10 January 1994

Doc. 6987

1403-6/1/94-2-E

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

on the need for a concerted European policy on working time1

presented by Mr SCHWIMMER and others

1.       Europe-wide initatives on working time conditions are needed against the background of persistent and often stubbornly rising unemployment affecting a large part of the active population, and also to bridge the differing priorities of employers and employees.

2.       Employment and its rewards determine the life and material conditions of the majority of the populations in Council of Europe member countries. The shaping of working time arrangements is of great importance to family life, access to culture and further education, and to the health of employees. At the same time it influences labour costs and competitiveness.

3.       The Assembly in view of the above holds that:

i.       legislation on working time arrangements should primarily aim at avoiding unemployment and preserving competitiveness;

ii.       working time arrangements should offer employees maximum opportunity to promote family life, and participation in education and cultural activities. The goal of flexible working hours should therefore be to ensure employees the greatest possible sovereignty over their time;

iii.       working time arrangements which are harmful to employees' health should be avoided, and necessary time for rest and recovery must be assured;

iv.       flexible working hours should be used to spread out better over time work of varying intensity;

v.       employer and employee organisations in Europe should be encouraged to establish common guidelines in order to:

      a.       consider a more joint approach concerning working time arrangements in Europe;

      b.       do their utmost to carry out working time reductions in such a way as to maintain or improve competitiveness;

      c.       and above all, to distribute work so as to permit the millions of currently unemployed people to be given meaningful occupation again.

Signed:       Schwimmer, Gusenbauer, Holtz, Davis, Paire, König, Rehn, Verspaget, Lanner, Durrieu, Schieder, Fuhrmann, Hunault

1 ¹This text only represents the views of the individual members who have signed it. It does not reflect a position adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly.