Algemeen Secretariaat • Secrétariat Général • Generalsekretariat • Secretariat General • Secretaría General

Europese Federatie van het OverheidspersoneelFédération Européenne du Personnel des Services Publics • Europäische Föderation der Öffentlich Bediensteten

European Federation of Employees in Public Services • Federación Europea del Personal de los Servicios PúblicosMontoyerstraat 39, B-1000 Brussel, België • Rue Montoyer 39, B-1000 Bruxelles, Belgique

tel. + 32 (0)2 230 38 65 • fax + 32 (0)2 231 14 72 • e-mail: info@infedop-eurofedop.com • website: www.eurofedop.org

Seminar

Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation

08-09.10.2004Vienna (Austria)

Vienna, 08-09.10.2004 Seminar: Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation 2

EUROFEDOP

Introduction

Although the biggest enlargement in the history of the EU was concluded successfully on 1st ofMay, there is still a lot of work to be done, especially regarding social dialogue and workingconditions.

Eurofedop has been following the process of enlargement for a long time, and is closely involvedwith these new developments. According to Eurofedop it is very important to invest in the contactswith these new states. Last year, on the 21-22nd of November 2003, Eurofedop organised aconference on Enlargement in Vienna, Austria, to create the opportunity to talk about the situationof the Public Services in the current member states. Today we repeat this event.

Three concrete examples of impact studies, reforms and privatisation proved that Social Dialogue isnot just an idea but also possible in reality. Having organized different conferences in the past, itbecame clear that such conferences are necessary in order to establish a structured and constructivesocial dialogue. It is a fact that reforming the public services is a difficult process for al the newstates. If Europe wants social progress and economic prosperity, and if it wants to be a continent ofdemocracy and rule of law, it needs a strong public service. Fears arise concerning the dangers ofliberalisation and privatisation in the new member states. With the telecommunication and postalsector as examples, trade unions in current and future member states are trying hard to stop or delaythe privatisation process.

Eurofedop intends to take up its responsibilities and has organized a series of seminars incooperation with member unions and other stakeholders in Central and Eastern Europe throughout2004. The purpose of these seminars is to present the EU and its action in the field of publicservice, to present the activities of Eurofedop and exchange views.

Hermann Feiner, GÖD/FCG (Austria)Bert Van Caelenberg, Secretary General of Eurofedop

Fritz Neugebauer, President of Eurofedop, GÖD/FCG (Austria)

Vienna, 08-09.10.2004 Seminar: Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation 3

EUROFEDOP

Theme 1.1 : European Social Policy and new member statesOn the 5th of May, Eurofedop held a seminar in Bucharest, Romania. Some useful discussions wereheld on current issues in Romania, such as social dialogue, civil society, legislation in the health caresector, corruption, the exclusion of labour unions in the police sector and the views on the accessionof Romania in 2007 plus the active role that the trade unions should play in the development of theAcquis Communautaire in Romania.

The second Seminar was held in Vilnius, Lithuania on the 17th of May. Issues were discussed suchas social dialogue and employment problems in the public sector in Lithuania and weaknesses andstrengths of Social dialogue in Lithuania.

Of course the question of the enlargement concerns all sectors. Social dialogue is developing itselffast in the accessed countries with the support of Community programmes and initiatives. But still,a lot remains to be done to strengthen the capacities of social partners and involve them in theaccession process.

It is our responsibility as European trade unions to create new initiatives and to find out what theexisting barriers are in the new member states and foremost to have fruitful discussions that are thebasis for a good social dialogue!

The position of Hungary can stand as an example of the situation in some new countries.

Sectoral Social Dialogue is one of the most important ways of social dialogue. We shouldn’t forgetthat sectoral social dialogue is a very important forum in the European Union as well. The reasonfor this is that together with the expansion of multinational companies, only the extended (forseveral countries and the EU) social dialogue can bring success. To hit the target, intensivecooperation is a necessity both at national and international level. Unfortunately the trade unions inHungary have become weak because of their member loss and therefore the unions are divided (thereare at least a dozen trade unions per sector and more than half a dozen confederations on eitherside). It means that trade unions can hardly find their place in the market economy and rarely all theunions join in one sector for a cause.

We do hope that through the work of sectoral dialogue committees, the sectoral policies, futurepolicies, and their discussion will get more publicity. This is still missing in the present practice inHungary.

We would appreciate if opinion was given about the Hungarian procedures. It is important to knowhow Hungary can fit in the European structure, whether we suit the European trends.

The declarations of Serbia-Montenegro give a picture of the countries that do not fall yet under thesocial protocol.

