Activities of Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Recital A

A. whereas the 23 million micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU, which make up around 99 % of all businesses and provide more than 90 million jobs while generating some EUR 3.9 trillion in added value, make a vital contribution to economic growth, social cohesion and job creation and are a major source of innovation in the EU, and depend highly on domestic demand and consumption;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Recital B

B. whereas SMEs are ~~disproportionately affected by administrative burdens and~~affected by financial obstacles byin comparison ~~with~~to larger firms, but also benefit from specific support, including financing opportunities, and simplified procedures; whereas at EU and Member State level further efforts could be made to create an SME-friendly environment which go beyond the political pledges already given;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Recital C

C. whereas the SME definition is referred to in approximately 100 EU legal acts, primarily in the areas of competition policy and structural, research and innovation funds, but also labour, environmental, energy, consumer protection and social security legislation~~, for example in the REACH secondary legislation and the Energy Efficiency Directive~~;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Recital D

D. whereas a coherent legal environment is favourable to all businesses and whereas ~~the~~a stringent SME definition is a tool to ~~overcom~~mitigate market failures and problems ~~stemming from~~inherent to competition between enterprises different in size, volume of assets and business models;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas an SME definition has to contribute to facilitating quality job creation, improving working conditions and security, limiting to the absolute minimum any abuses.

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the Commission’s initial impact assessment, and approves the focus on enterprises that are need in of support and simple rules and the objective to increase planning and legal certainty for businesses ~~and create a level playing field~~;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 2

2. Takes the view that given the nature of this ~~strategic~~ instrument and the many differences between SMEs and Member States, the flexibility offered by the 2003 recommendation should be ~~maintained; is convinced that strictly applying the SME definition runs counter to the intentions of the recommendation and ultimately hinders the growth of SME~~removed; a wider and more flexible definition would affect legal and administrative certainty, leading to bigger companies to take undue advantage of SME support measures;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission and Member States to prevent larger players from attempting to create specific corporate structures to take advantage of the SME definition, which ~~would~~ lead to a system in which the available support is wrongly distributed more widely and hence not available to SMEs in need, specially micro and small enterprises; emphasises that an adjustment of the SME definition should not work to the detriment of SMEs, denying them access to public support;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 5

5. Points out that the employee numbers is ~~not~~ a criterion which can be used to draw up for accurate EU-wide comparisons~~, as labour productivity varies from one Member State to another; welcomes, therefore, a shift towards the criteria of turnover and balance sheet totals~~;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that there is a need to clarify not only the terms ‘linked enterprise’ and ‘partner enterprise’ but also SMEs’ status in mergers and consortiums, ~~and regards the simplification of procedures and the cutting of red tape as imperative~~in order to avoid the creation of specific corporate structures to take advantage of the SME definition; calls on the Commission in that connection to further simplify the applicable rules;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 7

7. Welcomes the Commission’s start- up and scale-up initiative; views the promotion of entrepreneurship as important for economic growth in the EU; calls on the Commission to introduce a two-year transitional period during which enterprises which no longer qualify for SME status would retain that status;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 8

8. Takes the view that economic diplomacy instruments employed at EU level, such as the Mission for Growth, could be used to address economic challenges and exploit economic opportunities at global level more effectively; calls on the Commission to step up its efforts in that area, without creating duplicate structures; calls, in that connection, for an ‘Export growth in relation to enterprise size’ indicator to be developed and forCalls on the Commission to step up its efforts to help SMEs to take the utmost advantage from economic opportunities; calls, in that connection, not to focus merely on additional support to be offered to small enterprises with high export volumes but on developing domestic demand;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 9

9. Is concerned that, despite the considerable contribution they make to employment and growth by virtue of their productivity, MidCaps (enterprises that have outgrown the SME definition but still have typically medium-sized structures) are being neglected by policy- makers; calls, therefore, for a definition to be established for these companies based on the criteria that they are family- run, have high equity ratio and employ up to 3000 people;deleted

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 10

10. Calls on the Commission, in addition to the priority EU measures for SMEs, to launch a ~~MidCaps-~~oriented initiative for micro-enterprises using new funding, which would cover collaborative research access, digitalisation strategies, export market development and an easing of the Basel specifications and data protection rules;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 11

11. Takes the view that SME categorisation should not be exclusively based on the criteria of employee headcount, annual turnover and balance sheet totals; calls, therefore, for the criteria of ~~‘export-intensive’ (high level of exports in relation to number of employees),~~ ‘largely independently-run’ and ‘high equity ratio’ - to be defined in due course - to be taken into account when categorising companies ~~and for enterprises with these characteristics to at least be exempted from the relevant specific reporting obligations and/or for it to be made easier for them to access financial support~~;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Commission to conduct a study into the impact of the SME definition on business development ~~and on lock-in-effects, i.e. when enterprises deliberately opt not to expand in order to avoid bureaucratic burdens and other obligations that arise from the loss of their SME status~~, business models and employment;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Commission to conduct a feasibility study of sector- specific SME definitions in order to scrutinise the impact of such an approach on these sectors of the economy and the added value generated when set against the additional costs incurred, ~~and to adapt the SME definition accordingly,~~ should the study prove its feasibility;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Paragraph 14

14. Calls for an SME ~~category~~impact test to be made mandatory for all EU legislative proposals, beyond the Commission’s own undertakings; stresses that the result should be clearly indicated in the impact assessment; calls on the Commission to give such an undertaking in the next Interinstitutional Agreement on better law- making;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2545(RSP)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA

Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to provide guidance to enterprises on the procedures used to determine SME status in an ~~unbureaucratic and pragmatic~~optimal manner;

2018/04/13
Committee: ITRE

2018/2150(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

— having regard to its previous resolutions on Turkey, in particular those of 24 November 2016 on EU-Turkey relations1 , of 27 October 2016 on the situation of journalists in Turkey2 , and of 8 February 2018 on the human rights situation in Turkey3 and to its previous resolution of 13 November 2014 on Turkish actions creating tensions in the exclusive economic zone of Cyprus, _________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0450. 2 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2016)0423. 3 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0040.

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4

— having regard to the Negotiating Framework for Turkey of 3 October 2005 and to the fact that Turkey’s accession to the EU depends on full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria,

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)

- having regard to the mission report on the Fact-finding Visit to Famagusta, Cyprus adopted on 21/11/18 by the Committee of Petitions,

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Expresses serious concern about the disproportionate and arbitrary measures curtailing freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information; condemns the closure of more than 160 media outlets and the large number of arrests of journalists in the aftermath of the coup attempt, where increasing restrictions were put in place on the rights of journalists and human rights defenders working on the Kurdish issue while other associations and Kurdish-language media outlets were closed; urges Turkey to guarantee media freedom as a matter of priority and to immediately release and acquit all unlawfully detained journalists;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Expresses concern at the shrinking space for civil society and the promotion of fundamental rights and freedoms; notes that a large number of activists, including human rights defenders, were arrested and demonstrations were recurrently banned during the state of emergency; calls on Turkey to protect the fundamental rights of minorities, such as LGBTI people; reminds that legislation on hate speech is not in line with European Court of Human Rights case-law;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is deeply concerned at the situation in Turkey’s South-East and the serious allegations of human rights abuses, especially since the collapse of the Kurdish settlement process in 2015; ~~reiterates its firm condemnation of the return to violence by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU list of terrorist organisations since 2002~~stresses that the inclusion of PKK on the EU's list of terrorist organisations is standing in the way of the establishment of peace, dialogue and negotiations, at the same time that facilitates the infringement of human rights; calls therefore on the Council to revise the list and remove the PKK from the list of terrorist organisations; calls on the Turkish authorities to restart talks with PKK leaders for a peaceful solution for the Kurdish question; stresses the urgency of resuming a credible political process leading to a peaceful settlement of the Kurdish issue; calls on Turkey to promptly investigate serious allegations of human rights abuses and killings and to allow international observers to carry out an independent verification;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes that the state of emergency further constrained the capacity of the Grand National Assembly to fulfil its fundamental role of democratic scrutiny and accountability; notes with great concern the arrest of two members of parliament from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), as well as the way the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) has been particularly marginalised, with many HDP lawmakers being arrested on the grounds of alleged support for terrorist activities; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners held without proof of individual involvement in committing crime or without any charges presented against them;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Notes that while the EU accession process was at its start a strong motivation for reforms in Turkey, there has been a stark regression in the areas of the rule of law and human rights during the last few years; recalls that Parliament repeatedly called for the opening of Chapter 23 on Judiciary and Fundamental Rights and Chapter 24 on Justice, Freedom and Security at a time when the Turkish government had pledged to conduct serious reforms; regrets deeply that the accession instruments could not be used to the fullest extent owing to a continued blockage by the Council;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Believes that a door should be left open for the modernisation and upgrading of the 1995 Customs Union between the EU and Turkey, to include relevant areas such as agriculture, services and public procurement, which currently are not covered; ~~recalls that two thirds of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey comes from EU Member States and that Turkey is an important growth market for the EU; believes that the~~c believes that the upgrade can be contemplated provided that Turkey proceeds first to the full and indiscriminate implementation of its obligations deriving from the current Customs Union Agreement between EU- Turkey. Following this, its upgrade wcould provide a valuable opportunity for democratic conditionality, positive leverage and the possibility of a roadmap where upgrading the Ccustoms Uunion would go hand in hand with concrete commitments by Turkey on democratic reforms reinforcing the full compliance of the Copenhagen criteria; believes further that the upgrading of the Ccustoms Uunion would provide an important opportunity for policy dialogue on climate change as well as on labour rights in Turkey; ~~calls on the Commission to start preparatory work for the upgrading of the Customs Union as soon as the Turkish Government indicates its readiness for serious reforms;~~

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15 a. Deplores Turkey´s refusal to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-à-vis all member states, the Republic of Cyprus in particular; reiterates that Turkey's refusal to normalize its relations with all EU Member States has started having a negative impact on its relations with the EU, including its accession process;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Notes that visa liberalisation is of great importance for Turkish citizens, particularly for students, academics, business representatives and people with family ties in EU Member States; encourages the Turkish Government to fully comply with the 72 criteria identified in the visa liberalisation roadmap; stresses that the revision of Turkey’s anti-terrorism legislation is a key condition for ensuring fundamental rights and freedoms, and that visa liberalisation will be possible once all the criteria have been met fully and in a non-discriminatory manner towards all EU Member States;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marie-Christine VERGIAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18 a. Calls upon the Turkish government to halt its plans for the construction of the Akkuyuy nuclear power plant; points out that the envisaged site is located in a region prone to severe earthquakes, hence posing a major threat not only to Turkey but to the Mediterranean region as a whole; requests accordingly that the Turkish government join the Espoo Convention, which commits parties to notifying and consulting each other on major projects under consideration that are likely to have a significant adverse environmental impact across boundaries; asks the Turkish government to involve, or at least consult, the governments of its neighbouring countries, such as Greece and Cyprus, during any further developments in the Akkuyuy venture;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Sofia SAKORAFA, Stelios KOULOGLOU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Welcomes the efforts by the UN to resume negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus~~; supports a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement~~ upon agreement on terms of reference within the framework of the long agreed solution of bicommunal bizonal federation with political equality, as this is set out in relevant UN SC resolutions; recalls the Framework of the UN Secretary General and his appeal for resuming the negotiations from where things were left off at Crans Montana; supports a fair, comprehensive and viable settlement which must guarantee the single sovereignty, the single international legal personality and the single citizenship of the united federal Cyprus and be in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law and the EU acquis; reiterates its call on Turkey to commit and contribute to a comprehensive settlement, to begin withdrawing its troops from Cyprus, to transfer the sealed-off area of Famagusta to the UN, and to refrain from actions altering the demographic balance on the island; praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons; recognises the right of the Republic of Cyprus to enter into bilateral agreements concerning its exclusive economic zone; urges Turkey to engage in the peaceful settlement of dispuits lawful inhabitants in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550(1984) and to allow access to experts to explore and evaluate the situation of the city; it also urges Turkey to refrain from actions altering the demographic balance on the island contrary to the Geneva Convention and the principles of international law. It praises the important work of the Committee on Missing Persons and calls on Turkey to allow access to all relevant sites and military zones for exhumation and assist the CMP to the discovery of relocated and other remains by providing all relevant information from its military archives; recognises the right of the Republic of Cyprus to enter into bilateral agreements concerning its exclusive economic zone and condemns all the provoking actions of Turkey within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus which are a source of instability and calls on Turkey to terminate them; urges Turkey to respect the sovereign rights of all EU Member States, and to refrain from any threat or action which might have negative effects on good neighbourly relations while at the same time respecting the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2150(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marie-Christine VERGIAT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Calls on Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has been signed and ratified by the EU, the 28 Member States and all other candidate countries and forms part of the acquis in line with December 2015 Council Conclusions and other relevant Council Conclusions;

2018/12/17
Committee: AFET

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas transparent and ethics embedded AI and robotics have the potential to reshape multiple industries and lead to greater efficiencies;

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Considers that in order to maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence it must not be used for a mere substitution of workers, but it must help to create more quality and decent jobs and scale-up the whole production of a company.

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Stresses that the development of robotics in the EU will have a strong impact on industrial relations. Believes that this impact should be addressed in a balanced manner so as to promote the reindustrialisation and allow also the workers to enjoy the productivity gains.

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 (new)

Urges the Commission and the Member States to develop and pursue digital skills training and retraining strategies that can ensure European society’s active and inclusive participation in the paradigm shift;

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure protection of workers and working conditions in the face of technological transformation, providing for those who lose their jobs during re-skilling to avoid large-scale economic or social unrest in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights;

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Calls on the Commission to invest in education and skills for workers but at the same time to explore and evaluate other supporting measures such as a universal basic income or an increased social security for a transitional period and for specific job sectors that might be drastically affected by the introduction of advanced AI systems and automation.

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Stresses that public sector information represent an extraordinary source of data that can contribute to rapidly progress and create a new strategy to embrace new digital technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence.

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Ensure that any future legal framework for artificial intelligence and robotics shall also develop consistent rules on liability in the field of penal law and war crimes, in order to avoid crimes without criminal accountability.

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23a. Notes that in order to implement a socially balanced framework on artificial intelligence and robotics that allows the development of European industries without mass destruction of jobs, social partners have to be involved and considered at EU, Member States and industry level.

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Notes that although transparency may allow for the discovery of deficiencies, they do not guarantee the reliability, security and fairness of an ADS; therefore, accountability is the most important requirement that can be achieved via different means such as algorithm impact assessments (AIA), auditing and certification.

