[Maastricht European social policy with special reference to questions concerning rehabilitation and disability topics]

A protocol annexed to the Maastricht Treaty of 7 February 1992, the agreement on social policy is instrumental in upgrading European social policy and in making it an integral part of the policy of the European Union. It is on the one hand oriented toward appropriate provisions to protect workers in the various EU member countries against disadvantage arising from developments in the economic sector, but on the other also seeks to counter the high level of unemployment currently at hand by fostering concrete action. European social policy, hence, is emphasizing employment policy initiatives including action aimed at occupational and social integration of disabled people, such as the HELIOS II action programme or the "Employment HORIZON" Community initiative. The Commission's notions of European social policy development in the forthcoming 1995-1999 period have been presented in the White Paper "European social policy, a way forward for the Union". The proposals contained in this White Paper are to be embodied in 1995 in a work programme of the European Commission.