COUNCIL RESOLUTION of 27 June 1980 on guidelines for a Community labour market policy

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Whereas because of moderate growth prospects, demographic trends and structural adjustment problems resulting, in particular, from the energy crisis, from the introduction of new technologies and from changes in the international economy, the employment situation is likely to continue to give cause for concern in the years ahead, particularly in certain regions of the Community;

Whereas the enlagement of the Community is likely to give a new dimension to the employment situation in the Community;

Whereas the Community's response to economic and social problems must be part of an overall strategy aimed at increasing growth potential, competitiveness and innovation, improving the employment situation and responding to the emergence of new social needs in a non-inflationary manner;

Whereas, in this context, a more coordinated approach to employment problems should be arrived at with a view to achieving an employment policy at national and Community level which will reinforce the fight against unemployment;

Whereas labour market policy is an important aspect of employment policy ; whereas its main function is to reconcile labour supply and demand, both quantitatively and qualitatively, by making consistent and full use of vocational guidance, training and retraining and of placement and, where appropriate, of measures relating to geographical mobility ; whereas the effective carrying out of this function calls for appropriate development of a forward-looking approach to the labour market;

Whereas the initiatives already taken at Community level under the Treaty and the Council resolution of 21 January 1974 concerning a social action programme (1) represent a significant achievement ; whereas the following warrant particular mention: - the assistance from the various Community financial instruments, in particular assistance under the European Social Fund, whose resources have been considerably increased and which now constitutes an important instrument for the implementation of labour market policy,

- the achievements in the field of freedom of movement for workers, particularly the existence of machinery for the clearing of vacancies and applications for employment, and the guidelines established by the Council resolution of 9 February 1976 on an action programme for migrant workers and members of their families (2), (1) OJ No C 13, 12.2.1974, p. 1. (2) OJ No C 34, 14.2.1976, p. 2.

- the initial results of the coordination of employment policies and of cooperation between national public employment services,

- the various instruments adopted by the Community institutions regarding action on behalf of less-developed regions, disadvantaged categories of workers and sectors in difficulty,

- the increasing involvement of the representatives of employers and workers in Community activities;

Whereas Community labour market policy should be further strengthened on the basis of these achievements, on the one hand by establishing objectives for national and Community policies and on the other by adopting Community measures, on the understanding that these objectives should be framed in sufficiently broad terms to take account of the specific nature of national situations;

Taking account of the discussions of the Standing Committee on Employment at its meetings on 9 October 1979 and 26 February 1980 and, in particular, on 29 May 1980;

Having noted the communication from the Commission on guidelines for a Community labour market policy,

HEREBY ADOPTS THIS RESOLUTION

which determines the objectives of Community labour market policy and defines the measures to be taken and the means to be implemented within the framework of such policy.

I. OBJECTIVES

Labour market policy at both national and Community levels should make possible an optimum response to the demand for labour and back up any policy designed to increase the volume of employment and combat unemployment.

The aim of labour market policy should be, in particular, to reduce mismatch between the supply of and demand for labour, particularly qualitative mismatch, account also being taken of changes in technology and in the international economy.

Labour market policy should also seek to bring about better integration of the Community labour market.

The structures of the public employment services and those in the sphere of vocational training should therefore fulfil these requirements, in accordance with the guidelines laid down in this resolution.

Active participation by representatives of employers and workers in implementing labour market policy is an essential condition if the action to be undertaken is to be effective. At Community level, the Standing Committee on Employment is the most appropriate body to ensure such participation.

The achievement of these objectives should be part of a greater degree of consistency between actions at the economic and social levels in order to improve the employment situation and to combat unemployment effectively.

II. AREAS OF ACTION

1. Knowledge of the labour market:

Knowledge of the labour market should be improved by developing qualitative and quantitative information and by adapting it to changing needs while attempting to avoid making the task of public services and of undertakings more difficult.

In this context, by strengthening cooperation between the competent national and Community departments, it is desirable to - facilitate wider dissemination of statistics, studies and research available at national and Community level concerning the labour market,

- encourage better information, at national and Community levels, particularly as regards unemployment flows, different forms of employment (part-time work, temporary work, etc.) and the new skills required in the context of the introduction of new technologies.

2. Vocational guidance, training and re-training

In order to respond effectively to the requirements of the labour market, vocational guidance systems should be more widely available to young people and job-seekers and, as a precaution, to those whose employment is threatened.

In this connection, vocational guidance should encourage equal opportunities for men and women as regards access to employment.

Vocational guidance systems should take account of the information available on economic and technological developments and on developments in professional qualifications.

