» SOCIAL AFFAIRS - THE HUMAN FACTOR Communication on Training and Recruitment The Communication adopted in April 2001 very largely reflected the proposals put to the Commission by ECSA, with the support of the unions, prior to publication. In the context of current and forecast shortages of officers in many EU countries, these included making greater use of the 1997 State Aid Guidelines and support for their extension; preserving EU maritime know-how; developing career paths and job content taking account of the maritime cluster; promoting EU funded research in a number of areas; considering the development of awareness campaigns to improve the image of shipping. ECSA advocated to work on these practical elements of the Communication that have common support. In the discussions between the social partners, the controversial 1998 proposed Manning Directive, to which reference was made in the Communication, was brought up again. Having been rejected by the Council in view of its controversial nature, it is evident that no progress was made. Notwithstanding the regrettable delay in the follow up to the Communication, the last few months have seen progress in that the social partners have decided to develop the areas on which there is consensus. Moreover, in a spirit of cooperation and while not contemplating the possibility of collective bargaining at EU level on wages, the social partners have agreed to discuss the underlying concerns of the unions in the area of employment on intra-EU passenger ferries. ECSA very much hopes that progress can be made in the coming year. The Social Dialogue In addition to discussing the Communication on Training and Recruitment, the social partners have established Working Groups on EU Enlargement and on Occupational Health and Safety. The discussions on the two important issues are primarily at the fact-finding stage. A consistent theme of the enlargement discussions was the need for all EU legislation to be not only transposed into the laws of applicant countries but also effectively applied as from accession. The newly established European Maritime Safety Agency and the EQUASIS database should have important roles in ensuring a satisfactory outcome in that regard. The Social Partners had the opportunity of reviewing and discussing the major issues being progressed in both the Transport and Employment Directorates on the occasion of the Sectoral Dialogue Plenary meeting in late March. ECSA continues to value such opportunities for open debate with both the unions and the Commission. Labour Standards – ILO taking the lead In the Commission’s White Paper on Transport Policy reference is made to maritime labour standards. It is consequently timely that the social partners on the international level are comprehensively addressing the issue in ILO, with a new all embracing Convention envisaged by 2005. ECSA very much supports this process as the way forward and, as with the 1996 ILO Convention on working time, believes that the Commission can have an important role in ensuring a successful conclusion.