European Economic and Social Committee

Press release No066/2007 / 6July 2007

European Economic and Social Committee

EESC Plenary Session

Four exploratory opinions requested by the

Portuguese Presidency on Social Policy

At its Plenary Session on 11 July 2007, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will discuss four exploratory opinions drafted at the request of the Portuguese Presidency. These opinions will help fuel the debate on the priority actions of the Presidency.Mr José Vieira Da Silva, Portuguese Minister for Labour and Social Solidarity, will be attending the plenary session when the vote is taken on the opinions; he will also be presenting the Presidency's work programme.

The draft opinion on "The role of the social partners in reconciling working, family and private life"(rapporteur: Mr Clever – Group I/Employers, Germany) underlines the need to revamp the way in which unpaid, non-job-related work (bringing up children, caring for relatives and organising domestic chores) is shared between men and women. The EESC highlights the role played by companies that offer help with childminding, as well as business competitions promoting good practice, the flexicurity approach, and the expansion of childcare provision and care services for the elderly.

In its draft opinion on "Flexicurity - collective bargaining and the role of social dialogue"(rapporteur: Mr Janson – Group II/Employees, Sweden) the EESC stresses the importance of the social partners in consultations with the European Union. It rejects the improper use, under any circumstances, of the flexicurity model as a tool for making unjustified dismissals, or a unilateral and illegitimate reduction of workers' rights and guarantees, easier. It feels that regulations established by collective bargaining, in line with national practises, would be the best way to achieve a balance between working time flexibility and worker protection.

The draft opinion entitled "Employability and entrepreneurship – role of civil society and local and regional bodies from a gender perspective" (rapporteur: Mr Pariza Castaños – Group II/Employees, Spain)proposes that the gender perspective of the Lisbon agenda be strengthened. The mid-term review of the integrated guidelines for growth and jobs and the national reform plans should include the implementation of the European Pact for Gender Equality and the appointment of national officers for gender equality, as well as specific objectives for gender equality in employment policies and sufficient involvement of the social partners and civil society organisations.

The draft opinion on "Health and Migration"(rapporteur: Mr Sharma – GroupIII/Various Interests, United Kingdom; co-rapporteur: Ms Cser – GroupII/Employees, Hungary) underlines the need to provide a high level of health protection for migrants and their families. The EESC deems it necessary to promote access to medical treatment and preventive care, as a human right, for all persons living in the EU regardless of their status, in line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The EESC also supports steps to boost cooperation between host countries and countries of origin, and would encourage compliance with occupational health and safety standards in sectors where migrants are commonly employed.

For more details, please contact:
Karel Govaert at the EESC Press Office,
99 rue Belliard, B-1040 Brussels
Tel.: +32 2 546 9396/9586; mobile: +32 475 75 32 02
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The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has 344members, who are appointed by the Council of Ministers.