60It should, moreover, be pointed out that the establishment of a legal framework to prevent abuse of rights arising from the use of successive fixed-term employment contracts or relationships is an objective which was recognised and encouraged by the legislature in Directive 1999/70. Taking action against abuse of rights in this field serves, moreover, to achieve the objectives which the Community and the Member States, having in mind fundamental social rights such as those set out in the European Social Charter signed at Turin on 18 October 1961 and in the 1989 Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers, adopted in Article 136 EC, which include improved living and working conditions and proper social protection for workers.