ETUC assesses the Social results of the Finnish Presidency "Mixed results"
The ETUC regards the Presidency as a period in which progress made with regard to EU social policy and legislation can be measured. While ETUC recognizes that an EU Presidency cannot make decisions on its own and needs the cooperation of the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council if it is to take effective action, any Presidency has a special role to play in the way it leads debates, establishes priorities, prepares the practical work done and profiles specific issues.
The ETUC is not giving an overall political assessment of the Finnish Presidency’s performance. The verdict is based primarily on the Memorandum that ETUC presented to the Finnish Presidency (26 June 2006).
Based on this Memorandum, the ETUC concludes that the main priority of the Finnish Presidency was the adoption in second reading of the services directive and the new chemical legislation REACH. The Presidency has demonstrated professionalism, but did not achieve progress on the social policy objectives, for instance on working time or temporary agencies. However, the Presidency invited for the first time the ETUC General Secretary to address an ECOFIN meeting on 8 September 2006. It ensured the final deals on the Globalisation Adjustment Fund and the European Fundamental Rights Agency. It seems fair to say that the Union’s performance has improved but there is still ample room for further improvement. The innovation issue disappeared from the EU radar screens.
In several instances the European Commission was clearly responsible for the lack of progress (framework for services of general interest; revision of European work councils). In other cases, various governments in the Council delayed the adoption of a compromise or insisted on compromises that are inadequate for the social dimension of the European Union (temporary agency workers; revision of working time directive).
On foreign policy matters, the Presidency was responsive to the trade union objective of advancing a social dimension, in particular in the ASEM talks and EU-Russia relations. It also reflected our concerns about developments in Zimbabwe and Tunisia.
TEN SOCIAL TESTS FOR THE FINNISH
1. Lisbon Strategy Verdict: Positive result (the Presidency recognised the important role of a comprehensive macro economic policy mix and organised constructive debate at the MED at political level)
2. Energy Verdict: Limited progress
3. Working Time Directive Verdict: Negative result (good cooperation, but no results)
4. European Constitution Verdict: No progress
5. Services Directive Verdict: Mixed result (good cooperation, but no substantial progress in 2nd reading)
6. Chemicals Policy (REACH) Verdict: Positive (adoption important, but some deficiencies)
7. Gender Mainstreaming Verdict: Positive
8. Better Regulation Agenda Verdict: Mixed result
9. Sustainable Development Verdict: No progress
10. Education and Training Verdict: Positive (Helsinki Declaration)
Was this article interesting and relevant for you? Do you have any comments?
You can post a reply to this article here.