HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"L 138/56
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
26.5.2011
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION
of 19 May 2011
on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States
(2011/308/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
together form the integrated guidelines for implementing
the Europe 2020 Strategy. Five headline targets, listed
under the relevant integrated guidelines, constitute
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
shared objectives which guide the action of the
Union, and in particular Article 148(2) thereof,
Member States, taking into account their relative
starting positions and national circumstances, and also
guide the action of the Union. The European
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Employment Strategy plays a leading role in the imple
mentation of the employment and labour market
objectives of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ( 1 ),
(3) The
integrated
guidelines
are
in
line
with
the
conclusions
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
of the European Council of 17 June 2010. The integrated
Social Committee ( 2 ),
guidelines give precise guidance to the Member States on
defining their National Reform Programmes and on
implementing reforms, reflecting interdependence and
Having consulted the Committee of the Regions,
in line with the Stability and Growth Pact. The
employment guidelines should form the basis for any
country-specific recommendations that the Council may
Having regard to the opinion of the Employment Committee,
address to the Member States under Article 148(4) of the
TFEU, in parallel with the country-specific recommen
dations addressed to the Member States under
Whereas:
Article 121(4) of that Treaty. The employment guidelines
should also form the basis for the establishment of the
Joint Employment Report sent annually by the Council
(1)
Article 145 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
and the Commission to the European Council.
European Union (TFEU) provides that Member States
and the Union are to work towards developing a coor
dinated strategy for employment and particularly for
(4) The
examination
of
the
Member
States’
draft
National
promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce
Reform Programmes, contained in the Joint Employment
and labour markets responsive to economic change
Report adopted by the Council on 7 March 2011, shows
with a view to achieving the objectives defined in
that Member States should continue to make every effort
Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union.
to address the following priorities: increasing labour
market participation and reducing structural unem
ployment; developing a skilled workforce responding to
(2) The
Europe
2020
Strategy
proposed
by
the
Commission
labour market needs and promoting job quality and
enables the Union to turn its economy towards smart,
lifelong learning; improving the performance of
sustainable and inclusive growth, accompanied by high
education and training systems at all levels, and
level employment, productivity and social cohesion. On
increasing participation in tertiary education, promoting
13 July 2010, the Council adopted its Recommendation
social inclusion and combating poverty.
on broad guidelines for the economic policies of the
Member States and of the Union ( 3 ). Furthermore, on
21 October 2010, the Council adopted its Decision
(5) The
employment
guidelines
adopted
in
2010
should
2010/707/EU on guidelines for the employment
remain stable until 2014 to ensure a focus on their
policies of the Member States ( 4 ) (hereinafter referred to
implementation. In the intermediate years, until the end
as the ‘employment guidelines’). This set of guidelines
of 2014, their updating should continue to be strictly
limited.
( 1 ) Opinion of 17 February 2011 (not yet published in the Official
Journal).
( 2 ) Opinion of 16 February 2011 (not yet published in the Official
(6)
Member States should explore the use of the European
Journal).
( 3 ) OJ L 191, 23.7.2010, p. 28.
Social Fund when implementing the employment
( 4 ) OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46.
guidelines,

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EN
26.5.2011 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
138/57
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States, as set out in the Annex to Decision
2010/707/EU, are hereby maintained for 2011 and shall be taken into account by the Member States in
their employment policies.
Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 19 May 2011.
For the Council
The President
BALOG Z.

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