2002/2070(COS)

Economic globalisation: social governance, core labour standards

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2002/2070(COS) Economic globalisation: social governance, core labour standards

Role	Committee	Rapporteur
Opinion	DEVE	HOWITT Richard (PSE)
Lead	EMPL	GILLIG Marie-Hélène (PSE)
Opinion	ENVI
Opinion	FEMM	OOMEN-RUIJTEN Ria (PPE-DE)
Opinion	ITRE	ALYSSANDRAKIS Konstantinos (GUE/NGL)
Opinion	LIBE	ROURE Martine (PSE)

Lead committee dossier: EMPL/5/16115
Legal Basis RoP 050, RoP 119

Subjects

Links

Activites

2003/11/12 Final act published in Official Journal
2003/07/21 Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council
#2522
2003/07/21 Council Meeting
2002/07/04 Text adopted by Parliament, single reading
- T5-0374/2002 summary
  
  The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Marie-Helene GILLIG (PES, France) on core labour standards. (Please refer to the document dated 19/06/02.) Parliament called for a multilateral WTO agreement to provide incentives to observe core labour standards. The ILO's constitution permits the imposition of trade sanctions. The latter alone should have that power. Parliament asked the WTO to state clearly that trade sanctions imposed pursuant to an ILO decision could not be considered incompatible with the WTO Treaties. The WTO's dispute settlement body should be obliged to consult the ILO and the ILO opinion should be attached to the ruling when a trade dispute between the WTO member countries involves a failure to observe core labour standards. The EU must ensure full respect for CLS, which implies full compliance with the ban on child labour, stepping up action against trafficking and slavery and a European immigration policy which encourages legal immigration. Parliament went on to endorse the decision of the Council and the Commission to gear the Union's development strategy towards incentive clauses and not to penalty clauses. The Commission must reinforce the GSP and ensure that the fundamental labour standards component of the EU's new GSP are actually enforced. New non-trade incentive clauses must be proposed for developing countries. The EU should incorporate in all third country agreements, whether commercial or cooperation, a CLS clause. Parliament stressed that financial aid must be stepped up to promote fundamental labour standards. It called attention to the rapid growth of Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in different parts of the world and the fact that in many cases national labour legislation does not apply in these zones. The promotion of corporate responsibility must follow on from what is happening in the OECD and ILO context and must be accompanied by the promotion of worldwide social labelling. The EU must incorporate this labelling into the development of the GSP. Finally, Parliament stressed the role and responsibility of transnational companies in ensuring equitable working conditions in line with the OECD guidelines revised in 2000.
- OJ C 271 12.11.2003, p. 0382-0598 E
2002/06/19 Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
- A5-0251/2002
2002/06/19 Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
- A5-0251/2002
2002/04/19 Committee draft report
- PE316.328
2002/04/11 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
#2373
2001/10/08 Council Meeting
2001/07/18 Non-legislative basic document published
- COM(2001)0416 summary
  
  PURPOSE : to propose an EU strategy to promote core labour standard and social governance globally. CONTENT : the communication proposes action at European and international levels, to support the effective application of core labour standards at global level. The development dimension is central to the strategy, which aims to help developing countries apply core labour standards for social development. The strategy confirms the central role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The communication supports a better balance of the global governance system, through both strengthening and using more effectively ILO instruments and fostering joint work by international organisations. In the ILO, this would imply discussion of steps to reinforce the effectiveness of supervision, including better publicity and more effective follow-up and discussion of a new incentive mechanism to promote the respect for core labour standards, as well as increased contributions to ILO technical assistance. The communication also proposes to create a high-level international dialogue, with the participation of international organisations the ILO and the World Trade Organisation, as well as development organisations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP). This international dialogue would help identify best practices and policies that will further the contribution of trade to social development world-wide. The Communication stays true to the fundamental principles of clearly rejecting any use of core labour standards for protectionist purposes and putting into question the comparative advantage of low-wage developing countries. As regards action at the European level, the strategy proposes a more coherent use of a wide range of policy instruments. Poverty and inadequate domestic governance structures are often the main cause of social problems, and development tools therefore play a central role. The communication suggests integrating core labour standards in its development policy and strengthening capacity in developing countries to apply core labour standards. It also suggests that core labour standards should have their place in bilateral agreements between Europe and the third countries. The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) of the EU provides preferential market access to developing countries. Additional preferences are given to countries under the social incentive scheme, provided they apply core labour standards. The Commission suggests improving this social incentive scheme to make it more attractive to developing countries and making available development assistance available to developing countries to help them make better use of the social incentive opportunities. The Commission also recognises the importance of private voluntary initiatives. Such initiatives reflect the corporate social responsibility of companies and their increasingly important role in supporting social development. The Commission has also adopted a Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (see COS/2002/2069) which complements this communication on the promotion of core labour standards and the improvement in social governance.
2001/07/18 Non-legislative basic document
- COM(2001)0416 summary
  
