Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Soical Agenda - 2010
Soical Agenda - 2010
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Focus On:
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Generation M(obility) 7
D ISABILIT Y
GENDER EQ UALIT Y
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European Commission unveils new strategy for gender equality 13
SPECIAL FE ATU RE
Affording old age the EU pensions debate 15
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Main trends in European pension reforms 19
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OTH ER VO ICES
ITE MS
News in brief 4
Recent publications 28
Useful websites 28
A magazine providing information on European employment and social policies, Social Agenda is published in English, French and German by the European Commissions
Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
Editor in chief: Robert Verrue, Director-General, DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities European Commission, B-1049 Brussels
65,000 copies of this issue were published. Subscription is free on request please contact: European Commission, Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG InfoCentre,
B-1049 Brussels, Fax.: (32-2) 296 23 93; http://ec.europa.eu/social/contact
Notice: Neither the European Commission, nor any person acting on its behalf, may be held responsible for the use to which information contained in this publication may be
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Non-commercial reproduction authorised, subject to acknowledgement of the source.
For any use or reproduction of photos which are not under European Union copyright, permission must be sought directly from the copyright holder(s).
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NEWS IN BRIEF
GENERAL
Three Europeans in four think that stronger coordi-
nation of economic and financial policies
among European countries would be effective in ghting
the economic crisis, according to the Spring 2010
Eurobarometer, the bi-annual opinion poll organised by
the EU. The survey was conducted in May at the height
of the European debt crisis and published last august.
Seventy-two percent of Europeans support a stronger
supervision by the EU of the activities of the most
important international nancial groups, an increase of
Belga Picture
four percentage points from the last Eurobarometer in
autumn 2009. Europeans main areas of concern in the
crisis were the current economic situation, unemployment
and rising prices.
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help yo
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necessary, manage the problem, and setting up policies and systems
KE-31-09
http://ec
for monitoring, reporting and investigating incidents and providing Directorat.europa.
e-Genera
eu/egf
l for Emp
loyment,
Social Affai
rs and Equa
l Opportu
support to victims.
nities
European
Commiss
ion
GENDER EQUALITY
On 21 September the strategy aims to make better use of womens potential, thereby
European Commis- contributing to the EUs overall economic and social goals.
sion adopted a It translates the principles set out in the European Commis-
ve-year strategy sions Womens Charter into specic measures, ranging from
for promoting getting more women into company boardrooms to tackling
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MOBILITY
In July the European Commission adopted a report setting
out in a consolidated way the rights of Europeans
to live and work in another EU country. The
report also provides an update on legal developments
in the past decade. Currently, only 2.3% of people in
the EU reside in a member States other than their own.
However, a new Eurobarometer survey found that 17%
of Europeans envisage working abroad in the future and
123RF
Generation M(obility)
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New European initiative to fight young people. The initiative sets out
a series of actions to help youngsters
gain the qualifications and skills
youth unemployment encourages to succeed in the jobs market.
The measures proposed by the
working and studying abroad European Commission focus on three
areas: modernising education and
training so that it is more relevant
F
or millions of young Europeans EUs new Europe 2020 strategy for to the needs of young people and
finding a job looks like an growth, Youth on the Move proposes employers; supporting learning and
increasingly remote possibility. a series of actions aimed at making job mobility; providing a new EU
The economic and nancial crisis has education and training more framework for youth employment.
made it harder for young people to relevant to young peoples needs
enter the labour market. The number and encouraging more of them to Europes future prosperity depends
of young people looking for a job has take advantage of EU grants to study on its young people. They represent
increased from 4 to 5 million since or train in another country. This will a fth of the EU population and their
the onset of the financial turmoil, increase young peoples employ- skills and abilities will be decisive
with youth unemployment now at ability and access to the labour in achieving the Europe 2020 goal
nearly 21% in the European Union market. Youth on the Move brings of smart, sustainable and inclusive
(EU). In a bid to help improving the together new and existing measures growth. European education and
situation the European Commission at EU level and in the member States training systems differ from country
has launched Youth on the Move, to create a more effective package of to country, but they are all facing
an initiative aimed at helping young support for young people. According similar problems. At present, too
people to gain the knowledge, skills to the EU this is the first single many young people fail to reach
and experience they need to make EU-level strategy embracing both their full potential in education and
their first job a reality. Part of the education and employment targeting training which then makes it harder
Belga Picture
of the grants available through these
programmes.
Working and studying The EURES portal (www.eures.europa.eu) offers a database with direct
abroad - an investment access to around half a million job vacancies and allows you to register
for the future your CV online.
Youth on the Move brings together The proof of the success of EURES lies in the statistics: more and more
new and existing measures at EU employers and employees are using the service. In the past three years,
level and in the member States to the number of vacancies on the EURES portal has grown by 18%, the
create a more effective package of number of employee CVs by 12%, and - most importantly - the number of
support for young people. Although employers by 129%. Every month 700,000 people visit the EURES portal,
existing EU programmes in education making it one of the busiest EU internet sites.
and training overwhelmingly target
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job mobility also helps make labour
markets in Europe more adaptable,
creating more job opportunities and
Work or study experience abroad is increasingly valued by employers.
better matching people with jobs.
