The European Trade Union Delegation and Directors General for public administration agree a joint statement on equality and diversity 9 December 2005
The EU Directors General for public administration and the trade union delegation - TUNED(*) - have agreed a joint statement to improve equality and diversity at the workplace in EU public administrations.
The statement was approved at a joint seminar on 6 December in Gateshead under the aegis of the UK EU presidency, as part of the ongoing effort to improve the social dialogue in this sector.
Chairing the seminar, John Barker, UK Director General for Public Administration said “After almost 10 years of discussing how we could discuss things, I am glad that processology has been put aside and that we can start discussing a substantial theme of interest to both sides.”
The Gateshead statement recognises that the quality of services depends on the quality of working conditions, among which achieving diversity in equality is a central tenet. Public administrations, as policy-makers, service deliverers and employers must set the example in this area. To secure sustainable progress, it is important that equality objectives be integrated in the public sector modernisation agenda, work organisation and Human Resources Management. The EU directives on equality and cross-sectoral agreement on gender equality, covering all working conditions, including pay, provide a sound basis to build upon.
As part of the follow-ups to the seminar, Denmark will set up a joint working group on equality and diversity and host a conference, as a state sector contribution to the European year of equal opportunities in 2007.
Peter Waldorff, TUNED spokesperson, said “The public sector is often a better employer than the private sector in terms of equality and diversity but recent data, when they exist, show there is no room for complacency. The EU equality framework needs better implementation to help us take a more proactive and preventive approach. Recent riots in France and Birmingham show that we should not wait for tragedy to seek remedy. I am grateful to the UK Presidency for hosting this seminar and ensuring equal partnership in the preparatory process. I look forward to renewing the positive experience under the Austrian Presidency.“
During the seminar, presentations on the EU legal framework, gender equality plans in Finland and anti-racism policies in the UK have contributed to the understanding that negotiated solutions by trade unions and employers provide the best tool to achieve equality and a diverse workforce that reflects the wider society. Improving diversity in trade union and employers’ organisations is also part of the equality agenda. Participants also underlined the importance of the role of public services in redressing exclusions and inequality in the EU and the need to develop further common equality tools and definitions.
Formal adoption of the statement is scheduled for 11 January at the Troika meeting of Directors General for public administration.
For further information please contact Nadja Salson, T 00 32 2 250 10 88, TUNED coordinator, EPSU policy officer for national and European administration and gender equality.
(*)Trade Unions’ National and European administration Delegation
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