Christophe Degryse

Chronology 2004 Key events in European social policy

JANUARY 13 January: Social dialogue: launch of the 29th “Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee on Local and Regional Government”. The social partners adopt a joint statement on telework. “CEMR-EP/EPSU Joint Statement on Telework” (http://www.telework-mirti.org/ telework_ statement_en.pdf). 14 January: Services of general interest: with 383 votes in favour, 123 against and 13 abstentions, the approves the report by Philippe Herzog on services of general interest in the “Report on the Green Paper on Services of General Interest”, Final A5-0484/2003, 17 December 2003. Services – Internal market: the Commission presents a proposal for a directive on the establishment of an internal market in services. “Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on services in the internal market”, COM (2004) 2 final of 13 January 2004. 15 January: Employment: the ETUC publishes its reactions to the Commission communication entitled “Making Work Pay”. “ETUC rejects any approach which reeks of workfare”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 15 January 2004.

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Employment: UNICE sets out its position on “Making Work Pay”. Speaking notes of Mr W. Beirnaert, Chairman of the UNICE Social Affairs Committee, Galway, 15 January 2004 (UNICE@news, January 2004, page 7). 16 January: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Informal Council: the Employment and Social Affairs Ministers hold an exchange of views on the Commission communication “Making Work Pay”. “Modernising social protection for more and better jobs: a comprehensive approach contributing to making work pay”, COM (2003) 842 final of 30 December 2003. 21 January: Lisbon Strategy: the Commission publishes its spring report, the report on the implementation of the broad economic policy guidelines and the joint employment report. The mid-term objectives of the Lisbon Strategy have not been achieved. “Report on the implementation of the Internal Market Strategy (2003-2006)”, COM (2004) 22 final of 21 January 2004, “Communication from the Commission on the implementation of the 2003-05 broad economic policy guidelines”, COM (2004) 20 final of 21 January 2004, “Draft Joint Employment Report 2003/2004”, COM (2004) 24 final of 21 January 2004. 26 January: Social Security: the Council adopts its common position on the proposal for a regulation aimed at replacing the system for the coordination of social security systems (Regulation (EEC) No.1408/71). 2558th Council meeting – General Affairs, Brussels, 26 January 2004 (5518/04, presse 25), Bulletin of the European Union, No.8633 of 29 January 2004, page 17. 27 January: Social dialogue: the Community of European Railways (CER) and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) sign two agreements negotiated as part of the European social dialogue on the European driving licence and the working conditions of railway workers assigned to cross-border services. “Agreement on the European licence for drivers carrying out a cross-border interoperability service” and “Agreement on certain aspects of the working conditions of mobile workers assigned to interoperable cross-border services”, Brussels, 27 January 2004.

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FEBRUARY 10 February: Financial perspective: the Commission proposes a budget representing on average 1.14% of the enlarged EU’s wealth between 2007 and 2013. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament “Building our common future: Policy challenges and budgetary means of the Enlarged Union 2007- 2013”, COM (2004) 101 final of 10 February 2004. 11 February: Working time: with 370 votes in favour and 116 against, the European Parliament adopts the report by the Spanish Socialist Alejandro Cercas Alonso on the Working Time Directive. It calls for compliance with the maximum working week of 48 hours and an end to abuse of the opt-out clause. Bulletin of the European Union, No.8643 of 12 February 2004, page 16. “Report on the organisation of working time (Amendment of Directive 93/104/EC)”, Final A5-0026/2004 of 29 January 2004. 12 February: Working time: “The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomes the broad support of the European Parliament on the revision of the Working Time Directive”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 12 February 2004. 18 February: Services of general interest: the Commission proposes new rules to increase legal certainty for services of general economic interest following the Altmark judgment of the Court of Justice, Press Release, IP/04/235, Brussels, 18 February 2004. 19 February: Social cohesion: the third report on the cohesion policy for 2007-2013 is published by the . A new partnership for cohesion. Convergence competitiveness cooperation. Third report on economic and social cohesion, – COM (2004) 107 of 18 February 2004, Office for Official Publications of the , Luxembourg. Non-discrimination: publication of the joint report on equality between women and men in 2004. Report from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Report on equality between women and men, 2004”, COM (2004) 115 final of 19 February 2004.