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2088(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Stresses that algorithm misused in decision-making systems should not be deployed without a prior Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) unless it is clear that they have no significant impact on the life of individuals;

2018/12/07
Committee: ITRE

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

H. whereas EFP, especially ESOPs or similar schemes could act as a shock absorber, allowing bonuses or other rewards to be managed in trusts by third parties, spreading the investment risk among the company’s principal shareholders and ensuring that workers have a portfolio of saved shares; whereas in EFP models that use an intermediate entity in listed companies, this entity can exercise voting rights or other forms of governance on behalf of employees allowing for collective representation;

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. whereas participation in the EFP should remain voluntary for employees, while not affecting their mobility, their remuneration or their social security allowances;

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital P

P. whereas the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, which supports re- skilling and EFP, ~~is an avenue for continuously training workers, maintaining their employability and reducing the risks of getting laid off~~should remain a complementary instrument on training workers;

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that EFP should always provide additional income and not be a substitute for fair and decent pay; stresses that EFP should equally not be an alternative to public pensions or to collectively agreed pension schemes;

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines that EFP has to be embedded in a whole system of workers’ involvement at all levels, and schemes should include the possibility of employee representatives in company decision making through seats on the board;

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Highlights the transnational obstacles that are faced by both companies offering such schemes in several Member States, and employees, namely discrepancies in legislation and taxation which may impinge on the freedom of movement of workers, which plays an important role in enhancing convergence and integration among Member States;deleted

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

~~7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to promote financial education with respect to retail and equities investment in order to empower EU citizens;~~deleted

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to engage with social partners, employee ownership organisations and other stakeholders to design the most appropriate EFP schemes, negotiated on a ‘plant-by-plant’ basis and considering the type of company, its workforce and financial situation, but also the national legislation and practices; underlines, that any design and introduction of EFP should be subject of prior consultation and agreement with worker representatives and trade unions;

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2053(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider the rapid evolution and change of the labour market and the consequent challenges regarding skills, digitalisation, automation ~~and, potentially~~, wealth inequalities, and ~~therefore continuously create new opportunities for the labour force to adapt in order to be financially sustainable and independent~~social security cuts;

2018/06/14
Committee: EMPL

2018/2046(BUD)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Reiterates that Union budget should be of benefit to the citizens and should be focused primarily on sustainable growth and quality jobs, energy transition to more efficient and renewable-based energy system, fight against climate change, and eradicating energy poverty; underlines, in this regard, that public money shall not be spent for military investments or defence implications;

2018/09/05
Committee: ITRE

2018/2046(BUD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Reiterates that investment in research and innovation needs to be stepped up with a view to improving access to knowledge, promoting social development and raising living standards;

2018/09/05
Committee: ITRE

2018/2046(BUD)

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.1 – paragraph 1

Effective implementation of the Paris Agreement has to be based on science, requiring continuously updating of our knowledge on the climate-earth system, as well as the mitigation and adaptations options available, allowing for a systemic and comprehensive picture of challenges and opportunities for the EU's economy. On this basis, science-based solutions for a cost-effective transition to a ~~low-carbon,~~ climate- resilient and resource-efficient society will be developed.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.2 – paragraph 1

The EU aims to be world leader in affordable, secure and sustainable energy technologies ~~improving its competitiveness in global value chains and its position in growth markets~~to the benefit of its citizens and the environment. Diverse climatic, geographical, environmental and socio- economic conditions in the EU as well as the need to ensure energy security and access to raw materials, dictate a broad portfolio of energy solutions, including of non-technical nature. As regards renewable energy technologies, ~~costs need to decrease further, performance must improve,~~ integration into the energy system must be improved and breakthrough technologies need to be developed. ~~As regards fossil fuels, decarbonising their usage will be essential to meet the climate objectives.~~

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.2 – paragraph 2 – indent 3

~~– Technologies and solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-based power generation via CO2 capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).~~deleted

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.3 – paragraph 1

The expected growth of variable electricity production and shift towards more electric heating, cooling and transport dictates the need for new approaches to manage energy grids and supports the decentralised solutions such as local energy communities and self-consumption. Next to decarbonisation, the goal is to ensure energy affordability, security ~~and stability~~ of supply, achieved through investments in innovative network infrastructure technologies and innovative system management. Energy storage in different forms will play a key role in providing services to the grid, also improving and reinforcing network capacities. Exploiting synergies between different networks (e.g. electricity grids, heating and cooling networks, gas networks, transport recharging and refuelling infrastructure, hydrogen, and telecom networks) and actors (e.g. industrial sites, data centres, self- producers, energy cooperatives, consumer organisations) will be crucial for enabling the smart, integrated operation of the relevant infrastructures.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 2

~~– Pan-European energy network approaches to management;~~deleted

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.4 – paragraph 1

Buildings and industry installations play an increasingly active role in their interaction with the energy system. Therefore, they are crucial elements in the transition to ~~renewable energy~~decarbonised economy based on renewable energy sources and higher share of energy efficient measures.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.4 – paragraph 3

Industries, and especially those that are energy-intensive, cshould further improve energy efficiency~~, and favou~~ and consumption, and engage efforts for the integration of renewable energy sources.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.5 – paragraph 2 – indent 3

– Quality of life for the citizens, safe mobility, urban and rural social innovation, cities' circular and regenerative capacity, reduced environmental footprint and pollution;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 4 – point 4.2 – point 4.2.9 – paragraph 1

~~Massive, c~~Concentrated and decentralised storage solutions (comprising chemical, electrochemical, electrical, mechanical and thermal) for the energy system will increase efficiency, flexibility, technology independence and accessibility as well as the security of supply. Low-emission, decarbonised transport will require a growing share of electrical and/or other alternatively fuelled vehicles, with better- performing and cheaper, recyclable and reusable batteries, as well as local provision of synthetic/renewable fuels such as hydrogen and innovative solutions for on-site storage.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.1 – paragraph 2

Meeting the goals of sustainable development, guaranteeing the production and consumption of safe and healthy food, promoting sustainable practices in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry, ensuring access to clean water, soil and air for all, cleaning up the seas and oceans, preserving and restoring the planet’s vital natural systems and environment requires that we harness the potential of research and innovation. But the pathways for the transition to sustainability and ways to overcome resilient barriers are hardly understood. Making the transition to sustainable consumption and production and restoring planetary health requires investing in technologies, new business models, and social and environmental innovation. This creates new opportunities for a sustainable, resilient, innovative and responsible European economy, boosting resource efficiency, productivity and competitiveness, and ~~generating jobs and~~supporting the creation of quality jobs and sustainable economic and social growth.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.1 – paragraph 4

They will help to maintain and enhance the provision of biodiversity and secure the long-term provision of ecosystem services, climate adaptation and carbon sequestration (both on land and sea). They will help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and other emissions, waste and pollution from primary production (both terrestrial and aquatic), processing, consumption and other human activities. They will trigger investments, supporting the shift towards a circular economy, bioeconomy and blue economy, whilst protecting environmental health, sustainability and integrity.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.2 – point 5.2.1 – paragraph 2 – indent 3

– Biodiversity status, ecosystem protection, climate mitigation and adaptation, food security, agriculture and forestry, land use and land use change, rural, urban and peri-urban development, natural resources management, ocean exploitation and conservation, maritime security, and other relevant domains;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.2 – point 5.2.3 – paragraph 2 – indent 8

– Innovations in farming at the interfaces between agriculture, aquaculture and forestry and in urban and rural areas;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.2 – point 5.2.4 – paragraph 2 – indent 3 a (new)

- Oceans' health: ensure the exhaustive observation of the entire Ocean with the aim to reduce in 50% the micro-plastics level by 2030.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 5 – point 5.2 – point 5.2.7 – paragraph 2 – indent 3

– Solutions for sustainable and regenerative development of cities, peri- urban and rural areas and regions, integrating the circular economy transformation with nature-based solutions, technological, digital, social, cultural and territorial governance innovations;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 2 – introductory part

2. Inclusive ~~and secur~~Innovative and Reflective sSocietyies

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 2 – indent 3 a (new)

- 3 - Secure Society

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 2 – indent 5

– Support to security policies in the areas of protection of critical infrastructures and public spaces, CBRN-E (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive materials) and hybrid threats~~, border protection and document security, and information and intelligence for countering terrorism;~~

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 4 – indent 1

– Support to implementation of the EU climate, energy and transport policies, transition to a ~~low-carbon~~sustainable economy and strategies for decarbonisation towards 2050; analysis of integrated national climate and energy plans; assessment of decarbonisation pathway in all sectors, including agriculture and Land Use Land Use Change and Forestry;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 4 – indent 3

~~– Analysis of the R&I dimension of Energy Union; assessment of EU competitiveness in the global clean energy market;~~deleted

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 4 – indent 8

– Support to energy transition, including local energy communities, the Covenant of Mayors, clean energy for EU Islands, sensitive regions, and Africa;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 5 – indent 3

– Assessment of climate change and potential mitigation and adaptation measures for agricultural ~~and~~, fisheries and forestry policies, including food security;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.2 – paragraph 2 – point 5 – indent 4

– Monitoring and forecasting of agricultural and forestry resources in EU and neighbourhood countries;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part II – point 6 – point 6.2 – point 6.2.3 – paragraph 1

The JRC will contribute to innovation and technology transfer.~~. It will support the functioning of the internal market and the economic governance of the Union.~~ It will contribute to development and monitoring of policies targeting a more social and sustainable Europe. It will support the EU's external dimension and international goals and help in promoting good governance. A well- functioning internal market with a ~~strong economic governance and~~resilient and sustainable fair social system will foster innovation ~~and~~, competitiveness, jobs creation, social inclusion and well-being.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – paragraph 5

A new global wave of breakthrough innovation is coming up, one that will be based on more 'deep-tech' technologies such as block-chain, artificial intelligence, genomics and robotics, and other technologies, which may also emerge from individual innovators and communities of citizens. They have in common that they are taking shape at the intersection between different technologies, industry sectors, social innovation and scientific disciplines, offering radically new combinations of products, processes, services and business models, and have the potential to open up new markets worldwide. Additional sectors such as manufacturing, financial services, transport or energy will also be impacted.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – paragraph 6

Europe has to ride that wave. It is well positioned as the new wave comes in 'deep- tech' areas, such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, clean energy sources, where Europe has some competitive advantages regarding science and knowledge, and can build on close public-p~~rivate~~ublic cooperation (e.g. in health care or energy).

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – paragraph 12

Additionally, as a continued effort to enhance risk-finance capacities for research and innovation in Europe and where necessary, this pillar will link with the InvestEU programme. Building on the successes and the experiences gained under Horizon 2020 InnovFin, as well as under EFSI, the InvestEU Programme will enhance access to risk finance for bankable research organisations, innovators and entrepreneurs, in particular for SMEs ~~and small midcaps~~, as well as for investors.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 1 – point 1.1 – paragraph 3 – indent 3

– Innovations that cut across different scientific, technological (e.g. combining physical and digital) and social fields and sectors will be encouraged;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 1 – point 1.1 – point 1.1.2 – paragraph 7

The Accelerator will mainly operate through a continuously open and bottom- up call, targeting individual entrepreneurs (mainly start-ups and SMEs), with a particular attention paid to young and to women innovators as well as to a geographical balance. This open and bottom- up call will be complemented by targeted support for on emerging breakthrough or disruptive technologies of potential strategic significance. Proposals may also be submitted by investors, including public innovation agencies, but the support will be awarded to the company.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 1 – point 1.2 – point 1.2.2 – paragraph 3

Programme managers will come from multiple spheres, including companies, social innovation communities, universities, national laboratories and research centers. They will bring deep expertise from personal experience and years in the field. They will be recognised leaders, either having managed multidisciplinary research teams or directing large institutional programs, and know the importance of communicating their visions tirelessly, creatively, and broadly. Lastly, they will have experience in overseeing important budgets, which require sense of responsibility.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 2 – point 2.1 – paragraph 2

The EU must also aim to develop ecosystems that support social innovation and public sector innovation, in addition to innovation in private enterprises. Indeed, the government sector must innovate and renew itself in order to be able to support the changes in regulation and governance required to support the large-scale deployment of new technologies and a growing public demand for the more efficient ~~and~~, effective, accessible and inclusive delivery of services. Social innovations are crucial to enhance the welfare, inclusion and active engagement of our societies.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 1 – indent 2

– Promote the alignment of research and innovation agendas with EU efforts to consolidate an open market for capital flows and investment, such as the development of key framework conditions in favour of innovation under the Capital Markets Union;deleted

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 1 – indent 4

– Establish a joint communication strategy on innovation in the EU. It will aim at stimulating the EU's most talented innovators, entrepreneurs, particularly young drivers, SMEs and start-ups, also from ~~fresh corner~~the most deprived regions of the EU. It will stress the EU added-value that technical, non- technical, and social innovators can bring to EU citizens by developing their idea/vision into a thriving enterprise (social value/impact, jobs and growth, societal progression).