Independent studies have shown that Getting that elusive rst job actions directly accessible to young
having studied or worked abroad people: Your rst EURES job will
does enhance peoples employ- Putting policies and measures in be launched next year as a pilot
ment prospects. More than 40% of place to tackle youth unemploy- action to help young people seize the
employers attach importance to ment is rst and foremost a national opportunities in the wider EU labour
the experience gained from study responsibility, but all member States market, and to help companies
and work abroad and consider face common challenges. To improve nding qualied workers, while the
that internationally experienced the situation of young people, the new European Progress Microfi-
graduates are likely to take up European commission feels that we nance facility will make it easier for
jobs with high professional respon- need policies that cover the steps young entrepreneurs to access credit.
sibilities. This is the key finding of young people have to make in the This is important since obtaining a
a 2006 study on the professional transition from education to work, loan has become more difcult after
value of the Erasmus scheme by and that provide support to those the nancial crisis, especially for the
the International Centre for Higher who have difficulties in making younger generation. Finding a job
Education Research and the Univer- these steps. Youth on the Move is what millions of young Europeans
sity of Kassel, Germany. A 2007 aims to focus policies in a strategic are most concerned about, said
study on the impact of Leonardo manner to help young people to get Lszl Andor, the European Commis-
da Vinci programme for vocational the rst job and then to progress in sioner for Employment, Social Affairs
education by Wir tschafts- und their career. The Commission will and Inclusion. Youth on the Move will
Sozialforschung (Kerpen, Germany) work closely together with member create new momentum at EU and
found that 58% of unemployed States to identify policy actions and national level to improve support for
people obtained a job after their measures that work to inspire the young people so that they can nd a
training abroad and 34% got jobs shaping of policies. There will also job, make a living and pursue their
with greater responsibility. be new money available for two own plans.
European Union
Eastern promise
P
orto in Portugal has been as part of the Network Contacto Trading EuroPacic was established
a centre of inter national training programme co-funded by in January 2008.
commerce for centuries and the European Union through the
Bruno Texeira is continuing his European Social Fund. The only major problem he has had
hometowns tradition. The young so far is his age. When people think
entrepreneur set up a consultancy of a consultant for big companies
business called Trading EuroPacific Gaining experience they are not expecting a young
in early 2008 to help Portuguese and The programme, provided by the person to come and give them
Asian companies work together. Portuguese Institute for Foreign Trade advice, he says. It takes a while
(ICEP), consisted of three months of to convince them. After I show my
He helps firms to find in Asia the initial training in the Department of knowledge and connections they are
distributors, suppliers and agents that Commerce in Portugal, followed by impressed, but in the beginning its
they need to access these new markets six months in Indonesia. During his difcult.
and reduce their costs. The cultural time there, Bruno prepared a report
differences between the EU and Asia on the Indonesian market and helped He now counts several large
make it difcult for companies to get Portuguese companies penetrate the companies as clients and has
access to each others markets, says market there. a network of partners in Asian
the 29-year-old. I decided to set up a countries.
business to bridge both continents. The experience has proved vital to
Bruno in the work he now does.
His company, Trading Europe The placement was very good for Planning ahead
Pacific (TEP consulting) works with contacts, he says. I met decision- For the future, he aims to expand
Portuguese companies that want to makers and influential people. I his operations to other European
sell to Asian markets and vice-versa, found out more about the region and countries. Id like to open an ofce
or else find manufacturers and the opportunities in the Indonesian in Barcelona. Spain would be the
control quality of production. He market for European companies. rst step.
works with a network across seven
Asian countries Indonesia, China, After returning from his stint in He is also trying to enter India and
Vi e t n a m , M a l a y s i a , T h a i l a n d , Indonesia, he worked in the marketing has had enquiries from Brazilian and
Singapore and the Philippines: We department of a telecommunications Mexican companies wanting to do
cover 50% of the world population. company. However, he had always business in Asia. However, he wants
wanted to run his own company and, to get the business rmly established
He spotted the niche for his together with a partner he had met in before expansion. We want to
business in 2006 whilst doing a Indonesia, he began to plan how to wait until were stronger in Portugal
work placement in the Portuguese use their knowledge of Asian markets before we move to other countries.
Embassy in Jakarta in Indonesia and local contacts to start a business. Its a step-by-step process.
European award
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for accessible cities
The Access City Award celebrates European cities
that promote accessibility for all their citizens
F
or a society based on equal Accessibility is
rights, a barrier-free environment a cornerstone of inclusion EU policy on accessibility
is a key to provide its citizens
with autonomy, freedom of choice In a society where many aspects of The general policy is outlined
and the means to pursue an active daily life depend increasingly on in the EU Disability Strategy
social and economic life. For people technology-based products - ranging 2010-2020. Specific provisions
with disabilities, elderly people, and from emails and the Internet to digital on accessibility are contained
those with reduced mobility or other television and e-Government new in EU sectoral legislation such
types of temporar y impairments, technologies can open real opportuni- as for transport and electronic
environmental barriers result in a high ties for integration and empowerment, communication services. The EU
risk of marginalization, exclusion and but also, if accessibility is not ensured, makes also use of a variety of
discrimination. cause even more marginalization. instruments beyond legislation
and policy, such as research and
Accessibility is therefore essential Accessibility is one of the pillars of the standardization, to optimize the
to exercise their fundamental rights EUs disability policy, which aims at the accessibility of the built environ-
and to fully participate in society. The active inclusion of people with disabili- ment, ICT, transport, and other
right to education or to engage in ties. Since 2003, as part of the Disability areas, and to foster an EU-wide
work, citizens rights related to voting, Action plan 2003-2010, actions have market for accessible products and
access to documents, and freedom of been undertaken in the areas of the services. Furthermore the EU aims
movement, the access to leisure and built environment, transport, services, to improve the functioning of the
cultural facilities like libraries, theatres, information and communication assistive technology market for the
hotels and restaurants can only be including new technologies (ICT) and benet of persons with disabilities.
enjoyed by persons with disabilities if the Internet. The European Disability The Commission promotes also the
their environment - with its buildings Strategy 2010-2020 will pursue use of a Design for all approach
and public spaces, transport vehicles these efforts to prevent and eliminate that benets a wider part of the
and infrastructures, services and obstacles and barriers for persons with population like elderly people and
sources of information - is accessible disabilities and to ensure access on those with reduced mobility.
to them. equal basis with others.
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for gender equality
Closing the gender pay gap and The Strategy for equality
T
he European Commission than there were in 1998, and young growth and sustainable develop-
has adopted a new five-year women aged 20 to 24 represent 59% ment, supports the implementation
strategy to make further of university graduates in the EU. of the gender equality dimension
advances in equality between women However, despite these achievements, in the Europe 2020 Strategy and
and men. The strategy sets out a gender gaps remain. In the economy, continues to promote reconcilia-
series of actions based around five women are still not reaching the top tion of work and private life and
priorities: the economy and labour positions. Female entrepreneurs make the sharing of responsibilities
market, equal pay, equality in senior up only 33.2% of the self-employed between women and men.
positions, tackling gender violence, and women are still over-represented
and promoting equality beyond the in lower paid sectors. Whats more, UMobilises all legislative and
EU. The strategy translates the princi- the pay gap between women and men non-legislative instruments
ples set out in the European Commis- shows no sign of closing: on average available to reduce the gender
sions Womens Charter into specic and across the whole economy, women pay gap, and launches new
measures, ranging from getting more in the EU earn 17.6% less per hour actions to encourage women to
women into company boardrooms to than men. Much remains to be done enter non-traditional professions.
tackling gender-based violence. The outside the workplace too. Parenthood
strategy for the period 2010-2015 affects womens employment chances UForesees progress with the partic-
builds on past experience. It provides and women continue to work more ipation of women in decision-
a coordinated framework for the main unpaid hours than men at home. The making positions.
instruments needed to support gender frequency and intensity of violence
equality in Community policies, against women remains alarming. A UAnnounces a comprehensive
including legislation, policy coordina- new Eurobarometer survey has shown European strategy to tackle
tion, nancial programmes, partner- that in Europe an estimated one fth to violence against women and
ship and social and civil dialogue. one quarter of all women have experi- proposes an integrated package
It promotes gender equality in all EU enced physical violence at least once of actions, including in the eld
policies as an overarching political during their adult lives and that one in of female genital mutilation.
goal. It provides a framework of four Europeans knows someone who
reference for European governments has been a victim of such violence. US t r e n g t h e n s t h e g e n d e r
and other stakeholders by defining dimension of external relations
policy priorities. Finally, rigid gender roles continue to and development policies.
inuence crucial individual decisions:
Previous work by the EU in the area on education, on career paths, on
of equality has helped to level the working arrangements, on family and interest that gender equality in the 21st
professional playing field between on fertility. These decisions in turn century should offer genuine choices
men and women. There are 8% more have an impact on the economy and for both women and men throughout
women in the labour market today society. It is therefore in everybodys the different stages of their lives.
European Union
Knowledge is empowerment
A
s a young girl, Khadija my language skills, she explains. VONK staff actually accompanied
Majdoubi dreamed of nothing That was so important, and it helped Khadija on her job searches, and
more than owning her own me to feel better about myself. with support and encouragement
hairdressers salon. She realised from friends and family, she finally
that dream for a while in her native VONK is a work and education got a job at a local hairdressers.