  PURPOSE : to propose an EU strategy to promote core labour standard and social governance globally. CONTENT : the communication proposes action at European and international levels, to support the effective application of core labour standards at global level. The development dimension is central to the strategy, which aims to help developing countries apply core labour standards for social development. The strategy confirms the central role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The communication supports a better balance of the global governance system, through both strengthening and using more effectively ILO instruments and fostering joint work by international organisations. In the ILO, this would imply discussion of steps to reinforce the effectiveness of supervision, including better publicity and more effective follow-up and discussion of a new incentive mechanism to promote the respect for core labour standards, as well as increased contributions to ILO technical assistance. The communication also proposes to create a high-level international dialogue, with the participation of international organisations the ILO and the World Trade Organisation, as well as development organisations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP). This international dialogue would help identify best practices and policies that will further the contribution of trade to social development world-wide. The Communication stays true to the fundamental principles of clearly rejecting any use of core labour standards for protectionist purposes and putting into question the comparative advantage of low-wage developing countries. As regards action at the European level, the strategy proposes a more coherent use of a wide range of policy instruments. Poverty and inadequate domestic governance structures are often the main cause of social problems, and development tools therefore play a central role. The communication suggests integrating core labour standards in its development policy and strengthening capacity in developing countries to apply core labour standards. It also suggests that core labour standards should have their place in bilateral agreements between Europe and the third countries. The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) of the EU provides preferential market access to developing countries. Additional preferences are given to countries under the social incentive scheme, provided they apply core labour standards. The Commission suggests improving this social incentive scheme to make it more attractive to developing countries and making available development assistance available to developing countries to help them make better use of the social incentive opportunities. The Commission also recognises the importance of private voluntary initiatives. Such initiatives reflect the corporate social responsibility of companies and their increasingly important role in supporting social development. The Commission has also adopted a Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (see COS/2002/2069) which complements this communication on the promotion of core labour standards and the improvement in social governance.
- DG Trade,

Documents

Non-legislative basic document published: COM(2001)0416
Non-legislative basic document: COM(2001)0416
Committee draft report: PE316.328
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A5-0251/2002
Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A5-0251/2002
Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T5-0374/2002
Text adopted by Parliament, single reading: OJ C 271 12.11.2003, p. 0382-0598 E