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 2 – point 2.2 – paragraph 3 – indent 2

– Support also joint programmes for mentoring, coaching, technical assistance and other services that are delivered close to innovators, by networks such as Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), clusters, pan-European platforms such as Startup Europe, local innovation actors, public but also private, in particular incubators and innovation hubs that could moreover be interconnected to favour partnering between innovators. Support ~~may~~should also be given to promote soft skills for innovation, including to networks of vocational institutions and in close relation with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, special attention should be given to support the participation and engagement of the most deprived EU regions to which the lack of technical knowledge and human resources can be impeditive to participate in these programmes;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 3 – point 3.1 – paragraph 3

To address future challenges, embrace the opportunities of new technologies and contribute to sustainable economic growth, jobs, competitiveness and the well-being of Europe’s citizens, there is the need to further strengthen Europe’s capacity to innovate by: fostering the creation of new environments conducive to collaboration and innovation; strengthening the innovation capabilities of academia and the research sector; supporting a new generation of entrepreneurial and research people; stimulating the creation and the development of innovative ventures.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.2 – introductory part

3.2.2. Entrepreneurial and innovation skills in a lifelong learning perspective and ~~the entrepreneurial~~ transformation of EU universities

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.2 – paragraph 1

The EIT education activities will be reinforced to foster innovation and entrepreneurship through better education and training. A stronger focus on human capital development will be grounded on the expansion of existing EIT KICs education programmes in the view of continuing to offer students and professionals high quality curricula based on innovation and entrepreneurship in line in particular with the EU industrial and skills strategy. This may include researchers and innovators supported by other parts of Horizon Europe, in particular MSCA. The EIT will also support the renewal of European Universities and their integration in innovation ecosystems by stimulating and increasing their ~~entrepreneurial~~innovation potential and capabilities and encouraging them to better anticipate new skills requirements.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.2 – paragraph 2 – indent 2

– Strengthening and expanding the EIT label in order to improve the quality of education programmes based on partnerships between different higher education institutions, research centres and companies and offering learning-by-doing curricula and robust multidisciplinary innovative and entrepreneur~~ship~~ial education as well as international, inter- organisational and cross-sectorial mobility;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part III – point 3 – point 3.2 – point 3.2.2 – paragraph 2 – indent 3

– Development of innovation, capacity building, social innovation and entrepreneurship capabilities of the higher education sector, by leveraging the EIT Community expertise in linking education, research and business;

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex I – part 4 – point 2 – paragraph 2 – indent 5

– Providing researchers with attractive career environments, such as equal payment for equal career, skills and competences needed in the modern knowledge economy36 . Linking the ERA and the European Higher Education Area by supporting the modernisation of universities and other research and innovation organisations, through recognition and reward mechanisms to spur actions at national level, as well as incentives promoting the adoption of open science practices, entrepreneurship (and links to innovation ecosystems), trans- disciplinarity, citizen engagement, international and inter-sectoral mobility, gender equality plans and comprehensive approaches to institutional changes. In that context, also complementing the Erasmus programme support for the European Universities initiative, in particular its research dimension, as part of developing new joint and integrated long term and sustainable strategies on education, research and innovation based on trans- disciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches to make the knowledge triangle a reality, providing impetus to economic growth. _________________ 36 Including notably the European Charter for researchers, the code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers, EURAXESS and RESAVER Pension Fund.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)

4 a. Inclusive, Innovative and Reflective Societies

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0225(COD)

Marisa MATIAS, Soledad CABEZÓN RUIZ, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lola SÁNCHEZ CALDENTEY

Proposal for a decision
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 5

5. ~~Inclusive and~~ Secure Society

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1

(1) It is the Union's objective to strengthen its scientific and technological bases ~~and encourage its competitiveness, including in its industry,~~ while promoting all research and innovation activities to deliver on the Union's strategic priorities, which ultimately aim at ~~promoting peace~~tackling global societal challenges, including climate change, and promoting peace and a sustainable development, the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2

(2) To deliver scientific, economic and societal impact in pursuit of this general objective, the Union should invest in research and innovation through Horizon Europe - a Framework Programme for Research and Innovation 2021-2027 (the ‘Programme’) to support the creation and diffusion and transfer of high-quality knowledge and technologies, to strengthen the impact of research and innovation in addressing global societal challenges as defined by the Sustainable Goals, and in developing, supporting and implementing Union policies, to support the uptake of innovative sustainable solutions in industry and society to ~~address global challenges and promote industrial competitiveness~~improve people's well-being and promote social development; to foster all forms of innovation, including breakthrough innovation, and strengthen market deployment of innovative solutions; and optimise the delivery of such investment for increased impact within a strengthened European Research Area.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)

(6a) The Programme's actions should be used to reinforce the Union's scientific and technological base, tackle major global challenges, environment and economic sustainability and climate changes as well as to improve people's life namely through better employment, access to health and education, and social inclusion.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)

(19a) Building on the experience of Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe should enhance the encouragement of SMEs participation to the Framework Programme according to an integrated approach to innovation. Adequate measures and related budget provisions should be foreseen in order to support SMEs research and innovation activities throughout the different stages of the innovation cycle.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – point b

~~(b) the specific programme on defence research established by Regulation …/…/EU.~~deleted

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a

(a) to support the creation and diffusion of high-quality new knowledge, skills, technologies and solutions to global challenges including climate and Sustainable Development Goals;

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b

(b) to strengthen the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing Union policies, and support the uptake of innovative solutions in industry and society to address global challenges including climate and Sustainable Development Goals;

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)

(ba) Reinforcement of the investment towards Social Sciences and Humanities.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)

(bb) strengthening research into needs expressed by civil society organisations;

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5

1. the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(b) and which are laid down in Regulation …. establishing the European Defence Fund, shall be research with an exclusive focus on defence applications, with the objective to foster the competitiveness, efficiency and innovation of defence industry. 2. the specific programme referred to in Article 1(3)(b), with the exception of this Article, Article 1(1) and (3) and Article 9(1).Article 5 deleted Defence research Activities to be carried out under This Regulation does not apply to

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point a

(a) have a clear EU-added value and contribute to reaching Union priorities, including meeting climate and Sustainable Development Goals;

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)

(ba) be selected on the basis of an open and transparent process inclusive of social partners;

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b – point 1

(1) EUR ~~7 7~~12 000 000 000 for cluster 'Health';

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d – paragraph 1 – point ii

ii. commitment to a rules-based ~~open market~~ economy, including fair and equitable dealing with intellectual property rights, respect of human rights and duly observe the principles acknowledged by the Charter of Fundamental rights of the EU, backed by democratic institutions;

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

1. ~~A proposal shall be evaluated~~The anonymous projects shall be evaluated by EU independent external experts on the basis of the following award criteria:

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) ~~impact~~societal impact for the Union;

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)

(ca) consistency with Union priorities Sustainable Development Goals.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. The evaluation committee shall rank where necessary the proposals having passed the applicable thresholds, according to the evaluation scores. Priority shall be given to proposals that meet the following criteria: (a) their contribution to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (b) those involving smaller-scale collaborative projects for widening participation.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1

~~In addi~~By derogation tofrom the criteria set out in Article 197 of the Financial Regulation, for beneficiaries with project-based remuneration, costs of personnel are eligible ~~up to th~~based on unique remuneration ~~that the person is paid for work in similar projects funded by national schemes~~calculated at the European Union level for researchers participating in the Programme, in accordance with the principle "equal pay for equal work".

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1

1. The beneficiary of the EIC Accelerator shall be a legal entity qualifying as a start-up, an SME ~~or as a mid-cap~~, established in a Member State or associated country. ~~The proposal may be submitted by the beneficiary, or by one or more natural persons or legal entities intending to establish or support that beneficiary.~~

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 a (new)

Article 43a Mainstreaming SMEs support through a dedicated instrument 1. In addition to the establishment of better conditions for SMEs to participate in all relevant opportunities in Horizon Europe, building on the experience of Horizon 2020, a SME instrument that is targeted at micro and small enterprises shall be created under a single centralised management system and implemented primarily in a bottom-up manner through a continuously open call tailored to the need of SMEs. 2. A minimum of 20% of the total combined budget for Pillar II "Global Challenges and Industrial competitiveness and Pillas II "Open Innovation" shall go to SMEs.

2018/09/11
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 2 – paragraph 4 – point a – introductory part

(a) Cluster 'Health': Improving and protecting the health of citizens at all ages, by developing innovative, effective, safe and accessible solutions to prevent, diagnose, monitor, treat and cure diseases; reducing disability and impairment and promoting full integration into social and economic life; mitigating health risks, protecting populations and promoting good health; making public health systems more cost- effective, person-centred, equitable and sustainable; and supporting and enabling patients' participation and self- management.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – point 2 – paragraph 4 – point a – paragraph 1

Areas of intervention: Health throughout the life course; Environmental and social health determinants; Non-communicable and rare diseases (including child rare diseases and major chronic diseases); Infectious diseases; Tools, technologies and digital solutions for health and care; Hperson-centred and equitable health care systems

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0224(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – point 16

~~16. Synergies with the European Defence Fund will benefit civil and defence research. Unnecessary duplication will be exclud~~deleted.

2018/09/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Title 1

Proposal for a DIRECTIVE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on Open Data and the re-use of public sector information (recast)

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4

(4) The substantive changes introduced to the legal text so as to fully exploit the potential of public sector information for the European economy and society focus on the following areas: the provision of real-time access to dynamic data via adequate technical means, increasing the supply of high-value public data for re-use, including from ~~public~~ undertakings, providing services of general interest through a contract with a public sector body, research performing organisations and research funding organisations, tackling the emergence of new forms of exclusive arrangements, the use of exceptions to the principle of charging the marginal cost and the relationship between this Directive and certain related legal instruments, including Directive 96/9/EC31 and Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council32 . _________________ 31 Directive 96/9/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 1996 on the legal protection of databases (OJ L 77, 27.3.1996, p. 20). 32 Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2007 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) (OJ L 108, 25.4.2007, p.1).

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 6

(6) The public sector in the Member States collects, produces, reproduces and disseminates a wide range of information in many areas of activity, such as social, economic, geographical, environmental, weather, tourist, business, patent and educational information. Documents produced by public sector bodies of executive, legislative or judicial nature constitute a vast, diverse and valuable pool of resources that can benefit the ~~knowledge economy~~society. Member States and public sector bodies shall be able to benefit and received adequate financial support from the Digital Europe Programme or relevant Union funds and programmes aimed at digitizing Europe, a wide use of digital technologies or the digital transformation of public administration and public services in their efforts to make data easily available for re-use.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 19

(19) The Directive lays down an obligation for Member States to make all documents re-usable ~~unless access is restricted or excluded under national rules on access to documents and subject~~without prejudice to the ~~other~~ exceptions laid down in this Directive. The Directive builds on the existing access regimes in the Member States and does not change the national rules for access to documents. Neither does it establish access rights or obligations to publish information. This decision remains at the discretion of the Member States. It does not apply in cases in which citizens or companies can, under the relevant access regime, only obtain a document if they can prove a particular interest. At Union level, Articles 41 (right to good administration) and 42 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union recognise the right of any citizen of the Union and any natural or legal person residing or having its registered office in a Member State to have access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. Public sector bodies should be encouraged to make available for re-use any documents held by them. Public sector bodies should promote and encourage re- use of documents, including official texts of a legislative and administrative nature in those cases where the public sector body has the right to authorise their re-use.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 28

(28) In order to get access to the data opened for re-use by this Directive, the use of suitable and well-designed Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) is ~~needed~~useful. An API ~~describes the kind of data can be retrieved, how to do this and the format in which the data will be received. It~~means a set of functions, procedures, definitions and protocols for machine-to-machine communication and the seamless exchange of data. APIs should be supported by clear technical documentation that is complete and available online. Where possible, open APIs should be used. European or internationally recognised standards protocols should be applied and international standards for datasets should be used where applicable. APIs can hasve different levels of complexity and can mean a simple link to a database to retrieve specific datasets, a web interface, or more complex set-ups. There is general value in re-using and sharing data via a suitable use of APIs as this will help developers and start-ups to create new services and products. It is also a crucial ingredient of creating valuable ecosystems around data assets that are often unused. The set-up and use of API needs to be based on several principles: availability, stability, maintenance over lifecycle, uniformity of use and standards, user- friendliness as well as security. For dynamic data, meaning frequently updated data, often in real time, public sector bodies and ~~public~~ undertakings sh~~all~~ould make this available for re-use immediately after collection by ways of suitable APIs and, where relevant, as a bulk download, save for cases where this would impose a disproportionate effort. Assessment of the proportionality of the efforts should take into account the size and operating budget of the public sector body or the undertaking in question.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) ~~existing~~publicly accessible documents held by public sector bodies of the Member States;

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b

(b) existing documents held by ~~public~~ undertakings providing services of general interest through a contract with a public sector body active in the areas defined in Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council42 and by ~~public~~ undertakings acting as public service operators pursuant to Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council43 , ~~public~~ undertakings acting as air carriers fulfilling public service obligations pursuant to Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council44 , and ~~public~~ undertakings acting as Community shipowners fulfilling public service obligations pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/9245 . _________________ 42 Directive 2014/25/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors and repealing Directive 2004/17/EC (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 243). 43 Regulation (EC) No. 1370/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007on public passenger transport services by rail and by road and repealing Council Regulations (EEC)Nos 1191/69 and 1107/70. 44 Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community (Recast) (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 293, 31.10.2008, p. 3– 20). 45 Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92 of 7 December 1992 applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within Member States (maritime cabotage) (OJ L 364, 12.12.1992, p. 7–10).

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b

(b) documents held by public undertakings,: – produced outside the scope of the provision of services in the general interest as defined by law or other binding rules in the Member State; – having commercial character within the scope of an activity directly exposed to competition as defined in Article 34 Directive 2014/25/EU;

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3

3. '~~public~~ undertaking' means any undertaking ~~over which the public sector bodies may exercise directly or indirectly a dominant influence by virtue of their ownership of it, their financial participation therein, or the rules which govern it;~~(public or private) providing services of general interest, through a contract.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)

'open data' means data in open formats that can ideally be freely used, re-used and shared by anyone for any purpose.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4

4. Public sector bodies ~~and public undertakings shall make dynamic data available for re-use immediately after collection, via suitable Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)~~shall facilitate the immediate re-use of dynamic data after collection, via suitable Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).To ensure the sustained supply of dynamic data, public sector bodies shall be supported in order to be able to provide a high level of training to their employees dealing with new technologies.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)

Member States and public sector bodies shall be able to benefit from relevant Union funds and programmes aimed at digitizing Europe, a wide use of digital technologies and the digital transformation of public administration and public services or facilitating access to technology and knowhow in their efforts to make data easily available for re-use."

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. The high value datasets may include a comprehensive selection of permissible formats for each type of data and technical modalities of dissemination.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0111(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2

2. The evaluation shall in particular address the scope and the socio- economic impact of this Directive, including the extent of the increase in re- use of public sector documents to which this Directive applies , especially by SMEs, the impact of the high values datasets, the effects of the principles applied to charging and the re-use of official texts of a legislative and administrative nature, the re-use of documents held by other entities than public sector bodies, the interaction between data protection rules and re-use possibilities, as well as further possibilities of improving the proper functioning of the internal market and the development of the European data economy and the impact on the labour market.

