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Fri, May 24 2013
Guarantee that Sundays will be work-free, EU leaders urged
A restoration expert works on a mural at the 10th century CE Boyana church, near Bulgaria's capital city Sofia, July 2006.
As a matter of principle, all citizens of the European Union should be entitled to a work-free Sunday, a group of more than 70 organisations including churches, trade unions and civil organisations is urging EU authorities.
The call was made ahead of a meeting at the European Parliament for the first European Conference on a Work-Free Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Conference of European Churches.
Members of the Conference of European Churches include about 120 Orthodox Christian, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations.
"The protection of a work-free Sunday is of paramount importance for workers’ health, for the reconciliation of work and family life as well as for the life of civil society as a whole," according to a statement addressed to EU heads of state and government, the European Parliament, European Commission and "all European citizens".
"This common weekly day of rest serves to strengthen social cohesion in our societies, a cohesion so severely undermined by the current economic crisis," the statement said.
Rüdiger Noll, Director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches, told the March 24 2010 conference: "More than any other day of the week, a free Sunday offers the opportunity to be with one’s family and friends.
"Common free time is an important precondition for a participatory society, which allows its members to engage in civil activities," Noll said.
The statement qualified its call by saying, "of course, this does not exclude exceptions necessary for the provision of essential services, nor does it prejudice the important role of social partners in the negotiation of collective agreements".
EU heads of state and government, who are to meet for their spring summit, were urged to "firmly resist the growing economic pressure to liberalise the laws providing for a work-free Sunday and to commit themselves to safeguard and promote a work-free Sunday as a pillar of the European Social Model within the laws of their respective nations".
The statement concluded "we call upon all European citizens to sign a future Citizens’ Initiative to be expressed in favour of the protection of a work-free Sunday".
Separately, the European Commission said on March 24 that it had requested the views of workers' and employers' representatives on the options for reviewing EU rules on working time.
"The first stage consultation asks the European social partners at whether action is needed at EU level on the Working Time Directive and what scope it should take," the European Commission said.
This represents the first step towards a comprehensive review of the directive and comes after previous attempts to revisit the existing legislation reached an impasse in April 2009.
László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion said: "The failure to reach an agreement on revising the working time legislation last year does not mean the problems around the existing rules have gone away.
"We still need to find a balanced solution that addresses the real needs of workers, businesses and consumers in the 21st century," he said.
"We need a comprehensive review of the rules based on a thorough impact assessment with a strong social dimension. Today we invite the social partners to reflect broadly on this crucial issue and to come forward with innovative proposals that move beyond unsuccessful debates of the past," Andor said.
In 2004, the European Commission put forward a proposal to amend the directive, following wide consultations.
The proposal aimed to tackle a series of problems left unsolved by the existing legislation and case law of the European Court of Justice, namely to clarify the Directive's application to on-call time in certain sectors of work; to give more flexibility in calculating weekly working time; and to review the individual opt-out from the 48-hour limit.
However, in April 2009, government representatives and the European Parliament concluded they could not reach agreement on the proposal, despite lengthy negotiations.
In the meantime, other issues have been added to the debate, reflecting fundamental changes in the world of work over the past 20 years.
For example, average weekly working hours in the EU have fallen from 39 hours in 1990 to 37.8 hours in 2006 and the share of part-time workers in the workforce increased from 14 per cent in 1992 to 18.8 per cent in 2009.
"There is also more and more variation in individuals' working time over the year and over working life, reflecting more emphasis on work-life balance measures such as flexitime and time credit systems, as well as increasing workers' autonomy in parallel with the expansion of the knowledge-based economy," the European Commission said.
As a result, the Commission said, it is planning a comprehensive review of the existing working time rules, starting with a thorough evaluation of the current provisions and issues in their application, before considering the different options to address these issues.
"The review will be shaped by a set of policy objectives, including protecting workers' health and safety, improving balance between work and private life, giving businesses and workers flexibility without adding unnecessary administrative burdens for enterprises, especially SMEs."
The first stage consultation of social partners is an important first step towards such a comprehensive review of the Working Time Directive.
The social partners have six weeks to make their views known to the Commission, the EC said.
In parallel to the consultations, the European Commission will carry out an extensive impact assessment, including an examination of the legal application of the directive in the member states and a study of the social and economic aspects that are pertinent to a comprehensive review of the directive, the Commission said.
The call was made ahead of a meeting at the European Parliament for the first European Conference on a Work-Free Sunday, according to a statement issued by the Conference of European Churches.
Members of the Conference of European Churches include about 120 Orthodox Christian, Protestant, Anglican and Old Catholic Churches from all countries of Europe, plus 40 associated organisations.
"The protection of a work-free Sunday is of paramount importance for workers’ health, for the reconciliation of work and family life as well as for the life of civil society as a whole," according to a statement addressed to EU heads of state and government, the European Parliament, European Commission and "all European citizens".
"This common weekly day of rest serves to strengthen social cohesion in our societies, a cohesion so severely undermined by the current economic crisis," the statement said.
Rüdiger Noll, Director of the Church and Society Commission of the Conference of European Churches, told the March 24 2010 conference: "More than any other day of the week, a free Sunday offers the opportunity to be with one’s family and friends.
"Common free time is an important precondition for a participatory society, which allows its members to engage in civil activities," Noll said.
The statement qualified its call by saying, "of course, this does not exclude exceptions necessary for the provision of essential services, nor does it prejudice the important role of social partners in the negotiation of collective agreements".
EU heads of state and government, who are to meet for their spring summit, were urged to "firmly resist the growing economic pressure to liberalise the laws providing for a work-free Sunday and to commit themselves to safeguard and promote a work-free Sunday as a pillar of the European Social Model within the laws of their respective nations".
The statement concluded "we call upon all European citizens to sign a future Citizens’ Initiative to be expressed in favour of the protection of a work-free Sunday".
Separately, the European Commission said on March 24 that it had requested the views of workers' and employers' representatives on the options for reviewing EU rules on working time.
"The first stage consultation asks the European social partners at whether action is needed at EU level on the Working Time Directive and what scope it should take," the European Commission said.
This represents the first step towards a comprehensive review of the directive and comes after previous attempts to revisit the existing legislation reached an impasse in April 2009.
László Andor, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion said: "The failure to reach an agreement on revising the working time legislation last year does not mean the problems around the existing rules have gone away.
"We still need to find a balanced solution that addresses the real needs of workers, businesses and consumers in the 21st century," he said.
"We need a comprehensive review of the rules based on a thorough impact assessment with a strong social dimension. Today we invite the social partners to reflect broadly on this crucial issue and to come forward with innovative proposals that move beyond unsuccessful debates of the past," Andor said.
In 2004, the European Commission put forward a proposal to amend the directive, following wide consultations.
The proposal aimed to tackle a series of problems left unsolved by the existing legislation and case law of the European Court of Justice, namely to clarify the Directive's application to on-call time in certain sectors of work; to give more flexibility in calculating weekly working time; and to review the individual opt-out from the 48-hour limit.
However, in April 2009, government representatives and the European Parliament concluded they could not reach agreement on the proposal, despite lengthy negotiations.
In the meantime, other issues have been added to the debate, reflecting fundamental changes in the world of work over the past 20 years.
For example, average weekly working hours in the EU have fallen from 39 hours in 1990 to 37.8 hours in 2006 and the share of part-time workers in the workforce increased from 14 per cent in 1992 to 18.8 per cent in 2009.
"There is also more and more variation in individuals' working time over the year and over working life, reflecting more emphasis on work-life balance measures such as flexitime and time credit systems, as well as increasing workers' autonomy in parallel with the expansion of the knowledge-based economy," the European Commission said.
As a result, the Commission said, it is planning a comprehensive review of the existing working time rules, starting with a thorough evaluation of the current provisions and issues in their application, before considering the different options to address these issues.
"The review will be shaped by a set of policy objectives, including protecting workers' health and safety, improving balance between work and private life, giving businesses and workers flexibility without adding unnecessary administrative burdens for enterprises, especially SMEs."
The first stage consultation of social partners is an important first step towards such a comprehensive review of the Working Time Directive.
The social partners have six weeks to make their views known to the Commission, the EC said.
In parallel to the consultations, the European Commission will carry out an extensive impact assessment, including an examination of the legal application of the directive in the member states and a study of the social and economic aspects that are pertinent to a comprehensive review of the directive, the Commission said.
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Rich,
I just found your note place to click. Thank you for keeping us informed as to what is going on. I will look for this kind of info from now on.
Sestadienis ir yra sestasdienis, kaip ir DIEVO nurodyta. Bet matau, kad ES isminties neegzistuoja.
The commandment of our Creator says clearly to rest the seventh day. The problem is that one cannot find the seventh day unless one uses the Biblical calendar which is revealed in Exodus.
Sunday is the "Mark" of authority of the Catholic Church, this is where se asserts an authority that only belongs to our Creator, unmistakeably identifying herself as the Antichrist power. Any allegiance to her, by obeying her commands honours her and shows worship to the Beast.
Rev 14:9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, [...]
