Swedish foreign affairs minister, Anna Lindh, presents Sweden's programme for its six-month presidency of the EU to the commission in Brussels on Friday. The programme, with a strong emphasis on employee rights, is set to fuel divisions within the union over the issue of directives on worker consultation and involvement.

The presidency commences on January 1 and will focus on the three "e"s of enlargement, employment and environment. Sweden's prime minister, Gran Persson, first presented the programme to his country's parliament, the Riksdag, on Thursday.

Whilst Sweden and the UK often found themselves allies in the Nice negotiations over the "red line" veto of social security, British ministers will be dismayed at the incoming presidency's strong emphasis on employee rights. The UK is strongly opposed to proposed EU directives on worker consultation, measures that the Swedish presidency will "promote" as part of the "top priority" area of employment.

"Work on different proposals for directives, such as employee involvement in the European company, information to and consultation with employees and proposals for directives in the field of the working environment will be carried forward," the Swedish document states.

A leader in Thursday's FT describes the consultation directive as "unnecessary, intrusive and politically dangerous". CBI chief John Cridland has condemned the "destabilising campaign" for the directive and accused its supporters of "playing politics". Its implementation, driven by the presidency and decided by QMV, could tarnish Tony Blair's Nice triumph in the run up to a general election.

The issue was set for an early hearing at a meeting of EU employment ministers in Brussels next week but reports from the European Trade Union Congress indicate that discussion of the directive "is to be omitted following pressures by a small minority of member states". Whatever happens in Brussels next week, Swedish backing for the directive means the row is set to dominate the start of its presidency.

The Swedish emphasis on "transparency" and public access to official documents may also embarrass British ministers, who may find that defence documents, relating to the rapid reaction force, secret in Britain could become public in Europe following rulings in the European Court of Justice.

A Foreign Office source said that Britain did not have to agree with everything in the programme in order to look forward to a continuing close relationship with Sweden on EU issues.