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

2012-02-09

activities	added	date 2001-07-18 docs url http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2001&nu_doc=0416 text PURPOSE : to propose an EU strategy to promote core labour standard and social governance globally. CONTENT : the communication proposes action at European and international levels, to support the effective application of core labour standards at global level. The development dimension is central to the strategy, which aims to help developing countries apply core labour standards for social development. The strategy confirms the central role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The communication supports a better balance of the global governance system, through both strengthening and using more effectively ILO instruments and fostering joint work by international organisations. In the ILO, this would imply discussion of steps to reinforce the effectiveness of supervision, including better publicity and more effective follow-up and discussion of a new incentive mechanism to promote the respect for core labour standards, as well as increased contributions to ILO technical assistance. The communication also proposes to create a high-level international dialogue, with the participation of international organisations the ILO and the World Trade Organisation, as well as development organisations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP). This international dialogue would help identify best practices and policies that will further the contribution of trade to social development world-wide. The Communication stays true to the fundamental principles of clearly rejecting any use of core labour standards for protectionist purposes and putting into question the comparative advantage of low-wage developing countries. As regards action at the European level, the strategy proposes a more coherent use of a wide range of policy instruments. Poverty and inadequate domestic governance structures are often the main cause of social problems, and development tools therefore play a central role. The communication suggests integrating core labour standards in its development policy and strengthening capacity in developing countries to apply core labour standards. It also suggests that core labour standards should have their place in bilateral agreements between Europe and the third countries. The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) of the EU provides preferential market access to developing countries. Additional preferences are given to countries under the social incentive scheme, provided they apply core labour standards. The Commission suggests improving this social incentive scheme to make it more attractive to developing countries and making available development assistance available to developing countries to help them make better use of the social incentive opportunities. The Commission also recognises the importance of private voluntary initiatives. Such initiatives reflect the corporate social responsibility of companies and their increasingly important role in supporting social development. The Commission has also adopted a Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (see COS/2002/2069) which complements this communication on the promotion of core labour standards and the improvement in social governance. title COM(2001)0416 type Non-legislative basic document published celexid CELEX:52001DC0416:EN body type Non-legislative basic document published date 2001-07-18 docs url http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2001&nu_doc=0416 text PURPOSE : to propose an EU strategy to promote core labour standard and social governance globally. CONTENT : the communication proposes action at European and international levels, to support the effective application of core labour standards at global level. The development dimension is central to the strategy, which aims to help developing countries apply core labour standards for social development. The strategy confirms the central role of the International Labour Organisation (ILO). The communication supports a better balance of the global governance system, through both strengthening and using more effectively ILO instruments and fostering joint work by international organisations. In the ILO, this would imply discussion of steps to reinforce the effectiveness of supervision, including better publicity and more effective follow-up and discussion of a new incentive mechanism to promote the respect for core labour standards, as well as increased contributions to ILO technical assistance. The communication also proposes to create a high-level international dialogue, with the participation of international organisations the ILO and the World Trade Organisation, as well as development organisations such as the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programmes (UNDP). This international dialogue would help identify best practices and policies that will further the contribution of trade to social development world-wide. The Communication stays true to the fundamental principles of clearly rejecting any use of core labour standards for protectionist purposes and putting into question the comparative advantage of low-wage developing countries. As regards action at the European level, the strategy proposes a more coherent use of a wide range of policy instruments. Poverty and inadequate domestic governance structures are often the main cause of social problems, and development tools therefore play a central role. The communication suggests integrating core labour standards in its development policy and strengthening capacity in developing countries to apply core labour standards. It also suggests that core labour standards should have their place in bilateral agreements between Europe and the third countries. The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) of the EU provides preferential market access to developing countries. Additional preferences are given to countries under the social incentive scheme, provided they apply core labour standards. The Commission suggests improving this social incentive scheme to make it more attractive to developing countries and making available development assistance available to developing countries to help them make better use of the social incentive opportunities. The Commission also recognises the importance of private voluntary initiatives. Such initiatives reflect the corporate social responsibility of companies and their increasingly important role in supporting social development. The Commission has also adopted a Green Paper on Corporate Social Responsibility (see COS/2002/2069) which complements this communication on the promotion of core labour standards and the improvement in social governance. title COM(2001)0416 type Non-legislative basic document celexid CELEX:52001DC0416:EN body EC commission DG Trade type Non-legislative basic document date 2001-10-08 body CSL type Council Meeting council Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs meeting_id 2373 date 2002-04-11 body EP type Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees body EP responsible False committee DEVE date 2002-04-18 committee_full Development and Cooperation rapporteur group PSE name HOWITT Richard body EP responsible True committee EMPL date 2001-09-12 committee_full Employment and Social Affairs rapporteur group PSE name GILLIG Marie-Hélène