Ten main objectives of the Finnish trade unions for the Finnish EU presidency

Finnish government&#;8217s programme for the Presidency in the EU can be widely supported. It contains diversely different topics and makes possible EU’s effective work. In the coming years such decisions inside the EU that directly benefit its citizens and employees must be emphasised. When the Finland’s Presidency now starts, SAK, STTK and AKAVA hope that the following matters, in particular, will be taken into consideration:

1. Tripartite solution to flexicurity

Finland and some other countries have shown that a tripartite labour market model supports competitive economic policy, successful entrepreneurship and well-being. Finland will organise a tripartite social summit in October that will assemble the leaders of EU’s institutions and labour market organisations. A topic proposed for it by the European Commission is flexicurity, combining flexibility with security in the labour market. Its successful implementation requires strong tripartite cooperation and labour market agreements also on EU level.

2. Fair rules for workers’ mobility

Workers’ possibilities to mobility and their rules must be developed. Migrant employees still face various practical problems. However, mobility must be seen, above all, as an opportunity and right of EU citizen, not a source of problems. Projects supporting recognition of qualifications, non-discriminatory status of workers, integration of immigrants, as well as supervision of employment conditions should be progressed also during Finland’s EU Presidency. Appropriate implementation of the Directive on recognition of qualifications, strengthening of the Posted Workers Directive as well as cross border client liability are important projects for the future.

3. Labour market questions to EU’s Asia and Russia policies

EU must be a strong global actor. Promotion of the opening of world trade in WTO and strengthening of workers’ fundamental rights must be emphasized in globalisation. Open trade creates jobs and well-being; on the other hand trade must be fair, taking into consideration sustainable development and social responsibility. WTO’s Doha’s negotiation rounds must be progressed on the basis of those principles.

The Communication given by the Commission on decent work is an important document on global level, and deserves significant attention also during the Finnish Presidency. This matter was also dealt with in the report of the ILO global commission. Labour market questions on the basis of permanent structures should also be discussed in the EU-Asian ASEM process and EU-Russia relations. ASEM as well as EU-Russia trade union summits will be organised in cooperation with SAK, STTK and AKAVA during Finland’s Presidency. Their message should be taken into consideration also in the EU Summits.

4. Balanced decision on the Working Time Directive

The Working Time Directive should provide working time protection to all personnel groups. Flexibility of working time, important as such, must be agreed on between the social partners. The position reached by the European Parliament on the Working Time Directive is close to the views of SAK, STTK and AKAVA. It enables to combine the labour market flexibility and workers’ protection. Finland should attempt to reach a balanced decision in the Council that resembles the Parliament’s position as much as possible. The decision about this should be made during the Finnish Presidency.

5. Directive on temporary agency work important

Adoption of the Directive on temporary agency work has been in a halt for a long time in the Council. SAK, STTK and AKAVA hope that Finland will take on a role of an initiator to develop it. An equal and non-discriminatory status must be guaranteed for temporary agency work and workers.

6. Labour law, occupational safety and health and equality require European minimum standards

During the Finnish Presidency the Commission will be issuing a green paper on labour law to guideline the development of European working life. As the Internal Market develops and the enlargement continues more and more EU level minimum standards and updating of already existing directives on working life are required. Both workers’ protection and removal of distortions of competition call for it.

In addition to labour law, occupational safety and health and equality must not be left to lie dormant in the European agenda. The Commission will publish a long-term strategy on occupational safety and health during the Finnish Presidency.

7. Objectives of the Lisbon Strategy must be emphasised

The Lisbon Strategy’s objective of the world’s most competitive economy based on knowledge is an important objective also during the Finnish Presidency. It should also contain the strengthening of the European social model, among others, by creating jobs and improving their quality. Development of working life and welfare policy must be seen as supporting competitiveness and productivity. Improving productivity must be a part of the Lisbon Strategy and the European social model.

8. EU’s skills and innovation policies must be repaired

SAK, STTK and AKAVA emphasize achieving EU’s research and educational objectives. Skilled workers, quality of education as well as successful research are the keys for future. Unfortunately, the funding of EU’s education and research programmes is still being left absolutely too small. The structures of EU’s budget are altogether primitive when considering, among others, global skills competition. Development of innovation policy has been justifiably chosen as the focus during the Finnish Presidency. There are still too many barriers for spreading of innovations. Also social innovations, such as development of work organisations and consideration of staff as the key factor in promoting innovations should be taken into consideration as regards to the development of innovations.

9. Strong Service Directive that takes rights into consideration necessary

The Internal Market requires a strong Service Directive to promote economy and the creation of new jobs. On the other hand, workers’ rights must be fully taken into consideration also in service markets. Both frictionless mobility of services and their appropriate supervision must be made possible. SAK, STTK and AKAVA can essentially support the Council’s position on the Service Directive reached in May based on the groundwork of the European Parliament. Finland will hopefully finalise the directive toward a model akin to these decisions.

10. The European Constitution or a solution akin to it will be a step forward

Despite some deficiencies in the Treaty on the European Constitution it is still simpler and clearer than the current Treaty. It also contains some important changes concerning contents. The most important change is the arrival of the Charter on fundamental rights as part of the Constitution and becoming legally binding. The Charter on fundamental rights also contains rights of workers. Additionally, the Treaty on the European Constitution would stabilize the EU level status of the Social Partners and their negotiation rights. SAK, STTK and AKAVA consider important that Finland continues the promotion of the Constitution or a project akin to it both in Finland as well as in the EU.

SAK
STTK
AKAVA

See also

Finland’s EU Presidency: www.eu2006.fi