2018/10/12
Committee: ITRE

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Citation 1

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 16, 33, 43, 50, 53(1), 62, 91, 100, 103, 109, 114, 153, 154, 168, 169, 192, 207 and 325(4) thereof and to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 31 thereof,

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Citation 2 a (new)

Having regard to the European Convention on Human Rights, notably Article 10,

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Citation 3 a (new)

Having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular Article 11,

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 45

(45) The most appropriate persons or departments within a private legal entity to be designated as competent to receive and follow up on reports depend on the structure of the entity, but, in any case, their function should ensure absence of conflict of interest and independence. In smaller entities, this function could be a dual function held by a company officer well placed to report directly to the organisational head, such as a chief compliance or human resources officer, a legal or privacy officer, a chief financial officer, a chief audit executive or a member of the board.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 51 a (new)

(51a) EU institutions should create a competent authority to receive and handle reports. EU should ensure that the competent authority establish independent and autonomous external reporting channels, which are both secure and ensure confidentiality, for receiving and handling information provided by the reporting person; give feedback to the reporting person about the follow-up of the report within a reasonable timeframe not exceeding three months or six months in duly justified cases and transmit the information contained in the report to competent bodies, offices or agencies of the Union, as appropriate, for further investigation, where provided for under national or Union law. EU should also ensure that competent authorities follow up on the reports by taking the necessary measures and investigate, to the extent appropriate, the subject matter of the reports. The competent authorities should communicate to the reporting person the final outcome of the investigations. EU shall ensure that any authority which has received a report but does not have the competence to address the breach reported transmits it to the competent authority and that the reporting person is informed.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 64

(64) Persons making a public disclosure directly should also qualify for protection in cases where a breach remains unaddressed (for example, it was not properly assessed or investigated or no remedial action was taken) despite having been reported internally and/or externally following a tiered use of available channels; or in cases where reporting persons have valid reasons to believe that there is collusion between the perpetrator of the breach and the competent authority is reasonably suspected , that evidence may be concealed or destroyed, or that the effectiveness of investigative actions by competent authorities might be jeopardised; or in cases of imminent and manifest danger for the public interest, or where there is a risk of irreversible damage, including, inter alia, harm to physical integritunder this Directive, regardless of whether the breach has been reported internally and/or externally.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 82

(82) The material scope of this Directive is based on the identification of areas where the introduction of whistleblower protection appears justified and necessary on the basis of currently available evidence. Such material scope may be extended to further areas or Union acts, if this proves necessary as a means of strengthening their enforcement in the light of evidence that may come to the fore in the future or on the basis of the evaluation of the way in which this Directive has operatedall Union Acts.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part

(a) breaches falling within the scope of the Union acts ~~set out in the Annex (Part I and Part II) as regard~~are amongst others the following areas:

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 9

(9) ‘reporting person’ means a natural or legal person who reports or discloses information on breaches ~~acquired in the context of his or her work-related activities;~~ , without necessarily being in a traditional employee-employer relationship and without necessarily having witnessed such acts first hand;

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 12

(12) ‘retaliation’ means any threatened or actual act or omission prompted by the internal or external reporting ~~which occurs in a work-related context~~ and causes or may cause unjustified detriment to the reporting person;

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 2

2. Member States shall provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties applicable to persons making malicious or abusive reports or disclosures, including measures for compensating persons who have suffered damage from malicious or abusive reports or disclosures.deleted

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0106(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a directive
Annex I

~~[...]~~deleted

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5

(5) A European Labour Authority (the ‘Authority’) should be established in order to help strengthen fairness and ~~trust~~combat social dumping in the Single Market. To that effect, the Authority should support the Member States and the Commission in strengthening access to information for individuals ~~and~~, employers and social partners about their rights and obligations in cross- border labour mobility situations as well as access to relevant services, support compliance and cooperation between the Member States to ensure the effective application of the Union law in these areas, and mediate and facilitate a solution in case of cross-border disputes or labour market disruptions.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6

(6) The Authority should perform its activities in the areas of combating abusive practices and social dumping related to cross-border labour mobility and social security coordination, including free movement of workers, posting of workers and highly mobile services. It should also enhance cooperation between Member States in tackling undeclared work. In cases where the Authority, in the course of the performance of its activities, becomes aware of suspected irregularities, including in areas of Union law beyond its scope, such as violations of working conditions, health and safety rules, or the employment of illegally staying third-country nationals, it should be able to report them and cooperate on these matters with the Commission, competent Union bodies, and national authorities where appropriate.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7

(7) The Authority should contribute to ~~facilitating~~combating social dumping in relation to the free movement of workers governed by Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council39 , Directive 2014/54/EU of the European Parliament and the Council40 and Regulation (EU) 2016/589 of the European Parliament and the Council41 . It should facilitate the posting of workers governed by Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and the Council42 and Directive 2014/67/EU of the European Parliament and the Council43 , including by supporting the enforcement of those provisions implemented through universally applicable collective agreements in line with the practices of Member States. It should also help the coordination of social security systems governed by Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and the Council44 , Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council45 , Regulation (EU) No 1231/2010 of the European Parliament and the Council46 ; as well as Council Regulation (EC) No 1408/7147 and Council Regulation (EC) No 574/7248 . __________________ 39 Regulation (EU) No 492/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on freedom of movement for workers within the Union (OJ L 141, 27.5.2011, p. 1). 40 Directive 2014/54/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 16 April 2014 on measures facilitating the exercise of rights conferred on workers in the context of freedom of movement for workers (OJ L 128, 30.4.2014, p. 8). 41 Regulation (EU) 2016/589 of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 April 2016 on a European network of employment services (EURES), workers’ access to mobility services and the further integration of labour markets, and amending Regulations (EU) No 492/2011 and (EU) No 1296/2013 (OJ L 107, 22.04.2016, p. 1). 42 Directive 96/71/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 1996 concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (OJ L 18, 21.1.1997, p. 1). 43 Directive 2014/67/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the enforcement of Directive 96/71/EC concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 on administrative cooperation through the Internal Market Information System (‘the IMI Regulation’) (OJ L 159, 28.05.2014, p. 11). 44 Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the coordination of social security systems, (OJ L 166, 30.4.2004, p.1, corrigendum OJ L 200, 7.6.2004, p. 1). 45 Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems, (OJ L 284, 30.10.2009, p. 1). 46 Regulation (EU) No 1231/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 extending Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 to nationals of third countries who are not already covered by these Regulations solely on the ground of their nationality (OJ L 344, 29.12.2010, p. 1). 47 Council Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1408/71 of 14 June 1971 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community (OJ L 149, 5.7.1971 p. 2). 48 Council Regulation (EC) No 574/72 of 21 March 1972 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons, and to their families moving within the Community (OJ L 74, 27.3.1972, p. 1).

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, João PIMENTA LOPES, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11

(11) To ensure they can benefit from a fair and effective internal market, the Authority should promote opportunities for individuals and employers to be mobile or provide services and recruit anywhere within the Union. This includes supporting the cross-border mobility of individuals by facilitating access to cross- border mobility services, such as the cross-border matching of jobs, traineeships and apprenticeships and by promoting mobility schemes such as 'Your first EURES job' or 'ErasmusPRO’. The Authority should also contribute to improving transparency of information, including on rights and obligations stemming from Union law, and access to services to individuals and employers, in cooperation with other Union information services, such as Your Europe Advice, and taking full advantage and ensuring consistency with the Your Europe portal, which will form the backbone of the future single digital gateway53 . __________________ 53 Regulation [Single Digital Gateway – COM(2017)256]deleted

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12

(12) For these purposes, the Authority should cooperate with other relevant Union initiatives and networks, in particular the European Network of Public Employment Services (PES)54 , the European Enterprise Network55 , the Border Focal Point56 and SOLVIT57 , as well as with relevant national services such as the bodies to promote equal treatment and to support Union workers and members of their family, designated by Member States under Directive 2014/54/EU, and national contact points designated under Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council58 to provide information on healthcare. The Authority should also explore synergies with the proposed European services e-card59 , notably with regard to those cases in which Member States opt for the submission of declarations regarding posted workers through the e-card platform. The Authority should replace the Commission in managing the European network of employment services (‘EURES’) European Coordination Office established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 2016/589, including the definition of user needs and business requirements for the effectiveness of the EURES portal and related IT services, but excluding the IT provision, and the operation and development of the IT infrastructure, which will continue to be ensured by the Commission. __________________ 54 Decision No 573/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on enhanced cooperation between Public Employment Services (PES) (OJ L 159, 28.5.2014, p. 32). 55 European Enterprise Network, https://een.ec.europa.eu/ 56 Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament, Boosting growth and cohesion in EU border regions, COM(2017) 534. 57 Commission Recommendation of 17 September 2013 on the principles governing SOLVIT (OJ L 249, 19.9.2011, p. 10). 58 Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare (OJ L 88, 4.4.2011, p. 45). ~~59 COM(2016) 824 final and COM(2016) 823 final.~~

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21

(21) The Member States, the social partners and the Commission should be represented on a Management Board, in order to ensure the effective functioning of the Authority. The composition of the Management Board, including the selection of its Chair and Deputy-Chair, should respect the principles of gender balance, experience and qualification. In view of the effective and efficient functioning of the Authority, the Management Board, in particular, should adopt an annual work programme, carry out its functions relating to the Authority’s budget, adopt the financial rules applicable to the Authority, appoint an Executive Director, and establish procedures for taking decisions relating to the operational tasks of the Authority by the Executive Director. Representatives from countries other than Union Member States, which are applying the Union rules within the scope of the Authority, may participate in the meetings of the Management Board as observers.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23

(23) The Authority should directly rely on the expertise of relevant stakeholders in the areas under its scope through a dedicated Stakeholder Group. The members should be representatives of Union-level and Member State-level social partners. In carrying out its activities, the Stakeholder Group will take due account of the opinions and draw on the expertise of the Advisory Committee for the Coordination of Social Security Systems established by Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and the Advisory Committee on the Free Movement of Workers established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 492/2011.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2

2. The Authority shall assist Member States and the Commission in matters relating to combating social dumping and abusive practices in relation to cross- border labour mobility and the coordination of social security systems within the Union.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. This regulation shall not in any way affect the exercise of fundamental rights as recognised in the Member States and at Union level, including the right or freedom to strike or to take other action covered by the specific industrial relations systems in Member States, in accordance with national law and/or practice. Nor does it affect the right to negotiate, to conclude and enforce collective agreements, or to take collective action in accordance with national law and/or practice.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. This regulation is without prejudice to the diversity of national industrial relations systems as well as the autonomy of social partners as explicitly recognised by the TFEU. Taking part in the activities of the Authority is without prejudice to the Member States' competences, obligations and responsibilities under, inter alia, relevant and applicable International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, such as Convention No 81 concerning Labour Inspection in Industry and Commerce, and to the Member States' powers to regulate, mediate or monitor national industrial relations, in particular on the exercise of the right to collective bargaining and to take collective action.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

The objective of the Authority shall be to contribute to combating social dumping and ensuring fair labour mobility in the internal market. To this end, the Authority shall:

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) facilitate access for individuals ~~and~~, employers and social partners to information on their rights and obligations as well as to relevant services;

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) mediate and facilitate a solution in cases of cross-border disputes between national authorities or labour market disruptions without prejudice to the diversity of national industrial relations systems as well as the autonomy of social partners and the right to collective bargaining and to take collective action.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) facilitate access to information by individuals ~~and~~, employers and social partners on rights and obligations in cross-border situations as well as access to cross-border labour mobility services, in accordance with Articles 6 and 7;

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

The Authority shall improve the availability, quality and accessibility of information offered to individuals ~~and~~, employers and social partners to facilitate fair labour mobility across the Union, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 589/2016 on EURES and Regulation [Single Digital Gateway – COM(2017)256]. To that end, the Authority shall:

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) provide relevant information to ~~employ~~individuals, employers and social partners on labour rules, and the living and working conditions applicable to workers in cross- border labour mobility situations, including posted workers;

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f

(f) support Member States in streamlining the provision of information and services to individuals ~~and~~, employers and social partners pertaining to cross-border mobility on a voluntary basis, while fully respecting Member States' competences.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, João PIMENTA LOPES, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7

Access to cross-border labour mobility 1. services to individuals and employers to facilitate labour mobility across the Union. To that end, the Authority shall: (a) initiatives supporting the cross-border mobility of individuals, including targeted mobility schemes; (b) of job, traineeship, and apprenticeship vacancies with CVs and applications for the benefit of individuals and employers, particularly via EURES; (c) initiatives and networks, such as the European Network of Public Employment Services, the European Enterprise Network and the Border Focal Point, in particular to identify and overcomrticle 7 deleted services The Authority shall provide promote the development of enable the cross- border obstacles to labour mobility; (d) competent services at the national level designated in accordance with Directive 2014/54/EU to provide information, guidance and assistance to individuals and employers on cross-border mobility, and the national contact points designated in accordance with Directive 2011/24/EU to provide information on healthcare. 2. EURES European Coordination Office and ensure that it fulfils its responsibilities in accordance with Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2016/589, except for the technical operation and development of the EURES portal and related IT services, which shall continue to be managed by the Commission. The Authority, under the responsibility of the Executive Director as set out in Article 23(4)(k), shall ensure that this activity fully complies with requirements of the applicable data protection legislation, including the requirement to appoint a Data Protection Officer, in accordance with Article 37.matching cooperate with other Union facilitate cooperation between The Authority shall manage the

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1

The Authority shall facilitate cooperation between Member States and support their effective compliance with cooperation obligations, including meeting deadlines on information exchange, as defined in Union law within the scope of the Authority’s competences.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2

2. Concerted and joint inspections and their follow-up shall be carried out in accordance with the national law and/or practice of the Member States concerned and without prejudice to the Member States' competences, obligations and responsibilities under, inter alia, relevant and applicable International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, such as Convention No 81 concerning Labour Inspection in Industry and Commerce.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4

4. Staff of the Authority may ~~participate~~ be present as an observer during a concerted or joint inspection with the prior agreement of the Member State on whose territory they will be providing their assistance to the inspection.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 7

7. In the event that the Authority, in the course of concerted or joint inspections, or in the course of any of its activities, becomes aware of suspected irregularities in the application of Union law, including beyond the scope of its competences, it shall report those suspected irregularities to the ~~Commission and~~ authorities in the Member State concerned, where appropriate.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1

1. The Authority shall assess risks and carry out analyses regarding cross-border labour flows, such as ~~labour market imbalan~~social dumping, abusive practices, sector-specific threats and recurring problems encountered by individuals and employers in relation to cross-border mobility. For that purpose, the Authority shall ensure complementarity with, and draw on the expertise of, other Union agencies or services, including in the areas of social dumping, skills forecasting and health and safety at work. Upon a request by the Commission, the Authority may carry out focused in-depth analyses and studies to investigate specific labour mobility issues related to social dumping in the internal market.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4

4. The Authority shall collect statistical data compiled and provided by Member States in the areas of Union law within the scope of the Authority’s competences. In doing so, the Authority shall seek to streamline current data collection activities in those areas. Where relevant, Article 16 shall apply. The Authority shall liaise with the Commission (Eurostat), Eurofound and European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and share the results of its data collection activities, where appropriate.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1

At the request of the national authorities, and without prejudice to the autonomy of social partners and the right to collective bargaining and to take collective action, the Authority may facilitate cooperation between relevant stakeholders in order to address labour market disruptions affecting more than one Member State, such as large-scale restructuring events or major projects impacting employment in border regions.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1

1. The Management Board shall be composed of: (a) one senior representative from each Member State ~~and two representatives of the Commission, all of whom~~; (b) one member representing employers' organisations from each Member State; (c) one member representing employees' organisations from each member State; (d) one member representing the Commission. All members referred to points (a) to (d) shall have voting rights.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1

Members of the Management Board representing their Member States and their alternates shall be appointed by their respective Member States in light of their knowledge in the fields referred to in Article 1(2), taking into account relevant managerial, administrative and budgetary skills. Members of the Management Board representing the social partners referred to in points (b) and (c) shall be appointed by their respective organisations in the Member States.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1

The Management Board shall elect a Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson from among the members with voting rights, and shall ~~strive for~~respect gender balance. The Chairperson and the Deputy Chairperson shall be elected by a majority of two-thirds of the members of the Management Board with voting rights.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 4

4. The Stakeholder Group shall be composed of six representatives of Union- level social partners equally representing trade unions and employer’s organisations,; two representatives from the social partners in each Member State equally representing trade unions and employer's organisation; and two representatives of the Commission.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0064(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 5

5. The members of the Stakeholder Group shall be nominated by their respective organisations and appointed by the Management Board. The Management Board shall also appoint alternate members, in accordance with the same conditions as members, who shall automatically replace any members who are absent or indisposed. ~~To the extent possible, an appropriate g~~Gender balance shall be respected, as well as adequate representation of SMEs.