Morocco, but when she moved to centre for women living in the The people I saw about a job were
the Netherlands, tragedy struck and Zeeburg district of Amsterdam. The reluctant at first, she explains. I
her world was turned upside-down. programme helps women irrespec- am not from here and I dont look
Khadija lost her husband when she tive of their level of education, like everyone else, and I was not
was pregnant with twins. The shock experience or origin. It provides able to express myself the way I
was tremendous and her babies were information and recommenda- would have wanted. The people at
born prematurely. She spent the next tions and helps them with finding VONK helped me to get my foot in
few years as a full-time mother, and a job, training and obtaining the door.
looking after her friends children. social benefits. More generally, it
provides support for integration and I never thought I would be able to
With a family to care for and still well-being. VONK also cooperates do this
adjusting to life in a new country, with other Dutch and local agencies,
Khadija had to rely on state aid. with womens organisations and Once back at work, Khadija
With only a basic knowledge of the social service institutions. managed to put some money aside.
Dutch language, she had a hard time Indeed, she managed to put enough
nding even a simple job, much less money aside to realise her childhood
starting a new business. Feeling good about yourself dream. In April 2009 she opened
One of the most difficult obstacles her own hairdressers boutique not
faced by women after long periods far from her home in Amsterdam.
The road to recovery of unemployment is a lack of I was a hairdresser before, she
It isnt easy raising children on confidence. The training course explains, when I lived in Morocco.
your own, says Khadija. It seemed therefore included sessions speci- Its what I love doing and Im good
like everyday was so full, I had no cally aimed at building self-esteem at it. But I never thought I would be
time for anything else. To start with, and assertiveness. able to do this here, to open my own
nding a job was a big problem. place.
I learned to communicate better,
At her local social services office, says Khadija, and I understood Khadija says the ESF-funded VONK
Khadija found out about a free better how things work when you training course and individual assist-
training course for unemployed are opening a business. The first ance helped her to nd herself, and
women, co-funded by the European thing I had to do was find a job. I its changed her and her childrens
Union through the European Social had become dependant on other lives for the better. Im really glad
Fund. The course helped me realise people. I needed to to get back on I did the course, she says. Its the
my dream, starting with improving my feet. reason Im here today.
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Affording
old age
Europeans live longer
and have fewer children
who will pay their pensions?
T
he world is getting older. In for our pensions, not to mention ageing population, sustainability
most countries, the popula- our childrens? The answer lies in of public finances, adequacy and
tion is ageing. This inevitably pension reform, in itself a particularly modernization of pension systems.
has dramatic consequences for prickly subject, as recently witnessed This is why, in September 2009, Jos
pensions and other arrangements by the wave of protests in France Manuel Barroso identied pensions
for supporting older people. There over government plans to raise as one of the strategic issues for his
are two factors behind the trend. the pension age as part of a wider second mandate as President of the
The first is clearly, in itself, good pension reform. Still, if we want to European Commission. The articles
news. People are living longer. At the ensure decent standards of living to that follow examine the actions taken
same time, people are having fewer our future pensioners, something has by the Commission to open a debate
children. That, too, is arguably good got to give. The European Commis- on this issue in view of developing
news. It should lead to the global sion is well aware of the need for a common solutions, starting with the
population stabilising, although at considered reflection on the future publication of a Green paper on
a substantially higher level than it is of pensions. The Treaty on European the future of pensions. We also look
now. Desirable though both trends Union clearly states that pensions fall at reforms underway in the member
are in themselves, they create a new within the competence of the member States and at how the exchange of
problem. There are fewer people of States. Nonetheless, in this policy experience and best practice can
working age for every older person. domain, European countries share help European countries to shape
In other words, who is going to pay common concerns and challenges: future policy in this area.
T
he worst economic crisis in sustainable and safe European decades? How will our systems stand
decades has aggravated the pension systems published in July up to any future crisis, financial or
long-term challenges facing 2010 sets out to do. Representing both other? The organisation of national
European pension systems, stemming a means for a decent life in old age pension systems is a national respon-
from a rapid ageing of the population and the reward for a lifetime of work, sibility and the Green paper fully
potentially putting long term growth pension systems must deliver both of respects this. But EU countries do face
prospects at risk. These twin challenges these elements to all EU citizens. common challenges. Different countries
have serious implications for the can learn from one anothers experi-
adequacy and sustainability of our The Green paper has opened a debate ence and share solutions, something
pensions. It has long been clear that on both the short-term budgetary and the EU seeks to facilitate.