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MARCH 1st March: Social policy: publication of the scoreboard on implementing the social policy agenda. Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Scoreboard on implementing the social policy agenda”, COM (2004) 137 final of 1 March 2004. 3 March: Employment/Social security: the Commission publishes a communication on older workers and early retirement arrangements. Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Increasing the employment of older workers and delaying the exit from the labour market”, COM (2004) 146 final of 3 March 2004. Internal market: the Commission publishes its third railway package which provides for the liberalisation of the international passenger transport market in 2010. Communication from the Commission “Further integration of the European rail system: third railway package”, COM (2004) 140 final of 3 March 2004. 4 March: Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council: the Employment and Social Affairs Ministers approve the key messages for the at the end of March in the field of employment, social protection and social inclusion, and equality between women and men. 2567th Council meeting – Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, Brussels, 4 March 2004 (6436/04, presse 53). 5 March: Employment: 2004 report of the social partners on the implementation of the employment guidelines in the Member States. ETUC, UNICE/UEAPME and CEEP, “2004 Report on social partner actions in Member States to implement employment guidelines”, 5 March 2004. Competencies and qualifications: publication of the second follow- up report of the social partners on the framework of actions for the development of competencies and qualifications. ETUC, UNICE/ UEAPME and CEEP, “Framework of actions for the lifelong

262 Social developments in the European Union 2004 Chronology 2004 development of competencies and qualifications”, Second follow-up report, 5 March 2004. 11 March: Social security: Parliament adopts at first reading the report by the French Socialist Marie-Hélène Gillig on the annual updating of Regulation (EEC) No.1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, self-employed persons and members of their families moving within the Community, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8665 of 13 March 2004, page 12. “Report on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council regulation amending Regulation (EEC) 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community and Regulation (EEC) 574/72 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) 1408/71”, Final A5-0058/2004, 18 February 2004. 23 March: Social Europe: 300 leading figures launch an appeal for a treaty for a social Europe. Press Release, “Changer l’Europe pour sauver l’Europe”, by Pierre Larrouturou, Bernard Hayette and Catherine Minard, Union pour l’Europe Sociale (http://www.europesociale.net/index.php). 24 March: Social dialogue: the European social partners in the construction sector publish a brochure in favour of the employment of young people and elderly workers. “A Challenge: integrating young people in the company - A Solution: Tutorship”, Brussels, EFBWW and FIEC, Press Release, 24 March 2004. 25 March: Tripartite social summit: the European social partners highlight the need to strengthen the links between national and European initiatives in order to revitalise the Lisbon Strategy. Bulletin of the European Union, No.8674 of 26 March 2004, pages 9 and 10. 25-26 March: Spring European Council. Council of the European Union, Brussels European Council, Presidency Conclusions, 25 and 26 March 2004. 26 March: Health and safety: “Commission consults workers and employers on reducing exposure to substances that cause cancer and reduce fertility”, Press Release, IP/04/391, Brussels, 26 March 2004.

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30 March: Working time: the ETUC calls for the European Commission’s proposal for a directive on working time to put an end to long working hours in Europe. “The ETUC calls for a directive that will put an end to long working hours in Europe”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 30 March 2004. Non-discrimination: with 313 votes in favour, 141 against and 47 abstentions, the European Parliament approves the report by the Austrian Social Democrat Christa Prets on the proposal for a directive on the equal treatment of women and men in the access to and supply of goods and services, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8678 of 1st April 2004, page 13. “Report on the proposal for a Council directive implementing the principle of equal treatment between women and men in the access to and supply of goods and services”, Final A5- 0155/2004, 16 March 2004. 31 March: Trade union action: fifth action day of the ITF railway workers against liberalisation mania, “US unions call for rail security on ITF action day”, Press Release, International Transport Workers’ Federation, Brussels, 31 March 2004 (http://www.itf.org.uk/english/ pressarea/march/rail.htm).