2018/07/19
Committee: EMPL

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)

(8a) The involvement of academic and research institutions and other stakeholders, should be encouraged with a view to maintaining and supporting integrated scientific data infrastructures and High Performance Computing.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)

(23a) Access time to the supercomputers should not be proportionate to financial contributions, and a level playing field for users from all Member States, scientists and industries in the Union should be ensured.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26

(26) Voting rights should be, in principle, proportional to the financial and in-kind contributions of its members. Participating States should only have the right to vote on activities related to procurement of the Joint Undertaking if they contribute resources to the procurement activities respectively should only vote on activities related to the indirect actions if they contribute resources. The voting rights should be calculated on an annually on the basis of the actual contributions.deleted

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 a (new)

(41a) The Joint Undertaking should guarantee that the High Performance Computing supercomputers in the Union are accessible exclusively to entities which comply with Union law on data protection, privacy and security.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) to provide scientists, industry and the public sector from the Union or an Associated Country to Horizon 2020 with latest High Performance Computing and Data Infrastructure and support the development of its technologies and its applications across a wide range of fields for civilian use.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c

(c) to provide Union level coordination and adequate financial resources to support the development and acquisition of such infrastructure, which will be accessible to users from the public and private sector ~~primarily for~~exclusively for civilian research and innovation purposes;

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e

(e) to provide access to High Performance Computing-based infrastructures and services to a wide range of users from the research and scientific community as well as the industry ~~including~~, micro enterprises, SMEs, and the public sector, for new and emerging data and compute- intensive applications and services with civilian purposes;

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point i

(i) to increase the innovation potential of industry, and in particular of ~~SMEs,~~micro and SMEs, as well as of research and scientific communities using advanced High Performance Computing infrastructures and services;

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point a a (new)

(aa) geographic balance.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)

(3a) Access to the supercomputers shall be granted exclusively for the purpose of civilian research and innovation activities.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

The share of the Union’s access time to each pre-exascale supercomputer shall be directly proportional to the financial contribution of the Union to its acquisition cost in relation to the total cost of acquisition and operation of the pre- exascale supercomputer. The Governing Board shall define the access rights to the Union’s share of access time.deleted

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2

Each Participating State shall be allocated a share of access time to each pre-exascale supercomputer that shall be directly proportional to the total value of its financial and in-kind contributions for the acquisition and operation costs of the pre-exascale supercomputer. Without prejudice of Article 12(3) the Participating State shall be responsible for defining the access rights for the users, in accordance with the access conditions defined by the Governing Board in accordance with Article 9(2).

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1

(1) Specific conditions shall apply to industrial users applying for access right ~~for~~only for civilian private research purposes, non-research and innovation purposes or commercial purposes. This commercial service shall be a paying service, based on market prices. The level of the fee shall be established by the Governing Board.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 1 – paragraph 2

For the general administrative tasks referred to in Article 7(3), the voting rights of the Participating States shall be in proportion to their actual financial commitment to the activities of the Joint Undertaking over the duration of the Joint Undertaking.deleted

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 2 – paragraph 1

For the tasks related to the implementation of the actions of the Joint Undertaking, as defined in Article 7(4), the voting rights of the Participating States shall be in proportion to their actual contributions to the activities of the Joint Undertaking over the duration of the Joint Undertaking.deleted

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 2 – paragraph 2

Voting rights of the Participating States shall be calculated on an annual basis, taking into consideration the contributions made since their accession to the Joint Undertaking. For the calculation of the voting rights the contributions of the Participating States to the operational costs of the supercomputers acquired by the Joint Undertaking and for the contributions of the Participating States to the acquisition costs of the petascale supercomputers shall only be taken into account if they have been certified ex-ante by an independent auditor.deleted

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 2 – paragraph 3

The Participating States of the Joint Undertaking shall ~~only~~ have the right to vote on the issues related to the acquisition of a pre-exascale supercomputer by the Joint Undertaking ~~on the condition that they provide a financial or in-kind contribution to the acquisition or operation of the pre-exascale supercomputer~~. In particular the Participating State shall have the right to vote on the work plan with corresponding expenditure estimates for the procurement, selection of hosting entity, the award of the contracts, the allocation of the access rights, and the transfer of ownership to the hosting entity.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 2 – paragraph 4

The Participating States of the Joint Undertaking ~~shall only~~ have the right to vote on the issues related to the indirect actions implemented by the Joint Undertaking if they provide a financial contribution to the Joint Undertaking for the implementation of the corresponding parts of the workplan. In particular, in this case the Participating State shall have the right to vote on the work plan with corresponding expenditure estimates for the indirect actions, and the list of indirect actions selected for fundingfor the implementation of the corresponding parts of the workplan.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 3

(3) The members of the Governing Board shall make every effort to achieve consensus. Failing consensus, the Governing Board shall take its decisions by a majority of at least 75% of ~~all vo~~the votes of the Participating Member States, including the votes of the members who are absent.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 4

(4) Any member of the Joint Undertaking other than the Union that fails to meet its commitments concerning the contributions referred to in Article 5 of the Regulation within six months of the time-limit as defined by the Governing Board shall be disqualified from voting in the Governing Board and shall have no access to the pre-exascale supercomputers owned by the Joint Undertaking until such time as its obligations have been met.deleted

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 6 – point 6 – paragraph 2

The quorum of the Governing Board shall be constituted by the Commission and at least half of the number of three Participating States’ representatives.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 15 – point 5

(5) Should any member of the Joint Undertaking be in default of its commitments concerning its financial contribution, the Executive Director shall put this in writing and shall set a reasonable period within which such default shall be remedied. If the situation is not remedied within that period, the Executive Director shall convene a meeting of the Governing Board to decide whether the defaulting member’s membership is to be revoked or whether any other measures are to be taken until its obligations have been met. ~~The defaulting member’s voting rights shall be suspended until the default of its commitments is remedied~~

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2018/0003(NLE)

Proposal for a regulation
Annex – Article 21 – paragraph 1 a (new)

The Joint Undertaking shall ensure compliance with Union law on data protection, and privacy.

2018/05/03
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related challenges will increase in the years ahead and effective action is reliant on two equally important strategies: on the one hand, continued, cross-sectoral investments in research & innovation (R&I) and, on the other hand, comprehensive strategies for timely tackling the excessive and inappropriate use of antimicrobials both in humans and animals, so that better tools, products and approaches can be developed following a One Health approach;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas excessive and inappropriate use of antibiotics both in humans and animals is turning AMR into a massive threat for the future of humankind;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Emphasises the need to increase funding for R&I regarding the rare diseases (orphan drugs);

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Emphasises the need to increase the funding for different instruments under H2020 so as to boost the research for improving our knowledge on detection, emergence and spread of AMR, prevention measures and effective infection control;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Recalls that the most rapid and cost-effective strategy for addressing AMR is to ensure the adequate and rational use of the existing antimicrobials; highlights that all actors involved in the antimicrobials life-cycle chain shall take responsibility and cooperate towards this goal, including in particular the pharmaceutical, health and livestock industries; calls on the Commission to update and strengthen its guidelines and requirements for a prudent and rational use of antimicrobials in humans and animals;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that substantial R&D efforts are made for increasing knowledge and properly assessing the role of the human, animal and manufacturing waste streams play in the development and spread of AMR, as foreseen in the One-Health action plan;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises that the EU should be at the forefront of the fight to address AMR, providing practical guidance to ensure sustainable effective action, in line with the Global Action Plan agreed by the World Health Assembly in 2015; expresses the urgent need to foster partnerships throughout the EU in order to enhance the exchange of best practices and improve knowledge on AMR;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines that the EU should co- fund the Member States so as to help them establish and implement their national One-Health action plans against AMR;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses the importance to improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective sanitation, prevention measures, education and training, including EU public awareness campaigns and targeted training for health professionals, pharmacists, veterinaries and livestock breeders;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Underlines the significant part that the pharmaceutical industry shall play in this long-term effort on Combating AMR. Calls on the Commission to further explore the requirements of this contribution by the pharmaceutical industry, namely, interalia, by asking for AMR information in the labelling of antimicrobial products and involving the industry in the monitoring and evaluation of the average use of each commercialized product;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2254(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Recalls, as stated in the Commission Guidelines for the prudent use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine, that the untargeted use of antimicrobials, its use in sub-therapeutic doses and its use for inappropriate periods of time severely increases the risk of development of AMR; stresses that the EU livestock industry must remain a global leader in phasing out the misuse of antimicrobials as a matter of routine, specially through feed and drinking water, and calls on the Commission for further strengthening the requirements for the use of antimicrobials in the livestock industry;

2018/01/18
Committee: ITRE

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Points out ~~that~~ the advanced character of the EU economy, ~~as well as digitalisation, automation and robotisation of the EU labour market, has increased demand for high-level qualifica~~underlines the need for modern educational systems, which equally combine all eight key competences aimed by the Commissions' Key Competences Recommendation, and which also include knowledge and attitudes (dispositions and ~~skills, while demand for low-level qualifications and skills has decreased~~mind sets to react to ideas, persons or situations including values, thoughts and beliefs) other than only skills;

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Considers that education and training should not be adapted to the demands of the markets, but should deepen critical, analytical and independent thinking, helping people reach their full potential personally and professionally;

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Highlights that according to Cedefop1a, the distribution of skills in the labour force largely matched the qualification requirements of the labour market in 2016; further notes that Cedefop forecasts a parallel rise in skills from both the demand and the supply side until 2025 and that skills levels are expected to change faster for the labour force than those required by the job market; calls therefore on the Commission and the Member States to carefully reassess the difficulties concerning access to the world of work; __________________ 1ahttp://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics- explained/index.php/Europe_2020_indica tors_- _employment#Skills_mismatches_in_the_ labour_market

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that skills mismatch and shortages are ~~responsible for both~~not the reasons of unemployment and unfilled job vacancies~~3 ; considers that these worrying phenomena should be tackled by modernising education systems, making education systems cooperate more closely~~, and that in order to create new decent jobs with full labour ~~market actors~~ and fsoc~~using more on training in soft and transversal skills to accommodate future skills~~ial rights, public investments in sectors of the economy are needsed; __________________ 3 http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/events- and-projects/projects/assisting-eu- countries-skills-matching

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Insists that the solution to skills mismatches or shortages is not further labour market segmentation in the form of non-standard and atypical forms of employment, including temporary jobs, involuntary part-time work, zero-hour contracts and unpaid traineeships; considers these atypical forms of employment as one of the reasons leading to the impoverishment of parts of the European citizens; reiterates its demand to ban zero-hour contracts and abusive atypical forms of employment;

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue their efforts to enable the recognition and validation of non-formal and informal learning ~~– gained from free online courses such as MOOCs –~~ which often broaden access to education for underprivileged groups and therefore increase their opportunities for a better job and life, as well as investing in quality jobs with full social and labour rights for these groups;

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Member States to internationalise education systems and expand student mobility programmes to better prepare students for the EU ~~labour market~~world of work, in which a lack of skills in foreign languages and cultures is the first barrier to mobility;

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Highlights that, in the context of labour market evolution, thinking in terms of ‘jobs/positions’ is obsolete and is of the opinion that ‘task/skills’ categories should be used instead, in both the education process and the recognition of education and qualifications;deleted

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. In this regard, ~~welcom~~notes the Commission communication on ‘A New Skills Agenda for Europe’ (COM(2016)0381)~~, which proposes solutions for skills mismatch and shortages and for finding the right system of skills recognition~~;

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make vocational and educational training more visible and enhance its quality and attractiveness, and to promote dual education, work-based learning ~~and reality-based learning~~in all its forms at every level and form of education, including universities, in order to ensure stronger ties between the education and labour markets; ~~calls for the policy of apprenticeships and entrepreneurship for young people to be developed, to make their entry into the labour market smoother~~acknowledges that education and training are Members State competences and that the EU can only support, coordinate or supplement actions of the Member States;

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2224(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. Recalls the importance of life-long learning in developing adult skills and qualifications to ensure people’s active participation in the ~~labour market~~world of work through upskilling and reskilling.

2018/03/02
Committee: EMPL

2017/2089(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas the social provisions of the Charter arshould be at the heart of the Union’s structure and reinforce respect for fundamental rights across the Union;

2018/10/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/2089(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Regrets in that regard that the Economic Adjustment Programmes under the Memorandum of Understandings were not bound by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU; recalls that the programmes violated several social rights in the programme countries such as the right to health care, education, collective bargaining;

2018/10/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/2089(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls on the European Union to accede to the European Social Charter of the Council of Europe;

2018/10/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/2089(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that all EU actors should ~~devote equal consideration to social and economic rights as to the~~prioritise social rights and fully respect all other fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter;

2018/10/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/2089(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that Member States should respect their obligations relating to the social and economic requirements of the Charter ~~when seeking to fulfil~~even when those obligations are in conflict with the compliance with other EU instruments, such as the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union (TSCG).

