§ Baroness Gould of Potternewton asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What the outcome was of the Employment and Social Policy Council meeting on 17 October [HL4433]
80WA§ Baroness BlackstoneMy right honourable friend Tessa Jowell and my honourable friend Alan Johnson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, represented the UK at the Employment and Social Policy Council meeting on 17 October.
The Commission introduced the Autumn Employment Package, comprising the draft Employment Guidelines for 2001, the draft Joint Employment Report for 2000 and the Commission Recommendation on member states' employment policies. The Council gave its first reactions to the package, which will be discussed again by the Council on 27–28 November.
The Council reached political agreement on a directive to implement the agreement on working time between the European social partners and the civil aviation sector.
Outline political agreement was reached on a common position for a directive that will set minimum standards for the selection and use of scaffolding, ladders and ropes.
The Council reached political agreement on a series of objectives in the fight against poverty and exclusion. These will be forwarded to the December European Council in Nice for approval.
The Council adopted Conclusions on the structural indicators for employment and social cohesion. These will be included in the annual synthesis report for the Stockholm European Council.
Political agreement was reached by the Council on the Employment (anti-discrimination) Directive brought forward under Article 13. This establishes a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. All the UK's negotiating objectives were achieved.
Political agreement was also reached on another proposal brought under Article 13, a Decision to establish an action programme tackling all forms of discrimination.
The Presidency introduced its summary paper on the current state of play of the negotiations on the proposed directive establishing a national framework for informing and consulting workers. The UK stated its continued opposition to the proposed directive on the grounds that it breached subsidiarity. The Presidency will consider written comments from delegations in preparation for renewed discussion at the Council on 27–28 November.