It will debate a statement on services in the internal market, in response to the unsatisfactory vote by Members of the European Parliament in the Internal Market Committee on 22 November.

The Committee will give its views on priorities for the 2007-2013 EU Financial Perspectives, due to be back on the table of European leaders at their summit on 15-16 December.

The Executive will also be asked to adopt a resolution on the coordination of collective bargaining in European in 2006, set against the backdrop of another disappointing year for European economies in 2005. Nonetheless, trade unions in the newer Member States especially have made active efforts over the last year to bring wage rates closer in line with levels across the EU.

There will be a debate on recent disputes relating to workers’ rights in Ireland, Sweden and Finland, with regard to the free movement of labour, and on progress towards agreeing a Social Dialogue work programme with employers for 2006 to 2008.