2018/10/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/2084(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of energy sources, distribution networks and technologies should be taken as reference when addressing concrete policies and incentives aimed at fostering ~~low~~zero-emission solutions at EU level;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that a ~~cost-effective~~just energy transition towards environmentally friendly, ~~consumer-orient~~renewable based and more digitalised, decentralised systems with active customers and communities requires research and the deployment of innovation in all energy system sectors, including non- technology specific, systemic solutions; recognises that this transition is fostering new organisational models, particularly in energy generation, transmission, distribution and storage, business and needs management, as well as service provision; underlines the role that sustainable and community-based large- scale pilot projects can play in deploying systemic energy innovation;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Considers that innovations tackling energy poverty must be considered as a priority;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that research and innovation in energy crucially depends on predictability and certainty, which require long-term policy vision in line with the Union's long-term energy and climate goals for 2050 and the Paris Agreement, sustained targeted incentives and patient equity capital in order to attain the necessary critical mass for market deployment; welcomes the focus on key technologies, as confirmed in the Strategic Energy Technology Plan (SET-Plan) and Commission communication; stresses, however, the need for greater prioritisation of cross- cutting, systemic innovation in energy, as innovation is not only technology-driven;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. SIs concerned about the variety and complexity of the existing financial instruments and stresses the need for greater coherence between the relevant funds, including structural funds, dedicated to ~~technology-neutral~~energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and for the existing financing instruments at EU and Member State level to be made more comprehensible; calls on the Commission to provide mapping of different funding and financing instruments and introduce cross-cutting sustainability criteria; considers that the possibility of pooling the various instruments should be assessed;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses the fundamental role that re-use and cascade use of materials can play in energy savings and sustainable energy innovations and calls on the Commission and Member States to step up their efforts for ensuring coherence and consistency among both policy fields;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point b

(b) reinforce existing stakeholder fora on energy research and innovation, especially on energy efficiency and renewable and establish new ones where necessary; provide tools for inter-sectoral, inter- disciplinary and inter-regional exchanges, including on energy innovation projects, national and local long-term energy innovation policies, joint investment opportunities, the appropriation of the energy transition by citizens and grass-root initiatives;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Recalls that energy innovation policies have to go in line with the EU commitment to conserve and enhance CO2 sinks while preserving biodiversity, especially in forests, lands and seas;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Reiterates Parliament’s call for an increased overall budget of EUR 120 billion for FP9 and urges the Commission to increase by 50 % the proportion of sustainable energy-related financing under FP9 from the corresponding H2020 level, so as to ensure sufficient funding to support effective implementation of the Eenergy Untransition;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Considers that citizen-driven energy innovation opens untapped opportunities for innovation financing; calls on the Commission to explore effective ways to promote energy innovation crowdfunding and to consider the setting up of a clean energy innovation crowd equity fund, considers, nevertheless, that those new ways of financing shall be additional and complementary to the current ones;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to privilege investments and research focusing in energy- cooperatives and community-driven models of the self-generation of decentralized renewable energy;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recognises the role that the Paris Agreement c~~ould~~an play in fostering global efforts for accelerated clean energy innovation; calls on the Commission to explore means by which capacity-building measures under the Agreement can help strengthen energy innovation ecosystems in developing countries;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Encourage technology transfers to developing countries’ citizen and community-driven and public initiatives, in a spirit of cooperation;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on the Commission to exploit the full potential of the Mission Innovation initiative by seeking synergies with ~~initiatives such as the Breakthrough Energy Coalition and with global equity and investment funds, and through a possible coordinated division of labour in energy innovation on a global scale~~other possible stakeholders;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on the Commission to assess the possibility of enhancing the promotion of ~~clean~~sustainable energy technology exports within ~~the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA)~~its foreign policies, including through a dedicated support facility and focused assistance from EU delegations in third countries;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Believes that accelerating clean energy innovation requires Europeans to undergo a change in their mindset that would transcend simple awareness of energy issues and move towards a deeper understanding of the behavioural changes ~~and new~~needed, specially energy savings and production and consumption new patterns, needed to meet the pressing challenges of sustainable growth, so as to reap the advantages of the digital revolution and innovation in all fields and succeed in energy transition;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Recognises the importance of a fully democratic involvement of European citizens and communities, as an essential tool to a successful energy transition; recognises the need for systemic education and engagement schemes designed to enable society to fully engage in the transformation of the energy system and enable Europeans of all ages to gradually progress from awareness and understanding to active involvement and taking a guiding role; calls on the Commission, the Member States, local authorities and the private sector to promote conscious consumer choices and energy-related citizens’ engagement through, inter alia, EU-supported awareness campaigns, comprehensive information on energy bills and price comparison tools, the promotion of self- generation, demand response and cooperative sharing schemes, participatory budgets for energy-related investments, tax and investment incentives, as well as by steering technological solutions and innovations;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2084(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Believes that regions and cities have a crucial role to play in enhancing sustainable energy models; calls the Commission and Member States to include them, together with civil society, in the dialogue for elaboration and implementation of the energetic transition;

2017/10/25
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Highlights the importance of completing the energy union, the digital single market, the capital markets union and the European research area~~Considers that the future MFF should promote increased public investment to support research and innovation, knowledge economy, environmentally sustainable infrastructure and SMEs, so that to achieve sustainable growth, creation of stable and quality jobs and a low-carbon circular economy, consistent with 2030 climate and energy efficiency goals;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Whereas Council Regulation No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework (MFF) for the years 2014-2020 provides that the Commission should present its proposal for the future post-2020 MFF before 1 January 2018;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Whereas the legislative proposals for the next MFF need to be presented as soon as possible, so that the new funding can be agreed before the end of the current programming period in order to prevent delays in programming and implementation for the new period;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Whereas according to the Treaty, the Parliament and the Council constitute the two arms of the budgetary authority; therefore the Parliament should be fully involved in the decision making, as well as, in the implementation of the new MFF;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)

1d. Whereas the adoption of the last MFF 2014-2020, involved up to 1% of Member States' GNI, represented a sharp reduction from the previous MFF and undermined territorial, economic and social cohesion and the principle of solidarity within the EU;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 e (new)

1e. Whereas suitable measures should be taken to ensure that the budgetary challenge deriving from the United Kingdom's departure from the EU does not have a negative effect on the next MFF budget;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 f (new)

1f. Points out that the economic and social crisis that hit the Member States in 2007/2018 is far from over, while new priorities, challenges and unforeseen crises need to be addressed; therefore post-2020 MFF budget should at least be equivalent to the current period, if not increased;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 g (new)

1g. Recalls its opposition to macroeconomic conditionality and rejects any proposal that the next MFF should maintain the link between disbursement of funds and the implementation of structural reforms, economic governance, European Semester and the rule of law in Member States;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 h (new)

1h. Calls on the Commission to structure the next MFF in a manner that clearly reflects the current and new priorities and allow a response to unforeseen crises; in this context it underlines that new priorities should be financed with fresh money without jeopardizing long-term policy objectives and programmes like HORIZON 2020 and COSME that have clearly demonstrated their European added value and enjoy lasting popularity among beneficiaries;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that funding should be guaranteed for ~~the~~a new job-creating industrial policy strategy so that the EU can become the world leader in innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation; calls for the necessary financial programme to be safeguarded through a dedicated investment programme that facilitates the development of a comprehensive industrial strategythat is an important driver for growth, employment and innovation in Europe;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that the next MFF period should make provision for a~~dequate~~n increase in EU funding, including structural and investment funds, in order to ~~deepen the integration of the EU energy market, especially for key energy infrastructure projects such as projects of common interest (PCIs)~~reach affordable, secure and clean energy and secure the Union resources in the field of research, development and innovation;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for an upgraded ~~and~~, more effective and environmentally sustainable Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) which will close the missing links in Europe’s energy and digital backbone by supporting the development of high- performance, sustainable and efficiently interconnected trans-European networks in the fields of energy and digital services;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Reiterates that, in the next MFF, financial instruments ~~can~~should not replace grants in financing energy efficiency, renewable energy, innovative technologies ~~for conventional energy~~ and R&I projects, as only grants are suitable for stable funding and can maximise output on the ground;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls the importance of ~~completing the~~a reoriented digital single market ~~by making~~in order to make sure that a full use of spectrum, 5G and internet connectivity, and ~~by making~~ further progress on EU telecom rules will lead to job creation, facilitate SMEs accession to finance and strengthen the rights of workers and consumers;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Further stresses the need to better coordinate EU ~~instrument~~funds relating to investment in SMEs, information and communication technology and en~~ergy infrastructure, and considers that a combination of grants and innovative financial instruments could facilitate project implementation and stimulate private financing~~vironmentally sustainable energy infrastructure;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Reiterates the need to continue with Horizon 2020 ~~and to provide it with at least the same share of funding as at present in order to respond to societal challenges and secure Europe’s global competitiveness and industrial leadership in innovation~~; considers that programmes such as the successor programme to Horizon 2020 should receive twice the funding available under the current framework programme in order to respond to societal challenges and alleviate the research and innovation funding gap; calls also for a greater focus on implementing innovation through joint undertakings, on supporting investment in key technologies and on ensuring that SMEs have better access to risk capital;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls for ~~an upgraded EFSI that would make it possible to bridge the gap between research and the market and would focus on boosting market innovation~~the Commission to facilitate greater synergies and complementarities between the different EU funds and programmes, including cohesion policy, Horizon 2020 and Connecting Europe Facility, while complying with their respective specific rules;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Emphasises that the next EU budget should include sufficient space-related funding to continue and further develop the EU’s flagship Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus space programmers; reminds that all research and innovations shall have an exclusive focus on civil applications;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 11

11. Believes strongly that space- related funding in FP 9 should be higher than under Horizon 2020 and that the necessary amounts should be allocated to the future Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) on innovative materials for space equipment; calls for the establishment of an integrated GOVSATCOM ensuring cost-effective secure satellite communication services for European public authorities; recalls its long- standing position that the Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) support framework should be converted into a Union programme and that its remit should be extended, and considers that the budget allocated to this activity should be increased accordingly;deleted

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Draws attention to~~Strongly rejects further EU militarisation through the European Defence Fund and the recent Commission proposal for a European defence industrial development programme which is intended to cover the period 2019-2020; welcomes the Commission’s intention to submit both a more substantial defence industrial development programme and a programme to support defence research as part of the MFF; considers that these programmes should not draw funds away from other programmes in the same heading. at the expense of other programmes;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Recalls the importance of enhanced flexibility that allows the mobilisation of additional resources to respond to unforeseen situations; stresses however that intensive recourse to MFF flexibility instruments is not the best way to face complicated crises that are likely to continue; therefore an in-depth reform of the financing system of the Union towards a genuine system of own resources is needed, including new own resources, in order to reduce the share of GNI-based national contributions with a view to abandon fair return and omit all rebate mechanisms and to make the EU budget more effective, stable, sustainable and predictable, while improving transparency for the citizens;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Points out that while acknowledging the need to consolidate and further increase flexibility within MFF, all funds, financial instruments, financial mechanisms and agencies’ finances should be recorded in the union balance sheet, in full compliance with the principle of the unity of the budget and on the grounds of democratic accountability and transparency;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/2052(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12c. Considers it essential, in the context of the new MFF, to ensure that rules are redesigned along the principles of performance-based budgeting, result- oriented management and overall simplification, in order to increase EU added value and encourage more beneficiaries to apply for EU funding;

2017/11/16
Committee: ITRE

2017/0334(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
–

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Regional Development, as the committee responsible, to propose the rejection of the Commission proposal.

2018/05/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/0334(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1

(1) The Structural Reform Support Programme (‘the Programme’) was established with the objective of strengthening the capacity of Member States to prepare and implement ~~growth- sustaining~~ administrative and structural reforms~~, including through assistance for the efficient and effective use of the Union funds. Supp~~ and promote economic coordination, which unfort un~~der the Programme is provided by the Commission, upon request by a Member State, and can cover a wide range of policy areas. Developing resili~~ately could not prevent rec~~onomies built on strong economic and social structures, which allow Member States to efficiently abs~~ession and economic stagnation in the Member States orb shocks and swiftly recover from them, contributes to economic and social cohesion. The implementation of institutional, administrative and growth-sustaining structural reforms is an appropriate tool for achieving such a developmentafeguard those in the lowest income brackets.

2018/05/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/0334(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)

(1a) The increase of the financial envelope dedicated to the Programme should be linked to a revision of the Programme's objectives as it is necessary in many Member States to strengthen public social security systems as well as collective bargaining and real-wage growth.

2018/05/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/0334(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)

(2a) It is therefore necessary to revise the Programme's objectives in order to ensure social and environmental protection, the creation of decent jobs with full workers’ rights, renationalisation of public goods and services, and long-term public investments in the real economy which strengthen the public social security systems and collective bargaining.

2018/05/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/0334(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5

(5) It is also necessary to indicate that actions and activities of the Programme may support reforms that may help Member States that wish to adopt the euro to prepare for participation in the euro area.deleted

2018/05/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/0334(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6

(6) In order to meet the growing demand for support from Member States, and in view of the need to support the implementation of structural reforms in Member States whose currency is not the euro, the financial allocation for the Programme should be increased to a sufficient level that allows the Union to provide support that meets the needs of the requesting Member States.deleted

2018/05/22
Committee: EMPL

2017/0294(COD)

Proposal for a directive
–

The European Parliament rejects the Commission proposal.

2018/01/26
Committee: ITRE

2017/0294(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3

(3) This Directive seeks to address the remaining obstacles to the completion of the internal market in natural gas resulting from the non-application of Union market rules to gas pipelines to and from third countries. The amendments introduced by this Directive will ensure that the rules applicable to gas transmission pipelines connecting two or more Member States, are also applicable to pipelines to and from third countries within the Union. This will establish consistency of the legal framework within the Union while avoiding distortion of competition in the internal energy market in the Union. It will also enhance transparency and provide legal certainty as regards the applicable legal regime to market participants, in particular investors in gas infrastructure and network users.deleted

2018/01/26
Committee: ITRE

2017/0294(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4

(4) To take account of the previous lack of specific Union rules applicable to gas pipelines ~~to and~~ from third countries, Member States should be able to grant derogations from certain provisions of Directive 2009/73/EC to such pipelines which are completed at the date of entry into force of this Directive. The relevant date for the application of unbundling models other than ownership unbundling should be adapted for gas pipelines ~~to and~~ from third countries.

2018/01/26
Committee: ITRE

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b

Directive 2009/73/EC
Article 9 – paragraph 9 – point b

2018/01/26
Committee: ITRE

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b

Regulation (EU) No 182/2011
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a

3a. Where no opinion is delivered in the appeal committee, the Commission may refer the matter to the Council ~~for an opinion indicating its views and orientation on the wider implications of the absence of opinion, including the institutional, legal, political and international implications~~and the European Parliament for an opinion. The Commission shall take account of any position expressed by the Council and the European Parliament within 3 months after the referral. In duly justified cases, the Commission may indicate a shorter deadline in the referral.;

2018/02/14
Committee: ITRE

2017/0035(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)

Regulation (EU) No 182/2011
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)

(ba) the following paragraph is inserted: "4a. By way of derogation from paragraph 3, where the draft implementing act involves granting authorisation for a product or a substance, in the absence of a positive opinion voted by the majority provided for in Article 5(1), the Commission shall not adopt that draft implementing act and the authorisation shall be deemed to have been refused.";

2018/02/14
Committee: ITRE

2017/0035(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b

Regulation (EU) No 182/2011
Article 10 – paragraph 5

5. ~~The references of a~~All documents referred to in points (a) to (d), (f) and (g) of paragraph 1 as well as the information referred to in points (e) and (h) of that paragraph shall be made public in the register. That public register shall be available for access via the internet.

