Guidelines for the employment policies 2008-2010

The Council reached a general approach on a decision on Guidelines for the Employment Policies of the Member States, in the framework of Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs.

The Council notes that it will return to the Employment Guidelines after the Parliament's opinion has been received (due in May).

The previous Integrated Guidelines, including both the Employment Guidelines and the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, were adopted as an integrated package, whereby the European Employment Strategy has the leading role in the implementation of the employment and labour market objectives of the Lisbon Strategy.

The draft Employment Guidelines for the period 2008-2010-are the following:

17. Implement employment policies aiming at achieving full employment, improving quality and productivity at work, and strengthening social and territorial cohesion;

18. Promote a life-cycle approach to work;

19. Ensure inclusive labour markets, enhance work attractiveness, and make work pay for jobseekers, including disadvantaged people, and the inactive;

20. Improve matching of labour market needs;

21. Promote flexibility combined with employment security and reduce labour market segmentation, having due regard to the role of the social partners;

22. Ensure employment-friendly labour cost developments and wage-setting mechanisms;

23. Expand and improve investment in human capital;

24. Adapt education and training systems in response to new competence requirements.