European Social DialogueEuropean Social Dialoguein the Chemical Industryin the Chemical Industry

Reinhard ReibschReinhard Reibsch

Secretary GeneralSecretary General

EMCEFEMCEF

HLG Follow-up-Conference Usti and Labem

Legal and political background Legal and political background of the European SDof the European SD

Social dialogue mechanism is fixed in the Maastricht- (1993) and Amsterdam Treaty (1997) as a part of the Social Protocol

Background was deadlock of social issue in preparing of the European Single Market in the late 80th

Jacques Delors, President of EU-Commission a that time understood the SD-mechanism as a way to solve the deficit in European social policy, but also to promote and establish European Labour relations

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EU SocialEU SocialPolicyPolicy

AgendaAgenda

Open Method of CoordinationOpen Method of Coordination

EmploymentEmploymentSocial protectionSocial protection

EuropeanEuropeanSocialSocialFundsFunds

EuropeanEuropeanSocialSocial

DialogueDialogue

LegislationLegislation

Mobility - Gender equalityMobility - Gender equalityHealth and SafetyHealth and Safety

Social Dialogue and Social Dialogue and EU Social PolicyEU Social Policy

Precondition and role of the Social Precondition and role of the Social partners and the EU Commissionpartners and the EU Commission

Social partners have to be/have:representative for the sector organized at European levelthe capacity to negotiate agreements

Only the SP decide on the working program, rules and agendas

EU Commission offers consultation and administrative support

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Mechanism of the SDMechanism of the SD

Legal bases of the European Social Dialogue is Art. 139 TEC

3 levels of agreements:Common positionRecomendationBinding agreement, that can lead in place of the legislative procedure to lawful rulings

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European Social Dialog in the European Social Dialog in the Chemical IndustryChemical Industry

The European Social Dialogue in the chemical industry is recognised since December 2004

The social partners:

EMCEF, the European Trade Union Federation for Chemicals, Energy and Mining

ECEG, the European Chemical Employers Group

Preparation of the social partners in Preparation of the social partners in chemical industry for SDchemical industry for SD

Since 2000 several activities on issues of common interest had been arranged to discuss and evaluate issues for SD

Issues were: qualification (Milano 2001, Madrid 2002, Helsinki 2004), industrial policy (Berlin 2001, Madrid 2002, Paris 2003) and Health and Safety (Madrid 2002, Helsinki 2004)

Since 2003 these conferences had been organised by ECEG and EMCEF, before they had taken place on invitation of national social partners

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Biannual Working PlansBiannual Working Plans

1st Working plan 2005/06Education/ Training / Lifelong Learning

Responsible Care

Reach and H&S Management in Chemical and Downstream Users Industries

Follow-up of the EU enlargement in 2004 and preparations for possible next steps of enlargement

2nd Working plan 2007/081st working plan was continued with the addition of

Industrial Policy, Competitiveness and Employment

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Project REACHProject REACH

REACH was the first project of the SDREACH as part of European industrial policy –

background and importance for the Chemical Industry in Europe

Common position adopted by the third Plenary Meeting on 15 September 2005 in London.

Social Partners clarified their position on the suggested legislation

Engagement for the improvement of H&S conditions while handling chemical substances in the Chemical Industry

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Project H&S at workplaceProject H&S at workplace

Improvement of Health and Safety at the workplace as target for Social Dialogues

"Going beyond REACH - Health and Safety: a responsibility for social Partners“

Main objectives of the project: strengthen the SD in the Member States with particular

attention to new Member States

Best practices

Encourage cross-sector cooperation of Social Dialogues.

Contribution to the Lisbon Strategy of the EU by developing recommendations to enhance the quality of employment conditions in the chemical and downstream industries.

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Project H&S – OutcomeProject H&S – Outcome

Final Report: “Occupational and Health Protection at the workplace in respect to chemical substances in the European Union”

CD-ROM and website

Translation in 7 languages available (CZ,DE,EN,ES,FR,HU,IT,PL)

A contribution on occupational H&S issues

Project on RestructuringProject on Restructuring

In 2007 and 2008 ECEG and EMCEF have carried out a project on restructuring in the chemical industry

Examples of good practise had been discussed

Conclusions give recommendations to national social partners how to deal with restructuring

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Social partners and ECRNSocial partners and ECRN

Regional differences and cooperation will play a more important role

There are other areas of common interest, like skills and qualification or also industrial policy which has an impact on investments and social conditions

ECEG and EMCEF are interested in a close cooperation in the future

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