body EP responsible False committee_full Environment, Public Health, Consumer Policy committee ENVI body EP responsible False committee FEMM date 2002-01-22 committee_full Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities rapporteur group PPE-DE name OOMEN-RUIJTEN Ria body EP responsible False committee ITRE date 2001-11-22 committee_full Industry, External Trade, Research, Energy rapporteur group GUE/NGL name ALYSSANDRAKIS Konstantinos body EP responsible False committee LIBE date 2001-11-21 committee_full Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur group PSE name ROURE Martine date 2002-04-19 docs type Committee draft report title PE316.328 body EP type Committee draft report date 2002-06-19 docs url http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A5-2002-0251&language=EN type Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title A5-0251/2002 body type Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading date 2002-06-19 docs url http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A5-2002-0251&language=EN type Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading title A5-0251/2002 text The committee adopted the report by Marie-Hélène GILLIG (PES, F) welcoming the Commission communication. It approved the Commission's proposals for a range of measures to achieve a better balance in the world system of governance and made a number of recommendations. MEPs argued that Member States and the candidate countries must ratify the ILO conventions and that third countries should also be urged to sign up to them. The Commission and Council were asked to help the ILO enhance the effectiveness of the instruments at its disposal, in particular as regards monitoring in the case of violations of core labour standards (CLS). The committee also called on the Commission to consider setting up a monitoring system on the application of CLS and to publish the results of the ILO monitoring procedure on CLS. While supporting the Commission's idea of an integrated approach in EU policies, the committee nevertheless called on it to provide a clearer definition for targeted measures in the context of development cooperation programmes. The development of fundamental social standards should be a clearly identified issue in any initiatives to support democracy and human rights. A clause on respect for CLS should be incorporated in all agreements with third countries. In addition the human rights clause, which is part of all agreements signed by the EU with third countries, should be improved. MEPs noted the difficulties in tackling the problem of fundamental social standards in the current framework of the WTO. They therefore called on the Commission, the Council and the Member States, in consultation with employers and employees, to define a common position and strategy on fundamental social standards, particularly in the run-up to the new round of multilateral WTO negotiations. body EP type Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading date 2002-07-04 docs url http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P5-TA-2002-0374 text The European Parliament adopted the resolution drafted by Marie-Helene GILLIG (PES, France) on core labour standards. (Please refer to the document dated 19/06/02.) Parliament called for a multilateral WTO agreement to provide incentives to observe core labour standards. The ILO's constitution permits the imposition of trade sanctions. The latter alone should have that power. Parliament asked the WTO to state clearly that trade sanctions imposed pursuant to an ILO decision could not be considered incompatible with the WTO Treaties. The WTO's dispute settlement body should be obliged to consult the ILO and the ILO opinion should be attached to the ruling when a trade dispute between the WTO member countries involves a failure to observe core labour standards. The EU must ensure full respect for CLS, which implies full compliance with the ban on child labour, stepping up action against trafficking and slavery and a European immigration policy which encourages legal immigration. Parliament went on to endorse the decision of the Council and the Commission to gear the Union's development strategy towards incentive clauses and not to penalty clauses. The Commission must reinforce the GSP and ensure that the fundamental labour standards component of the EU's new GSP are actually enforced. New non-trade incentive clauses must be proposed for developing countries. The EU should incorporate in all third country agreements, whether commercial or cooperation, a CLS clause. Parliament stressed that financial aid must be stepped up to promote fundamental labour standards. It called attention to the rapid growth of Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in different parts of the world and the fact that in many cases national labour legislation does not apply in these zones. The promotion of corporate responsibility must follow on from what is happening in the OECD and ILO context and must be accompanied by the promotion of worldwide social labelling. The EU must incorporate this labelling into the development of the GSP. Finally, Parliament stressed the role and responsibility of transnational companies in ensuring equitable working conditions in line with the OECD guidelines revised in 2000. type Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title T5-0374/2002 url http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:C:2003:271E:SOM:EN:HTML type Text adopted by Parliament, single reading title OJ C 271 12.11.2003, p. 0382-0598 E body EP type Text adopted by Parliament, single reading date 2003-07-21 body type Resolution/conclusions adopted by Council date 2003-07-21 body CSL type Council Meeting council General Affairs meeting_id 2522 date 2003-11-12 type Final act published in Official Journal
committees	added	body EP responsible False committee DEVE date 2002-04-18 committee_full Development and Cooperation rapporteur group PSE name HOWITT Richard body EP responsible True committee EMPL date 2001-09-12 committee_full Employment and Social Affairs rapporteur group PSE name GILLIG Marie-Hélène body EP responsible False committee_full Environment, Public Health, Consumer Policy committee ENVI body EP responsible False committee FEMM date 2002-01-22 committee_full Women's Rights and Equal Opportunities rapporteur group PPE-DE name OOMEN-RUIJTEN Ria body EP responsible False committee ITRE date 2001-11-22 committee_full Industry, External Trade, Research, Energy rapporteur group GUE/NGL name ALYSSANDRAKIS Konstantinos body EP responsible False committee LIBE date 2001-11-21 committee_full Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur group PSE name ROURE Martine
links	added
other	added	body EC dg Trade
procedure	added	dossier_of_the_committee EMPL/5/16115 reference 2002/2070(COS) title Economic globalisation: social governance, core labour standards legal_basis Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 050 Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 119 stage_reached Procedure completed subtype Commission strategy paper type COS - Procedure on a strategy paper (historic) subject 4.15.12 Workers protection and rights, labour law 5.03 World economy and globalisation 6.20.01 Agreements and relations in the context of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

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2002/2070(COS)

Activites

Documents

History