§ Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if she will list the social affairs achievements of the United Kingdom presidency of the European Community.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe overall theme for the United Kingdom's Presidency in employment and social affairs was "A Community at Work".
Our key Presidency priority was to focus the attention of the Social Affairs Council more on the problem of rising unemployment throughout the European Community. As a result, a formal resolution on employment growth, proposed by the Presidency, was adopted unanimously by Employment Ministers at the Social Affairs Council in December, which is intended to pave the way for future discussions in the Council. The key elements of the resolution were:
- a commitment to economic growth, competitiveness and efficiency;
- a commitment not to impose unnecessary regulation which would hold back the creation and development of jobs;
- Community-wide practical help for unemployed people and the removal of obstacles to labour mobility;
- various ways in which the EC institutions and Member States can identify effective practice in tackling unemployment.
During the Presidency, we were also able to secure final agreement on the Directive on the Protection of Pregnant Workers, which will bring increased benefits to working women throughout the EC.
In addition, the following proposals were agreed or adopted by the Social Affairs Council: a Resolution on the acceptance of Member States' vocational qualifications throughout the Community; two Directives on minimum health and safety requirements in the extractive industries; a proposal for the introduction of a new, improved information system for the Community covering job vacancies, applications for work and living and working conditions in the EC; the introduction of a Community-wide labour force survey; and a Recommendation on promoting employees' financial participation in organisations for which they work.
627WThe Social Affairs Council also agreed conclusions on the proper implementation and enforcement of Community legislation, which was another important theme of the United Kingdom Presidency.
Useful progress was also made on proposals on the free movement of workers, posted workers, the HELIOS II community action programme for people with disabilities, health and safety in work with biological agents, and work on board fishing vessels.
In addition, the United Kingdom Presidency hosted a productive Informal meeting of EC Employment and Social Affairs Ministers in Wales in October, at which employment and unemployment, implementation and enforcement, subsidiarity and the Pregnant Workers Directive were discussed; and also hosted a wide range of successful conferences and special events in many different parts of the United Kingdom, reflecting the United Kingdom's Presidency themes.