Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion DG
Employment and Social Legislation, Social Dialogue
Social dialogue, Industrial Relations
Brussels, 3 December 2013
Sectoral SOCIAL dialogue
Committee
ELECTRICITY
Draft minutes of the Working Group Meeting
15 November 2013 (11:30-16:30)
Chairman: Mr Bernd FRIEG(IndustriAll Europe)
1. Adoption of draft agenda
The Chairman, Mr Bernd Frieg, welcomed the participants. The draft agenda was adopted.
2. Adoption of the draft minutes of the meeting of 13 September 2013
The draft minutes of the plenary meeting held on 13 September 2013 were adopted without changes.
3. Energy Roadmap 2050 - Presentation of study on employment impacts (DG ENER)
Mr Dinko Raytchev (DG ENER) presented preliminary draft results of the study on employment effects under different decarbonisation scenarios of the Energy Roadmap. Following a recommendation from the Impact Assessment Board in 2012, DG ENER commissioned a study analysing potential impacts of decarbonisation scenarios on jobs and skills. Mr Raytchev indicated that this presentation was part of a broader discussion with stakeholders on the main conclusions of the study.
The first work package of the study aimed at the collection of disaggregated statistical and market employment data in the energy sector. Previously, no such data were available. The newly collected data suggest that 2,5 million workers are directly employed in the energy sector in the EU28. Moreover, the study produced disaggregated tables byMember States and NACE sector.
The second work package of the study provided a literature review on employment impacts of energy policies. This included methodology of modelling, identification of sectors and workers that are most likely to be affected, as well as structural change and prospects for mobility.
The third work package built on two econometric models (one Keynsesian, one neo-classical), to identify employment effects under different policy options (without attributing any likelihood to any of these scenarios). Both models produced broadly similar results, indicating that the overall expected effect of decarbonisation on total employment levels was rather limited (with for instance population ageing having a much more substantial impact). While employment in fossil fuel sectors decreased across all scenarios examined, employment in other power technologies depended on their deployment under different scenarios.
The discussion focused on a number of issues, many of which would require additional data collection: indirect job creation and job destruction under different policy options; the effect of the crisis on employment; shifts in skills needs; comparisons to studies predicting large increases in ‘green jobs’; the likelihood of scenarios under current investment decisions.The social partnersreconfirmed their commitment to the just transition principles, includingthe effective management of skills needs.Mr Raytchev announced that he would circulate the executive summary of the study to the committee.
4. EU-OSHA workshop on Green jobs – information (DG EMPL) and discussion
Mr Van Rie (DG EMPL) presented the draft programme of a workshop on new and emerging occupational health and safety risks in the electricity sector, to be organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), presumably in March 2014 (see annex).
Ms Preiti (EURELECTRIC)welcomed the initiative, emphasizingthat this workshop could contribute to activities on skills transition.Mr Lefebvre (IndustriAll) strongly supported the workshop, butalso raised concerns that the Commission was lowering its commitment to health and safety. In reply, Mr Van Rie (DG EMPL)briefly outlined the Commission’s position: it is fully aware that legislation on health and safety at work is a basis for the good quality of work and life in Europe. Given that such legislation could introduce constraints to business development, the Commission is committed to finding the right balance. It is willing to maintain a permanent dialogue with social partners on these issues and to involve them in the assessments as appropriate. The proposed workshop could make a contribution to this agenda.
5. Discussion of a joint position on the 2030 Framework for Energy and Climate Policies
In reply to the draft joint position presented by trade unions earlier that week, Ms Preiti (EURELECTRIC)wished to assess the proposed text in further detail. It was agreed that the social partners would continue their exchanges, with the aim of finalizing the text as soon as possible.Mr Van Rie (DG EMPL)notedthat social partners’ joint positions regarding Commission initiatives are most effective at early stages of policy development (particularly during consultation phase).
6. Corporate Social Responsibility - Proposal for follow up activity
EURELECTRIC informed the committee that it generally agreed withthe draft circulated by trade unions. Further discussions related to two outstanding issues: i) the paragraph on tax evasion, tax avoidance and tax havens; ii)reference to trade union rights and national collective bargaining praxis. It was agreed that social partners would continue their exchanges in view of adopting a joint position.
7. Joint Framework of Actions on Competencies - Progress reports
As follow-up to the Joint framework adopted in March 2013, the social partners reported on initiatives at national level (including Latvia, Italy and Sweden). The Chairman encouraged the members to continue promoting the framework at the national level and to identify further best practices. The social partners agreed to discuss follow-up at the next Working Group meeting of 3 March 2014, in view of developing the annual report by June 2014.
8. Work Programme 2013-2014 - update
EURELECTRIC informed the committee that under current conditions, it did not support establishing a sectoral skills council. Rather, it would prefer to approach the subject of skills transition through different initiatives.
The trade unions looked forward to pursuing joint work on skills with the employers. The social partners informed the Commission of their wish to organize an extra meeting day in the second semester of 2014 to discuss skills, competencies and just transition.