APRIL 1st April: Services of general interest: Eurelectric sets out its position on public service obligations in the energy sector. “Regulatory Models in a Liberalised European Electricity Market” (www.eurelectric.org). 2 April: Trade union action: the ETUC organises a trade union demonstration in Brussels in favour of a more social Europe. 7 April: Lisbon Strategy: the Commission updates the broad economic policy guidelines and the employment recommendations following the Spring European Council. “Commission Recommendation on the 2004 update of the Broad Guidelines of the Economic Policies of the Member States and the Community (for the 2003-2005 period)”, COM (2004) 238 final of 7 April 2004. Health and safety: “Council adopts Directive protecting workers from exposure to electromagnetic fields”, EU Council Press Release, Brussels, 7 April 2004 (8231/04, presse 105).

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20 April: Works Councils: the Commission launches a consultation on the revision of the European Works Councils Directive, Press Release, IP/04/494, Brussels, 20 April 2004. Healthcare: the Commission publishes its proposals on cooperation in the field of healthcare. Communication from the Commission, “Follow- up to the high level reflection process on patient mobility and healthcare developments in the European Union”, COM (2004) 301 final of 20 April 2004. Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “Modernising social protection for the development of high-quality, accessible and sustainable health care and long-term care: support for the national strategies using the ‘open method of coordination’”, COM (2004) 304 final of 20 April 2004. 22 April: Internal market: the European Parliament supports the conciliation with the Council on the second railway package which envisages the complete liberalisation of the rail freight market, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8692 of 24 April 2004, page 14. 23 April: Works Councils: the ETUC calls for the pace of the revision of the European Works Councils Directive to be stepped up and states that it is ready to engage in consultation with UNICE, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 23 April 2004. 29 April: Asylum and immigration: after three and a half years of debates, the Home Affairs Ministers of the Fifteen agree on common minimum standards on procedures for considering asylum applications. 2579th Council meeting – Justice and Home Affairs, Luxembourg, 29 April 2004 (8694/04, presse 123). Asylum and immigration: the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) severely criticises the agreement reached in the Council on the procedures for considering asylum applications. Social dialogue: launch of the 30th sectoral social dialogue committee for the audiovisual industry.

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MAY 1st May: Enlargement: the European Union is enlarged to include ten new Member States (Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Cyprus, Malta) and becomes the Europe of Twenty-Five. 12 May: Services of general interest: the European Commission adopts a White Paper on services of general interest. Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “White Paper on services of general interest”, COM (2004) 374 final of 12 May 2004. 19 May: Working time: the Commission launches the second phase of consultation of the social partners on the revision of the Working Time Directive. “Second phase of consultation of the social partners at Community level concerning the revision of Directive 93/104/EC concerning certain aspects of the organization of working time”, SEC (2004) 610 final. Working time: “ETUC alarmed by the European Commission proposal for revision of the Working Time Directive”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 19 May 2004. 20 May: Social policy/Enlargement: the High Level Group publishes its report on the future of European social policy in an enlarged Union. Report of the High Level Group on the future of social policy in an enlarged European Union, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. 24 May: Services – Internal market: the ETUC opposes the proposal for a directive on the liberalisation of services. “ETUC challenges Commission proposals for liberalisation of services”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 24 May 2004. 26 May: Social dialogue/Working time: UNICE sees no possibility of further negotiations with the ETUC on the revision of the Working Time Directive, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8712 of 26 May 2004, pages 15 and 16.

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Fundamental rights: the Commission publishes the second experts’ report on fundamental rights in the EU. EU Network of Independent Experts on Fundamental Rights, “Report on the situation of fundamental rights in the European Union in 2003”, January 2004.

JUNE 1st June: Healthcare: entry into force of the European Health Insurance Card. Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council: political agreement of the Employment Council on the employment recommendations and guidelines. 2586th Council meeting - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, Luxembourg, 1-2 June 2004 (9507/04, presse 163). 2 June: Asylum and immigration: the Commission publishes an assessment of the Tampere programme. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament “Area of Freedom, Security and Justice: Assessment of the Tampere programme and future orientations (SEC (2004) 680 and SEC (2004) 693)”, COM (2004) 401 final of 2 June 2004. 3 June: Non-discrimination: the Commission launches consultation on the future orientation of the anti-discrimination policy. 8-10 June: Services – Internal market: the Congress of the European Mine, Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF) adopts a motion to reject the Services Directive, Press Release, Brussels, 14 June 2004. 10 June: Constitutional Treaty: a few days before the European Council and the adoption of the draft Constitutional Treaty, “ETUC warns of rising anger among European workers at moves to weaken the EU Constitution’s social dimension”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 10 June 2004. 11 June: Working time: the Transport Council reaches a political agreement on a common position on the draft regulation concerning driving and resting times in road transport. 2589th Council meeting - Transport, Telecommunications and Energy, Luxembourg, 10 and 11 June 2004 (9865/04, presse 176).

