| Series Title | European Voice |
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| Series Details | 26/09/96, Volume 2, Number 35 |
| Publication Date | 26/09/1996 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 26/09/1996 SOCIAL Affairs Commissioner Pádraig Flynn announced the formation of a group of experts to try to resolve the long-standing impasse over the proposed European Company Statute, which would allow firms to set themselves up as European companies. The main sticking point preventing a deal for more than 20 years has been the extent of worker participation in this and three other proposals. Flynn said he would ask five “high level” labour policy experts to look at the problem. The group, to be set up by the end of the year, will include representatives from both ETUC and UNICE and will have three months to deliberate. THE Commissioner also confirmed that he would ask the social partners to negotiate rules under the Social Protocol on informing and consulting workers in national companies, building on the approach taken in the European Works Council Directive. MINISTERS formally adopted the posted workers directive, which guarantees employees sent to another EU member state the same pay and working conditions as local workers, after a short threshold period. Having approved a common position in June, Council was able to adopt the measure as an A-point after the European Parliament endorsed its approach last week. The UK voted against the legislation and Portugal abstained, claiming that the rules were tighter for the construction sector than other trades. COUNCIL reached basic agreement on a recommendation on equality between men and women in decision-making and a resolution on ensuring equality in benefiting from EU Structural Funds. Final agreement must wait until the UK parliament has debated the matter. MEMBER state officials will consider a proposal to establish an employment and labour market committee after Council expressed general approval of the idea. This could pave the way for agreement at the next ministerial meeting in December. THE meeting reached unanimous agreement on revisions to the directive on the protection of workers from carcinogenic substances at work. |
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| Subject Categories | Employment and Social Affairs |