Read the full comment If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
Anyone receiving this dreadfull mark is in for a lot of trouble. Here's the evidence that it refers the keeping of the commandments which includes keeping the correct sabbath and not the false sabbath aka sunday.
(talking about the commandments)
Exo 13:16 And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.
If you want to receive the seal of your Creator, keep the commandments and the seventh day sabbath by His calendar and not the pagan counterfeit which was instituted almost 2 milenaia ago and adjusted 500 years ago.
The war called Armageddon is one of worship. The calendar and it's corresponding "worship days" an "hollidays" vs "Holy Days" determines what deity you worship. Lucifer through his Papal system or your Creator. Time is running out those who will survive both have the testimony of Yahushua and keept the commandments.
Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The so called NWO is alied to Lucifer so please, please don't be mistaken about this, the WRITING IS ON THE WALL. Here's one last quote that I'd like to leave you with that reflects perfectly how this fits in with a definate Agenda.
“No one will enter the New World Order unless he or she will make a pledge to worship Lucifer. No one will enter the New Age unless he will take a Luciferian Initiation.”
David Spangler, Director of Planetary Initiative, United Nations
Please repent and put your trust in your Creator:
Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Please repent, ask for forgiveness tot he Father in Yahushua's name and let your Creator do the rest.
EX 20:8-11
Europeans need to remember the French Revolution and the watch words Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.This is religious tyranny.
Why not a work free saturday?
The 4th of the Ten commandments I know says to keep the seventh day holy and to rest that day, not the first
Sunday Observance is the Mark of the Beast int the Revelation chapter 13in the bible....it is belong to antichrist...the 666....mystery babylon the great, the mother of harlot....who cause all nation to drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication through Sunday observance....."if anyone worship the beast and his image, and received the mark on his forehead or in his right hand, he too shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God in full strength without mixture of mercy into the cup of his indignation, and he shall be tormented in the presence of the holy angels [...]
Read the full comment and of the Lamb, and the smoke of his torment shall rise forever and ever, there is no rest day or night .
This is obvious that our religious freedoms are on being put "on hold" indefinitely. So many Saboteurs sitting around being complacent, not taking any notice. Sunday Laws will be enacted in America next. If this is not enough evidence of our Savior's soon return, then I don't know what is. Pray for America. Our beloved America.
This is obvious that our religious freedoms are on to "on hold" indefinitely. So many Saboteurs sitting around being complacent, not taking notice. Sunday Law will be enacted in America next. If this is not enough evidence of our Savior's soon return, then I don't know what is. Pray for America. Our beloved America.
Бог покоился в 7 день от дел? Да. Вот и поступайте так же. А название дня, никакой роли тут играть не может.
.....SUNDAY LAW IS COMING SOON!
Person ne discute qu’ il faut adopter une jour à repos parmi chaque semaine. Le Dieu soi-même a installé samedie comme cette jour à repos. Pourqoi est-ce même l’église repousse la loi de Dieu?
Никто не спорит с тем, что один день в неделю должен быть свободным от работы. Самим Богом установлено, что это должна быть суббота. Почему даже церковь ОТВЕРГАЕТ Закон Божий?
Ominoous indeed. This is but another step toward the "church" regaining control of all worship, i.e. compelling all to worship on Sunday, a day to worship of man's creation, rather than the Sabbath, the day God set aside at creation for all mankind to worship. There will come a time when those of us who choose to worship on the Sabbath will be persecuted and killed for choosing to honor God and His commandments instead of man's and this is but another step in that direction. It almost happened in the US in 1888 and failed by one vote. When [...]
Read the full comment it does happen, be sure that the plagues of God are soon to come, and His return is even closer than we think. Do we have the charater of God yet, or are we sitting on our duffs full of self-assurance and confidence that we don't have to do anything in order for God to take us home when He comes. These events are but warning signs allowed by God to fulfill prophecy and serve as a motivator of our need to indeed develop His character before He comes for many think they got it and won't make it because they chose to ignore God's warnings. I hope that anyone who reads this won't be one of those.
Once again, our inalienable right to freedom of conscience and religion are once again on the stakes to be burned as those who died for these very same freedoms before.
any legislation regulating the work time is debilitating and ridiculous. there is no sense in this idea what so ever
As if the 35 hour work week wasn't enough. lol. This should guarantee Europe's continued economic demise.
The right of every individual to choose which day to observe, or whether to observe none, is out the window. This is very ominous - it shows clearly that liberty of conscience, which became ours at the cost of much suffering and blood, is no longer respected. Whenever the church obtains political power she uses it to punish dissent from her dogmas.