9. Election of Chairperson 2014
Thanking Mr Bernd Frieg for his chairmanship in 2013, the committee appointed Mr Christian Nikel as its new Chairman for 2014.
10. Sector Skills Councils Projects – reaction of national observatories and report from workgroup
The issue was discussed under point 8 of the agenda.
11. Energy Community – Creation of a Working Group on Social Dialogue
Mr Goudriaan (EPSU) reported there had not been any reply to the joint letter of March 2013 addressed to the Ministerial Council of the Energy Community. In reply tothe request for further support,the Commissionencouraged the social partners to organizea working group,in view of the next Social Forum meeting of June 2014.
12. Letter to DG Energy following up on presentation on nuclear safety
The Chairman informed the committee that agreed joint letter had been sent to the Commission on 13 November.
13. Letter to DG Energy following up on presentation on Energy Technologies and Innovation
The Chairman informed the social partners that the agreed joint letter would be sent out shortly.
14. AOB
-The social partners, in liaison with the Commission, jointly agreed on the following meeting agenda for 2014:
3 MarchWorking Group
13 June Working Group
11 September Plenary meeting
1 December Working group
-The trade unions’ representativesexpresseda number of concerns regarding the future of the European social dialogue.These concerns relatedto three main issues: i) the social partners’ agreement in the personal services sectors; ii)the future health and safety strategy at the European level iii)the availability of resources for social dialogue meetings.Mr Van Rie briefly presented the Commission’s approach with reference to the REFIT Communication of 2 October.
The workers representatives invited the employers to develop a joint letter to the Commission on these topics. The social partners agreed to liaise at secretariat level.
-Mr Van Rie (DG EMPL) informed the committee about an upcoming Commission Communication on job creation in the green economy, planned for 2014. He announced an information session on 6 December 2013. The Commission invited the social partners to develop and communicate joint views on their role in this initiative.
Annex: Draft programme EU-OSHA workshop
Green jobs, new risks?
Workshop on new and emerging occupational health and safety risks
in the electricity sector
This workshop intends to bring together experts and social partners to explore new and emerging risks to health and safety in the electricity sector. The event builds on EU-OSHA’s project “Green jobs and occupational safety and health: Foresight on new and emerging risks associated with new technologies by 2020”.
Greening the economy represents a fundamental transformation of the electricity sector, and a key challenge for its workers and employers. A joint study by the European social partners[1] for the sector concluded that the transition towards a low carbon economy will have major consequences for job content and skills needs.
To manage these changes effectively, European workers' and employers' representatives advocate a 'just transition'. This can be seen as a shift towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy, based on social dialogue between governments, employers and trade unions, in a way that promotes high economic growth and investments in low-carbon technologies, while ensuring a smooth social transition through adaptation and mitigation actions as well as through the development of skilling and reskilling programs (or just new skills) and the creation of quality jobs.
With its focus on occupational health and safety risks, the workshop aims to make a key contribution to this agenda.
During the morning sessions, participants will explore the changing context of the electricity sector. With a horizon of 2020, they will build alternative scenarios for economic growth and green values, as key determinants of the sector's future development. This session will also address sector-specific economic developments, such as decentralised generation of electricity. Next, participants will consider the implications of technological innovation in electricity. New developments in energy generation (wind farms, photovoltaic cells, bio-energy), storage (batteries), transmission and distribution (smart grids) have the potential to transform the sector.
The afternoon is dedicated to health and safety risks and their policy implications. First, participants will consider the physical, chemical, biological and psycho-social risks that can emerge or develop in alternative scenarios. Next, they will explore policy options, including risk assessment, prevention and education and training. To conclude the workshop, social partners will discuss the role of social dialogue in managing risks, and explore prospects for joint actions.
Green jobs, new risks?
Workshop on new and emerging occupational health and safety risks
in the electricity sector
Programme
09:00-09:10 / Welcome and introduction09:10-10:30 / A sector in flux
Economic growth, green values, decentralisation
Presentations by EU-OSHA experts
Group exercise: scenario building – the future of the electricity sector
10:30-10:50 / Coffee break
10:50-12:30 / Technological change
Energy generation, storage, transmission and distribution
Presentations by EU-OSHA experts
Group exercise: scenario building (ii) – the future of energy technologies
12:30-13:30 / Lunch break
13:30-14:50 / Health and safety
New and emerging risks, physical, chemical, biological and psycho-social
Presentation by EU-OSHA
Groupdiscussion, based on scenario's
14:50-15:10 / Coffee break
15:10-16:20 / Policy response
Exploring prevention, risk assessment, education and training options
Group discussion followed by plenary debate
16:20-17:30 / Social dialogue
The role of social partners in managing risks, prospects for joint actions
Panel debate by social partners
Discussion
To promote interaction and debate, the number of participants will be limited to 30.
1
[1]ADAPT International & Syndex (2011) Towards a low carbon electricity industry: employment effects and opportunities for the social partners. Study commissioned by EPSU-Eurelectric-EMCEF.