The European Commission this week has presented two Directive proposals, which might be in particularly unpleasant for well-heeled bad sees among tax payers. The objective is to significantly improve cross-border administrative cooperation.

A report of the Commission, published on 3rd February emphasises the importance of social partners in Europe. The structured dialogue between employers’ and labour representatives does not only reduce social inequalities in society, but can also make a major contribution in helping to cushion the effects of the financial crisis.

Demand-side impulses in the crisis yes, but then again eager supply-side structural reforms. That is the credo of the Commission, which has now accepted the updated country-specific reports and recommendations on the basis of the Lisbon Strategy.

The foundation for a new cooperation was laid during the latest meeting of EU officials with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. Among others, the signed agreements cover the improvements of working conditions of mine workers in China.

The Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection has in a first debate criticised the new Commission proposal on Consumer rights. The draft directive provides for uniform Consumer rights at EU level. Partly at the expense of better - because more consumer friendly - national Consumer Protection Acts, according to most MEPs.

A demand which has been coming for many years from workers’ representatives is now finally entering a new phase. The Commission has initiated a public hearing on hedge funds.

In February 2008, the Council of the Member States and the European Parliament accepted the proposal of the Commission for a 3rd Postal Directive. The Directive provides a time frame according to which the full market opening of the postal sector has to be completed by 31st December 2010 (for some EU Member States by the end of 2012).

Due to its alleged abuse of the monopoly position of Standard & Poor’s (S&P), the European Commission is taking legal action against the rating agency.

 

AK urgently warns that a model for merging different EU consumer protection provisions based on full harmonisation would substantially lower the level of consumer protection at national level. For example the draft directive would bring a dramatic change for the worse as regards unfair contract terms. The objective of strengthening EU consumer protection is unsatisfactorily met with the proposed directive, needed efforts to update EU consumer protection are too little in evidence.

AK EUROPA demands clear, transparent and unambigious information