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30.4.2013 Official
Journal
of
the
European
Union L
118/21
DECISIONS
COUNCIL DECISION
of 22 April 2013
on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States
(2013/208/EU)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
guidelines for implementing the Europe 2020 strategy.
Five headline targets, listed under the relevant integrated
guidelines, constitute shared objectives which guide the
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
action of the Member States, taking into account their
Union, and in particular Article 148(2) thereof,
relative starting positions and national circumstances as
well as the positions and circumstances of the Union.
The European Employment Strategy plays the leading
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
role in the implementation 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
of the European Council of 17 June 2010. They give
Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and
precise guidance to the Member States on defining
Social Committee ( 2 ),
their national reform programmes and on implementing
reforms. The employment guidelines should form the
basis for any country-specific recommendations that the
After consulting the Committee of the Regions,
Council may address to the Member States under
Article 148(4) of the TFEU, in parallel with the
country-specific recommendations addressed to the
Having regard to the opinion of the Employment Committee,
Member States under Article 121(2) of the TFEU. The
employment guidelines should also form the basis for
the establishment of the Joint Employment Report sent
Whereas:
annually by the Council and the Commission to the
European Council.
(1)
Article 145 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the
European Union (TFEU) provides that the Member
States and the Union are to work towards developing a
(4) The
examination
of
the
Member
States’
draft
national
coordinated strategy for employment and particularly for
reform programmes, contained in the Joint Employment
promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce and
Report adopted by the Council on 28 February 2013,
labour markets responsive to economic change with a
shows that Member States should continue to make
view to achieving the objectives defined in Article 3 of
every effort to address the following priorities: increasing
the Treaty on European Union.
labour market participation and reducing structural

unemployment, developing a skilled workforce
responding to labour market needs and promoting job
quality and lifelong learning, improving the performance
(2) The
Europe
2020
strategy
proposed
by
the
Commission
enables the Union to turn its economy towards smart,
of education and training systems at all levels and
sustainable and inclusive growth, accompanied by high
increasing participation in tertiary education, promoting
level employment, productivity and social cohesion. On
social inclusion and combating poverty.
13 July 2010, the Council adopted its Recommendation
on broad guidelines for the economic policies of the
Member States and of the Union ( 3 ). Furthermore, on
(5) The
employment
guidelines
adopted
in
2010
should
21 October 2010, the Council adopted its Decision
remain stable until 2014 to ensure a focus on their
2010/707/EU on guidelines for the employment
implementation. Until the end of 2014, any updating
policies of the Member States ( 4 ) (‘employment guide
of the employment guidelines should remain strictly
lines’). Those sets of guidelines form the integrated
limited. In 2011 and 2012, the employment guidelines
were maintained. They should be maintained for 2013.
( 1 ) Opinion of 6 February 2013 (not yet published in the Official
Journal).
( 2 ) Opinion of 13 February 2013 (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 guide
( 4 ) OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46.
lines,

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L 118/22
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
30.4.2013
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 maintained for 2013 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 Luxembourg, 22 April 2013.
For the Council
The President
S. COVENEY

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Document Outline

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