Metal sector: EMF-CEEMET

Following the successful cooperation between EMF and CEEMET (Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-Based Industries) in their joint “ad hoc” working group on skills shortages both organisations agreed to set up a permanent social dialogue structure.

Through their dialogue both organisations seek to contribute to creating and maintaining an environment that ensures a competitive manufacturing sector able to deliver high quality and sustainable employment. Equipping workforces and companies in the metal sectors to meet the challenges arising from globalization and the need to cope with ever faster technological and organizational changes is of vital importance in this context.

Sectoral level: steel

The social dialogue in the steel sector is developing on two levels. After the expiry of the ECSC Treaty the activities of the Consultative Committee are to be transferred into the reformed Ecosoc. The Mixed Committee Steel is to be developed into a sectoral social dialogue structure on the basis of the Commission communication. Close cooperation with Eurofer is the basis for continuing the close relationship between the social partners in steel established over 50 years ago.

Sectoral level: shipbuilding

The European Social Dialogue Committee on shipbuilding and ship repair was formed in September 2003. Its development followed the successful cooperation between EMF and CESA (Community of European Shipyards’ Associations) of previous years and has been institutionalised under the auspices of the European Commission.

The social dialogue in the shipbuilding sector is conducted on the basis of a joint work programme and has concentrated on the issues of managing industrial change, education and training, workers mobility and the sector’s image and future industrial perspectives.

nepSi - Agreement on respirable silica

Signature of the Agreement on Workers Health protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products containing it.

An important agreement has been concluded for the prevention of risks and the protection of workers exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica (CRS).
The agreement will directly affect the workers of a number of European industry sectors including the European foundry sector for which the EMF and its affiliated members negotiated. As such it is the first European agreement that has been negotiated for a branch of the metal sector. The agreed measures and principles should make a major contribution to preventing or minimizing exposure to CRS and thus effectively protecting the health and improving the quality of working life of all workers exposed to the substance at the workplace. The agreement gives concrete sector-specific guidance on the practical application of the safe handling of the substance.

The agreement was signed at an official ceremony on 25 April 2006.