Agenda Raad Werkgelegenheid: "gelijke behandeling mannen en vrouwen, liberalisering diensten van algemeen belang, arbeidstijden, en uitzendwerk (en)

The Council will be chaired by Dutch Minister De Geus, with Commissioner Dimas representing the European Commission, as the only points on the agenda relate to Employment and Social Affairs.

Directive on equal treatment

Council will attempt to finalise discussions on be the Commission's proposal providing equal treatment for men and women in access to goods and services.

Unanimity is required for the adoption of this Directive. The two principal points of discussion are whether there should be exceptions to the principle of equal treatment and its application to insurance. The Presidency intends to put forward a compromise to the Council, taking account of the various views of Member States.

See also IP/03/1501, MEMO/03/216

Social Services of General Interest

The Council will hold a debate on social services of general interest which will feed into a Commission White Paper to be adopted in 2005. The debate is being indirectly connected to the ongoing discussions on the Services Directive currently discussed in the Competitiveness council. Social Affairs Ministers will express their views on the potential impact of EU regulations on services of general interest, such as health care. There will be no formal decision on this matter

See also IP/04/638

Working Time

Commissioner Dimas will present the Commission's recent proposal for a revision of the Working Time Directive and there will be a brief exchange of views, but no formal Council position.

See also IP/04/1129 and MEMO/04/219

Temporary Agency Workers

Over lunch, the Presidency has asked Ministers to discuss possible solutions to the current deadlock on the draft Directive temporary agency work. The Commission supports the Presidency's efforts to reach agreement on this dossier and the working time proposal at the December Council.

See also IP/03/796 and IP/02/441

Other issues

The Commission will present the latest information from the consultation on the Green Paper on equality and non-discrimination in the enlarged EU. The Council is expected to endorse an expert committee opinion on the launch of the open method of coordination in the field of health care and care of the elderly.