Brussels, 02/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - The negotiations on temporary work between the social partners in view of a European framework agreement have reached a critical point, on the verge of breaking, due to the employers blocking, felt Emilio Gabaglio, Secretary General of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) in a statement. If this block is maintained, the ETUC will inform the Swedish Prime Minister Goran Persson of the situation during the meeting between European social partners and the Swedish Presidency on 22 March in Stockholm, on the eve of the Summit, indicates Emilio Gabaglio, while adding that the ETUC will call on the European authorities to shoulder their responsibilities in order to ensure the necessary regulating of temporary work.
As with any agreement, compromises are necessary, but the European employers cannot claim that the ETUC is renouncing the setting out of rules capable of framing the use of temporary work, while avoiding discrimination and abuse. In particular, it is necessary to ensure, in terms of employment conditions, the equal treatment of employees (…) Reaching the end of the agreed nine month period for negotiation, the ETUC refuses an excessive extension and propose that the additional delay be limited to one month in order to allow for a last minute check on the employers willingness to reach an agreement, concluded Gabaglio.
Questioned over the situation, Therese de Liedekerke, Director in UNICE (European employers) confirmed that a joint request for a month extension agreed upon, had been handed to the Commission on the evening of 28 February (expiry date of the nine month period). The aim of this additional delay is to allow the two parties to report to their respective instances and verify if the conditions for a rapprochement between them exist, said Mrs de Liedekerke.