The reference to cooperation and information exchanges between Member States as a strength of the Employment strategy has been emphasised. The role of the European Parliament in European employment policy is clarified.
A series of amendments relate to the role of the social partners and relevant local and regional authorities. These relate to the way in which Member States cooperate with them and how they implement an active information policy; in relation to evaluation of the National Action Plans. The methods for pursuing such an active information policy have been specified. The accessibility of the general public to this evaluation and the Joint employment report is clarified.
A specific focus on analysis of the local employment dimension of the Employment strategy has been introduced.
The relationship between this programme and other Community programmes has been made clearer, in particular avoiding the subordination of the Employment strategy to general economic policy. In addition, those programmes which are particularly relevant here have been mentioned specifically. These amendments also recognised the need for a quantitative evaluation of the effects of the European employment strategy.
The gender specific elements of the programmes have been strengthened, while avoiding duplication and too much detail on specific projects, with a reference to particular elements of equal opportunity policy which are relevant. �