Brussels, 03/01/2011 (Agence Europe) - The EU 2020 strategy for job creation, the demographic challenges of an ageing society, social protection and social inclusion - these are the priorities of the Hungarian Presidency of the EU when it comes to employment and social policy.
EU 2020 strategy. The Presidency will focus on: (1) job creation and sustainable competitiveness. It will launch a debate on the importance of developing economic policies and employment hand-in-hand because this is likely to lead to genuine growth in the number of jobs; and (2) the two flagship initiatives “Youth in Movement” and “New skills and new jobs” because the Presidency feels that they will help improve youth employment and facilitate the transition from education to the workplace. The subject is shared by the trio of EU Presidencies (Spain, Belgium, Hungary); (3) in terms of legislation, the review of the directive protecting workers from electromagnetic rays and extending the six labour law directives to the merchant navy and workers on other ships.
Demographic challenges - the ageing society. The Presidency will (1) launch a comprehensive debate for all and sundry about current demographic trends, focusing in particular on reconciling work and family life; (2) suggest a European Year of the Family; (3) support the idea of calling 2012 the European Year of Active Ageing, in order to promote inter-generational solidarity; (4) have as a further priority the renewal of the European Pact connected with the equality strategy for men and women.
Social protection and social inclusion. Hungary will assess the outcome of the European Anti-Poverty Year, 2010, and will organise the tenth meeting of people living in poverty. It will prioritise child poverty and the welfare of poor children. It will continue the work of the Presidency trio on promoting the spread and widest possible application by the EU member states of the UN convention on the rights of the disabled. Info: http://www.eu.2011.hu (G.B. /transl.fl)