News
BackOnly recently, did the European Council, on the suggestion of the Commission, approve a new strategy for growth and employment, Europe 2020. The same shall soon be taking place with regard to the Integrated Guidelines. These form the basic framework for the implementation of national employment and economic measures. The proposal is now on the table; hence, the negotiations can begin.
Integrated Guidelines include guidelines for employment measures and economic policy
The system of Integrated Guidelines seems to be complicated at first glance, as it includes two different – but closely related – legal instruments, i.e. guidelines on employment policies and broad guidelines for the economic policies. From the point of view of employers, the first are more interesting. The decision on the guidelines will be taken in the Council by the ministers in charge. The European Council, the Committee on EU Heads of State and Governments is then the final instance, which adopts the Integrated Guidelines. Subsequently, each individual Member State will implement them. It has been planned to draw up the guidelines each year. The main focus should then be on their implementation, should they remain largely unchanged by 2014.
Four employment policy guidelines should be adhered to by the Member States
The first of four guidelines concerns the increase of the employment rate and the reduction of structural unemployment. The plan is to achieve this by applying the famous Flexicurity principles. These have always been a thorn in the side of labour representatives, as they are always regarded as being just a flexibility instrument for rigid labour markets. The fact that they are mentioned in prominent first place does not bode well. What can be interpreted as positive is the fact that the social dialogue is mentioned as an important element. What has to be seen with some scepticism is the fact that the expansion of placement services has been demanded. The first guideline is entirely under the sign of one of the core targets of the EU 2020 strategy, the increase of the employment rate of 20 to 64-year old men and women to 75 % by 2020. What is often forgotten is that the quality of the jobs available should be in the foreground and not the rate.
Qualifications of employees should meet the requirements of the labour market
The second guideline addresses appropriate and adequate education and training to be able to meet the current and future demand in the labour market. Finally, the fight against social exclusion and poverty has been given highest priority. The consultations on the Integrated Guidelines are now starting in the Council. The European Parliament (EP) would like to participate in these debates, but has not the necessary legal options. The Council could simply ignore the EP, but does not intend to do so officially.
Further information:
Proposal for a Council Decision on broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States Part II of the Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines
Proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States Part II of the Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines
The system of Integrated Guidelines seems to be complicated at first glance, as it includes two different – but closely related – legal instruments, i.e. guidelines on employment policies and broad guidelines for the economic policies. From the point of view of employers, the first are more interesting. The decision on the guidelines will be taken in the Council by the ministers in charge. The European Council, the Committee on EU Heads of State and Governments is then the final instance, which adopts the Integrated Guidelines. Subsequently, each individual Member State will implement them. It has been planned to draw up the guidelines each year. The main focus should then be on their implementation, should they remain largely unchanged by 2014.
Four employment policy guidelines should be adhered to by the Member States
The first of four guidelines concerns the increase of the employment rate and the reduction of structural unemployment. The plan is to achieve this by applying the famous Flexicurity principles. These have always been a thorn in the side of labour representatives, as they are always regarded as being just a flexibility instrument for rigid labour markets. The fact that they are mentioned in prominent first place does not bode well. What can be interpreted as positive is the fact that the social dialogue is mentioned as an important element. What has to be seen with some scepticism is the fact that the expansion of placement services has been demanded. The first guideline is entirely under the sign of one of the core targets of the EU 2020 strategy, the increase of the employment rate of 20 to 64-year old men and women to 75 % by 2020. What is often forgotten is that the quality of the jobs available should be in the foreground and not the rate.
Qualifications of employees should meet the requirements of the labour market
The second guideline addresses appropriate and adequate education and training to be able to meet the current and future demand in the labour market. Finally, the fight against social exclusion and poverty has been given highest priority. The consultations on the Integrated Guidelines are now starting in the Council. The European Parliament (EP) would like to participate in these debates, but has not the necessary legal options. The Council could simply ignore the EP, but does not intend to do so officially.
Further information:
Proposal for a Council Decision on broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States Part II of the Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines
Proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States Part II of the Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines