At
their 13th meeting on 22 June 2007, in Berlin, the EU Ministers responsible for
Public Administration, with the participation of Siim Kallas Vice-President of
the European Commission, endorsed an action plan to develop and strengthen the
European social dialogue in the state sector. In a statement adopted at the
conference, ministers recognise that the European social dialogue plays a
significant role in improving public services across the EU.Chairing the conference, German Minister Schäuble said: "It is now our common task to prove, by carrying on a constructive social dialogue, that we take the European social model seriously and hope in this way to promote democracy in Europe."
The action plan was prepared by EUPAN, the EU network of Directors General for public administration, in consultation with TUNED, the Trade unions’ national and European administration delegation which was set up by EPSU and CESI.
As part of the improvements to the existing informal social dialogue, the action plan will consist of rules of procedure and a workprogramme on issues of common interest to social partners in this sector, such as demographic changes, public sector reforms, and e.government. It will test over the next 2 years the practical implications of a formalised European social dialogue. A joint TUNED/EUPAN taskforce will be set up under the forthcoming Portuguese Presidency to draw up the details of the action plan, finalisation of which is scheduled for early November.
"After many years of informal talks we can now jointly decide, as equal social partners, an agenda to improve the quality of working conditions of public employees and of services to the citizens. We urge the European Commission to seize this opportunity to consult social partners on its initiatives that impacts our sector", says Peter Waldorff, head of TUNED.
A mid-term evaluation of the plan will be carried out at the end of the French Presidency on the basis of criteria jointly decided by TUNED and EUPAN. TUNED trusts that the results of the evaluation will prompt formalisation of the process through a sectoral social dialogue committee, as is the case for 34 other sectors in the EU.
Resolution of the Ministers - Resolution of the Directors General
Photo: © Bundesministerium des Innern
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