Brussels, 07/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Thursday's debate in the Social Council showed that "Europe is a society of values which defends rules for workers and offers companies the opportunity to adapt to changes without damaging their competitivity. The EU is increasingly applying a social cohesion strategy", Council President Dimitrios Reppas told the Press. "In a difficult economic climate and with the threat of war looming, employment is the priority of the governments of the EU", added Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou, stating that the message being sent out by the Social Council to the citizens of Europe was "more jobs, more quality jobs, and labour markets marked by social cohesion.
Summing up the work completed (see yesterday's Europe, p.11 and 12), Dimitrios Reppas indicated that the Ministers had recognised the importance of the temporary employment dossier, and the need to put together a directive on the subject. He said that the Ministers had examined: 1) the development of temporary employment in the context of the diversification of labour markets; 2) the need to combine labour market flexibility with workers' flexibility, while guaranteeing workers' rights; 3) differences of opinion on legislation, the desirable degree of regulation, the role of the social partners and the significance of temporary work in each Member State. The discussion cast light on differences on specific aspects of the proposed directive, noted the President of the Council. Specifically, "the Commission and the Ministers agreed on the need to overcome difficulties and to come to an agreement in June". Mr Reppas said they would have to arrive at a balanced compromise on: - Article 1.3 of the proposed directive on the special exemption to encourage the unemployed to enter the labour market; Article 4 on the possible removal of restrictions on temporary workers; Article 5.4 on the transitional period preceding equality of treatment between temporary and permanent workers of the employing company. Mr Reppas indicated that "the Council had asked Coreper to carry out negotiations with a view to arriving at a common position by June" (see EUROPE of 5 December 2002, p.9 for the details on the differences between the Member States). Various sources felt that the delay on a decision on temporary work was due largely to the fact that Germany, which had assured Mrs Diamantopoulou several days earlier of its intention to agree to the proposed directive, changed tack on Thursday, announcing its continued support of the United Kingdom, who found the directive too restrictive (London is returning the favour on the take-over bid dossier).
Commissioner Diamantopoulou also informed the Council on the following: 1) the Commission's action plan regarding competencies and mobility, including- the December 2002 communication on "Free Movement of Workers- achieving the full benefits and potential". This communication covers all problem areas: problems encountered by migrant workers and their families in the EU, social cover, healthcare, the situation for cross-border workers and recruitment into the public services of another Member State; - the European Employment Services, Eures: the Commission stressed the Member States' genuine goodwill to get this up and running; - the communication on the European Charter on health insurance, adopted on 21 February by College; 2) work relating to the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003, launched in Athens on 26 January; 3) the initial report on the social situation in the EU in 2003.
Finally, the Council: 1) held a general discussion on equality between the sexes; 2) invited the Member States to transpose into their national legislation directives 2000/43/EC (fighting all forms of discrimination based on race or ethnic origin: deadline for transposition July 2003) and 2000/78/EC (fighting discrimination in the workplace: deadline: December 2003); 3) was informed by the Presidency about its recent activities, including the informal Social Council of Nauplia (23 and 24 January).