21/09/2006 (Agence Europe) - The European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), representing the three million hospital workers, and the European Hospital and Healthcare Employers' Association (HOSPEEM) took part, on 20 September, in the launch of a social dialogue committee. The European Commission, which has been supporting the social dialogue process, was quick to welcome the creation of this, the 33rd sectoral social dialogue committee at European level. The social partners in the hospital sector have established a work programme for 2006-2207, that will concentrate on: - recruitment and retention of personnel in the hospital sector; - the age profile of the hospital workforce; - new skill requirements for the workforce in the sector.