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Millions of workers' health to be protected by Europe's first multisector agreement

Brussels 25-04-2006. More than 2 million workers in many different sectors across Europe will be covered by the first European multisector agreement to be signed today. It will protect workers exposed to crystalline silica dust, which can lead to silicosis, a potentially fatal lung condition. Silicosis is also linked to other dangerous lung conditions, such as emphysema and lung cancer. Today's agreement aims to reduce workers' exposure to crystalline silica dust through good practice in the workplace. It will be signed by the social partners (trades unions and employers' representatives) in the presence of EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Vladimír Špidla.
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The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the publication of the CommissionΆs Communication on social services of general interest. This first step is necessary, but it is not enough.

The publication certainly indicates progress towards recognition of such services, and of the need to clarify the conditions for applying certain Community rules. The ETUC is happy to note the intention of setting the procedure for monitoring and dialogue within the framework of the open method of coordination, and stresses the need to consult the European social partners.

Yet while the ETUC considers that this first step is necessary, it is still inadequate. The Commission must go further with its proposals in this regard, in order to establish greater legal certainty, through a framework directive on services of general interest (SGI), which should also make it possible to take account of the specific character of social services.

It is important to remember that these services are designed for people, and they arise from systems of solidarity aimed at fulfilling a mission of general interest in order to contribute to the objectives of social and territorial cohesion and to guarantee the effective implementation of fundamental rights. So they cannot be subject merely to market forces, based on the law of commercial competition alone.

At the same time, the ETUC holds the view that it is necessary to expand the definition of these services, excluded from the scope of the directive on services in the internal market. The Commission has adopted an approach that is too restrictive. Social services are not provided only to the poor or the excluded, they often have to meet the needs and expectations of all individuals. The ETUC knows from experience that focusing on policies for the poor leads too often to the implementation of poor policies.

The ETUC will continue to work actively, together with other relevant partners, to win measures for social Europe that are worthy of the name.

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Η οδηγία για τις υπηρεσίες: Η Επιτροπή υποβάλλει τροποποιημένη πρόταση

Η Ευρωπαϊκή Επιτροπή ενέκρινε τροποποιημένη πρόταση για την οδηγία σχετικά με τις υπηρεσίες στην ενιαία αγορά της ΕΕ. Πρόκειται για το στάδιο της νομοθετικής διαδικασίας που ακολουθεί την ψηφοφορία σε πρώτη ανάγνωση στο Ευρωπαϊκό Κοινοβούλιο το Φεβρουάριο του 2006. Η τροποποιημένη πρόταση βασίζεται στις εργασίες του Κοινοβουλίου καθώς και στις έως σήμερα συζητήσεις στο Συμβούλιο. Η οδηγία αυτή θα συμβάλει στην ανάπτυξη και στη δημιουργία περισσότερων θέσεων απασχόλησης στην ΕΕ μέσω της απελευθέρωσης των διασυνοριακών συναλλαγών και των επενδύσεων στον τομέα των υπηρεσιών. Θα είναι ευκολότερο για τις επιχειρήσεις να εγκατασταθούν οπουδήποτε στην ΕΕ, εξοικονομώντας έτσι χρόνο και χρήμα. Επίσης, θα είναι ευκολότερο να παρέχουν υπηρεσίες σε άλλα κράτη μέλη, εφόσον αυτά θα υποχρεωθούν να καταργήσουν τα αδικαιολόγητα εμπόδια στις συναλλαγές αυτές. Οι καταναλωτές θα έχουν περισσότερες επιλογές, πληροφορίες και μεγαλύτερη προστασία. Οι πάροχοι υπηρεσιών θα εποπτεύονται κατάλληλα με βάση διατάξεις για εντατικότερη συνεργασία μεταξύ των εθνικών αρχών. Τώρα η τροποποιημένη πρόταση θα συζητηθεί και θα ψηφιστεί στο Συμβούλιο.
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ETUC Executive Committee reaffirms its vigilance regarding the evolution of the Services Directive

The Executive Committee of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), which met on 14 and 15 March, assessed the positive impact of the Euro-demonstration on the draft Services Directive on 14 February. The European trade unions believe that the compromise agreed by the European Parliament must be the foundation for future decisions on the issue
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Agreement on working time Directive eludes December social Council

An EU social affairs Council held in December 2005 looked at a range of issues, including the controversial proposed revision of the working time Directive. Although progress was reported, no consensus was reached. However, ministers were successful in reaching political agreement on a proposal to recast EU equality legislation.

Διαθέσιμη πληροφόρηση στο www.eiro.eurofound.eu.int

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Better flexible time arrangements over the life course needed

Social partners reply to European Commission on restructuring and EWCs

In July 2005, the European Trade Union Confederation and the private sector employers’ body UNICE responded formally to a European Commission Communication on restructuring and the role of European Works Councils. This article highlights the key points of the two organisations’ submissions.

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