WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3605/97 by Nikitas KAKLAMANIS to the Commission. Social dialogue and measures taken against workers
8. 6. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 174/85 In its communication adopted on 24 September 1997, the Commission stressed that the European aerospace industry is in urgent need of consolidation and restructuring if it is not to be left behind in international competition. Europe will need to provide the context in which European aerospace firms can restructure and flourish. This is why the Commission called on Member States to support the thrust of the communication, recognise the necessary urgency, and give their backing to the Community accompanying measures listed in the communication in order to facilitate and encourage the restructuring process. (1) COM(97) 466 final. (2) COM(93) 459. (3) COM(97) 142, COM(97) 553. (98/C 174/135) WRITTEN QUESTION E-3605/97 by Nikitas Kaklamanis (UPE) to the Commission (13 November 1997) Subject: Social dialogue and measures taken against workers There has been much talk recently at European level about the usefulness of the social dialogue, especially since the incorporation of the Social Protocol in the new EU Treaty. Despite all this, workers continue to face insurmountable problems which are getting worse, without any hope of a solution in the foreseeable future. Will the Commission give its views on the results so far of the social dialogue in the Member States and say whether it expects this to bring about any improvement in the employment situation of workers, given that antipopular measures are building up against them, their incomes which are already low are being depressed still further and well over 20 million persons are out of work in the EU? Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (19 January 1998) The dialogue between the social partners greatly contributes to shaping the economic and social environment and has become one of the cornerstones of our model of society. The crucial importance of informing and consulting the social partners and involving them in dialogue and negotiations is generally recognised in all Member States. The social dialogue has made good progress at European level. The Agreement on Social Policy annexed to the Treaty on European Union has been the source of interesting contractual developments. The social partners have concluded two agreements, one on parental leave in 1996 and one on part-time work in June 1997. Combating unemployment has been a top priority at Community level in recent years. For the first time, an extraordinary meeting of the European Council - held on 21 November 1997 in Luxembourg - was devoted exclusively to employment. The European Council invited the social partners to play their part in implementing an integrated and coordinated employment strategy, bearing in mind their specific responsibilities and powers. Besides, the Luxembourg guidelines recommend close involvement of the social partners at all stages of the process. Recent developments in the employment field have nurtured the social dialogue at national level. Thus, tripartite consultations between the public authorities and the social partners have led to national employment pacts in several Member States. In addition, trade unions and employersí organisations at different levels are pursuing their collective negotiations on ways of promoting employment and on the adaptation of the rules governing the labour market in all the Member States