At Community level cooperation between national public employment services should be extended to these areas.

With regard to vocational training and re-training. - activities intended to promote a common vocational training policy, and in particular the improvement of training standards, should be revived,

- present structures should be adjusted to the new economic and social requirements (e.g. the introduction of new technologies, adaptation to structural change, better preparation of young people for working life, re-entry into working life) and to workers' employment ambitions.

The links between general education and vocational training should be improved and, in particular, linked work and training should be developed in accordance with the guidelines of the Council resolution of 18 December 1979 (1).

In these areas the Community will support the reforms envisaged by certain Member States to improve their vocational training structures and adapt them to the new economic and social requirements, in particular by encouraging technical and administrative cooperation between Member States.

3. Placement

Steps should be taken to ensure that the public employment services operate fully as active intermediaries to help reconcile labour supply and demand at local, national and Community levels.

It is important to ensure that - appropriate structures exist,

- the methods used to find available jobs are improved, and

- the services rendered are of high quality

so that the public employment services fulfil more satisfactorily the requirements of both employees and employers.

Community action in this area should support the implementation of these guidelines, with particular reference to the structure of employment services, and be directed towards the development of effective cooperation between national public employment services on practical matters such as staff training, computerization of public employment services, and vocational guidance.

The competent national services should take the necessary steps to bring into full operation the European system for the international clearing of vacancies and applications for employment (SEDOC). The Council notes the Commission's intention of evaluating that system.

4. Forward-looking approach

Use of a forward-looking approach should be developed in an appropriate manner for the problems of the labour market. Such an approach should include observation and evaluation, in cooperation with representatives of employers and workers, of quantitative and qualitative changes in employment and permit the implementation of consistent vocational training and retraining programmes.

This forward-looking approach should, on the one hand, be implemented at regional and, if appropriate, at local level. On the other hand, the use of forward-looking management methods at undertaking level must be encouraged. This approach warrants implementation in view of the contribution it can make not only to the proper working of the labour market at these various levels but also to the preparation of general policies having a bearing on employment.

The Community could lend its support by facilitating the exchange of experience and promoting an improvement in information.

5. Measures on behalf of specific categories of workers

Specific policies based on individual categories of job-seekers who encounter particular problems on the labour market should be included among the social objectives of labour market policy so as to promote equal employment opportunities for these various categories.

To this end, initiatives already undertaken at Community level to help young people, women, elderly, migrant and handicapped workers should be pursued. (1) OJ No C 1, 3.1.1980, p. 1.

Special attention should be given to employment problems resulting from lack of or insufficient qualifications, long-term unemployment and maternity.

6. Regional measures

As regards regional measures, labour market policy should be adapted to the development needs of disadvantaged regions, in particular by strengthening the local vocational training potential in line with the development of employment in those regions.

7. Sectoral measures

As regards sectoral measures, the impact of rationalization and structural changes should be reduced and the retraining of workers in preparation for new jobs encouraged.

III. INSTRUMENTS AND ACTION IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY LABOUR MARKET POLICY

Implementation of the guidelines for a Community labour market policy set out in this resolution should be facilitated by better use of the various Community financial instruments and, in particular, the European Social Fund.

Integration of the Community labour market should be fostered, within the framework of free movement of labour within the Community, particularly by effective implementation of the SEDOC system, taking account of the employment priority to be afforded to workers who are nationals of Member States and of the need to contain access to the Community labour market by labour from third countries, and by appropriate consultation on migration policies vis-à-vis third countries in accordance with the Council's conclusions of 22 November 1979.

Without prejudice to any future work which may be carried out on this subject at Community level, it is important that the Member States seek effective means to combat illegal immigration and illegal employment.

The various Community legal instruments concerning, in particular, equal treatment between men and women and the approximation of national laws constitute an additional means of integrating the Community labour market.

As regards the adaptation of working time, the guidelines adopted by the Council in its resolution of 18 December 1979 should be followed (1).

Similarly, action to improve working conditions can contribute to the reduction of qualitative mismatch on the labour market.

The meetings both of Directors-General for Employment and of the Directors of Employment Services must be continued.

IV. FINAL PROVISIONS

The Council requests the Commission to take, within the limits of available resources, the initiatives necessary to develop Community action and to promote cooperation between Member States in the field of labour market policy, in compliance with the guidelines set out in this Resolution.

The Commission is also requested by the Council to take steps to see to it that these initiatives are integrated into an overall Community strategy which covers measures in the fields of economic policy and social matters and of which labour market policy is an important element and which is needed for improving the job situation and combating unemployment. (1) OJ No C 2, 4.1.1980, p. 1.