Brussels, 07/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - EU employment and social affairs ministers exchanged views on the employment policies within the context of the EUROPE 2020 strategy and the European semester, and more particularly on the new structure of governance. Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Joëlle Milquet (Employment and Equality) told press that the issue of employment revolved around the creation of green jobs and greening the economy. This also responds to the wishes of the European Parliament and those who are preparing the new dynamic in this area, she added.
Milquet said: (1) European semester: the Council endorsed a joint opinion of the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee on the joint assessment framework and the employment performance monitor as was requested by the Council in October; (2) New governance structure: the Council endorses an EMCO opinion containing policy conclusions of the “light” country multilateral surveillance that took place on the basis of the draft National Reforms Plans that were submitted by the member states in November.
Ministers adopted conclusions on: - employment policies for a competitive, low-carbon, resource-efficient and green economy; - the impact of ageing on the employment policies (creating jobs in the personal services sector - white jobs); - the social dimension of the EU 2020 strategy. (G.B./transl.rt)