25 April, 2011
In a first for the European chemical sector, the European Mine, Chemical, and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF) and the European Chemical Employers’ Group (ECEG) signed a framework agreement outlining job profiles for process operators and front-line supervisors.
Signed during a 15 April conference between the social partners that was held at the offices of CSC Bâtiment-Energie in Brussels, the agreement is termed “Competence Profiles for Process Operators and First Line Supervisors in the Chemical Industry.”
ECEG’s Simon Marsh, EMCEF’s Reinhard Reibsch, ECAG’s Jean Pelin
The pact defines a set of four minimum core competencies and training for both occupations and is described by EMCEF as “a strong example of how the trade unions and employers in the chemical sector have worked to help businesses and workforces through the global economic crisis and build a platform for sustainable growth.”
The agreement is set up to deliver equal quality and value of education and training across EU nations, and was negotiated to support the “Europe 2020” goals of the EU. It also references mobility across Europe in the chemical sector and establishes core competence benchmarks for national qualifications, national vocational education and training for both workers and managers in their human resource development. It also contains a principle encouraging dialogue between workers and companies on job design and development.
The framework compact says it is not an alternative to national provisions already underway in place, nor shall it impact collective bargaining agreements or remuneration levels in the European chemicals sector. Yearly reports on actions taken under the agreement will be presented to the sector’s social dialogue forum, and full evaluation will take place after three years.
The signing came during a day-long social partners’ conference entitled “Framework Agreement in the Field of Education, Training, and Lifelong Learning.” A panel on the topic of the agreement included Alfons de Potter of CSC Bâtiment-Energie, Belgium, and Jan Kilmes of Odborovy svaz ECHO of the Czech Republic.
Coincidentally, on the same day – 15 April – the European Metalworkers’ Federation and the Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-based Industries (CEEMET) issued a joint statement, both applauding the European Commission on recognising the importance of an industrial base and urging the body take further decisive action to strengthen that base in order to meet “Europe 2020.”
In part, the statement calls on the Commission to exhibit leadership and responsibility, urging strong coordination between the different Directorate Generals. “CEEMET and the EMF underline that there are strong links between industrial and social policy. Only sustainable competitive industries can create high quality jobs and an effective industrial policy fosters the social dimension of Europe.”
In addressing restructurings, the statement credits sector and company level decisions in finding temporary solutions to recent economic challenges. But it also states that in a quickly changing economic landscape, “there will still remain a need for rules on employment which provide sufficient adaptability and flexibility for companies to meet that chance.”