Debating the European Employment Strategy and its impact on the Maltese labour market

From 1997, the European Union embarked on a radical programme to improve the capability, efficiency and competitiveness of the European labour market and employment. It was to be achieved through the so-called Open Method of Co-ordination, whereby employment priorities are set by the European Commission (for example, employability must be improved and lifelong learning established and employing organisations become more adaptable).

These are implemented by explicit policies and practices by the governments of member states. These policies and practices are then subject to a process of evaluation and benchmarking by the Commission. Recommendations for the following year are then issued to each government by the Commission.

The Foundation for Human Resources Development has felt the need for all employers, human resource practitioners and all social partners to come together to understand better the European Employment Strategy and to debate its nature and impact on the Maltese labour market.

Among various topics to be debated during a half day conference, 'The European Employment Strategy, its nature and impact on Maltese Employers and Workers'. Focus will be made on the recent issue of the opt-out clause highly debated by MEPs, on flexibility and employability.

This conference will have two keynote speakers: Professor Patricia Leighton who occupies the Jean Monnet Chair in European Law and lectures at the University of Glamorgan, Wales; and Sue Vella, chief executive officer of the Employment and Training Corporation, Malta's public employment service.

Professor Leighton's presentation will reflect on the experience of the European Employment Strategy (EES), especially in terms of the benchmarking and best practice-sharing that is evolving (what are the ways to encourage people into employment; how can flexibility be developed; etc.).

It will draw on the evidence from various member states, regions and employing organisations and illustrate how policies can be supported through EU funding and partnerships.

The presentation will also reflect on the proposed amendments to the 1993 Working Time Directive that may well lead to a decline in EU protective rights for the first time. This proposed amendment has prompted some of the most hard-fought and acrimonious debates in the EU, but is illustrative of how employment policy in the EU is driven by the economics of global competition.

Ms Vella will speak on the ESS and its implementation in Malta. After giving an overview of Malta's participation in the Strategy to date, she will focus on the benefits and challenges for employers and workers alike within the framework of the employment guidelines as recently reformulated.

Ms Vella will conclude her presentation with a brief overview of the schemes and services offered by ETC that are relevant to both employers and workers in the light of the Strategy.

A panel with representatives from the Department of Industrial and Employment Relations, the Malta Federation of Industry, Malta Employers' Association, Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association, Union Haddiema Maghqudin, General Workers Union and the Collective Bargaining Unit,

This conference will be held on Wednesday, June 22, at Hilton Malta, St Julian's, from 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. For bookings contact Sandra Agius on sagius@fhrd.org or tel: 2137-8895.