Informal meeting of the ministers for labour, employment and social policy: main results
Group photo
© Valérie Coutéron
- from: 11.07.2008
- to: 11.07.2008
- In: Gouvieux-Chantilly
The French Presidency of the Council of the European Union and its Trio Presidency partners, the Czech Republic and Sweden, gave the following conclusions on the debate between the ministers for employment and social affairs during their informal meeting in Chantilly:
- First, the Ministers insisted on the necessity to make social Europe more tangible and visible for people and to improve its capacity to cope with globalisation and respond to climate change. Concern was expressed about the distance between the EU and its citizens. The opportunity internet affords for ministers to answer questions raised by citizens across the EU was therefore warmly welcomed.
- It is time to deliver. Europe and its citizens cannot afford exclusion from the labour market. Member States have to make necessary reforms especially of labour markets and social security systems. At the same time the EU's competitiveness in global economy should be strengthened. The renewed social agenda presented recently by the Commission gives the opportunity to discuss European-level action, which emanate from the Commission's proposals, including European works councils and non-discrimination policies.
- At a time of globalisation and faced with the challenge of climate change, Member States must support and equip workers and citizens to help them adapt, inter alia to higher energy costs, and anticipate changes in labour market in connection with possibilities of energy intensive industries leaving Europe. The implementation and the ownership of the common principles of flexicurity by Member States, in close cooperation with the social partners, should be given high priority, with future approaches taking into account the specificities of Members States.
- Furthermore cross-border mobility should be facilitated and fostered, which would make the opportunities on offer to EU citizens a reality. Ministers put particular emphasis on presenting the relevant measures within a coherent European framework for mobility.
- Ministers highlighted the importance of enhancing the capacity to anticipate skill needs in the labour market, while improving the quality of matching job seekers to jobs, and combining these measures with actions to meet other crucial challenges, such as access to lifelong learning.
- While Member States remain largely responsible, the European Union can provide added value in helping workers to adjust to changes induced by globalisation and climate change. The improvement of relevant policies and instruments should be discussed further on the basis of the renewed Social Agenda.
- Ministers stressed the need to reinforce inter-generational solidarity, in the light of the outcome of the discussions initiated by the previous Trio. Related policies should not only target the elderly but also children and young people in line with a lifecycle approach. Ministers look forward to further analysis by the Social Protection Committee and the Employment Committee on the relevance of common principles of intergenerational solidarity, in the fields of employment and social inclusion and social protection.
- The conciliation of work and family life is an increasingly important matter for concern in the context of decreasing fertility rates and a shrinking work force, and the need to encourage the social partners in relevant initiatives was emphasised. The values of parenthood were also touched upon.
- Ministers highlighted the essential contribution of social services of general interest to social inclusion and social protection policies. Social Services of General Interest (SSGIs) appeared to be particularly relevant in the policy areas of long term care, active inclusion and conciliation of work and family life. In this context, the application of EU competition law and internal market rules to these services should remain under close and regular scrutiny. Promotion of the quality of social services is also necessary.
- Ministers agreed that combating poverty required renewed political determination. The setting of quantitative targets appeared to be an interesting prospect, although its implementation first at national and then at EU level requested further discussions.
- Equal opportunities and the fight against all forms of discrimination are among the top priorities of the renewed Social Agenda. Discussions on the new Commission proposal in this area should be engaged immediately, while ministers expressed their commitment to delivering on the completion of the EU legal framework, taking into account the subsidiarity principle.
See Informal meeting of the ministers for labour and social policy (Announcement)
- Updated: 15.12.2008