a considered reection is needed on longer term structural challenges,
pensions in the European Union (EU): asking for views from everyone with The Green Paper underlines that
on how pension policy can support a stake in these issues. What will adequacy and sustainability are two
Europes twin goals of economic peoples pensions look like in the sides of the same coin. If pensions
growth and social cohesion. This is future, given the new economic context are at risk of being inadequate, there
what the European Commissions and the impacts of the many changes may be pressure for ad hoc increases
Green paper Towards adequate, made to pension systems over the past in pensions or higher demand for
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Ministers and experts discuss Assuring adequate
systems of social protection
developments across the EU The events second day was presided
by Ms. Laurette Onkelinx, the
T
he future of pensions systems was also presented: the Economic Belgian deputy Prime minister and
and social protection systems in Policy Committee/Social Protection minister for Public health and social
Europe was discussed in-depth Committee Joint Review on Pensions affairs. It focused on the role of
by policy experts and European and the European Commissions green adequate social protection systems
ministers in September in the Belgian paper on pensions. The conference and their central role in relation
city of Lige. The occasion was the thus also served for a post-holiday to poverty prevention and poverty
conference Assuring adequate relaunch of the green paper consul- alleviation, thus connecting to both
pensions and social benefits for all tation before an audience of pension the European Year 2010 against
European citizens, organized by the policy makers from across the Union. poverty and social exclusion and
Belgian EU presidency together with to the challenges of developing
the European Commissions Directo- Throughout the debates insistence on the social dimension in the Europe
rate-General for Employment, social subsidiarity advised the Commission 2020 strategy for the relaunch of
affairs and inclusion. This timely to concentrate on common princi- the European economy. Presenta-
event zoomed in on core issues for ples while leaving the details and all tions from researchers showed the
the development of the European and implementation of pension reform to need to preser ve, innovate and
member States agenda on pensions member States. Nevertheless it was widen the role of social protec-
and social benets within the context also acknowledged that several issues tion in the European model as part
of an ageing population and in the do require a European approach, of strategies to exit the crisis and
light of crisis setbacks. such as cross-border workers, lay the ground for renewed growth
occupational pensions and informa- through well-targeted investments
tion provision for future pensioners. in human capital. A demonstration
Assuring adequate Furthermore, to guarantee sustain- of the importance of social protec-
and sustainable pensions able pension systems, an integrated tion as an automatic stabiliser that
socio-economic approach with mitigating the depth and impact of
The conference was opened by Michel economic, social and financial the crisis also served as a warning
Daerden, the incumbent Belgian measures seems required. against destroying these through
minister for pensions. The first full hasty attempts at budgetary consoli-
conference day focused on presenta- Pension presentations also brought dation. The European Commissioner
tions by ministers and State secretaries an interesting insight into the debates for employment, social affairs and
of how pension reforms in several following the Belgian governments inclusion, Lszl Andor gave the
countries have sought to assure publication of its own green paper closing speech, where he highlighted
the sustainability and adequacy of on pensions last Februar y. The the common denominators of the two
pensions. As part of this the current follow-up to this initiative is awaiting themes of the conference, pensions
work on pensions at an EU level the formation of a new government. and social benefits.
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Securing adequate and visible trend. In most, but not all,
member States the share of public
PAYG pensions in total provision of
sustainable pensions requires pensions will be lower in the future.
It will be accompanied by growing
major adaptations in virtually role of supplementary, prefunded
private schemes, where the value of
I
n the coming decades, Europes We could observe a few key trends tion (DC) pensions).
population will undergo dramatic of reforms. Encouraging more people
demographic changes due to to work more and longer was the rst Even though the share will reduce,
decreased fertility rates, continuous trend. In particular member States the bulk of pension income in most
increases in life expectancy and the tried to increase pensionable ages and member States will continue to be
retirement of the baby-boom genera- to reward later and penalise earlier provided by public PAYG schemes.
tion. Ageing populations will pose retirement. Another solution was to In addition, reforms brought a whole
major economic, budgetar y and base pension benefits on working range of innovations that in many
societal challenges. It is expected to career average earnings instead of constructive ways blurred the old
have a signicant impact on economic entitlement based on earnings in best dividing lines between PAYG/funded,
growth and lead to strong pressures to years. Closing or restricting early exit public/private and voluntary/obliga-
increase public spending. pathways and measures to encourage tory schemes by combining elements
and enable older workers to stay in the from both. As private prefunded
Pension systems in member States labour market have been also popular. pensions have been given a larger role
differ markedly. Over the last 15 years In general, entitlements in both public in overall provision they have become
a majority of them have been adapted pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and private subject to far more public scrutiny and
in response to the challenge of ageing. funded schemes have been ever closer regulation.
