Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States in 2013

PURPOSE: to maintain the validity in 2013 of guidelines on employment adopted in Council Decision 2010/707/EU on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2013/208/EU on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.

BACKGROUND:

The integrated guidelines give precise guidance to the Member States on defining their national reform programmes and on implementing reforms. The employment guidelines adopted in 2010 should remain stable until 2014 to ensure a focus on their implementation. Until the end of 2014, any updating of the employment guidelines should remain strictly limited.

In 2011 and 2012, the employment guidelines were maintained. They should be maintained for 2013.

CONTENT: the examination of the Member States’ draft national reform programmes, contained in the Joint Employment Report adopted by the Council on 28 February 2013, shows that Member States should continue to make every effort to address the following priorities:

·        increasing labour market participation and reducing structural unemployment,

·        developing a skilled workforce responding to labour market needs and promoting job quality and lifelong learning,

·        improving the performance of education and training systems at all levels,

·        increasing participation in tertiary education,

·        promoting social inclusion and combating poverty.

The guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, as set out in the Annex to Decision 2010/707/EU, are maintained for 2013 and shall be taken into account by the Member States in their employment policies.

It is stated that Member States should explore the use of the European Social Fund when implementing the employment guidelines.