52004PC0239

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

(presented by the Commission)

2004/0082 (CNS)

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 establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 128 (2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [1],

[1] OJ C [...], [...], p. [...].

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

[2] OJ C [...], [...], p. [...].

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

[3] OJ C [...], [...], p. [...].

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

[4] OJ C [...], [...], p. [...].

Having regard to the Opinion of the Employment Committee,

Whereas:

(1) The European Employment Strategy has the leading role in the implementation of the employment and labour market objectives of the Lisbon strategy. The reform of the European Employment Strategy in 2003 has placed the emphasis on medium-term orientation and on the importance of implementation of the full range of policies recommended in the Employment Guidelines.

(2) The Employment Guidelines should be fully reviewed only every three years, while in the intermediate years their updating should remain strictly limited. The European Employment Taskforce recommended more forceful recommendations and a more effective use of peer review, rather than engaging in a process of further change of the Guidelines.

(3) The examination of the Member States' National Action Plans for employment contained in the Joint Employment Report 2003-2004 shows that Member States and the social partners should give priority to increasing adaptability of workers and enterprises; attracting more people to enter and remain on the labour market and making work a real option for all; investing more and more effectively in human capital and lifelong learning; and ensuring effective implementation of reforms through better governance. These priorities are fully consistent with and can be pursued in the context of the current Guidelines.

(4) The Employment Guidelines will apply to the new Member States upon accession.

(5) In addition to these Employment Guidelines, Member States should fully implement the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines and ensure that action is fully consistent with the maintenance of sound public finances and macro-economic stability.

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The guidelines for Member States' employment policies as set out in the annex to the Council decision of 22 July 2003 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States are maintained.

Article 2

All aspects of the guidelines shall be taken into account by the employment policies of Member States in a comprehensive and integrated manner and reported upon in National Action Plans submitted annually on the 1st of October.

Done at Brussels,

For the Council

The President

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