Brussels, 30/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - No formal decision other than the creation of the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion is expected to come out of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSSCO), which is to meet on 2 October in Luxembourg under the chairmanship of Xavier Bertrand, French Minister for Employment and Solidarity. The agenda of the meeting, which is dominated by debates, nonetheless contains several key subjects for the renewed social agenda for the 21st century, presented by the European Commission in July this year (EUROPE 9695).
The agenda of the session, to be attended by Vladimir Spidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, will be:
Equal treatment: Relevant EU27 ministers will hold a policy debate on the new proposal for a directive on implementing this principle between persons without discrimination due to religion or conviction, disability, age or sexual leaning, as set out in the renewed social agenda. The Presidency is aware that this far-reaching text will require a great deal of work to draw lessons from past experience and find a correct articulation between the European level and national legislation. The debate will allow the pulse of the delegations to be taken.
European Works Council: The Council will take stock of the state of progress of work on this proposal for a directive which is also part of the renewed social agenda, and which aims to establish a Community dimension works council. The text introduces a level of information/transnational consultation, clarifies the role of trade union representatives and brings in an adaptation clause in case the structure of the enterprise should change. Social partners reached agreement in August on eight amendments, which should facilitate the work of the Parliament and Council and provide hope that an agreement will be reached in first reading.
Flexicurity: The EU27 will hold an exchange of views on the state of progress of the “mission for flexicurity” set in place in December last by the Commission at the request of Council, to facilitate the appropriation of principles of flexicurity by social partners. The mission, which is co-chaired by Vladimir Spidla and Gérard Larcher, French Senator from the Yvelines and former minister, is currently continuing with its work. The final report is due in December.
Coordination of social security systems: The Council is expected to give its agreement on two general partial guidelines on the regulation fixing the terms and conditions for application relating to the coordination of social security systems (Regulation 88/04/EC) to allow the free movement of citizens by allowing them to safeguard their social rights. Guidelines will be partial as examination by the ministers will be on just two chapters of a text that is predominantly technical: Chapter II concerning payments for work-related accidents and illnesses, and Chapter III on death benefits.
European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion: The Council is to adopt the Parliament and Council's decision concerning the European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion, to be celebrated in 2010. (A.N./transl.jl)