Part-time work: framework agreement concluded by UNICE, CEEP and the ETUC

In adopting the report by Mrs Karin JÖNS (PSE, D), the European Parliament welcomes the fact that the framework agreement on part-time work advocates the principle of non-discrimination against part-time workers. However, it criticizes the limitation to part-time work and the failure to cover every form of atypical employment. It also notes that the agreement does not address social security questions, which urgently necessitate the adoption of appropriate legislation. In particular, it criticizes the fact that the agreement in several respects falls short of the 1994 ILO Convention on part-time work. It especially regrets the fact that the Member States and/or social partners may make exceptions to the principle of non-discrimination, in the case of part-time workers who work only on a casual basis, or may make certain terms of employment subject to a minimum length of service or working time or wage/salary conditions. Parliament considers it necessary to stipulate that part-time workers who work on a casual basis within the meaning of the framework agreement are those with short, temporary and non-renewable contracts. It calls on the Commission to submit a directive covering all forms of atypical employment relationships and to provide fair social protection for everyone engaged in an occupational activity. Parliament also feels that the agreement is not completely in line with the objective pursued, in that it does not eliminate all types of discrimination against part-time workers and does not contribute to making part-time work more attractive. It calls for the social partners' delegations involved in future social dialogue negotiations to include a significant representation of women. It requests an annual report listing the groups of employees who continue to be discriminated against and explaining why an exemption from the principle of non-discrimination is considered necessary in their case. The report should also indicate where progress has been made in removing discrimination Finally, with regard to the procedure pursuant to Articles 3 and 4 of the Agreement on social policy, Parliament calls for the right of codecision to be established, as in other areas, and repeats its call for an interinstitutional agreement on the implementation of social policy at Community level. �