Austrian and Finnish Presidencies set out social policy priorities

In late December 2005, the Austrian and Finnish governments issued a joint document listing their policy priorities for their EU Presidencies in the first and second halves of 2006 respectively. In the area of employment and social policy, specific measures include progressing the revision of the working time Directive, possible work on the draft temporary agency work Directive and a continuing focus on the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs.

On 22 December 2005, the Austrian and Finnish governments, which hold the Presidency of the EU Council of Ministers for the first and second six months of 2006 respectively, issued their policy priorities for 2006. They state that the two Presidencies 'will work closely together to ensure that the work of the Council during 2006 contributes to economic and social welfare, protection of the environment, freedom and security of European citizens as well as strengthening the role of the Union within the world'.

Future of the European Union

The past year has arguably been difficult for the European 'project'- the draft new Constitutional Treaty was rejected in 2005 in referendums organised in France and the Netherlands. After this set-back, it was decided that the European Council would initiate a period of reflection on the future of Europe, involving Member States and the EU institutions. A first evaluation of this reflection period was submitted to the December 2005 European Council (EU0512204F).

The Presidencies state that the June 2006 European Council will take stock of this reflection process, aiming to establish 'a clearer perspective' for the future and to agree on how to proceed.

Working for growth and jobs

The Presidencies' priorities focus on the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, which was launched in March 2000 (EU0004241F) and relaunched in 2005 after a mid-term review (EU0504203F). The Presidencies state that the strategy 'continues to play an important role in helping the European Union and the Member States to respond to the challenges of ageing and globalisation'. They note that 'delivering on this response will be one of the main priorities for the Union over the next few years'.

More specifically, the emphasis in 2006 will be placed on ensuring the success of the new, relaunched strategy and on the implementation of the Member States’ first national reform programmes, drawn up within the context of the new strategy. The Presidential priorities state that 'strong political commitment' will be required to deliver on the actions set out in the national reform programmes.

The Presidential priorities also state that future work at EU level should focus on growth and employment-inducing measures. Special attention will be paid to completing the internal market, especially for services, and the attractiveness and quality of working life will be highlighted as a means of raising the employment rate.

Labour law

Working time

The Austrian and Finnish Presidencies will seek final adoption of the proposal for a Directive revising the Directive on certain aspects of the organisation of working time (originally adopted in 1993 and now consolidated in Directive 2003/88/EC). This proposal was issued by the European Commission in September 2004 (EU0410205F) and is currently awaiting political agreement on a common position in the Council (EU0512205F). The Presidencies state that this revision is particularly necessary as it is needed to solve the problems created by European Court of Justice (ECJ) rulings on on-call working (in the Simap and Jaeger cases - EU0310202N).

Temporary agency work

The Presidencies also state that they 'may also take up the temporary agency work Directive'. This proposal (EU0204205F) is blocked in Council, and has not been discussed since October 2004 (EU0410204F).

Health and safety

The Presidencies state that they start work on the anticipated proposal to amend Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens and mutagens at work. They also note that the Commission is expected to issue a new strategy on health and safety at work in late 2006.

Social policy

Social security and social protection

The Presidencies state that the Council will examine a draft implementing Regulation relating to Regulation (EC) No 883/04 on the coordination of social security systems. They will also work on the proposal for a Directive on the portability of supplementary pensions, issued by the Commission in October 2005 (EU0511201N), particularly within the context of 2006 being designated the European Year of Mobility for Workers (EU0601202N).

The Austrian and Finnish Presidencies will also pursue work on the 'key question' of the sustainability of the 'European social model'. In early 2006, the Council is expected to adopt the first common objectives for social protection, to be submitted to the spring 2006 European Council for endorsement. The Presidencies will also seek to finalise a decision on establishing a Community programme for employment and social solidarity (known as PROGRESS).

The Presidencies state that they will attach 'special importance' to families, family policy and reconciliation of work and family life. They also cite the issue of 'healthy ageing' as another challenge, in view of the major demographic changes that are currently underway in Europe. They state that: 'Living longer is a societal achievement. In this context, it has to be assured that social and health services are prepared to meet the needs of the growing number of elderly citizens and make healthy ageing possible.'

Gender equality and non-discrimination

The Presidencies state that they will seek final adoption of the proposal to merge seven existing Directives in the field of equality into a single instrument (EU0412206F) and of the Regulation establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality (EU0503205F). They will also pursue the annual review of progress made in the context of the United Nations' Beijing Platform for Action and build up health as well as poverty indicators. The Presidencies will continue to mainstream gender issues into Council agendas.

Services in the internal market

The two Presidencies state that they are committed to completing the negotiations on the draft Directive on services in the internal market (EU0407206F). This controversial proposal is currently awaiting a first reading in the European Parliament. The Presidencies state that they will 'take due account of the concerns expressed by the European Parliament and Member States, while trying to keep the scope of the Directive as wide as possible'.

Commentary

The priorities announced by the Austrian and Finnish Presidencies set the tone for social and employment policy throughout 2006. In terms of existing proposals, it looks as though efforts will be made over the coming months to secure agreement in the Council on the proposal to revise the working time Directive. The majority view is that a revision is urgent, given the recent ECJ rulings on on-call work - as matters stand at present, all on-call working would be counted as working time, which is clearly not a tenable situation for medical staff and other workers, particularly in the health service, who regularly work on an on-call basis.

Although the Presidencies do not make any firm commitments, it looks as though there might be some movement on the temporary agency work proposal in 2006, although differences of opinion between national delegations in the Council will make consensus difficult to achieve.

Overall, it would appear that social and employment policy will move forward during 2006, with particular emphasis on the Lisbon strategy for growth and employment and on wider issues, such as dealing with demographic challenges and tackling poverty and social exclusion. (Andrea Broughton, IRS)