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11-12-13 June: European elections. 14-17 June: Services – Internal market: at its Congress in Stockholm EPSU (the European Federation of Public Service Unions) adopts an emergency resolution in which it states that it is totally opposed to the Services Directive, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8731 of 22 June 2004, pages 19 and 20. 16 June: Working time: The International Road Transport Union (IRU) criticises the Transport Council’s agreement of 11 June on driving and resting times for lorry drivers, which provides in particular for tighter legislation in that area, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8727 of 17 June 2004, page 21. 16-18 June: Services of general interest: the European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation (CEEP) holds its XVIth Congress and Discussion Days in Leipzig on the topic of “Services of general interest: A chance for an integrated Europe”, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8732 of 23 June 2004, pages 19 and 20. 18 June: European Council/Constitutional Treaty: the Heads of State or Government agree on the draft Constitutional Treaty. Council of the European Union, Brussels European Council, Presidency Conclusions, 17 and 18 June 2004.

JULY 2 July: Employment: the Commission publishes a study assessing for the first time the extent of undeclared work in the Union of 25. “Undeclared work in an enlarged Union. An analysis of undeclared work: an in-depth study of specific items”, Brussels, May 2004. 12 July: Informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council: the Maastricht Informal Council focuses on the new European social agenda for 2005, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8746 of 13 July 2004, pages 19 and 20. 13 July: Working time: “ETUC regrets the European Commission’s failure to propose improvements to the Working Time Directive in its second phase of consultation”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 13 July 2004.

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AUGUST 3 August: Working time: “ETUC condemns the opportunist call for a longer working week: a standard 40-hour week is not what Europe needs”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 3 August 2004. 12 August: Social dialogue: the European Commission adopts by written procedure a communication on the future of social dialogue in the enlarged Union. Communication from the Commission “Partnership for change in an enlarged Europe - Enhancing the contribution of European social dialogue”, COM (2004) 557 final of 12 August 2004.

SEPTEMBER 3 September: Stability and Growth Pact: the Commission launches the reform of the rules on convergence. Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament “Strengthening economic governance and clarifying the implementation of the Stability and Growth Pact”, COM (2004) 581 final of 3 September 2004. 10 September: Social dialogue: at the conference of the European social partners of the chemicals industry in Helsinki (ECEG and EMCEF), the European chemicals industry expresses its desire to see the establishment of a sectoral social dialogue committee for the chemicals industry, Bulletin of the European Union, No.8784 of 14 September 2004, page 20. 22 September: Working time: the Commission proposes the revision of the Working Time Directive. “Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/88/EC concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time”, COM (2004) 607 final of 22 September 2004. Working time: the ETUC reacts vigorously to the Commission’s proposal concerning the revision of the Working Time Directive. “ETUC considers proposals of the European Commission to revise the Working Time Directive as unacceptable and totally out of proportion”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 22 September 2004.

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23 September: Employment: the Commission publishes the report on employment in 2004. Employment in Europe 2004. Recent trends and prospects, Luxembourg, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities. 27 September: Working time: “Eurocadres is worried by the inadequate proposal of the European Commission”, Eurocadres - Press Release, Brussels, 27 September 2004 (ref.: 04-160e).

