Setting up an employment and labour market policy Commitee

- OBJECTIVE: Creation of an employment and labour market policy committee to assist the Social Affairs Council of the European Community in the exercise of its responsibilities. - SUBSTANCE: The committee shall be responsible for: . monitoring trends in employment in the Community, . examining the Member States' employment and labour market policies, . exchanges of information and experience between Member States and with the Commission in these fields, . preparing reports and recommendations on these questions. The opinion of the Committee on subjects within its area of competence may be requested by the Council or the Commission. The Committee may also undertake work on its own initiative. Provision is made for measures to ensure coordination with other existing committees (in particular the Standing Employment Committee and the Economic Policy Committee). The Committee shall consist of two representatives of each Member State and two representatives of the Commission who may be assisted by substitutes. The Committee may call on external experts. The secretariat of the Committee shall be provided by the Commission. The term of office of the committee chairman shall be two years. �