INFORMAL EMPLOYMENT COUNCIL (BERLIN) : EMPLOYERS CALL FOR A MORATORIUM' ON LABOUR LAW.

During their meeting with ministers from the Troika' countries (Germany, Portugal and Slovenia) and social partners before the informal Council of Employment and Social Policy Ministers, taking place in Berlin on 18 January, certain employers called for a European moratorium' on labour law.

"Labour law is very complicated, we should reduce the number of rules rather than add to them," said Dieter Hundt, Chairman of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA). "This will allow new member states to convert Community acquis into reality." "Less is more," he added. Eiro Leivo, leader of the Social Affairs Committee of UNICE (private European employers) added more nuance: "Flexibility is necessary to improve growth and employment prospects but it won't happen in a vacuum. Flexible labour law must promote: 1. job protection legislation, which does not hamper recruitment under indefinite duration contracts; 2. a choice between various types of flexible employment contracts to answer diversified needs of companies and workers; 3. a commitment to fight undeclared work". He also underlined that the "competence to modernise labour markets lies first and foremost with member states. The role of the EU is to organise exchanges of experiences and monitor national reforms using the instruments of the European growth and jobs strategy. Taking a top-down legislative approach at the EU level would be counterproductive". Hans-Werner Muller, Secretary-General of UEAPME (small and medium-sized enterprises) stressed the need "to improve working conditions by reducing bureaucracy". On the structural causes, he said that "there is a shortage in the necessary qualifications and mobility". Rainer Plassman, Secretary-General of the CEEP (European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation), is sceptical about this request: "we have good credentials - both in terms of work quality and labour law. I am in favour of reasonable discussion".

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"The hardship of which employers are complaining seems somewhat exaggerated," replied...