Employers and unions agree on social dimension of EU's external energy policy

(7 March 2011) The social partners agreed a common input in the public consultation on the external dimension of EU energy policy. The joint position states that the external energy relations of the EU need a social dimension. The social partners stress that the EU external energy relations and energy dialogues should take account of
- The overall framework of EU policy;
- Promote the Just Transition and Decent Jobs agenda.
- Ensure that the European and neighbouring countries’ social partners are involved in the dialogues shaping the external dimension of the EU energy policy;
- Promote the social dialogue
- Respect a high level of health and safety;
- Evaluate with the social partners concerned the impact on employment and working conditions of developing the energy dialogues.
The position is subject to final editing and consultation. The main discussion considered if the position should only reflect a realism perspective or should also refer to values and policies the EU promotes.

The social partners also exchanged views on a possible joint input on the public consultation on the Energy Roadmap 2050. The main points were agreed such as the importance of a social dimension to the roadmap, promoting just transition and a focus on skills and qualifications. The position is subject to final editing and consultation.
The employers and unions for the electricity sector further discussed the recommendations of the joint study Towards a low carbon electricity industry: employment effects & opportunities for the social partners . The social partners will consider a framework of actions on skills and qualifications. They continued the discussion on a mapping exercise of the national institutions that deal with such issues. A further discussion paper will be prepared clarifying the potential benefits.
An interesting discussion took place on mobility. There are many aspects such as intra-company mobility, inter-company or sectoral mobility and external mobility (workers who are employed by subcontractors that work for the energy company) This will be discussed further.

The social partners also adopted their work programme for 2011 and considered the common points to raise in the Energy Community Social Forum) foreseen for October 2011 in Moldova.

Jan Ruden, EPSU’s vice-president of the utilities committee and president of the Swedish union SEKO chaired the meeting. EPSU’s Deputy General Secretary participated. Other colleagues came from Belgium, France, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, UK. It took place 4 March 2011, Brussels. The next meeting will be 29 June 2011. The report from the previous meeting is available here

- Social Partners Joint Response to the DG Energy Public Consultation “The external dimension of the EU energy policy”
- EPSU Contribution to the DG Energy Public Consultation “The external dimension of the EU energy policy”