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Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States in 2011

2011/0007(CNS)

PURPOSE: to ensure that the guidelines for Member States' employment policies as set out in the Annex to Council Decision 2010/707/EU on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States are maintained for 2011.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2011/308/EU on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.

BACKGROUND: following on from the adoption of the Europe 2020 strategy, the Union plans to turn its economy towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, accompanied by high level employment, productivity and social cohesion. On 13 July 2010, the Council adopted its Recommendation on broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and of the Union. Furthermore, on 21 October 2010, the Council adopted its Decision 2010/707/EU on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. This set of guidelines together form the integrated guidelines for implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy.

The integrated guidelines give precise guidance to the Member States on defining their National Reform Programmes and on implementing reforms, reflecting interdependence and in line with the Stability and Growth Pact. The employment guidelines should form the basis for any country-specific recommendations that the Council may address to the Member States under Article 148(4) of the TFEU, in parallel with the country-specific recommendations addressed to the Member States under Article 121(4) of that Treaty. The employment guidelines should also form the basis for the establishment of the Joint Employment Report sent annually by the Council and the Commission to the European Council.

The examination of the Member States’ draft National Reform Programmes, contained in the Joint Employment Report adopted by the Council on 7 March 2011, shows that Member States should continue to make every effort to address the following priorities:

  • increasing labour market participation and reducing structural unemployment;
  • developing a skilled workforce responding to labour market needs and promoting job quality and lifelong learning;
  • improving the performance of education and training systems at all levels, and
  • increasing participation in tertiary education, promoting social inclusion and combating poverty.

The employment guidelines adopted in 2010 should remain stable until 2014 to ensure a focus on their implementation. In the intermediate years, until the end of 2014, their updating should continue to be strictly limited.

CONTENT: this decision seeks to retain for 2011 the guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, as set out in the Annex to Decision 2010/707/EU of 21 October 2010.

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 19.05.2011.