2018/02/14
Committee: ITRE

2017/0017(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5

(5) In the light of the resolution adopted at ICAO's 39th Assembly in October 2016 on the implementation of a global ~~market-based~~ measure from 2021 to offset international aviation emissions above 2020 levels, it is ~~considered~~n't appropriate to continue the existing derogation pending further progress on the design elements and the implementation of the global market-based measure. In this regard, the adoption of Standards and Recommended Practices by ICAO to complement that Resolution and implement the global system is planned for 2018. However, its concrete operationalisation will require action by ICAO parties at domestic level. Also, governance arrangements must be developed by ICAO, including a registry system. In this context, the current derogation of the EU ETS obligations for flights to and from third countries should be extended, subject to the review on implementing the ICAO scheme, in order to promote momentum in ICAO and facilitate the operationalisation of the ICAO scheme. As a result of the extension of the derogationAs a result, the amount of allowances to be ~~auctioned and~~ issued for free, including ~~from~~ the special reserve, should be ~~the same as would correspond to 2016, and should be proportional to the reduction of the surrender obligation~~reduced.

2017/06/07
Committee: ITRE

Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)

- having regard to the fact that the basis for accession to the EU for Turkey is the full compliance with the Copenhagen criteria and the EU's integration capacity, in accordance with the conclusions of the December 2006 European Council meeting,

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Demetris PAPADAKIS, Costas MAVRIDES, Eva KAILI, Manolis KEFALOGIANNIS, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Georgios KYRTSOS, Miltiadis KYRKOS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Ana GOMES, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Fabio Massimo CASTALDO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 18

— having regard to the crisis in Syria, the efforts towards a ceasefire and a peaceful settlement, and Turkey’s obligations to enhance stability and promote good neighbourly relations through intensive efforts in order to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, disputes and conflicts with the neighbouring countries over land and maritime borders and airspace, in accordance with the UN Charter and the UNCLOS,

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Underlines, however, that measures taken under the state of emergency had large-scale, disproportionate and long- lasting negative effects on the protection of fundamental freedoms in the country; condemns the collective dismissal of civil servants, the mass liquidation of media outlets, the arrests of journalists, academics, judges, human rights defenders, elected officials and ordinary citizens, and the confiscation of property and passports on the basis of emergency decree laws without individualised decisions, and without the possibility of timely judicial review; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners held without proof of individual involvement in committing crime or without any charges presented against them;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Deplores Turkey´s refusal to fulfil its obligation of full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the EC-Turkey Association Agreement vis-à-vis all member states, the Republic of Cyprus in particular; reiterates that Turkey's refusal to normalize its relations with all EU Member States has started having a negative impact on its relations with the EU, including its accession process;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Notes that visa liberalisation is important for the Turkish population and will enhance people-to-people contacts; encourages the Turkish Government to comply with the final outstanding criteria, including revision of its anti-terrorism legislation and to fully and in a non- discriminatory manner meet all the criteria identified in the visa liberalisation roadmap towards all Member States;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Javier COUSO PERMUY, Sabine LÖSING, Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Kostas CHRYSOGONOS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Costas MAVRIDES, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Condemns in the strongest terms all terrorist attacks carried out in Turkey, and stands firmly by Turkey’s population in our joint fight against terrorism; welcomes the close bilateral relations between EU Member States and Turkey in the field of anti-terrorism cooperation, including on ‘foreign fighters’; ~~reiterates its condemnation of the return to violence by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been on the EU’s~~stresses that the inclusion of PKK on the EU's list of terrorist organisations is standing in the way of the establishment of peace, dialogue and negotiations, at the same time that facilitates the infringement of human rights; calls therefore on the Council to revise the list and remove the PKK from the list of terrorist organisations ~~since 2002; inv~~; calls on the Turkish authorities t~~he Member States to enforce legislation banning the use of signs and symbols of organisations which are on that list~~o restart talks with PKK leaders for a peaceful solution for the Kurdish question; and to end the confinement of Abdullah Ocalan in prison;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19 a. Calls on Turkey to immediately withdraw its troops from Cyprus and to transfer Varosha to its lawful inhabitants in accordance with UNSC Resolution 550(1984);

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

2016/2308(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)

19 b. Calls on Turkey to sign and ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which has been signed and ratified by the EU, the 28 Member States and all other candidate countries and forms part of the acquis in line with December 2015 Council Conclusions and other relevant Council Conclusions; also condemns all the provoking actions of Turkey within the EEZ of the Republic of Cyprus which are a source of instability and calls on Turkey to terminate them; it recalls that Ankara must respect the sovereign rights of all EU Member States and to refrain from any action damaging good neighbourly relations while at the same time respecting the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes;

2017/05/12
Committee: AFET

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. The Commission should have ensured that the JRC’s research findings and concerns discussed among the Commission services with regard to possible illegal practices by manufacturers reach the level of the hierarchy and lead to actions needed to correct the situation. Altogether, the Commission's lack of action constitutes maladministration.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)

24 a. The Commission should have shown more initiative and diligence as regards the possible use of illegal defeat devices by car manufacturers given the general suspicion and numerous indications thereof. The JRC should have received the mandate from the Commission to investigate whether the reported suspicious behaviours of certain vehicles have any illegal connotations.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. The level of technical expertise and human and financial resources may vary substantially between type-approval authorities and technical services, and the fact that car manufacturers are free to choose any of the existing type-approval authorities combined with a lack of a harmonised interpretation of the rules ~~can~~ leads to competition among them, especially since the authorities act in this respect as commercial parties and not as bodies serving only the public interest. Car manufacturers are, in principle, free to address the type-approval authority and technical service with the most flexible and least stringent interpretation of the rules, as well as the lowest fees.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. There is an evident lack of control after type-approval~~, which is partly due to the current rules and partly due to uncertainty as to which authority is in charge of market surveillance~~. Effective conformity of production, in-service and end-of- lifecycle conformity checks to uncover cases where production vehicles and vehicles in use do not conform to the type- approved vehicle are often not in place or verified only through documents instead of physical tests carried out in the presence of the authorities.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. The Member States should have ensured that their type-approval authorities have sufficient human and financial resources to either perform in-house testing or purchase reliable testing services. They should have not relied on tests performed in the car manufacturers’ certified laboratories under the supervision of technical services. The potential conflicts of interest arising from the contracting of technical services by car manufacturers for carrying out tests is a direct result of the current system set out in the EU type- approval framework directive and cannot therefore be considered maladministration. The Commission proposal for a new market surveillance and type-approval regulation addresses this weakness by proposing a fee structure for the financing of type-approval tests, although under the system proposed by the Commission it remains possible for car manufacturers to choose the testing service and type approval authority of their preference in any of the Member States. It is regrettable that the Commission did not consider a complete overhaul of the system by eliminating competition among testing services and among type approval authorities by making it obligatory for car manufacturers to use the national testing services and national type approval authorities.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. ~~However, w~~Where technical services also offer consultancy services to car manufacturers on obtaining type-approval, as is the case in certain Member States, a potential conflict of interest arises due to the existence of an additional financial link between technical services and car manufacturers related to the provision of advice on how to successfully acquire type-approval. Member States should have investigated such potential conflicts of interests. This constitutes maladministration.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. The Member States should have ensured that type-approval authorities adequately audit technical services. This constitutes maladministration. TUnfortunately, the choice of the technical service is primarily the choice of the car manufacturer, and the role of the type- approval authority is often just to validate the procedure at the end. The possibility available to type-approval authorities to audit technical services and to challenge the choice of technical service is very rarely used.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34

34. The Member States’ failure to organise an efficient and reliable market surveillance system constitutes a contravention of EU law. The verification of the conformity of production and in- service conformity of light-duty vehicles is often based only on laboratory tests performed on the car manufacturers’ premises.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)

37 a. In particular, the Commission should have examined how competition among type approval authorities and among testing services worked out in practice and should have submitted alternatives for this type of unnecessary and harmful competition.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 b (new)

37 b. The Commission failed to make use of the provision of Regulation (EC) No 692/2008, to request Member States type approval authorities for information on the functioning of emission technology at low temperatures.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38

38. The governance structure in place in the automotive sector, where the EU merely has regulatory power and the responsibility to implement EU law on car emission measurement lies primarily with the Member States, prevents the efficient enforcement of EU legislation. The enforcement powers of the Commission are limited to initiating infringement procedures against Member States where a Member State has failed to apply EU law correctly.deleted

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38 a. The initial test results performed by the national authorities in the framework of the diesel emissions screening campaign give credence to suspicions that Volkswagen case is not the only violation but the emissions scandal is more widespread and prevents the efficient enforcement of EU legislation.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Christine REVAULT D'ALLONNES BONNEFOY, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Carlos ZORRINHO, Seb DANCE, Ismail ERTUG, Theresa GRIFFIN, Nicola DANTI, Nikos ANDROULAKIS, José BLANCO LÓPEZ, Tibor SZANYI, Christel SCHALDEMOSE, Gilles PARGNEAUX, Bas EICKHOUT, Lucy ANDERSON, Miriam DALLI, Massimo PAOLUCCI, Flavio ZANONATO, Olga SEHNALOVÁ, Eleonora EVI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38 a. One of the structural weaknesses of the current type-approval framework in Europe is that it is only the type-approval authority that granted a type-approval to a given vehicle that can effectively withdraw the certificate of conformity that was given to the vehicle concerned.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. The majority of the Member States did not launch or participate to any investigations. Some Member States were very reluctant to share the results of their investigations and the technical test data with the Commission and this committee of inquiry. or they published only parts of their findings.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46 a (new)

46 a. Furthermore, the Member States have not taken up their role to actively inform and support consumers to claim their rights in respect of the Volkswagen emissions case and possible involvement of other car-brands.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47

47. Following a strict interpretation of Regulation (EC) No 715/2007, the Commission considered that it is the sole duty of the Member States, and not part of its responsibility as guardian of the Treaties, to investigate the possible illegal use of defeat devices. On this basis, the Commission did notThe Commission failed to undertake ~~further~~any technical research, ~~did not~~ request additional information from the Member States ~~and did not ask~~or request the responsible national type-approval authorities to undertake further investigative and corrective actions regarding the possible illegal use of the defeat devices.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)

48 a. The Commission should have asked for the emissions tests to be done in real driving conditions as set in the Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 since it was known that there was a difference between the results of the emissions in the laboratory and in the real driving conditions.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 53

53. ~~The participation of s~~Some former Commissioners ~~was further complicated by~~refused to cooperate and contribute to the research of this committee of inquiry using as an excuse the lack of a clear obligation in the current Code of Conduct for Commissioners that former Commissioners must cooperate with ongoing inquiries and ~~in general~~ remain accountable for actions undertaken during their term in office.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 60

60. The requirement to produce an interim report six months after the start of the committee’s work, as per its mandate, was superfluous, as this timeframe was insufficient to gather evidence which could represent a sound basis for conclusions.deleted

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2215(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Kateřina KONEČNÁ, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Dennis de JONG, Estefanía TORRES MARTÍNEZ, Stefan ECK

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 61

61. Given the temporary nature of committees of inquiry, collecting evidence in an efficient and timely manner is essential. The approach taken by the committee to devote the first months of its mandate to hearing technical experts before moving on the political level proved successful. Ideally, the hearings should start only once the first phase of evidence collection, including receiving all the relevant documents from the parties under inquiry, is concluded.

2017/01/24
Committee: EMIS

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Call on the Commission to better define ‘'impact’'; stresses that the assessment of the impact of fundamental research and SSH projects should remain flexible and its relative weight in the evaluation procedure should be decreased; asks the Commission to check that the balance between bottom- up and top-down calls is maintained and to analyse which procedure (one or two stage) is more useful to avoid oversubscription;

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Insists that the Commission should adopt measures minimising the risk that the results of a research project could be misused or used malevolently;

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Recognises the importance of incorporating research and entrepreneurship skills into Member States’' primary and high school education systems in order to encourage young people to develop these skills, as R&D should be viewed in structural rather than cyclical or temporal terms; calls on the Member States and the Commission to enhance employment stability for ~~young~~ researchers and to reject all forms of precarious working conditions under H2020 funded projects; calls on the Commission to provide new increased levels of support for young researchers, such as a new funding scheme for early-stage researchers with less than three years of experience after PhD completion;

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Recalls that SSH integration means SSH research in interdisciplinary projects and not an ex-post add-on to otherwise technological projects, and that the most pressing problems faced by the EU require methodological research that is more conceptually focused on SSH; calls on the Commission ~~either~~ to introduce ~~a minimum percentage dedicated to SSH funding, or to create an evaluation sub- criterion that takes account of its inclusion in projec~~proper funding dedicated to SSH, Enhance efforts to integrate SSH at programme and topic level through truly interdisciplinary approaches clearly reflected throughout call texts;

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. ~~Welcomes initiatives which bring the private and public sectors together to stimulate research; r~~Regrets the low level of public return on public investment in some sensitive areas such as health; highlights the need for enhanced EU leadership in prioritising public research needs and a fair public return; calls on the Commission to study the possibilities of co-ownership of IP for key projects funded by FP public grants;

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Welcomes the Open Science pilot funding as a first step towards an Open Science Cloud; recognises the relevance of e-infrastructures and supercomputing, the need for public and private sector stakeholders and civil society to be involved and the importance of citizen science in ensuring that society plays a more active part in the definition of the problems; calls for a public scientific metadata structure and procedures for the generation of such data in order to feed the European OSC and ensure ~~data exploitation~~open access to data; calls on the Commission and the public and private research community to explore new models that integrate private cloud resources and public e- infrastructures and the launch of citizen agendas in science and innovation;

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)

33a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that actions and funding of the next FP9 should respect fundamental rights and observe the principles acknowledged in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Such actions should be in conformity with any legal obligation, including international law and in particular the EU's obligation not to recognise as lawful a situation created by a serious breach of a peremptory norm of international law and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining that situation with any relevant Commission decisions as well as with ethical principles, which include avoiding any breach of research integrity;

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2147(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 b (new)

33b. Calls on the Commission to ensure that as regards the project evaluation procedures both ethical and technical, envisaged for the next FP9, need to be transparent and participatory as well as based on international law and Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. In addition external evaluators of the FP9 projects needs to be appointed independently not by the project participants but by an external body and in consultations with the European Parliament and civil society.

