Documents

Simplification and modernisation of the social records to be kept by employers - Text projects adapting different social security regulations within the context of a uniform definition of the conceptual framework for social security and of the coming into force of the Notification of Social Risks in the sector of the compulsory health care and daily allowance insurance - opinion 1496

Collective agreement No. 62 ter modifying collective agreement No. 62 of 6 February 1996 on the establishment of a European Works Council or a procedure in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing and consulting employees, modified by collective agreement No. 62 bis of 6 October 1998

Existing sustainability quality labels have only a small share of the Dutch consumer market (less than 5%). The CCA believes their effectiveness will be improved by providing consumers with more comprehensive information about the value of the quality labels and what they stand for. Further sustainability criteria should also be developed. Opinions in the CCA differed as to how potent sustainability quality labels are as an instrument for influencing consumer behaviour. Some members did not see this as possible, while others thought quality labels can be made to have a greater impact on consumers, specifically by setting criteria at various levels and by means of marketing.

Companies should have more freedom when consulting experts on matters relating to working conditions. This could lead to services that are more customised at company level. Thecurrent regulation dating from 1994 concerning the ompulsory intervention of Working Conditions Services (arbodiensten) does not take sufficient account of the increased responsibility placed on employers and employees with regard to absence due to illness and illness or injury leading to incapacity for work. The regulation also needs to be amended in order to comply with European legislation.This opinion was presented in an advisory reportCompanies should have more freedom when consulting experts on matters relating to workingconditions. This could lead to services that are more customised at company level. The current regulation dating from 1994 concerning the compulsory intervention of Working Conditions Services (arbodiensten) does not take sufficient account of the increased responsibility placed on employers and employees with regard to absence due to illness and illness or injury leading to incapacity for work. The regulation also needs to be amended in order to comply with European legislation.

The purpose of this Decree is to transpose Directive 2003/87/EC, which establishes one of the market instruments provided for in the Kyoto Protocol, namely trading in emis-sion allowances. In article 9 the Directive states that each Member State shall develop a National Allocation Plan (NAP) specifying the quantity of allowances that it intends to allocate for that period and how it proposes to allocate them, based on homogenous cri-teria for the distribution of allowances throughout the country.In its preliminary remarks, the Council notes that the willingness of the social partners to address this process was highlighted in the recent Declaration for Dialogue between Management and Labour: Competitiveness, stable employment and social cohesion, of 8 July 2004.The Council therefore applauds the setting up of dialogue committees in each sector of activity, with the presence of the government and the trade unions and employers? or-ganizations in the various fields concerned. But the Council deems that this considera-tion should be included in the articles of the bill, which would benefit the adaptation and relaxation of the Plan that is needed in view of the different circumstances to be taken into account in the criteria for allocating emission allowances. These factors should expressly include a mention of social circumstances, and in particular forecasts for and effects on employment.The Council deems that this mechanism for institutional participation by the employers? organizations and the trade unions in the monitoring and adaptation of the Plan would help to effectively resolve the differences between the government and the various sec-tors on the distribution of allowances by activity, in line with the lists envisaged on ei-ther side, with a view to allowance projections and requests. The Council therefore rec-ommends that the initial forecasts in the NAP should be adjustable during the Plan?s life, pursuant to the agreements reached through the instruments for dialogue between management and labour.

The SER Committee of Socio-Economic Experts(CSEE) urges that an adequate EU policy is essential if the Netherlands and the other member states are to ensure sustained higher economic growth. Such a policy is particularly important for a small country like the Netherlands, which, due to its open economy, depends heavily on successful cooperation within Europe. An effective EU policy can be particularly beneficial in ensuring an efficient internal market and in creating a European ?knowledge area?.