# EUR-Lex - 52012PC0709 - EN

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# 52012PC0709

**Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States /* COM/2012/0709 final - 2012/0335 (NLE) */**

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1.           CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL

On 26 March 2010, the European Council
agreed to the European Commission's proposal to launch a new strategy for jobs
and growth, Europe 2020[1],
based on enhanced coordination of economic policies, which will focus on the
key areas where action is needed to boost Europe’s potential for sustainable
growth and competitiveness. To that end, the European Council agreed to set EU
headline targets, which constitute shared objectives guiding action of the
Member States and of the Union.

The Treaty on the functioning of the EU
provides that Member States are to regard their economic policies and promoting
employment as matters of common concern and coordinate them within the Council.
In two distinct articles, it provides that the Council is to adopt broad
economic policy guidelines (Article 121) and employment guidelines (Article
148), specifying that the latter must be consistent with the former. Given this
legal basis, the guidelines for employment and economic policies are presented
as two distinct — but intrinsically interconnected — legal instruments:

–
A Council Recommendation on broad guidelines for
the economic policies of the Member States and of the Union -Part I of the
Europe 2020 Integrated Guidelines;

–
A Council Decision on guidelines for the
employment policies of the Member States -Part II of the Europe 2020 Integrated
Guidelines.

These guidelines implemented by the above
mentioned legal instruments form together the integrated guidelines for
implementing the Europe 2020 strategy. The employment guidelines were adopted
on 21 October 2010, and as provided by the adoption decision should remain
stable until 2014 to ensure a focus on implementation.

The overall objectives and priorities
expressed in the guidelines for the employment policies remain valid. By virtue
of Article 148(2), their validity for 2013 needs to be confirmed by a Council
decision, following consultation of the European Parliament, the European
Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of Regions and the Employment
Committee.

2.           RESULTS OF CONSULTATIONS
WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENTS

n.a.

3.           LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE
PROPOSAL

OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46.

2012/0335 (NLE)

Proposal for a

COUNCIL DECISION

on guidelines for the employment policies
of the Member States

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 148(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the
European Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the
European Parliament[2],

Having regard to the opinion of the
Employment Committee,

Having regard to the opinion of the
European Economic and Social Committee[3],

Having regard to the opinion of the
Committee of the Regions[4],

Whereas:

(1)       The Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates in Article 145 that Member
States and the Union shall work towards developing a coordinated strategy for
employment and particularly for promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable
workforce as well as labour markets that are responsive to economic change and
with a view to achieving the objectives defined in Article 3 of the Treaty on
European Union (TEU).

(2)       The "Europe 2020
Strategy" proposed by the Commission enables the Union to turn its economy
towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, accompanied by high level
employment, productivity and social cohesion. Five headline targets, listed
under the relevant guidelines, constitute shared objectives which guide the action
of the Member States, and take into account their relative starting positions
and national circumstances as well as the positions and circumstances of the Union. The European Employment Strategy has the leading role in the implementation of the
employment and labour market objectives of the new strategy.

(3)       The integrated guidelines
are in line with the conclusions of the European Council. They give precise
guidance to the Member States on defining their National Reform Programmes and
implementing reforms, reflecting interdependence and in line with the Stability
and Growth Pact. The employment guidelines should form the basis for any
country-specific recommendations that the Council may address to the Member
States under Article 148(4) of the TFEU, in parallel with the country-specific
recommendations addressed to the Member States under Article 121(2) of that
Treaty. The employment guidelines should also form the basis for the
establishment of the Joint Employment Report sent annually by the Council and
the European Commission to the European Council.

(4)       The examination of the
Member States' draft National Reform Programmes contained in the draft Joint
Employment Report shows that Member States should continue to make every effort
to address the priority areas of increasing labour market participation and
reducing structural unemployment, developing a skilled workforce responding to
labour market needs and promoting job quality and lifelong learning, improve
the performance of education and training systems at all levels and increasing
participation in tertiary education, promoting social inclusion and combating
poverty.

(5)       The Employment Guidelines
adopted in 2010 should remain stable until 2014 to ensure a focus on
implementation. In the intermediate years until the end of 2014 their updating
should remain strictly limited.

(6)       Member States should
explore the use of the European Social Fund when implementing the Employment
Guidelines,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The guidelines for Member States'
employment policies as set out in the Annex to Council Decision of 21 October
2010 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States[5] are maintained for 2013 and
shall be taken into account by the Member States in their employment policies.

Article 2

This
Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For
the Council

The
President

[1]               COM(2010) 2020, 3.3.2010.

[2]               OJ C , , p. .

[3]               OJ C , , p. .

[4]               OJ C , , p. .

[5]               Council Decision 2010/707/UE of 21
October 2010 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46).