Brussels, 14/07/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 14 July, European social partners in Brussels presented their common work programme for 2015-17 in which they put forward their recommendations and proposed common responses to certain challenges, such as active ageing.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), employers' representatives (BusinessEurope), European Centre of Employers and Enterprises providing Public services (CEEP), SME associations and the European Union of Craft Industries and Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (UEAPME) subsequently identified in this fifth social partners' autonomous work programme, six key areas in which they are seeking to provide a common response by the end of 2017. They also presented a detailed analysis of the joint task based on the way in which the European labour markets function.
In this work programme they all concluded that they 1) would negotiate an autonomous framework agreement on active ageing and an intergenerational approach; 2) step up efforts to improve the implementation of their autonomous framework agreements in around 10 Member States; 3) highlight the importance of more public and private investments; 4) prepare joint conclusions promoting better reconciliation of work, private and family life and gender equality; 5) implement proactive labour maket policies and improve skills development; 6) contribute to the efforts of the European Commission on the “mobility package” expected by the end of the year. (Jan Kordys)