Resources available to the Foundation in 2008

Competences of the Foundation as defined in Council Regulation (EEC) No 1365/75 as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1111/2005

Areas of Community competence deriving from the Treaty

‘The Community and the Member States, having in mind fundamental social rights, (…) shall have as their objectives (…) improved living and working conditions, (…) the Community shall support and complement the activities of the Member States in the following fields: (…) (b) working conditions; (c) social security and the social protection of workers; (d) protection of workers where their employment contract is terminated; (e) the information and consultation of workers; (f) representation and the collective defence of the interests of workers and employers, including co-determination; (g) conditions of employment for third-country nationals; (h) the integration of persons excluded from the labour market; (i) equality between men and women (…)’ (Articles 136 and 137 of the Treaty)

Objectives: The aim of the Foundation shall be to contribute to the establishment of better living and working conditions by increasing and disseminating knowledge which is relevant to this subject. In particular, it is required to consider the following areas: — man at work, — organisation of work and particularly job design, — problems peculiar to certain categories of workers, — long-term aspects of the improvement of the environment, — the distribution of human activities in space and in time.

Tasks: — to foster the exchange of information and experience in these fields, — to facilitate contact between universities, study and research institutes, economic and social administrations and organisations, — to carry out studies or to conclude study ontracts and to ovide assistance for pilot projects, — to cooperate as closely as possible with existing specialised institutes in the Member States and at international level.

1. The Governing Board (GB) — from each Member State: one government representative, one representative from employers’ organisations and one workers’ representative, — three representatives from the Commission. 2. The Bureau of the GB — consists of 11 members; three members from each of the social partners and the governments, two from the Commission, — it monitors the implementation of decisions of the GB and takes measures for the proper management between GB meetings. 3. The Director is appointed by the Commission from a list of candidates submitted by the GB, he implements the decisions of the GB and the Bureau of the GB and manages the Foundation. 4. The Advisory Committees are composed of up to three members from the Commission, governments and the social partners, with the aim to advise on the implementation of major projects and the assessment of results. 5. External audit Court of Auditors. 6. Discharge authority Parliament acting on recommendation of the Council.

Budget 21,0 million euro (20,2 million euro) Staff at 31 December 2008 101 posts provided for in the establishment plan, of which 78 (84) were occupied Other Staff: Seconded National Experts and employment Agencies staff: 0 (1) Contract Agents: 9 (10) Total Staff employed: 87 (95) Operating activities: 56 (55) Administrative tasks: 27 (36) Mixed: 4 (4)