Strasbourg, 13/02/2002 (Agence Europe) - Adopting the report by Marie-Thérèse Hermange (EPP-ED, France) on the Commission's Communication on the scorecard for the implementation of the Social Agenda, the EP wants to be involved in changes to the Social Agenda alongside the social partners. It also calls on the Commission to 1) give it information about social dialogue in the EU; 2) ensure the social dimension is integrated into competition policy; 3) make progress in several areas, viz. revising the directive on European works councils, presenting a memorandum on health and safety at work policy, and taking initiatives following the European Year of the Disabled. Ms Hermange told the Commissioner in the plenary that Nice had given her a formidable tool - the Social Agenda as a key factor for social and economy modernisation.
During the debate, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (EPP-ED, Greece) put the spotlight on justice and equality in the Social Agenda, while Anne Van Lancker (PES, Belgium) called for a timetable for implementing it and Sylviane Ainardi (GUE/NGL, France) regretted that the Commission hadn't considered the right to strike at European level or collective bargaining. Brian Crowley (UEN, Ireland) was concerned at the request for so much legislation which could lead to greater red tape which was not what people expected from social policy, while Miet Smet (EPP-ED, Belgium) said legislation was essential in view of enlargement. Barbara Weiler (PES, Germany) said the directive on European works councils had to be changed.
The report is a positive contribution to the enhanced use of a very useful tool which is a new acquisition in social policy, said Anna Diamantopoulou, adding that the reports on the Social Agenda and the spring Summits had to be taken together. She agreed with the report that the Social Agenda should not become a "Prévert" type list of different activities.