Industrial Relations in Europe 2012 - European Commission - Europa

and effects of the EU Directives on part-time and fixed-term work, in order to underpin the
Commission’s evaluation of these acts.
The social partners at European level have been very active in concluding several European
agreements (in particular on working conditions on board of fishing vessels and of passenger
or cargo transport ships in inland waterways). A further European agreement was concluded
by the European social partners regarding health and safety in the hairdressing sector. These
examples illustrate the important role which social partners can play in designing working
conditions which are well-tailored to the specificities of particular sectors. The European
cross-industry social partners were also negotiating on the review of the working time
Directive; however those negotiations ended without an agreement at the end of 2012.
In the field of health and safety in the workplace, the Commission continues its work on the
evaluation of the European strategy in this area in preparation of the new strategy covering the
period 2013-2020. It pursues its efforts aiming at adapting the existing legislative framework
to emerging or specific risks (electromagnetic fields; musculo-skeletal disorders;
andenvironmental tobacco smoke). It prepares practical guides for better information and
application of the relevant legislation (exposure to asbestos; and agriculture).
In the coming months, the Commission will further pursue its proposals which are currently
pending before the EU legislature. It will also continue to closely involve the European social
partners. Finally, it will also continue its efforts to monitor the effective implementation and
enforcement of EU labour legislation. All this work is guided by the overall goals of the EU's
social policy: the promotion of employment, improved living and working conditions and
proper social protection.
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