With issues such as working time, health and safety, and employment rights being decided in Brussels, it is imperative that trade unionists are kept well informed and engaged in what is going on at the European Union (EU) level. For this reason I am producing this quarterly newsletter, timed to coincide with quarterly STULP meetings. David Martin MEP

REACH LEGISLATION PASSED

A deal struck between the European Parliament, Commission and Council means the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorisation of Chemicals) legislation will come into force in stages from June 2007. The successful passage of REACH through the European Parliament brings significant gains for the health and safety of workers across Europe. Producers of over 30,000 chemicals will now have to prove that they are safe. Despite the Socialist Group’s best efforts, some of the most intense lobbying from industry in the EU’s history has resulted in the legislation being ‘watered down’. Information vital to protecting workers’ health given in chemical safety reports will now only be required for a third of the chemicals originally targeted.

COMPROMISE ON SERVICES DIRECTIVE

After a lengthy and intense debate, the Services Directive has now entered into EU Law, and will be in force by 2010 at the latest. A collaborative effort from Trade Unions and Socialist MEPs resulted in the removal of the potentially harmful country of origin principle under which firms would have been able to undermine social protection and workers’ rights if the provisions differed between the country of establishment of a service provider and the Member State where a service is actually provided. Importantly, Social Services of General Interest (health, social services etc) were excluded from the Directive. A separate report covering SSGI is to be voted on in the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament this month.

EUROPEAN GLOBALISATION FUND OPERATIONAL

The European Globalisation Fund became operational on the 1 January 2007. Initially targeted only at those workers losing jobs due to a company’s relocation outside of the EU, after pressure from MEPs and European Trades Unions, the fund’s scope was broadened to allow it to provide assistance to workers who lose their jobs due to companies relocating within the EU.

‘DECENT WORK’ REMAINS A PRIORITY

Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson announced that the EU is to attach decent work provisions to Bi-Lateral trade deals currently being negotiated with East-Asian countries. This is to be welcomed, but it is vital that the EU implements the decent work provisions that already exist in the EU’s trade agreements. To this end I highlighted (in a letter to the Financial Times) the Commission’s failure to act on the superficial implementation of ILO provisions in El Salvador.

‘EUROPEAN YEAR OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL’

As part of a concerted effort to promote equality and non-discrimination in the workforce, the EU has designated 2007 as ‘European Year of Equal Opportunities for All’. This framework strategy will provide a new drive towards ensuring full application of EU anti-discrimination legislation, which has encountered too many obstacles and delays. Fundamental rights, non-discrimination and equal opportunities will be the key priorities and the four core themes will be raising awareness of the right to equality and non-discrimination, celebrating and accommodating diversity, promoting a more cohesive society, and stimulating debate on methods of increasing participation of the under-represented groups in society. Gender issues will also be taken on board in the context of the European Year, complementing the EU’s efforts on gender equality and sex discrimination.

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