Having in mind the key role of social dialogue, it could be concluded that the institutionalprerequisites for its functioning have been created, particularly, in the economic and social reformsimplementation period.

However in practice difficulties and problems in social dialogue and the establishment of tripartismdo exist. Besides the political will, the main condition for social dialogue, in deep social crises it isvery difficult to establish other conditions, for example, representative and democratic employersorganisations are still being formed and the legal framework is not complete (Law and Social-Economic Council, Law on Peaceful Resolving Collective and Individual Working Disputes and newLabour Law are still in the drafts).

There is no equality in social dialogue, since social partners are not always to the greatest extentinvolved in the debates related to significant issues of the trade union rights protection. They may

Vienna, 08-09.10.2004 Seminar: Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation 4

EUROFEDOP

participate in the debate on the relevant legislation in the domain of legal, labour and socialprotection of the employed, but their positions are not equally dealt with and respected, whichbecame particularly clear at the time of the Labour Law and the Law on privatisation.

The remuneration of labour in Public Services is not always determined through negotiations, butthrough the protocol in which the Government has a crucial role.

We are still facing slow recovery of the economy, insufficient development of social dialogue basedon tripartite principles, while already signed collective agreements are not being implemented.

From the introductions and the debate, it was concluded that Eurofedop has to aim for the followingobjectives :

- promote the international co-operation between trade unions of employees of the public sector;

- defend the interests of the employees who are working in the public sector in the new memberand applicant countries;

- provide a helping hand to trade unions and employers organisations, for example throughinformation provision;

- promote social dialogue in the future accession states, especially in relation to the public sector;

- through the organisation of seminars in the new member and applicant countries, to get peopleacquainted with the specific subject of social dialogue as it works at the European level in theEuropean Union and with the Social Charter of the Council of Europe;

- promote the participation of trade unions and employers organisations in the furtherdevelopment of social dialogue;

- promote the awareness of the meaning of social dialogue as a partner instrument in the economyand society in the field of “work organisation and environment”;

- raise issues, indicate obstacles and problems existing at local, regional and national level and, ifpossible, provide advices or solutions;

- help lay down a stable, democratic (working) community;

- use every useful means to promote our activities;

- defend and develop the social interests of employees in the public sector in Central and EasternEurope.

Horst Sayffaerth, DPVKOM (Germany)

Vienna, 08-09.10.2004 Seminar: Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation 5

EUROFEDOP

Theme 1.2 : European Social Policy and new member states

Slovak Republic

Ing. Marcela Gatciová from SLOVES in the Slovak Republic also pointed to the importance ofsocial dialogue. She used the example of her country to inform us about the structure of the dialogue.In theory, the three structures of social dialogue are the dialogue at national, international andEuropean level. But within these structures a State should find the right way to participate in thedialogue. The structures are only theoretical, the path needs to be walked in your own way.

To prove that social dialogue is not just an idea, but also possible in reality, Ing. Marcela Gatciovágave three concrete examples: impact studies, reforms and privatisation. The speaker informed usabout sectorial social dialogue too. She used the examples of the Troika, the European Parliamentand bilateral contacts with other organisations. On the basis of all these understandable examples, itbecame clear that to get a maximum result is the main goal of co-operation and social dialogue.

Croatia

Our organisation in Croatia (RSR-HPT) was also present at the conference. Mr. Jadranko Veharheld a speech on the changes that the telecommunication market in his country has undergone. Ofcourse this process was happening in all the transition countries, but in Croatia it was influenced bythe war in former Yugoslavia. After the war a strange situation came into being. Due to thedestruction of the war, the telecommunication network experienced a rapid development, 80% ofthe telecommunication network was digitalised at the beginning of 1996. Another consequencehowever was the enormous rise of unemployment (24%). Croatia suffered from constant pressureexercised by the WTO on the country’s telecommunication and post branches and globalisation wasa threat to the social security of workers, especially those in telecommunication. NowadaysDeutsche Telekom is the owner of the former Croatian Telecommunication Company and there aremany problems regarding social dialogue. It is difficult for a trade union to maintain its position androle in such a situation, without losing its strength and identity. But slowly the Croatian trade unionmovement starts to gain status again and more workers want to join the trade union. Mr. Veharfinished by saying that the globalisation and opening of the market are very painful.

In his report he gave some brief overview of the economic and social situation in the new EUmember states: Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Jadranko Vehar, President of RSRHPT (Croatia)

Vienna, 08-09.10.2004 Seminar: Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation 6

EUROFEDOP

Theme 2 : European Social Dialogue

Trade union experts gave a detailed survey of the sectors Post and Telecom.

On the one hand, there was the working of the joint committees in Brussels and, on the other hand,the current situation with Telecom in Germany and with Post in Austria.