OCTOBER 1st October: Social policy: the Commission publishes the 2004 report on “The social situation in the European Union – 2004 Overview”. 4 October: Non-discrimination – Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council: the Employment Council reaches a political agreement on the Directive on equal treatment between women and men outside the workplace. 2606th Council meeting - Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, Luxembourg, 4 October 2004 (12400/04, presse 264). 8 October: Social dialogue: signature of an autonomous agreement between the social partners on work-related stress. “ETUC, UNICE/UEAPME and CEEP sign agreement on work-related stress”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 8 October 2004. 11 October: Working time: the enlarged Doorn Group opposes the extension of working time in Europe, Brussels, 11 October 2004. 11 October: Trade union action: rally by transport unions in favour of adequate rest periods for drivers, ETF Press Release, Brussels (http:// www.itf.org.uk/english/roadtransport/actionday2004/pdfs/rtalert03_fr .pdf). 13 October: Constitutional Treaty: the ETUC Executive Committee endorses the resolution on the draft Constitutional Treaty. “The European Constitution”, Resolution adopted by the ETUC Steering Committee on 13 July 2004 and endorsed by its Executive Committee on 13-14 October 2004 in Brussels, ETUC Resolution, Brussels, 14 October 2004.

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Working time: the ETUC Executive Committee adopts a resolution on the revision of the Working Time Directive. “Revision of the Working Time Directive - An ETUC plan for immediate action”, Resolution adopted by the ETUC Executive Committee in their meeting held in Brussels, 13-14 October 2004. 25 October: Fundamental rights: the European Commission launches a consultation on the scope, missions and tasks of the future Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union. Communication from the Commission “The Fundamental Rights Agency. Public consultation document”, COM (2004) 693 final of 25 October 2004. 29 October: Constitutional Treaty/European Council: the Twenty- Five officially sign the draft Constitutional Treaty and appoint the new Barroso European Commission.

NOVEMBER 3 November: Lisbon Strategy: the Kok Group presents its report on the Lisbon Strategy to the European Commission, Facing the Challenge. The Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Employment. Report from the High Level Group chaired by Wim Kok, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg, November 2004. Lisbon Strategy: the ETUC supports the Kok Report but regrets the fact that social cohesion and sustainable development have been neglected. “Social Europe as a driving force for economic growth: ETUC supports the Kok Report, but regrets that social cohesion and sustainable development are neglected”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 3 November 2004. 4 November: Tripartite summit: the Tripartite summit highlights the fact that the social Europe must be accompanied by a Europe that is economically strong and united. 5 November: European Council/Justice and Home Affairs: the Heads of State or Government adopt the new five-year programme for justice and home affairs. Council of the European Union, Brussels European Council, Presidency Conclusions, 4 and 5 November 2004.

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11 November: Services – Internal market: the European Parliament organises a public hearing on the Services Directive, “ETUC demands major changes to the draft Directive on services in the internal market”, ETUC Press Release, Brussels, 12 November 2004. 12 November: Health and safety: the Commission launches a consultation of the social partners on musculoskeletal disorders. “Commission asks workers and employers what action should be taken to combat musculoskeletal disorders”, Press Release, IP/04/1358, Brussels, 12 November 2004. 25 November: Social dialogue: UNICE publishes a position paper on the Commission communication on the future of European social dialogue. “Commission Communication on social dialogue. UNICE position paper”, UNICE, Brussels, 25 November 2004. 26 November: Employee participation: the Competitiveness Council reaches a compromise on employee participation in companies resulting from cross-border mergers. 2624th Council meeting - Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry and Research), Brussels, 25-26 November 2004 (14687/04, presse 323).

DECEMBER 7 December: Health and safety: the Employment Council reaches a political agreement on minimum health requirements for workers exposed to optical radiation. Working time: differences within the Employment Council on the opt- out provision prevent it from reaching a political agreement on the Working Time Directive. 2624th Council meeting – Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, Brussels, 6-7 December 2004 (15140/04, presse 338). 13 December: Non-discrimination: the General Affairs Council adopts the Directive on equal treatment between women and men outside the workplace. 2630th Council meeting – General Affairs and External Relations – Brussels, 13 December 2004 (15460/04, presse 343). 14 December: Social dialogue: launch of the 31st sectoral social dialogue committee for the chemicals industry.

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16-17 December: European Council: the Heads of State or Government decide to open accession negotiations with Turkey in October 2005, sign the Accession Treaty with Bulgaria and Romania in April 2005 and begin accession negotiations with Croatia in March 2005. Council of the European Union, Brussels European Council, Presidency Conclusions, 16 and 17 December 2004.

Chronology drawn up by Christophe Degryse with the assistance of Dominique Jadot.

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