CEEP: “Public services are essential for well-functioning labour markets”

Ralf Resch, General Secretary of CEEP, presented this key message at the meeting of the
European social partners with the European Ministers of Employment and Social Security in
Sopot today.

The Polish Presidency devoted the meeting to a discussion about pro-active employment
policies.

Mr Resch underlined the important role public services have for improvements in the
functioning of the labour markets, and for societies in general. “This clear message should be
reflected in European and national policies and budgets.”

Mr Resch also highlighted the positive role that European social dialogue plays in shaping the
labour market. In this respect, he stressed the readiness of public services employers to
negotiate a revision of the working time directive. Only a negotiated solution can indeed
lead to well-functioning labour markets performing under modern and flexible working time
patterns.

For further information, please contact:
Valeria RONZITTI, Director of CEEP - tel. +32 (0) 2 219 27 98

CEEP gathers enterprises and organisations from across Europe, both public and private, at national, regional and local
level, which are public employers or providers of services of general interest. CEEP members employ a quarter of the EU
workforce; CEEP is one of the three European Social Partners.