SOCIAL POLICY COUNCIL : CONSENSUS ON COOPERATION BETWEEN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.

• Position: Brief article

On 9 December 2013, the Employment and Social Policy Council agreed on a general approach on a decision aimed at improving cooperation between public employment services (PES). This agreement will allow the EU Presidency to initiate three-way talks ahead of a vote at the European Parliament set for mid-February 2014, before the European elections.

The European Commission submitted its proposal for the implementation of a network of public employment services on 17 June this year, but the member states were divided on their mandatory or voluntary participation. In the end, the Commission has agreed to voluntary participation.

Among the main points covered in the agreement were the creation of a network of PES by joining national services together; the strengthening and modernisation of all PES through the implementation of this network; ensuring...