(8 February 2010) The European Commission has commissioned a study on the effects of opening the markets for electricity and gas in the Energy Community Countries. It is a study that is similar as the one done for the EU in 2007 (EcoTec).

The study is the result of pressure of EPSU in the European social dialogue electricity and in gas. Together with the employers we have asked the Commission to undertake this study. The study will help us to underline the major issues of concern, such as lack of social dialogue, risk of outsourcing and impact on employment. The European Social partners (EUrelectric, Eurogas for the employers) are part of the Steering Group that assists the European Commission.

This study has been commissioned to the Vienna Institute for International Economic studies (www.wiiw.ac.at). It will be presented at the next (3rd) Social Forum, probably to take place in September or October.

The Steering group met 5 February 2010, Brussels