European Union: Social policy state of play

The first half of 2006, under the Austrian presidency of the council of ministers, has seen: the adoption of the proposal on exposure of workers to optical radiation; the adoption of the Regulation to harmonise social legislation in road transport; and agreement, pending final adoption, of the proposal to recast seven Directives in the equality field. However, the council failed to reach agreement on the proposal to revise the working time Directive.