Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on:

- the 'Communication from the Commission adapting and promoting the social dialogue at Community level`, and - the 'Draft Council decision amending Decision 70/532/EEC setting up the Standing Committee on Employment in the European Communities` (1999/C 93/08)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Communication from the Commission adapting and promoting the social dialogue at Community level and the draft Council decision amending Decision 70/532/EEC setting up the Standing Committee on Employment in the European Communities (COM(1998) 322 final);

having regard to the decision taken by its Bureau on 13 May 1998, under the fourth paragraph of Article 198c of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to draw up an opinion on the subject and to direct Commission 5 for Social Policy, Public Health, Consumer Protection, Research and Tourism to undertake the preparatory work;

having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 343/98 rev.) adopted by Commission 5 on 9 November 1998 (rapporteur: Mr Chaves Gonzalez),

adopted the following opinion at its 27th plenary session of 13 and 14 January 1999 (meeting of 14 January).

1. General comments

1.1. In the wake of its communication concerning the development of social dialogue at Community level (), the Commission is now considering the future of this dialogue, setting out new lines of action and measures to adapt and increase the involvement of the social partners in the framing of EU policies.

1.2. Economic globalization and the transition to the single currency must be consistent with the achievement of an increase in employment, this being the Union's overriding priority. In this context, as the European Council on employment stressed on 20 and 21 November 1997, social dialogue has a fundamental role to play in key areas such as modernizing the organization of work, anticipating structural change and providing back-up for restructuring, and adapting terms and conditions of employment so that they allow for the development of new forms of work which reconcile job creation, efficacy, solidarity and quality of life.

1.3. Social dialogue has proved its effectiveness. It must be stepped up in order to help boost economic and social cohesion, following the guiding principles of growth, competitiveness and employment. To achieve these objectives, the COR considers that existing social dialogue machinery must be developed and adapted in order to make it more effective, transparent and representative.

1.4. The COR supports the Commission's communication and its aim of adapting and strengthening social dialogue, making it more flexible and fostering greater involvement of the social partners in the framing and implementation of EU policies, particularly those relating to economic growth and employment.

1.5. In accordance with its earlier opinions, and bearing in mind the important role which local and regional authorities play in generating a significant amount of employment in the EU, and their experience in promoting social dialogue - as demonstrated by the various employment pacts launched by local and regional authorities, in which the social partners play an active part - the COR and local and regional authorities should be involved in the implementation of instruments promoting and developing social dialogue at Community level.

1.6. The COR thinks that SMEs should also be involved in these instruments, given the important role which small businesses play in job creation.

2. Promoting the exchange of information

2.1. For the social partners to play an effective part in the framing and implementation of EU policies, they must be properly informed. The COR supports the various mechanisms which the European Commission has established, and endorses the proposals set out in the communication.

2.2. The COR also thinks that other Commission DGs - notably DG X - should be more closely involved, so as to ensure that the EU public is familiar with the social dialogue machinery.

3. Adapting the consultation procedures

3.1. The COR supports the Commission's proposed reform of the procedures for consulting the social partners (consultation at cross-industry level; consultation at sectoral level; consultation under Article 3 of the agreement on social policy).

3.2. The COR considers that this reform and simplification of the institutional framework will help to clarify procedures, improve the representativeness of the social partners, and make consultations more effective.

4. Employment partnership

4.1. The COR supports the reform of the Standing Committee on Employment, as its activities are outdated and it does not operate satisfactorily.

4.2. The COR also asks the Commission to explore possible ways of involving it in the work of the Standing Committee, bearing in mind local and regional authorities' responsibilities and policies in the employment field. Furthermore, and bearing in mind the importance of the employment generated by local and regional authorities, the COR points out that responsibility for coordinating the employers' delegation on the Standing Committee should not rest solely with representatives of private sector employers. The COR asks that this delegation provide balanced representation of both the public and private sectors.

5. Emphasizing joint-action and negotiation

5.1. The COR agrees that joint action and negotiation between the social partners, the Member States and the EU institutions need to be stepped up, so as to pursue social dialogue effectively with a view to encouraging job creation and addressing the changes taking place in the production system.

5.2. The COR asks the Commission to include it in the information and consultation procedure, so that it can give its views on issues which are of crucial importance for the socio-economic development of the EU's cities and regions.

6. Social dialogue and enlargement

6.1. The COR supports the Commission's proposal to take concrete steps to promote the development of social dialogue structures and activities in the candidate countries.

6.2. With an eye to the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean partnership and free trade area by the year 2010, the COR asks the Commission to introduce measures supporting the development of social dialogue structures in the Mediterranean partner countries.

7. Cross-border social dialogue

7.1. The EU's border regions are also involved in social dialogue. Businesses, trade unions and regional and local authorities are conducting a series of cross-border initiatives which seek to help them adjust to the single market and promote their socio-economic development.

7.2. The COR calls on the Commission to support these initiatives and to implement new schemes promoting cross-border social dialogue.

Brussels, 14 January 1999.

The President of the Committee of the Regions

Manfred DAMMEYER

() COM(96) 448 final.