Brussels, 10/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - Change is a feature of modern economies and societies, requiring workers and companies to adapt constantly. Four European cross-industry social partner organisations, ETUC (unions), BUSINESSEUROPE (employers), UEAPME (crafts and SMEs) and CEEP (public service employers, employers' organisations and employers providing services in the general interest) are tackling the issue and have begun a joint study on restructuring. A synthesis report has been elaborated by independent experts and is entitled “Joint study on restructuring in the EU-15”. The document aims at exchanging views on the role of social partners in restructuring processes and was presented during a seminar on 19-20 June in Brussels.
European social partners first undertook a study in the countries that joined the EU in 2004 (Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia), with the main objective of better understanding the economic and social challenges faced by companies and workers in terms of restructuring. This study was then extended to the remaining EU15 countries, as part of the Integrated Programme of the European Social Partners 2006-2008. The main results of this new joint study, covering 10 EU countries (Ireland, Netherlands, Greece, France, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Spain, United Kingdom and Sweden), were presented during a synthesis seminar that brought together around 100 workers' and employers' representatives from all across Europe. Studies covered Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Portugal and Romania and will be presented later this year and in 2009. Ultimately, it should be possible to compare the role played by social partners in the EU27 and see how they devise social dialogue and tackle economic challenges.
European social partners have set up two web pages: (http: //resourcecentre.etuc.org) (ETUC Resource Centre); (http: //http://www.erc-online.eu ). (G.B./transl.rh)