Challenges to gender equality and transport sector – EEA Consultative Committee

Published 04-05-2018
Co-Chairs Kinga Jóo and Halldór Árnason.
Social partners from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway and members of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) convened on 3-4 May in Reykjavik, Iceland, for the 26th meeting of the EEA Consultative Committee (EEA CC).

The meeting was co-chaired by Halldór Árnason, Chair of the EFTA Consultative Committee, and Kinga Jóo (EESC, Hungary). The The EEA CC adopted two reports and resolutions; on work-life balance in the EEA and on the social aspects of the ‘mobility package’.

Work-life balance policies as social investment

The report on work-life balance was co-drafted by Kathrine Fauske (EFTA Consultative Committee, Employees, Norway) and Kinga Joó (EESC, Various Interests Group, Hungary). The resolution highlights the importance of “a well-functioning labour market in the EEA in which men and women are treated equally and have the same opportunities” and “welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to support a good work-life balance for working parents and caregivers by introducing paid parental leave for both parents, promoting family-friendly working arrangements, and aiming for a better reconciliation of work and family responsibilities and a more equitable use of work-life balance arrangements between women and men.”

Furthermore, it “stresses that good work-life balance policies should not only be seen as a cost for society but rather as social investment” and “underlines that while equality between men and women is a goal in itself, gender equality is also an important factor and driver for economic growth, prosperity and competitiveness.” Find the full report and resolution here.

MP Hanna Katrín Friðriksson of the Liberal Reform Party presented gender equality in Iceland, with regards to a legislation on equal pay.

“Even though the gender pay gap is less than in the past, we have not seen any improvements over the last decade. It is clear that further actions and regulators are needed to close the gender pay gap for good,” she said.

 

Social dimension of Europe welcomed

Co-rapporteurs Judy McKnight (EESC) and Björg Ásta Þórðardóttir (EFTA CC, Iceland), presented the report and resolution on the social aspects of the mobility package. The resolution “highlights that the transport sector, in a period of major change, faces challenges related to the environment, to developments of digital technologies and to pressing social issues in a transforming labour market.”

It also expresses concerns “about the fragmentation of the internal transport market, with uncoordinated national measures and heavy administrative burdens for operators.” It is important “to ensure an internal market that functions well and a clean, competitive and socially fair and sustainable transport sector that creates growth and competitive businesses while promoting proper working conditions in the EEA.”

It further “welcomes the recognition that the overall objective of strengthening the social dimension of Europe, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, also must apply to the road transport sector”, as well as to “the aim to promote jobs, growth and investments while strengthening social fairness.” Find the full report and resolution here.

Judy McKnight explains the highlights of the report:

 

 

In addition, Roubini Gropas from the European Political Strategy Centre, presented the Reflection paper on the social dimension of Europe, which raises questions on how to sustain living standards, create more and better jobs, equip people with the right skills and create more unity within society.

“Well targeted welfare policies can have a powerful impact on reducing inequalities in Europe,” she said.

Developments and challenges in the EEA

The EEA CC also received briefings on developments of the EEA Agreement and current EU/EEA EFTA issues, from Icelandic Ambassador to the EU Bergdís Ellertsdóttir, currently the EFTA Chair of the EEA Joint Committee, and Martin Skylv, Deputy Head of Division at EEAS, representing the EU Chair of the EEA Joint Committee. They highlighted the achievements made in 2017, when 27% more EU legal acts were incorporated into the EEA Agreement than the year before.

Georges Baur, Assistant Secretary-General of EFTA, also briefed the members on the situation in the United Kingdom with regard to Brexit. He also showed examples of how the EFTA Secretariat has assisted the EFTA member states in the complex and important legal work in various different areas.

Finally, with the tourist industry in Iceland booming during recent years, members heard a presentation on tourism in Iceland. Visits through Keflavik International Airport have grown from 200,000 in 1997 to over 2 million in 2017.

Find high-resolution photos from the meeting here. 

 

Find all Reports and Resolutions of the EEA Consultative Committee here.

 

Asdis Olafsdottir
Head of Information and Communication
Secretary-General's Office

+32 498 11 0541

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