The following conclusions were drawn, as regards the public administrations in the 25 countries :

In summary we could say that, regarding the European Social Dialogue in Public Services:

- There remain important differences between the practices of the Member States and some arevery reluctant to engage in any formal agreements;

- The question of the representation of the States within the European interprofessional socialdialogue remains problematic;

- The introduction of a formal social dialogue for the public administration will not be fortomorrow;

- Eurofedop has adopted a pragmatic and realistic trade union attitude. An attitude orientatedtowards the improvement of these informal structures of social dialogue;

- Eurofedop intends to make the most of the opportunities and will be a constructive partner.

Walter Marschitz, Managing director Österreichischen Hilfswerks (Austria)

Vienna, 08-09.10.2004 Seminar: Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation 7

EUROFEDOP

Theme 3 : Human Resources for Health

After a video presentation of care professions on their opportunities, challenges and problems, thesituation in the different participating countries was clarified during the debate.

Differences in training, in working conditions, require an in-depth debate that we intend to continuein the trade council Health Services.

“Hilfswerk”, nursing professions, the job of your life, was the subject of a speech that did not tryto evade the challenges. On the basis of the experiences of the nursing system in Austria, with theemphasis on nursing budget and nursing staff, these problems were discussed in connection withnursing professions such as home care staff, auxiliary nursing staff, other supportive staff anddiploma-qualified staff. The main problems remain the level of training, the number of interestedpeople, the large turnover, retraining opportunities and illicit work. Austria has set up aninformation and media campaign and hopes that, with the help of these campaigns and changes intraining, the situation may be reversed.

An expert of the “Österreichische Sozialversichering” spoke about demographic developments andtheir impact on insurance costs.

Structural problems were discussed such as : the expected increase in the number of the retired, thedensity of the services supply network, low contribution regulations, hospital financing, medicationcosts evolution, guarantee of quality.

Measures have already been taken to get all this under control, e.g. introduction of the “E-Card”,info through computer centre. The number of acute beds in Austria is e.g. 6.3 %, in Europe 4.1 %.The speaker also gave practical examples of the overconsumption of computer tomography and labotesting.

The debate was concluded by putting emphasis on the following objectives :

- free access to the best medical care for all;

- ensure the long-term financing of the high-quality system;

- adopt attitude of solidarity with all those concerned;

- reinforcement of self-decision right.

Herwig Frad, Vice-President, Hauptverband derösterreichischen Sozialversicherungsträger (Austria)

Vienna, 08-09.10.2004 Seminar: Eurofedop – Robert Schuman Foundation 8

EUROFEDOP

Council of Europe

Johan Vermeire, permanent representative at the Council of Europe, started with the Treaty bywhich the Council of Europe protects Human Rights. He spoke about functions and structure,making a distinction between the political level and the juridical level.

He asked : “Who can, better than the non-governmental organisations, express the concerns of theordinary citizens of Europe ?”

A link with the public, active participation and a wide field of action. What we need is a structurefor a more effective dialogue, instruments for the mobilisation of public opinion. He concluded bysaying that we all have to aim for a constructive role in democratic development.

Conclusions

During this seminar, ample consideration was given to the objectives that had also been underlinedby Fritz Neugebauer (ÖVP Member of Parliament) in his opening speech : demography, need tostudy longer, financing of the social systems.

The participants were asked to give their conclusions. To Malta, the debate on ageing, the situationof the different countries and especially a number of practical solutions had been important.Hungary is ready to cooperate actively on the basis of today’s information, will focus on the role oftrade unions and national sectoral dialogue. Albania wants to focus on the Social Charter of theCouncil of Europe. How can they use the information received in their own situation ? Estonia willtake back home the experiences they received at these sessions, they are confronted with a seriousproblem in their health care sector and will focus on teamwork, which is what they could experienceat these sessions. Lithuania has mainly concentrated on seeing and hearing about sectoral trade unionworking. They noticed that the working at Post and Telecom offers a typical example in thisrespect. Romania will have to focus on the acquis communautaire, with the prospect of becoming anew EU member in 2007. Actions by the public service trade unions will be required. Serbia-Montenegro has already made progress in some sectors e.g. Justice, the experiences they receivedhere will have to help others with the development of their trade union. Slovakia notices that theywill be confronted with a number of problems that have been depicted here, e.g. regarding health carereform. These sessions will contribute to the debate they will have to engage in at national level.

Bert Van Caelenberg, secretary general of Eurofedop, concluded by thanking the Robert SchumanFoundation for its support, as well as the GÖD/FCG and its collaborators for the splendid way inwhich they helped to make this seminar a success.