in
promoting a gender balance. At the closing session, a declaration on women in
decision-making was signed by ministers from 13 EU Member States. The
declaration aims to ensure balanced participation by women and men and
recommends that European institutions, governments and political parties take
measures both in the electoral field and in the appointment of members of
advisory bodies. Furthermore, the French government presented an action plan
defining a strategy for partnership, including changing women's image in
society and steps for renewed democracy to achieve parity in participation.
Communication emphasises need to coordinate economic and employment policies
27 May 1999
At the Luxembourg"employment summit" of November 1997, the European Council
endorsed a "European employment strategy" involving the coordination of
Member State employment policies on the basis of commonly agreed Employment
Guidelines (EU9711168F [1]), implementing the new "employment chapter" of the
Amsterdam EU Treaty in advance of the Treaty coming into force. The first
such Guidelines were adopted for 1998, and the process was repeated for 1999
(EU9810130F [2]). At Luxembourg and subsequent European Councils, the
importance of a coordinated approach to macroeconomic development and
employment creation was emphasised. The December 1998 Vienna European Council
(EU9812141N [3]) also endorsed the idea of a "European employment pact" to
reinforce the employment strategy (EU9902156N [4]), to be discussed at the
Cologne summit in June 1999. This concept is currently being defined in more
detail in discussions in Economic and Financial Affairs Council of Ministers,
the Labour and Social Affairs Council of Ministers (EU9903160N [5]), the
Economic Policy Committee, the Employment and Labour Market Committee, the
Standing Committee on Employment and the Social Dialogue Committee.
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/employment-summit-agrees-limited-package-of-measures-to-combat-unemployment
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/draft-employment-guidelines-for-1999-emphasise-continuity
[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/vienna-summit-reaffirms-employment-as-priority
[4] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/uncertainty-over-definition-of-european-employment-pact
[5] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/labour-and-social-affairs-council-discusses-european-employment-pact
European Parliament adopts resolution on draft information and consultation Directive
27 May 1999
TheEuropean Commission tabled a proposal for a Directive establishing a
general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European
Community [1] on 11 November 1998, following the refusal by the Union of
Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) to enter into
European-level negotiations on the subject under the provisions of the
Maastricht social policy Agreement (EU9812135F [2]). The information and
consultation requirements contained in the draft Directive would apply to all
undertakings with at least 50 employees, which is thought to imply a coverage
of 3% of European Union enterprises, employing 58.2% of employees. The
approach is to lay down minimum requirements while encouraging agreements
between the social partners at the appropriate levels. The adoption of the
Directive, highlighted as a priority by the German EU Presidency of the first
half of 1999, will require the support of a qualified majority of Member
State governments in the Council of Ministers.
[1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/directen.pdf
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/commission-tables-draft-directive-on-national-information-and-consultation
New era in sectoral social dialogue takes shape
27 February 1999
The European Commission has always placed significant emphasis on the social
dialogue between employers' organisation and trade unions, given that the
development of the European Union and its policies has a significant impact
on employers and employees, while at the same time depending on public
approval for its legitimation. Following the adoption of the Maastricht
Treaty on European Union and the annexed social policy Protocol and Agreement
[1], the position of the European-level social partners has been further
boosted by giving them a more powerful role in the EU's social policy
decision-making process, notably allowing them to reach agreements which can
take the place of legislation in some circumstances. These new powers have
successfully been put into effect at the intersectoral level with the
negotiation of the framework agreements on parental leave [2] (TN9801201S
[3]) and part-time work [4] (EU9706131F [5]) - both of which have been
implemented by Council Directives - and the January 1999 draft agreement on
fixed-term contracts (EU9901147F [6]). At the sectoral level, an agreement
has been reached on working time in the maritime sector (EU9802182F [7]),
which is also to be implemented via a Directive (EU9901144F [8]).
