Brussels, 14/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - At a meeting on Friday of the European Convention working group on social Europe (chaired by Giorgios Katiforis and which is to submit its report to plenary on 6/7 February), Peter Hain, representative of the British Government, spoke out in favour, in "comments" on the group's brief, in favour of the application of the open method of co-ordination to employment policy, and against decisions being taken by a qualified majority for social matters. Mr. Hain fleshed out this stance in a joint contribution with the representatives of the Spanish and Estonian Governments.
In his comments, the British Secretary of State for Wales says in particular that:
The Treaty could be amended, widening the open method of co-ordination, launched at the European Council of Lisbon, to areas like employment. In this context, the Council should "discuss and exchange views on best practice" concerning the rate of employment (especially regarding older workers and women), a reform of welfare systems to make work "pay", promoting employability through the modernisation of training systems, tackling adult illiteracy, a reform of pensions to ensure financial sustainability, meeting the challenges of a multi-ethnic European society and tackle the multiple causes of social exclusion and poverty. According to this paper "of course, we should avoid setting EU-wide measurable objectives", and "benchmarking should take place not just against the best within the EU but also against the best in the world".
Decisions in social matters currently require unanimity covering issues that lie at the heart of relations between industrial relations and social security in each of our countries. Yet, Member States have "very different" systems, that have been developed over many years, taking account of "particular traditions and cultures". Mr. Hain stresses that, since 1997, the British Government ha been engaged in a "delicate balancing act" (providing a better working environment while maintaining labour market flexibility), and does not want this balance "upsetting". And he even believes that certain arguments play in favour of "some competence" returning to Member States..
Employers and trade unions should show "imaginative leadership in reviving social dialogue". Employers should take this dialogue seriously, but "unions need to provide some assurance that they are not seeking prescriptive legislation through the back door". Furthermore, "greater consideration should be given to the way in which the excluded (including the unemployed) and SMEs are included in this process.
The contribution by the United Kingdom, Spain and Estonia to the Convention obviously follows the same lines. Thus, affirm the representatives of the three governments, "shared values and common goals do not necessarily involve EU competence or legislative action", and the working group on Social Europe should turn to the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. And noting that the "European social model" is often spoken of, they stress that collective bargaining arrangements, the role played by trade unions, social insurance schemes, education and training systems, government policies on pensions, healthcare and unemployment - all these vary enormously". According to them, the objectives of the future Constitution should especially include the promotion of the different dimensions of the Lisbon Strategy, reaffirm the objective of equality between men and women and recognise the importance of public services. However, "if public services and services of a general interest are referred to in the Treaty, they should be "clearly defined", and there is no good reason to exclude public services from European legislation on restrictive practices".
Considering that the harmonisation of legislation in social matters "could undermine the very objectives" the EU wants to set itself, the three Member States warn against extending qualified majority voting, placing emphasis on the diversity of the systems of Member States and considering that if account is not taken of that diversity, it "could have a serious effect on the future of industrial relations in each of our systems" (the document notes, for example that the co-management of the "Mitbestemmung" is an essential part of the German system, whereas it is not in most other States, where voluntary collective bargaining or other forms of worker participation are the norm).
The United Kingdom, Spain and Estonia, moreover come down in favour of holding an annual social summit before the Spring European Council, and for the recognition of the roles that organisations can play, "actively participating in the consultation process on national policies relating to poverty, social security and youth"