Brussels, 10/05/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 10 May, the European Commission adopted a communication entitled “Promoting solidarity between the generations”, the aim of which is to a help member states raise the demographic challenge. How can Europeans be helped to balance family and professional life? What can be done to help families have the number of children they would like to have? How can one overcome the very low birth rate? All these questions are examined by the communication presented by Vladimir Spidla to the College of Commissioners. The communication highlights three areas in which member states, social partners and civil society, as well as the EU, can play an important role: (1) financial support to cope with the costs of raising a family; (2) quality care services, both for children and for the dependent elderly; and 3) flexible working time, with appropriate work schedules and leave arrangements.
The communication shows how the European Alliance for Families called for by German Family Minister Ursula von der Leyden, during the Social Council in Brussels on 22 February (see EUROPE 8373 and 9384) may serve as a platform for exchanging knowledge and experience. To this end, a high level expert group on demographic issues will be set up in June. The communication states among other things that the European Social Fund provides funding possibilities with a view to helping people to improve their chances of finding work through training, or quite simply by providing them with better child-minding facilities.
The communication, which is part of a follow-up to the communication entitled “The demographic future of Europe - from challenge to opportunity”, also points out the differences that exist between member states when it comes to taking family needs into account. A press release from the Commission's services, for example, cites research that shows childcare provision for the under three year-olds varies greatly: 8% in Germany, 2% in the Czech Republic, 36% in the Netherlands and 22% in Sweden. It is clear that countries that favour family-friendly policies in areas such as equal access to employment, parental leave for men and women, and equal pay, generally have higher birth rates and more women in work. (gb)