Partnership for a new organisation of work. Green paper

The Committee adopted a report on the Commission's Green Paper on the new organization of work. The report, prepared by Mr Jan ANDERSSON (PES, SV), and calls on the Commission to make concrete proposals in areas relating to the new organization of work. Mr Andersson recognises that there is no easy solution as to how to improve competitiveness and increase employment in Europe. According to the report, the Commission should review some of the current Structural Funds programmes namely, the Objective 4 aid, the ADAPT and LEONARDO DA VINCI programmes and the Fifth Framework Programme for research and technological development in order to promote development in the organization of work and life-long learning. Member States should give greater attention to the organization of work in small and medium-sized undertakings. This should be done through a partnership between the two sides of industry, public authorities and research institutes. The Committee urges the Commission to submit proposals that would lay down binding minimum standards for workers rights to information, consultation and participation at all levels. In addition, it calls on the Commission to examine ways of reducing working hours. Fundamental working time regulations should be governed by national and European legislation. All changes should, however, be based on a collective agreement between the social partners. �