Member Statess have attempted to put linked to the length and the value of
them on a more sustainable footing, contributory records. Establishment of automatic adjust-
but also to protect adequacy and to ments in the pension systems was
respond better to changes in labour The move from largely single to the third trend. These self-balancing
markets and gender roles. multi-tiered systems was the second mechanisms create links between
20
0 Social Agenda November 2010
CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
iStock
A new guide will help public
The aspects covered by
authorities to ensure they procure the Buying social guide
H
ave you ever wondered why The existing framework
involvement)
the procuring of products and
services by public authorities is The two public procurement directives UOrganisational strategies to
so driven by internal market expecta- in place since 2004 do open up the buy social (dening objectives,
tions of transparency, non-discrim- opportunity for procurers to include political leadership, measuring
ination, and proportionality? The social considerations in the tenders and prioritising, raising
Commissions Directorate General they write. The aim of the directives awareness, implementation,
(DG) Employment, Social Affairs and in this eld was to ensure that public and monitoring and control)
Equal Opportunities together with purchasers who wish to, can integrate UIdentifying the needs and
the DG responsible for the Internal social considerations in public planning the procurement
Market have been reecting on this, procurement as long as the princi- (assessing actual needs,
and have decided that while these ples of value for money for taxpayers dening the subject matter, and
basic tenets of public procurement and equal access for all EU suppliers increasing access)
legislation need to be respected, they are respected. However, because the UThe contract (dening require-
are not the only points to be taken references in the legislation are rather ments, selecting, awarding, and
account of by public procurers. open and general, there has been performance).
hesitation as to how they should be
The importance of social considera- implemented. Not that there is a lack
tions in public procurement has indeed of enthusiasm for the social in public
been coming to the fore recently. A full procurement. But how to do it, and guide has already existed for a few
17% of the European Unions (EU) gross how to do it in a way that keeps the years on Buying Green. (Dealing
domestic product (GDP) is represented right side of the law are paramount with the environment in public
in public procurement, so the policy considerations. procurement is easier than the social,
leverage in relation to something like but in 2008 the Commission decided
social policy, or corporate social respon- So the Commission decided to write a it needed to look at social public
sibility, is considerable. The Commission guide on Buying Social, which has procurement too and this took quite
wishes to capitalise on this. just been finalised. A Commission some time to nalise).
Less dangerous,
more stressful
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Work-related
Work-related health problems health problems
I
n the European Union almost impact of some sort are still all too sort. Work-related health problems
seven million people suffered common in agriculture, manufacturing increased from 4.7% in 1999 to 7.1%
one or more accidents at work and construction and tend to involve in 2007. The most frequently cited
in 2007, according to a recently mainly male workers (men are twice as work-related health problems were
published statistical report. This likely as women to have an accident at musculoskeletal troubles, affecting
gure corresponds to 3,2 per cent of work). Also, younger workers tend to about 60% of the respondents. Another
workers aged between 15 and 64. have more accidents than their older 14% identified stress, depression or
If the number seems high and it is colleagues, as do workers in low-skilled anxiety as the most serious health
in terms of human suffering and cost manual occupations. So the shift in problem.
to the economy it still represents the economy from traditional sectors
a modest improvement on the 3,5 such as agriculture and manufac-
per cent recorded in 1999. However turing towards services and highly- Gender, age and education
during the same period, the decline in skilled, non-manual jobs, coupled can make a difference
accidents at work was more than offset with the fact that more women are in
by a sharp increase in work-related employment and that the workforce is Employed men and women differed
health problems (from 4,7 to 7 per generally getting older, may signal a with respect to the type of work-related
cent), chief amongst them musculoskel- decline in the overall rate of accidents health problem that was consid-
etal diseases (such as back and neck at work. But while the occurrence of ered to be the most serious health
problems), stress and anxiety. accidents at work decreased for men, problem. Men more often had back
it showed no variation where women problems than women, and women
These trends reect the evolution in the are concerned, with healthcare, social more often had problems with the
European world of work. Traditional work and hotel and restaurant work as neck, shoulders, arms or hands than
work accidents involving a physical the most dangerous workplaces. men. Besides, women cited stress,
S
ince 1987, Daniel Dellisse has years old, leaving his mother with four skills. Deceuninck put him on an
been employed by a company boys to bring up. He left school at 14 their Excellent Learning retraining
that makes and exports PVC to train as a carpenter. We had to programme run by the Flemish jobs
products for the building industry, put food on the table, he explains ser vice the Vlaamse Dienst voor
based in Roeselare in northern with resignation. He moved on to a Arbeidsbemiddeling en Beroepsoplei-
Belgium. Manufacturing goes on round series of jobs, including the produc- ding (VDAB).
the clock, and for 21 years he worked tion line of a leading car manufac-
night shifts, first as a packer and turer, which he admits he didnt enjoy
then as a technician in the extrusion at all. After his marriage in 1979, A new lease of life
process: the moulding of plastics for the building rm he was working for The course enabled him to get a
window frames and doors. But about went broke, and Daniel found himself position in the companys research and
two years ago, the unnatural pattern unemployed. training centre, testing PVC frames,
of day-for-night began to take its toll, teaching independent contractors how
and Daniel started to nd it more and It was very difcult to nd work, he to mould and t doors and windows,
more difcult to sleep. remembers. So when the vacancy on and researching new techniques and
the night shift at Deceuninck came up materials. As part of a team of three
It was a big problem for me, and he was pleased to take it. It was the engineers, clerks and two operators,
my doctor told me the best thing only interesting offer and I could start he has helped to share his knowledge
would be to start working during the straightaway and the money was with visitors from the other European
day, Daniel recalls. He offered me very welcome. By then the couple had branches.
