Memo: Employment and Social Affairs Council, 17 December 2008, Brussels

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council will meet in Brussels on 16 and 17 December. The Employment and Social affairs items will be discussed on 17 December under the Presidency of Xavier Bertrand, French Minister for employment, social relations, family and solidarity. The European Commission will be represented by Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities. The main points on the agenda are the social impact of the financial crisis, an agreement on recasting the European Works Councils Directive and an update on the Working Time Directive negotiations.