Labour market policies

The Employment Contracts Act – known as the "constitution for working life" - is a cornerstone of Finnish employment law, and governs such basic issues as drawing up contracts of employment, the rights and duties of employers and employees, the terms and conditions of employment, the grounds for

Finland's National Action Plan () for employment for 2001 [1], in response to the EU Employment Guidelines [2], was presented in May 2001. [1] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/news/2001/may/nap2001fi_en.pdf [2] http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_social/empl&esf/docs/com2001_64_en.pdf

In summer 2001, addressing gender inequalities has been high on the agenda of the government and social partners in Portugal. In June, new legislation came into effect aimed at reinforcing mechanisms to monitor and punish discriminatory employment practices, and at measuring the progress being made

In April 2001, the Spanish government presented its 2001 National Action Plan (NAP) for employment, which involves spending over ESP 2 billion on measure to combat unemployment. Trade unions have criticised the fact that the Plan was not negotiated with the social partners, though they were informed

In June 2001, the French government announced measures aimed at consolidating the "youth employment-new services" scheme (EJNS) introduced in 1997. The majority of the jobs created under the scheme will be renewed while, for the young people concerned, the government is seeking to establish support

On 11 June 2001, the EU Employment and Social Policy Council of Ministers, meeting in Luxembourg (EU0106220F [1]) reached political agreement on a common position on the proposed Directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community [2]

The European Council met on 15-16 June 2001 near the end of the Swedish EU Presidency, which hands the baton to the Belgian government on 1 July. The Council's debates took place against a backdrop of anti-globalisation demonstrations staged across the city of Gothenburg. A number of social policy

In spring 2001, the Greek government has been drawing up its new National Action Plan (NAP) for employment, in response to the EU Employment Guidelines, and conducting a dialogue with the social partners on the NAP's content. Here we outline the positions and proposals of the Greek General