2004 discharge: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions

PURPOSE : presentation of the final accounts of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.

CONTENT : this document published in the Official Journal of the EU sets out a detailed account of the implementation of the 2004 budget, including the revenue and expenditure and the balance sheet for the year concerned.

According to this document, the final budget amounted to EUR 18,1 million (against EUR 16,8 million in 2003) including a 99,6% Community subsidy.

As regards the staffing policy, the Foundation, whose headquarters are based in Dublin (Ireland), officially set out 91 posts in its establishment plan. 74 are currently occupied with 16 other staff (Seconded National Experts and employment agency) totalling 90 posts assigned to operational, administrative and mixed duties.

Staff expenditure amounted to EUR 8 606 000.

The Foundation’s main aim is to contribute to the planning and establishment of better living and working conditions in the European Union by increasing and disseminating knowledge which is relevant to this subject. During 2004, the Foundation published the following :

- on living conditions : ‘Perception of living conditions in an enlarged Europe’, ‘Quality of life in Europe’, ‘Employment and disabilities: back to work strategies’, analysis and dissemination of statistical data, study relating to time management over the course of life;

- on working conditions : European Working Conditions Observatory; reports on ageing and employment, various reports (part-time working, harassment), preparation for the 2005 survey;

- on industrial relations : European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO); circulation of reports and articles about EIRonline; bi-monthly publication of EIRobserver; various reports; European Monitoring Centre on Change (EMCC); various case files; sector future series: seven industry sectors have been covered. Moreover, the Foundation also produced various general and country reports, organised 41 conferences and taken part in 95 conferences and seminars. Excluding translations, the Foundation has produced 162 publications and circulated 10 newsletters.

Operating expenditure represented EUR 5 056 000 with EUR 2 522 000 carried over. The total expenditure amounted to EUR 18 072 000 with an outturn of EUR 14 000. However, the balance for the financial year was reported at EUR – 1 224 000.

The complete version of the final accounts may be found at the following address:

http://www.eurofound.eu.int/about/publicaccess/categories/finance/2005.htm