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The most important points are:· Economic growth has been driven by domestic demand · There has been a large increase in household debt, largely due to the cost of housing· The Council expresses concern at the upturn in the rate of temporary employment, especially in the public sector· The Council highlights the existence of weaknesses in the economy · Employment is growing, but unemployment continues to affect women and young people in particular · Very high school failure rates· The share of wages in GDP continues to fall· Collective bargaining agreements are including more clauses on equality and non-discrimination · Moderate wage growth

The Council welcomes the redefinition of the system for managing the Reserve Fund that is proposed in the draft bill. The Opinion notes that the possibility of investing the Reserve Fund?s assets in private financial instruments is one of the main novelties in relation to the 2003 law. It also highlights the strengthen-ing of the body through which the social partners participate in the Fund?s man-agement.The Council expresses particular support for the enhancement of the consulta-tive body for participation by the social partners ? the Monitoring Committee ? with the new functions of previously and compulsorily reporting on implementing legislation, on investment policy strategy documents and on the process for se-lecting managers, while the Committee?s entitlement to be kept promptly and periodically informed of the Fund?s development and composition is consoli-dated.Finally the Council considers that the draft bill considerably improves the trans-parency of the Fund?s management by introducing the obligation to keep Par-liament informed not only of the Fund?s composition and development but also of the Fund investment policy, with particular reference to the management models applied.At 31 December 2006, the accumulated amount of the Social Security Reserve Fund was 35.88 billion euros, which represented 3.68 per cent of GDP. More-over, on 16 February 2007 the Cabinet approved a further allocation of 4 billion euros, making the Fund?s amount equivalent to 4.13 per cent of GDP.

Project of royal decree implementing articles 5 to 14 of the law of ? containing various measures concerning labour - the use of the electronic signature to conclude contracts of employment and the electronic sending and archiving of some documents in individual labour relations - opinion 1613

The Social and Economic Council's Committee for Consumer Affairs (CCA) supports the reform of eight European directives aimed at protecting consumers, known as theConsumer Acquis. The CCA's basic views are the following:1. there should be an adequate level of consumer protection at national and European level;2. the rules pertaining to consumer protection should be simplified and the administrative burden reduced;3. the internal market should be expanded, and it should instil more confidence in consumers and businesses.

Report for the period 1 June 2005 to31 May 2007, made by the Government of Belgium, in accordance with article 22 of the Constitution of the International Labour Organisation, on the Tripartite Consultation (International Labour Standards) Convention, 1976 (No. 144) (ratification registered on 30 September 1982)

The problems relevant to the family, good parenting and equal gender opportunities are considerable and determine the demographic situation, economic growth and social cohesion in the country, as well as development prospects of Bulgaria as an equal EU member state. The family, good parenting and equal gender opportunities concern the physical survival and personal development of every person as well as the preservation of nationality and national identity

According to the Social and Economic Council, the Netherlands' largest cities have an important role to play in the Lisbon Strategy. They must do their best to achieve the ideal of a complete and robust city, one that offers its people, enterprises and institutions a high-quality living and working environment with satisfactory amenities and opportunities for recreation.

The Social and Economic Council?s Committee for Consumer Affairs(CCA) published an advisory report on a small claims procedure at European level. Because the procedure can only be used in cross-border disputes, the CCA argued in its report that Dutch consumers should be given easier access to the national courts in domestic cases, and as soon as possible. In this report the Committee explains its position in greater detail and gives its recommendations.

In its Opinion the highlights "the timeliness and importance of this draft bill, in so far as it addresses the need to provide integral legislation on sustainable development in the rural environment from a socio-economic and environmental perspective".The Opinion notes the need to coordinate the various tiers of national and regional government, as the fields and issues addressed by the draft bill ? regional planning, the environment, social protection, employment, education, health, urban development or housing ? are very broad.The ESC also expresses an interest in the maintenance and generation of employment that may result from the law?s implementation, ?given the size of the population that may benefit, and the extent of land and cultural heritage affected.?As regards agriculture, the ESC suggests that a debate be encouraged in this sector with a view to guaranteeing employment and maintaining sufficient income so that farmers and their associations, and the owners of farms, including forestry companies, may remain in the country and manage land sustainably.