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Social Dialogue - 08.12.2016

New guidelines for fair integration of migrants in the labour market
Integrating migrants in the labour market can be a real challenge for local governments. CEMR and the European Public Service Union (EPSU) have just approved and adopted joint guidelines that support strengthening anti-discrimination measures in local and regional governments.

These guidelines recognise how important the inclusion of migrants in the labour market is as part of inclusion in society as a whole. Towns and regions in all of Europe will be able to benefit from these guidelines.

The guidelines were adopted during the plenary meeting of the European Social Dialogue Committee on Monday 5 December 2016. Representing CEMR, the co-chair of the Social Dialogue Committee, Malin Looberger, was present; alongside the representative from EPSU and other Social Dialogue Committee co-chair, Mads Samsing.

The joint guidelines are available in seven languages.
Public services - 11.06.2015

CEMR experts meet with EU Commission on 'public procurement’ and ‘concessions’ directives
On 11 June, members of the expert group on public services met with representatives from the European Commission to exchange on the latest developments regarding the transposition of the ‘public procurement’ and ‘concessions’ directives, which was passed in 2014.

Given their crucial impact on local and regional governments, CEMR has been actively involved in this process. Public procurements indeed constitute more than 15% of the EU GDP and offer strategic solutions to fulfil their public service missions. This naturally led the European Commission to reaffirm its willingness to pursue exchanges and collaboration with the CEMR and its member associations.

Members of the expert group also reported on the TTIP talks and the outook for state aid and VAT rules developments.

See also: CEMR's position on TTIP
Public Procurement - 16.04.2015

Call for applications for the selection of experts in public procurement
The European Commission has launched a new call for applications to set up a stakeholders expert group on public procurement. The group’s main mission will be providing the Commission with high-quality legal, economic, technical and/or practical insight and expertise to help it shape the EU’s public procurement policy.

The deadline for application is Saturday 25 April.
Public services - 12.03.2015

Tender specifications for research on new forms of service delivery for municipalities
Alongside our partners from the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) we launch a tender specification to provide background briefing documents and expertise on issues related to the European Semester. More particularly, this call for tender focuses on the theme of news forms of service delivery for municipalities, the contribution of social dialogue and good practice for well-being at work.
Economic and Monetary Union - 16.11.2013

CEMR reacts to Commission’s Communication on the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union

In this reaction, CEMR supports the Commission’s reinforcement of the social dimension in economic and monetary policies. CEMR calls on the Commission to provide further analysis and clarity on its intentions on strengthening this dimension in the Economic and Monetary Union. The full reaction is available in English.
Health and safety - 30.09.2013

CEMR releases joint response on health and safety in the workplace

This position paper stresses the role of local and national levels when addressing risks related to work and working conditions. Our joint response also provides an overview of the main challenges being faced by the public sector in addressing occupational safety and health (OSH) in the workplace, and calls on the next European Strategy on OSH to address these challenges. Available in English.
State aid - 26.09.2013

CEMR releases position paper on state aid to airports and airlines

CEMR has issued a response to the European Commission consultation on the draft EU guidelines on state aid to airports and airlines. CEMR maintains that EU State aid policy should not be a tool to curb regional development and economic growth. The complete publication is available in English.
State aid - 27.08.2013

“A step in the right direction - but further simplification is needed” responds CEMR in its new position paper on the consultation on the General Block Exemption Regulation

CEMR has responded to the 1st and 2nd consultation on the General Block Exemption Regulation. We welcome the Commission’s proposal to exempt some services from this requirement – e.g., aid for research and innovation or aid for disadvantaged workers. However, we ask the Commission to also exempt other activities linked to heritage, culture, sport and tourism.

The publication is available in English and French.