sleeping pills, but I didnt want to start a newborn daughter, Sarah, so with
taking medicines. He was not the only Dina working afternoons and Daniel He started his new regime of day
victim the disturbance affected his sleeping in the mornings they were work in January 2008. It took me
family life as well. On Saturdays he able to arrange their time conveniently ve months to start sleeping well, he
had to recover the sleep lost on Friday to look after her. remembers. At rst I would wake up
night, so he was unable to enjoy the after three or four hours. My wife told
weekend with his wife Dina or indulge But he noticed the change as he grew me to stay in bed, but I couldnt do
in the couples passion for walking and older. Following his doctors advice, that. I would get up and watch the TV,
hiking. he approached his employers about and then by the afternoon Id be really
switching shifts. But to do that, he tired. But by June he was getting
had to show he could handle a new six hours undisturbed sleep a night.
Difcult times job requiring fresh training. The Its changed my life completely, he
Daniel has worked hard all his life. company said we have a place for declares. After all, the night is made
His father died when he was nine you, but rst you must update your for sleeping.
T
he Organization for Economic the issues addressed in the forthcoming The OECD report will also include 35
Co-operation and Development issue of Pensions at a Glance. indicators of pension policies, starting
(OECD) will publish its biennial with an overview of the design of
health-check on retirement-income The OECD report will look, first, at national retirement-income systems. An
systems Pensions at a Glance in changes in pension ages and life analysis of future pension entitlements
March 2011. National pension systems expectancy both backwards to 1950 of todays workers and of incomes and
are diverse and, often, extremely and forwards to 2050. Average poverty of current retirees, based on 16
complex. Nevertheless, there are pensionable age in OECD countries different indicators directly address
valuable lessons to be learned from dropped by nearly two years during the the concerns over retirement-income
different countries pension systems second half of the 20th century: to 62.5 adequacy raised in the Commissions
and their experiences of pension for men and 61.1 for women. Legisla- Green Paper.
reform. Pensions at a Glance does tion already in place will increase it
not advocate any particular model of to almost 65 for both sexes by 2050. Information on pension contribu-
retirement-income provision; it aims to But despite higher pension ages, life tion rates, revenue from contribu-
enable policymakers to learn from other expectancy at normal pension age is tions and benet expenditures is also
countries by providing comparable and projected to continue growing, from provided. These indicators, along with
easily accessible data. 17.3 to 20.3 years for men and from long-term projections of public pension
22.1 to 24.6 years for women. expenditure, provide a sound base for
The 2009 edition of Pensions at a assessing nancial sustainability.
Glance was heavily concerned with the Encouraging people to work longer
impact of the nancial and economic even as life expectancy is increasing The European Commission sought
crisis on pension systems. Pensions, is not easy. Pensions at a Glance 2011 to stimulate a debate on retirement-
retirement and life expectancy and will examine barriers to working longer income provision with its Green Paper
the links between them are the focus on both the supply side such as on pensions. It has already succeeded,
of the forthcoming, 2011 edition. incentives to retire early embedded in with hundreds of comments from
pension systems and working conditions different stakeholder groups before the
The European Commission published a and on the demand side: for example, deadline of 15 November. We hope
Green Paper on adequate, sustainable age discrimination, skills and labour that Pensions at a Glance, by providing
and safe pension systems in July 2010. costs. We have found that pension a wide range of comparable informa-
The Green Paper sets out the challenges reforms have improved incentives tion on pension systems can help
facing retirement-income provision. It for older workers to remain in jobs, inform this debate.
highlights the impact of demographic but there remains room for improve-
ageing and the aftermath of the crisis. ment in a number of countries. On the The report is available at:
It goes on to set out a range of priori- demand side, there are examples of www.oecd.org/els/social/PaG
ties for modernising pension provision. good practice in combating ageism,
One of the main ones is achieving a improving skills of older workers and Contribution by Edward Whitehouse,
sustainable balance between time spent helping them nd and retain jobs that Head of Pensions,
in work and in retirement: precisely can be implemented more broadly. Social Policy Division, OECD
INTERVIEW
Xavier Prats Monn,
Director for Employment at DG Employment,
social affairs and equal opportunities, speaks to Social Agenda
How was Youth on the Move unemployed one million more than because if we dont do it, nobody else
born? What was the thinking before the onset of the crisis! And will. And any learning or working
behind the initiative? now the combined effect of a reduced experience abroad is particularly
number of jobs and of the annual attractive for young people. Intra-
People often say that youth is the inflow of new young entrants to the European labour mobility gives young
future. What they dont say so often is labour market will exclude many young people more chances to find a job
that the future of youth is old age So people from jobs over a longer period. or a vocational training opportunity,
when the Commission addressed the and enhances their employability.
challenges of ageing and unemploy- What can the EU do to help Besides, even in the current crisis an
ment in the Europe 2020 strategy, young people nd a job? astonishing number of job vacancies
there had to be a specific focus on remain unlled: intra-EU job mobility
youth as one of the Flagship initia- Generally speaking, the key challenge can help better match labour market
tives. This is all the more urgent now, for young people is to nd a rst job needs and improve human capital
given the dramatic impact of the crisis since they can of course offer no prior deployment.
on young people. Even good quali- experience and often their qualifica-
cations are not a guarantee to nd a tions are not immediately relevant for How can we ensure
job nowadays, and too many young an employer. So we need policies to that potentially interested
people lack the skills and competences smooth the transition from education young people nd the relevant
that the labour market needs. More to work, and more specifically ways information and secure
importantly even: we know from the to support those who find it difficult a work placement abroad?
experience of all past recessions that to make this transition. In Youth on
when people are excluded from the the Move we put forward a set of Getting young peoples attention is
labour market for a relatively long clear-cut policy priorities for education not easy: they often regard public
time, the scars become permanent: and training, for finding a first job institutions and their language with
they lose their skills and competences and progressing in the career. The EU a healthy scepticism so in my view,
and become unemployable: so the real can play an important role in helping the Commission will have to adapt to
thinking behind Youth on the Move is young people to study, train or work the new ways in which young people
that Europe needs to so something now in another country, and therefore we socialise, communicate and acquire
to avoid squandering the potential of a propose new instruments for increasing information. In the Youth on the Move
generation of young people. young workers mobility in the wider Communication we foresee an informa-
EU labour market. We can also tion campaign specifically targeted
Young people are not the provide money, of course and the ESF for young people. And we should get
only group affected by is of course the main instrument for this, this right, because the Commission,
unemployment. Why focus alongside the other mobility and life together with national Public Employ-
specically on them? long learning programmes run by DG ment Services and other labour market
Education, Audiovisual and Culture. institutions, does quite a lot to facili-
Because young people have been tate intra-EU labour mobility. Our key
hit hardest than anyone else by the Why so much emphasis on instrument is EURES, which comprises a
crisis. In most member States the youth learning or working abroad? website on labour market vacancies
unemployment rate is twice as high as with a few million hits a month - and
the overall unemployment rate. Today Promoting mobility across countries a network of more than 800 EURES
5 million young people in EU-27 are is a priority for the Commission advisers in the member States.
te 2
da
Up
Promoting equality:
activities on fighting
discrimination in 2009
European Commission
The EU provisions on social security European Employment Observatory Promoting equality: activities on
- Your rights when moving within the Review: Self-employment in Europe ghting discrimination in 2009
European Union - Update 2010 2010 The report Promoting equality: activities on
This guide is an update of the publica- Self-employment makes a considerable ghting discrimination in 2009 presents
tion The Community provisions on social contribution to the EU economy in terms activities carried out in 2009 by the
security. It provides updated information of entrepreneurship and job creation and European Commission to ght discrimination
for mobile Europeans so they know about accounted for almost 15% of total employ- on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin,
their social security rights when moving ment in the Union in 2009. However, it religion or belief, disability, age or sexual
between EU member States. The guide also carries a degree of risk and EU-level orientation as regards to employment and
details coordinated EU social security policies have been developed over a occupation. It begins with a brief overview
provisions and explains ones rights as a number of years to support self-employment of European attitudes towards equality, then
worker, a tourist, a student, an unemployed and small and medium-sized enterprises. examines the latest policy development and
or other non-active person, a pensioner or Such measures have been stepped up in the partnerships. The brochure also looks at
a third-country national. This publication is light of the economic crisis and its impact, activities conducted to raise awareness of
available in printed format in all EU ofcial both at EU- and member States-level. The and better understand discrimination and
languages. European Employment Observatory Review equality issues, including the promotion of
for 2010 on self-employment in Europe the business benets of diversity. Examples
Catalogue No.: KE-30-09-237-EN-C
provides an introduction to the self-employ- are given of the implementation of equality
ment situation in Europe including the legislation along with details of a new
impact of the economic crisis, its role in the proposal for an anti-discrimination directive.
labour market, attitudes towards the subject This publication is available in printed
and problems faced by the self-employed. format in English, French and German and
The Review then assesses national labour in electronic format in all other EU ofcial
market policies and crisis recovery measures languages.
Catalogue No.: KE-AX-10-001-EN-C
and examines the quality of self-employed
work and actions to improve this, before
providing some final conclusions. This
publication is available in printed format in
English, French and German.
Catalogue No.: KE-AN-10-001-EN-C
Useful websites
The website of Commissioner Andor: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/andor/index_en.htm
The website of Commissioner Reding: http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/index_en.htm
The home page of the Commissions Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities: http://ec.europa.eu/social/
The website of the European Social Fund: http://ec.europa.eu/esf