Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2021)282 - Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2021)282 - Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2021)282  |
| date | 02-06-2021 |
The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that Member States are to regard their economic policies and promoting employment as a matter of common concern and shall coordinate their action within the Council. It provides that the Council is to adopt employment guidelines (Article 148), specifying that they must be consistent with the broad economic policy guidelines (Article 121).
Whilst the broad economic policy guidelines remain valid for any duration of time, the employment guidelines need to be drawn up each year. The guidelines were first adopted together (‘integrated package’) in 2010, underpinning the Europe 2020 strategy. The integrated guidelines remained stabspecialle until 2014. Revised integrated guidelines were adopted in 2015. In 2018 the employment guidelines were aligned with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights proclaimed in November 2017 by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission, with a view to drive reforms at national level and to serve as a compass for a renewed process of convergence across Europe. The Guidelines remained unchanged in 2019. In 2020, they were aligned to integrate elements related to the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, the green and digital transitions, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Along with the broad economic policy guidelines, the employment guidelines are presented as a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (Part II of the Integrated Guidelines) and provide the basis for country specific recommendations in the respective domains.
The overall objectives and priorities expressed in the guidelines for the employment policies remain valid. By virtue of Article 148(2) TFEU, the validity of the Employment Guidelines for 2021 needs to be confirmed by a Council decision, following consultation of the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the Employment Committee.
The 'Employment Guidelines' are the following:
Guideline 5: Boosting the demand for labour
Guideline 6: Enhancing labour supply and improving access to employment, skills and competences
Guideline 7: Enhancing the functioning of labour markets and the effectiveness of social dialogue
Guideline 8: Promoting equal opportunities for all, fostering social inclusion and fighting poverty