Press Release: EU promotes decent work at home and abroad

The EU Council has endorsed European Commission proposals to strengthen EU policies, actions and programmes so as to promote decent work both within the Union and worldwide. Decent work – which covers more and better jobs with welfare protection, equal opportunities and social dialogue – can help developing countries fight poverty. Improving working and living conditions can also help EU Member States better confront the challenges of globalisation, technological progress and demographic change. The first EU-level conference on effectively implementing decent work through EU internal and external policies, including employment and social affairs, development and trade, will take place in Brussels on 4-5 December 2006.