Council of the European Union: Ministers examine 'good work'

EU employment and social affairs ministers met in Berlin on 18-20 January 2007 for an informal meeting called by the German presidency to discuss the issue of "good work", which is linked to the topical "flexicurity" debate (see Council of the European Union: German presidency priorities ) and a central theme of the presidency. The informal council meeting was also attended by ministers from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and EU candidate countries (Croatia and Turkey). European Commission members, MEPs and representatives of trade unions, employers' organisations and non-governmental organisations were also involved in the event.

For the German presidency, "good work" means "employee rights and participation, fair wages, protection of safety and health at work as well as a family-friendly work organisation".