[1] http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/obj/treaties/en/entr8i.htm
[2] http://europa.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=en&numdoc=31996L0034&model=guichett
[3] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/erm/comparative-information/the-eu-parental-leave-agreement-and-directive-implications-for-national-law-and-practice
[4] http://europa.eu.int/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=en&numdoc=31997L0081&model=guichett
[5] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/social-partners-reach-framework-agreement-on-part-time-work
[6] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/social-partners-reach-draft-framework-agreement-on-fixed-term-contracts
[7] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/working-conditions-undefined-industrial-relations/social-partners-propose-draft-directive-on-working-time-in-the-european-maritime-sector
[8] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-working-conditions/commission-proposes-directives-to-end-exclusion-of-sectors-from-working-time-directive
UNICE welcomes Commission Communication on social dialogue
27 December 1998
On 13 November 1998, the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of
Europe (UNICE) adopted its position paper on the European Commission
Communication on Adapting and promoting the social dialogue at Community
level [1], issued in May 1998 (EU9806110F [2]) While UNICE expresses support
for the general objectives set out in the Communication, it regrets the
Commission's decision to "adopt in great haste its proposal for a decision on
sectoral social dialogue committees, replacing replacing all previous
sectoral dialogue structures", and to submit its proposal for a Council
Decision reforming theStanding Committee on Employment before the social
partners had an opportunity to express their views.
[1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/soc-dial/social/com322_en.pdf
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-industrial-relations/the-european-social-dialogue-impasse-or-new-opportunities
Vienna summit reaffirms employment as priority
27 December 1998
The European Council summit meeting held under the Austrian Presidency in
Vienna on 11-12 December 1998 reaffirmed employment as "the top priority of
the European Union" and commended the Member States on their efforts made in
implementing the 1998 Employment Guidelines [1], which, it argued, have
contributed to a reduction in the average unemployment rate to under 10%.
Nevertheless, it is stated in the Presidency conclusions [2] that more needs
to be done using a comprehensive approach, encompassing: macroeconomic
policies directed towards growth and stability; economic reform promoting
competitiveness; and employment policies designed to improve employability,
adaptability, equal opportunities and job creation in existing and new
enterprises.
[1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/empl&esf/docs/guideen.htm
[2] http://ue.eu.int/newsroom/LoadDoc.cfm?MAX=1&DOC=!!!&BID=76&DID=56427&GRP=15
1998 Annual Review: EU-level developments and comparative overview
27 December 1998
The end of 1998 marked a milestone in the development of the European Union.
On 1 January 1999, 11 Member States officially adopted the European single
currency, the euro (the third stage of Economic and Monetary Union, EMU). Of
the EU Member States, only Denmark, Greece, Sweden and the UK remain outside
the "euro-zone", but it appears inevitable to many observers that at least
most of these countries will join the single currency in the not too distant
future. In 1998, the impact of EMU on industrial relations was assessed more
widely than before and was the subject of keen debate for the social partners
at European, national and regional levels.
Social dialogue in postal services leads to agreement on promoting employment
27 December 1998
The nature of the organisation and delivery of postal services in the
European Union has undergone significant restructuring over the last decade,
partly as a result of technological changes and changes in consumer demand,
and partly as a result of changes in the national and transnational policy
environment. The latter changes led to a degree of liberalisation in relation
to certain aspects of the provision of postal services. With the exception of
Sweden and Finland, all Member States retain a single public sector operator,
enjoying a monopoly over certain retained services. However, there are an
increasing number of more or less specialised private sector providers
operating in this area. These private providers have been able to secure a
substantial share of the high value-added services market not covered by the
post office monopoly and have been particularly successful in establishing
high-quality, high-reliability operations in door-to-door delivery services.
European Company Statute proposal blocked by Spanish resistance
27 December 1998
The meeting of the Council of Labour and Social Affairs Ministers on 2
December 1998 (EU9812142N [1]) failed to reach an agreement on the Austrian
Presidency's latest compromise version of the draft Directive on worker
involvement in the European Company Statute (ECS). This is the latest setback
in the long history of negotiations on this issue which go back nearly three
decades. The ECS was first put forward in the early 1970s and was intended to
allow the setting up of a new type of company, incorporated under European
rather than national law, and enjoying a number of tax advantages. Despite
interest among the business community in this new form of company, successive
proposals have failed to enter the statute book, largely as a result of
seemingly insurmountable disagreements in relation to the nature of worker
involvement in such companies.
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/social-affairs-council-agrees-health-and-safety-directives