From 2006 to 2010 I worked as a correspondent for the Information Reporting Services network of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound). These are my articles for the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO).
In March 2010, the European Commission published the responses to its public consultation about a new ‘Europe 2020’ strategy as a successor to the 2000–2010 Lisbon Strategy. Among the 1,500 submissions were many critical statements by social non-governmental organisations, trade unions and centre-left parties arguing that the Commission’s draft plan did not develop the EU’s social dimension appropriately and repeated many mistakes of its predecessor strategy.
The Audiovisual Social Dialogue Committee recently adopted a joint opinion calling for stronger protection against unauthorised file sharing of protected works and performances. This joint opinion is part of a larger debate about the enforcement of copyright on the internet – in particular, about finding a balance between the protection of authors’ rights and the individual’s right to privacy, data protection and freedom of expression.
In the debate about the measures needed to face the current financial and economic crisis, the European social partners have expressed their views. While BusinessEurope, representing the employer side, calls for a renewal of the European social market economy, the European Trade Union Confederation proposes a ‘new green deal’ seeking ‘to end “casino capitalism” and base growth and jobs on sustainable investment, fair wages and distributive justice’.
With its adoption by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers in December 2008, the recast directive on European Works Councils may become effective in 2009. The adopted text is based on an informal agreement reached on 4 December. In addition to changes proposed by the social partners, the Parliament agreed on amendments to the definition of ‘transnational’ and the obligation of Member States to define ‘adequate, proportionate and dissuasive’ sanctions.
In late August 2008, the European social partners submitted a joint advice on the European Works Council ‘recast’ directive to the French Minister for Labour, Social Affairs and Solidarity. They accepted the Commission’s proposal as a basis for the revision of the directive and included an agreed list of possible changes to the proposal. Meanwhile, the social partners and the parliament’s rapporteur support a fast revision procedure based on this common position.
On 10 June 2008, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council reached political agreement on two controversial draft directives. The amended working time directive distinguishes between active and inactive ‘on-call’ time, and sets new rules for the opt-out from the standard maximum limit of 48 working hours a week. The temporary agency work directive is based on the principle of equal treatment as of day one for temporary agency workers.
On 2 July 2008, the European Commission adopted a legislative proposal for a revised directive on European Works Councils (EWCs) as part of its renewed social agenda. The proposal aims to better define the competencies of EWCs, linking the national and European levels of information and consultation, and ensuring legal certainty regarding the set-up and the functioning of EWCs. Social partners have given mixed reactions to the proposal.
In February 2008, the European Commission invited social partners to consult on the revision of the 1994 Council Directive on European Works Councils (EWCs) – one of its legislative priorities for 2008. With this long-awaited step, the process of revising the EWCs Directive enters a new and decisive phase. The European Trade Union Confederation and other European trade unions welcomed the second-phase consultation, while BusinessEurope has opposed this step.
In early November 2007, a new ‘European partnership for the anticipation of change in the automotive industry’ was formed by the European Commission, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and the European Metalworkers’ Federation. The aims of the partnership are to monitor developments in the industry and to exchange know-how on managing restructuring in a socially responsible way.
At its congress in Seville on 21–24 May 2007, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) adopted a Charter on ‘Gender mainstreaming in trade unions’. The charter is based on the findings of a survey on ‘Women in trade unions: bridging the gap’, which was published in the autumn of 2006 and presented at a conference held in Berlin in March 2007. The charter aims to enhance ETUC’s commitment to gender equality.
‘Shaping Europe’s social future’ is one of the topics outlined in the government’s programme for the German EU presidency, focusing on issues such as ‘flexicurity’ and equal opportunities in the labour market. While trade unions and social non-governmental organisations have called into question Germany’s plans to promote ‘good work’ for all, the first informal meeting in January and a conference on the European social model in February aimed to facilitate a more precise understanding of what Germany hopes to achieve with regard to social and employment policy.
According to an EU survey on ‘European employment and social policy’ published by the European Commission in November 2006, a large number of European citizens have a positive view of the EU’s role in employment issues and social affairs. The report also reveals that, while a vast majority of citizens underline the importance of qualifications and regular training in enhancing job security, only 24% of people have actually taken part in some form of training over the last 12 months. The main obstacles cited by respondents are financial restrictions and difficulties in balancing work and family responsibilities.
Der Konferenzband „Flexibel, stabil und innovativ – Arbeit im 21. Jahrhundert“ fasst die Beiträge zur 1. Jahreskonferenz des BMBF-Förderschwerpunkts „Balance von Flexibilität und Stabilität in einer sich wandelnden Arbeitswelt“ zusammen. Die 41 bundesweiten Projekte des Förderschwerpunkts untersuchen zwischen 2009 und 2013, wie sich die Chancen und Risiken, die beim Ausbalancieren von Stabilität und Flexibilität zur Förderung von Innovationsfähigkeit entstehen, nutzen und bewältigen lassen. Acht thematisch zusammengestellte Fokusgruppen, die durch das Metaprojekt „BALANCE – Flexibilität und Stabilität in der Forschungswelt“ begleitet werden, erarbeiten Ideen für Politik, Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, die eine Entwicklung zukunftstauglicher Lösungen und Ansätze vorantreiben sollen. Das Buch wendet sich an Interessierte aus Forschung und Praxis der modernen Arbeitsgestaltung.(less)