EU Social Agenda Grace Hudson University of Bradford

History and Context EC/EU competencies Subsidiarity and proportionality Legislative decision-making process European social model v American economic model Strong commitment to social policy by member states – except Britain under Conservative Government (1979-1997)

EC/EU competencies

Subsidiarity and proportionality

Legislative decision-making process

European social model v American economic model

Strong commitment to social policy by member states – except Britain under Conservative Government (1979-1997)

Commitment in Treaties There has been provision for social policy in the Treaties from the Treaty of Rome 1957 but originally narrow definition: working conditions standard of living equal pay for equal work social security for migrants increased mobility of workers Wider policy in hands of member states

There has been provision for social policy in the Treaties from the Treaty of Rome 1957

but originally narrow definition:

working conditions

standard of living

equal pay for equal work

social security for migrants

increased mobility of workers

Wider policy in hands of member states

Policies and Initiatives 1960s – policy focused mainly on labour mobility 1970s – harsh economic climate 1 st Social action programme 1974 For full employment, better living and working conditions, workers’ participation in decision making, equal treatment of men and women Establishment of EFIWLC and CEDEFOP Disparities between rich and poor regions

1960s – policy focused mainly on labour mobility

1970s – harsh economic climate

1 st Social action programme 1974

For full employment, better living and working conditions, workers’ participation in decision making, equal treatment of men and women

Establishment of EFIWLC and CEDEFOP

Disparities between rich and poor regions

Policies and Initiatives Structural funds European Social Fund established 1957 European Regional Development Fund 1975 Aimed to reduce regional disparities, address aspects of social policy, combat long-term unemployment, promote education and training And later, Cohesion fund 1992

Structural funds

European Social Fund established 1957

European Regional Development Fund 1975

Aimed to reduce regional disparities, address aspects of social policy, combat long-term unemployment, promote education and training

And later, Cohesion fund 1992

Policies and Initiatives Single European Act New “title” on economic and social cohesion Qualified majority voting on health and safety of workers Opportunity used by Commission to enact range of social policy legislation – but raised a number of legal challenges, eg British government’s objection to “Working time” Directive 1993 (challenge rejected by Court of Justice)

Single European Act

New “title” on economic and social cohesion

Qualified majority voting on health and safety of workers

Opportunity used by Commission to enact range of social policy legislation – but raised a number of legal challenges, eg British government’s objection to “Working time” Directive 1993 (challenge rejected by Court of Justice)

Policies and Initiatives SEA Social Dialogue – Commission required to develop a dialogue between employers and employees Review of and substantial increase in structural funds

SEA

Social Dialogue – Commission required to develop a dialogue between employers and employees

Review of and substantial increase in structural funds

Policies and Initiatives Delors review of social consequences of single market programme Fears of “social dumping” Attempt to promote social dimension Community Charter on the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers (Social Charter)– adopted 1989 by 11 member states (not UK) Lack of success/blocking of social policy legislation – unanimous decisions required

Delors review of social consequences of single market programme

Fears of “social dumping”

Attempt to promote social dimension

Community Charter on the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers (Social Charter)– adopted 1989 by 11 member states (not UK)

Lack of success/blocking of social policy legislation – unanimous decisions required

Policy and Initiatives Social Protocol in Maastricht Treaty Incorporated social provisions of Social Charter Proposed Social chapter opposed by Major Britain opted out of Social Protocol but terms of Treaty of Rome re social policy (as revised by later treaties) still applied Social issues now core policy – includes issues such as protection of children and young people, freedom of association, public health, help for elderly and disabled (number of programmes)

Social Protocol in Maastricht Treaty

Incorporated social provisions of Social Charter

Proposed Social chapter opposed by Major

Britain opted out of Social Protocol but terms of Treaty of Rome re social policy (as revised by later treaties) still applied

Social issues now core policy – includes issues such as protection of children and young people, freedom of association, public health, help for elderly and disabled (number of programmes)

Policy and Initiatives Anomalous situation of the UK Little legislation adopted under Social Protocol, eg only two directives on European works councils and parental leave – other legal bases used where possible Treaty reform – adoption of Amsterdam Treaty – new Labour government agreed to incorporation of social protocol and to adoption of the two directives

Anomalous situation of the UK

Little legislation adopted under Social Protocol, eg only two directives on European works councils and parental leave – other legal bases used where possible

Treaty reform – adoption of Amsterdam Treaty – new Labour government agreed to incorporation of social protocol and to adoption of the two directives

Policy and Initiatives 1990s - Concerns about unemployment and competitiveness White paper on the development of social policy in the period 1995-1999 (1994) Focus on job creation, labour mobility, equal opportunity, integration of social and economic policies No major legislative agenda in next social action programme – more focus on discussion

1990s - Concerns about unemployment and competitiveness

White paper on the development of social policy in the period 1995-1999 (1994)

Focus on job creation, labour mobility, equal opportunity, integration of social and economic policies

No major legislative agenda in next social action programme – more focus on discussion

Policy and Initiatives Social Policy Agenda adopted 2000 as part of Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth More and better jobs New balance between flexibility and security in a changing work environment Combating poverty, social exclusion, and discrimination Modernising social security protection systems Promoting equality between men and women Reinforcing the social dimension of enlargement and external relations

Social Policy Agenda adopted 2000 as part of Lisbon Strategy for jobs and growth

More and better jobs

New balance between flexibility and security in a changing work environment

Combating poverty, social exclusion, and discrimination

Modernising social security protection systems

Promoting equality between men and women

Reinforcing the social dimension of enlargement and external relations

Policy and Initiatives Lisbon Strategy – “modernising the European social model, investing in people and combating social exclusion” Use of Open Method of Co-ordination National Reform Programmes Joint Employment Reports Action Plans Annual Progress Reports Benchmarking, best practice, target setting, peer pressure

Lisbon Strategy – “modernising the European social model, investing in people and combating social exclusion”

Use of Open Method of Co-ordination

National Reform Programmes

Joint Employment Reports

Action Plans

Annual Progress Reports

Benchmarking, best practice, target setting, peer pressure

Policy and Intitiates Follow up from revised Lisbon Strategy: Communication on the Social Agenda COM (2005) 53 Key priorities: employment fighting poverty and promoting equal opportunities Eg older people in workforce – “active ageing”, employment of women, managing restructuring through social dialogue

Follow up from revised Lisbon Strategy:

Communication on the Social Agenda

COM (2005) 53

Key priorities:

employment

fighting poverty and promoting equal opportunities

Eg older people in workforce – “active ageing”, employment of women, managing restructuring through social dialogue

Policy and Initiatives Renewed social agenda: opportunities, access and solidarity in 21 st century Europe COM (2008) 412 Concept of “Flexicurity” ESF spend 2007-13 75 billion euros

Renewed social agenda: opportunities, access and solidarity in 21 st century Europe

COM (2008) 412

Concept of “Flexicurity”

ESF spend 2007-13 75 billion euros

Policy and Initiatives – next Target of eradicating poverty by 2010 2010 is to be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion Consultation on the future “EU 2020” strategy COM (2009) 647

Target of eradicating poverty by 2010

2010 is to be the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion

Consultation on the future “EU 2020” strategy

COM (2009) 647

Sources of information Key policy documents Legislation Pending legislation Guides and background publications Statistics Opinion poll surveys Europa website Comment and analysis – books, journals, reports

Key policy documents

Legislation

Pending legislation

Guides and background publications

Statistics

Opinion poll surveys

Europa website

Comment and analysis – books, journals, reports