The meeting was attended by the chief officers of national organisations representing commercial sectors who are full members of EuroCommerce, the European Federation of Retail, Wholesale and Trade Organisations and general secretaries of the trade unions representing employees in the commercial sector organised by UNI-Europe Commerce.

Under discussion was the impact of enlargement on commerce in the internal market and the direct impact on employers and employees in this sector. The participation themes dealt with included:

• The implementation of the Services Directive;

• The formulation of acceptable statistics for the better management of employment relations in commerce;

• Working conditions in the enlarged internal market;

• The social economic situation of Commerce and links with European Social Dialogue;

• The campaign for the promotion of safe and positive working environment dealing with violence at the retail workplace and abusive customer behaviour.

These sessions are part of the EU Commission programme to involve social partners in deliberation on issues under discussion at Commission level prior to progress towards approval by the EU Parliament.