Legal provisions of COM(1999)445 - Commission Recommendation for Council Recommendations on the implementation of Member States' Employment Policies

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dossier COM(1999)445 - Commission Recommendation for Council Recommendations on the implementation of Member States' Employment Policies.
document COM(1999)445
date February 14, 2000
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32000H0164

2000/164/EC: Council Recommendation of 14 February 2000 on the implementation of Member States' employment policies

Official Journal L 052 , 25/02/2000 P. 0032 - 0040


COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION

of 14 February 2000

on the implementation of Member States' employment policies

(2000/164/EC)


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 128(4) thereof, stating that the Council may make recommendations to Member States in light of the examination of the implementation of Member States' employment policies,

Having regard to the 1998 and 1999 guidelines adopted by the Council resolutions of 15 December 1997 and 22 February 1999 respectively,

Having regard to the 15 implementation reports for 1999 received from the Member States, comprising the implementation of the 1998 national employment action plans and describing the adjustments made to the national employment action plans to take account of the changes introduced by the 1999 guidelines,

Having regard to the 1999 Joint Employment Report, prepared jointly with the Commission, describing the employment situation in the Community and examining the action taken by the Member States in implementing their employment policy in line with the guidelines,

Having regard to the recommendation on the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines adopted by the Council on 12 July 1999 and to the commitments included in the resolution of the European Council of 17 June 1997 on the Stability and Growth Pact,

Having regard to the recommendation submitted by the Commission on 8 September 1999,

Whereas:

(1) The Cologne European Council on 3 and 4 June 1999 stated in its conclusions that higher employment continues to be the top objective for the European Union.

(2) The Employment and Labour Market Committee and the Economic Policy Committee jointly submitted on 28 October 1999 an opinion on this recommendation.

(3) The Council considers it appropriate, in the light of the examination of the implementation of the Member States' employment policies, to make recommendations pursuant to Article 128(4) of the Treaty; such recommendations should be used sparingly, should concentrate on priority issues and should be based on sound and accurate analysis.

(4) In complementing action undertaken by the Member States with a view to securing a high level of employment, the competences of the Member States should be respected.

(5) The Council acknowledges the significant efforts already undertaken by Member States with a view to implementing the Employment Guidelines; in the assessment of the impact of these policies, the multiannual perspective of the Employment Guidelines should be taken into account.

(6) To tackle youth unemployment, which is a long-standing problem in most European Union countries, all young people should have the opportunity to gain an entry into the world of work before completing six months of unemployment.

(7) To prevent adult long-term unemployment, which affects roughly half of the unemployed in the European Union, all the adult unemployed should be offered a new start before completing 12 months of unemployment.

(8) It is important to reduce disincentives to employment embodied in the tax or benefit systems in order to ensure a higher participation by women and older workers.

(9) Framework conditions need to be developed to tap the potential for employment growth in the services sector.

(10) Sustained job creation calls for more employment-friendly taxation systems in which the currently high burden on labour is shifted to alternative sources of fiscal revenue, such as energy and the environment.

(11) The establishment of partnerships at all appropriate levels is key for the modernisation of the organisation of work and the promotion of the adaptability of undertakings and their employees.

(12) Gender gaps in the labour market, particularly affecting employment, unemployment and pay, as well as gender segregation across sectors and occupations, require comprehensive mainstreaming strategies and measures to reconcile work and family life better.

(13) Common indicators and comparable employment statistics, as well as qualitative analyses, are crucial for monitoring the implementation and the outcome of the guidelines and for identifying good practices at European level,


HEREBY ADOPTS the recommendations addressed to the individual Member States, as set out in the Annex.