On the agenda was the Work-Life Balance Initiative, the Commission proposal for establishment of a European Labour Authority , and the proposed Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions. All these initiatives are concrete outcomes of the recently proclaimed European Pillar of Social Rights which sets out key principles and rights to support a fair and well-functioning labour market and welfare systems. The state of play of the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive was also discussed.
Discussions on Work-Life Balance
The morning session was dedicated to the Work-Life Balance Initiative which addresses the challenges faced by working parents and carers and proposes new legislation on leave entitlements. The session was moderated by Mr Petter Sørlien, Chair of the EFTA Working Group on Gender Equality, Anti-Discrimination and Family Policy. Dr Eugenia Caracciolo di Torella held the introductory speech and was followed by a panel discussion on Work-Life Balance with speakers from the European Commission, BusinessEurope, European Trade Union Confederation and OECD.
Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway have submitted an EEA EFTA comment on the Work-Life Balance Initiative in 2016 and are currently in the process of drafting a second comment on the issue.
Proposal for establishing a European Labour Authority
The afternoon session was moderated by Ms Mona Næss, Chair of the EFTA Working Group on Health and Safety at Work and Labour Law. First on the agenda was the Posting of Workers Directive and Mr Frederico Pancaldi (European Commission) gave a presentation on the state of play of the ongoing revision of the directive. He was followed by Mr Adam Pokorny (European Commission) who presented the proposal for a Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions.
The seminar concluded with a presentation by the European Commission on the proposal for establishment of a European Labour Authority (ELA). The proposal had been adopted by the Commission on that same day and Mr Krzysztof Nowaczek from DG Employment outlined the main features of the ELA whose role would be to facilitate access information for individuals and employers about their rights and obligations, to support cooperation between Member States in the cross-border enforcement of relevant EU law and to mediate in cases of cross-border disputes. The presentation was followed by comments from speakers representing EU Social Partners (BusinessEurope and European Trade Union Confederation) and a discussion with all participants.
The EFTA Consultative Committee is a vital platform for dialogue and consultation between the EFTA social partners and the EFTA authorities. By giving input to the work of the Standing Committee of the EFTA States and the EFTA Ministerial Council, the Committee aims to raise awareness of the social and economic aspects of the EFTA free trade agreements and the EEA, and of the role of the social partners; to take part in the shaping of the EFTA and EEA agenda; and to influence policies that affect the social partners.
The Working Group on Health and Safety at Work and Labour Law is responsible for monitoring new policy initiatives in the social field and prepares for incorporation of legal acts into the EEA Agreement. The legal framework applicable to posted workers is one of the key priorities of this Working Group.
The Working Group on Free Movement of Persons and Social Policy follows the work of the Commission regarding various social policy initiatives and cooperation in the field of labour migration, including the Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) and the European jobs network (EURES).
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