2017/04/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcomes~~Regrets the fact that although the investment mobilised by EFSI to date~~, which~~ amounts to EUR 169.9 billion and accounts for 52 % of the total target investment to be mobilised by 2018, recent data on national accounts do not indicate any surge in investment since EFSI was launched; reiterates that only direct public investment can close the large investment gap in Europe;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Regrets the lack of official information on the amount of used guarantee~~; notes, however, that unofficial information indicates a~~ and of the multiplier ~~of 14.1~~effect; calls on the EIB to make the exact multiplier public ~~and to use the OECD calculation methodology~~;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that, according to the EY 2016 independent evaluation, EU-15 received over 90 % of EFSI support and the 13 new Member States received about 9 %; regrets the disproportionate benefit from a market-driven instrument such as EFSI to certain larger Member States with more developed capital markets; recalls that three Member States should not account for more than 45 % of total EFSI funding and therefore calls on the EFSI Steering Board to continuously monitor sectoral and geographical spread, especially in crucial sectors such as modernizing and improving productivity and sustainability of all Member- States economies;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4 a. Regrets the relative lack of investments in countries facing severe economic imbalances and undergoing violent structural adjustments;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that only 10 projects under the IIW and two under the SMEW, corresponding to nine Member States, benefited from blended EFSI/ESIF funding; encourages a timely adoption of the Financial Regulation and Omnibus Regulation revision that would allow the simplification of the combined ESIF and EFSI funds in order to avoid competition ~~and overlaps~~, substitution, overlaps, any generation of profit and to ensure complementarity;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that 31 % of the EFSI funding was used for SMEs, 22 % for energy projects, 21 % for RDI and 10 % for the digital sector; regrets, however, the lack of information regarding the additionality of the projects funded; calls for an urgent improvement of the sectorial diversification as well as the consideration of any further extension of support to other sectors;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses the need to revise the current definition of additionality by adding new factors and in particular the sectorial and geographical diversification; notes that geographical concentration is working against the principle of cohesion; recalls that the current regulation enabled the possibility of projects with lower-than- minimum risk than EIB Special Activities; notes that many projects could have been carried out without EFSI support and calls the EIB to ensure real additionality;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that National Promotional Banks are not well established in all Member States and that their limited geographical spread poses additional barriers to the EFSI geographical coverage; considers that the establishment of National Promotional Banks should be a high EFSI priority in order to address regions where support is needed, to boost small scale projects and to improve regional and sectorial diversification; calls on the EIB and the Commission to ensure that National Promotional Banks are high in the priorities of the European Advisory Investment Hub; calls on the Commission to encourage and support the establishment of National Promotional Banks in regions where their presence is limited;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 10

10. Deplores the fact that, on account of EFSI, a series of budgetary lines were reduced for the period 2015-2020, negatively affecting programmes like Horizon 2020 and the Connecting Europe Facility; considers that in the context of MFF revision this budgetary deficit should be redressed taking into consideration the assessment of the opportunity cost of the relevant cuts and that EFSI should be financed from sources independent from EU programmes that have already been approved;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12

12. ~~Stresse~~Regrets the ~~need~~lack for transparency ~~in the selection of EFSI operations, especially the need for information concerning additionality~~related to the use of the scoreboard and the criteria applied in the selection of EFSI operations towards the EU institutions as well as for all EU citizens; stresses the need for accessible, accurate and updated information especially concerning additionality, their contribution to growth and job creation and the reasons for granting the EU guarantee;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls for publication of all information of all EFSI operations and decisions on the European Investment Project Portal (EIPP);urges the Commission to increase EIPP potential and visibility;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12b. Reminds that for improving the transparency, efficiency and accountability of EFSI, its governance structures should be completely separate from that of the EIB;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13

13. Is of the opinion that further evaluation of the original EFSI regulation ~~would have been desirable~~is crucial before the adoption of the any proposed EFSI extension~~; hop~~ in order to identify possible areas of improvement and whether maintaining a scheme for supporting investment is warranted; anticipates that the conclusions of this report will be duly taken into consideration in the final elaboration of EFSI II Regulation.

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2064(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Acknowledges that EFSI has a strong impact on EU budget and calls for further proposals on how to permanently boost public investment in Europe;

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the increasing use of precarious employment models in aviation inside the Union further creates downwards pressure on social and labour rights and has adverse effects on health and safety; whereas high-quality employment and training is directly linked to the safety and security of passengers and staff;

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Highlights the importance of strong, independent social partners in the aviation sector, an institutionalised social dialogue and the participation of employees in company matters; underlines that the rights to form and to join a trade union and to undertake collective action are fundamental rights in the Union;

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Insists that direct employment must ~~remain the usual~~be the standard form of employment in aviation in order to ensure safety and high- quality jobs; stresses that in particular airline pilots cannot be considered to be independent of the companies for which they work; further calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that workers' rights are safeguarded in the sense of Directive 2001/23/EC in the event of acquisition or transfer of company;

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls on the Commission to come forward with legislative initiatives to prevent flags of convenience, rule shopping and unfair competition in aviation, including a ban on zero-hours contracts and pay-to-fly schemes; stresses that bogus self-employment has significant consequences with regard to the social protection of workers and safety and has an adverse effect on the level playing field; insist therefore that the Commission and Member States clarify the provisions, drawing on ILO Convention 198, so that a distinction can be drawn between employees and self- employed workers in order to put an effective stop to bogus self-employment;

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need to prevent social dumping and possible illegal use of ~~foreign workers on board EU-registered planes~~third- country workers on board EU-registered planes; believes that third-country workers on board EU-registered planes must have the same social and labour rights as those applying to the operators' employees residing inside the EU;

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Insists that any agreements in the field of EU External Aviation Policy must include respect for human rights and ~~fundamental ILO convention~~include all relevant ILO conventions; in this regard, insists that Member States have the right to deny airlines landing rights on their territory if non-EU operators do not respect human rights or exercise unfair competition, including respect for workers' rights;

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Member States to invest in mandatory education and training in all parts of the aviation value chain; recognizes the importance of establishing minimum requirements for education and training in the EU in order to ensure a high level of quality and safety in the aviation sector;

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2062(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Member States to guarantee all workers in the aviation sector decent working conditions, including health and safety at work; stresses that this includes protection against exposure to particle pollution in airports.

2016/09/09
Committee: EMPL

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eva KAILI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas energy is a basic human good and an important goal of the EU energy strategy must be to combat energy poverty and ensure equal access to affordable energy for all; whereas energy and climate policies must be better interlinked;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eva KAILI, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the EU should actively pursue the development of EU's domestic conventional gas resources, such as those discovered in Cyprus;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Eva KAILI, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas it is important to promote an integrated proposal for the use of indigenous energy sources, such as natural gas deposits in the Cyprus EEZ, and to support the creation of a LNG liquefaction terminal in Cyprus to exploit deposits from neighbouring areas also;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas the framework ~~strategy for a resilient Energy Union~~of the EU's energy strategy with a forward- looking climate change policy should defines as a priority fighting energy poverty, enhancing supply security, diversification, sustainability goals, and ~~promotes more competitiv~~should promote also affordable energy prices for all;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the Commission communication entitled ‘An EU strategy for liquefied natural gas and gas storage’; believes that an internal energy market which fully integrates LNG and gas storage will play a significant role in achieving the ultimate objective of ~~a resilient Energy Union~~ensuring equal access to energy, as a public social good, for all;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eva KAILI, Sofia SAKORAFA, Miriam DALLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Acknowledges that the availability of LNG, including supporting pipeline infrastructure, in these Member States could significantly improve the current supply security situation not only in physical but also in economic terms, contributing to more ~~competitiv~~affordable energy prices;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Emphasises that liquefied natural gas (LNG) and gas storage are of particular importance in order to achieve energy diversification and enhance energy security; calls in this context for the promotion and development of new natural gas nodes and LNG storage stations in the central and south-eastern regions, the Baltic and the Mediterranean;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. UStresses the need to ensure the coherent development of LNG infrastructure with the needs of national energy markets, so as to avoid asymmetries or over-capacities in its development; underlines that priority should be given to ~~market-bas~~public-led solutions and to the utilisation of existing LNG infrastructure on a regional level;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Supports the Commission proposal in the ongoing revision of the Security of Supply Regulation to review the existing reverse flow exemptions on interconnectors and endorses the increased role of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) in the process;deleted

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recalls that geology is a major determining factor when developing new gas storages and notes the current excess capacities in European gas storages; stresses that regional cooperation could significantly improve the utilisation rate of existing gas storages; highlights the need to ensure the application of the highest environmental standards in the planning, construction and use of LNG storage infrastructure;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Stresses that it is of high importance to ensure that Member States maintain control over the infrastructure of LNG for maximising the benefits for the peoples;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eva KAILI, Sofia SAKORAFA, Miriam DALLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Emphasises that a more extensive use of Ukraine’s storage capacity will only be possible if an appropriate, stable commercial and legal framework and the integrity of supply infrastructure is guaranteed in Ukraine;deleted

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Stresses the importance of finding cost efficient energy supply options to increase supply security in the Member States on the periphery of the EU, such as ~~Cyprus, Malta and Ire~~Ireland, which is not well connected to the internal energy market; highlights also the need to support the most vulnerable countries that continuous to remain energy islands, ~~which are not well connected to the internal energy market;~~ such as Cyprus and Malta, in order to diversify their sources and routes of supply; in this context stresses that LNG and gas storage shall contribute towards ending any kind of energy isolation of the Member States and regions of the EU; furthermore, urgent action is needed for the implementation of key PCIs in these countries;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Expresses concern at the proposed doubling of capacity of the Nord Stream pipeline, and the effects this would have on energy security and diversification of supply sources and the principle of solidarity among Member States; highlights that the project runs contrary to the underlying principles of a fully integrated, secure, competitive and sustainable Energy Union and as such should not benefit from the EU’s financial support or from derogations from EU law;deleted

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Considers ~~that if, contrary to European interests, Nord Stream 2 were to be built,~~ the importance of enabling access to LNG terminals and completing the North-South Gas Corridor in central and south-eastern Europe ~~will significantly increase~~;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

~~19. Urges the Member States to fully implement the Third Energy Package and gas network codes;~~deleted

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Insists that the completion of the internal gas market and the elimination of regulatory obstacles would greatly improve the liquidity of gas markets; urges stakeholders to finalise the network code on rules regarding harmonised transmission tariff structures for gas as soon as possible;deleted

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Stresses the necessity of eliminating all barriers to global free trade of LNG; urges, in this context, US policy makers to increase investment certainty by introducing clear criteria and deadlines in the authorisation process for gas exports to non-FTA countries;deleted

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eva KAILI, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Stresses that the development of LNG should be compatible with the reduction of the EU's dependency or gas imports and should not facilitate the entry of gas from hydraulic fracturing;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2059(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31a. Stresses that the Eastern Mediterranean is a promising future source of gas supply for the EU, with significant resources available in the EEZ of Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Cyprus. No single energy source will ever fulfil EU's energy needs, and diversity from both domestic and foreign markets is essential. Therefore, the development of the domestic conventional gas resources discovered in Cyprus should be actively pursued;

2016/06/16
Committee: ITRE

2016/2047(BUD)

Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Costas MAVRIDES, Eleni THEOCHAROUS, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)

39 a. Deems it necessary to increase appropriations for the Turkish Cypriot Community budget line (+EUR 3 million) for the purpose of contributing decisively to the continuation and intensification of the mission of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and of supporting the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, thus promoting trust and reconciliation between the two communities;

2016/10/04
Committee: BUDG

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)

- having regard to the UN report, through the UNISRD (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) as part of the 2005 Hyogo Framework for Action to manage the risk of disasters,

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 b (new)

- having regard to the studies produced by the World Bank and its International Development Association (IDA) on the situation for women in disasters,

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the instrument was comprehensively overhauled in 2014 with a view to ensuring as rapid a response as possible and thus improving the effectiveness of relief funding, even though it has proved insufficient and there is still a significant delay in paying out aid, which means that the effectiveness offered by early assistance is lost;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas women are among the groups that suffer the consequences of natural disasters most acutely, as reflected in many reports by international organisations researching and working in this field; these include the UN report, through the UNISRD (United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction) as part of the 2005 Hyogo Framework for Action to manage the risk of disasters, which states that the gender perspective should be ‘integrated into all disaster risk management policies, plans and decision-making processes, including those related to risk assessment, early warning, information management and education and training’; the World Bank makes the same point, in the studies drawn up by its International Development Association (IDA), which states that ‘women are much more likely than men to be killed in natural disasters’ and that ‘including gender in disaster planning can help avoid costly mistakes and save lives’;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls that, since it was established in 2002, the EUSF has been a significant source of funding in the context of natural disasters occurring across Europe, from floods to earthquakes and forest fires, and a means of demonstrating European solidarity with affected regions; takes the view that the goals of the Solidarity Fund should be widened to include humanitarian disasters, such as the current refugee crisis, and not only natural disasters; takes the view, likewise, that other man-made crises should also be included, such as industrial accidents or public health crises, while upholding the principle that those causing the damage should pay for it;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that, since the Fund was established natural disasters in the Union have increased significantly in number, severity and intensity as a consequence of climate change; stresses, therefore the added value of a sound and flexible instrument as a means of showing solidarity and providing proper, rapid assistance for people affected by major natural disasters; points out that the amount allocated to the fund, EUR 500 million a year, will be insufficient owing to the consequences of climate change, which are being reflected in a steady increase in natural disasters and forecasts of a further increase in the coming years; suggests, therefore, that the budget allocated to the Solidarity Fund should be increased accordingly;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Points out that, just as consideration should be given to widening the goals of the Fund to include humanitarian and other disasters, such as industrial accidents and public health crises, the amount of money allocated to the Fund should also be increased to cover these new goals;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Points out that the EUSF is financed outside the European Union budget, with a maximum allocation of EUR 500 million (at 2011 prices), on top of any amounts remaining from the previous year; points out that this is leading to increased delays in payments, since every time there is an emergency a special procedure must be carried out to allocate and release funds; proposes, in this connection, that the financing of the Solidarity Fund should be brought within the Union budget so that it can be made available more quickly and thereby provide an earlier and more effective response to citizens affected by a disaster;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises the importance of the 2014 revision, which represented a belated response to its repeated calls to improve the effectiveness of aid in order to ensure a rapid response in support of people affected by natural disasters; takes the view, however, that fresh reforms should be undertaken, especially relating to the goals of the fund, eligibility thresholds and matters linked to procedure, such as transparency, simplification, and the inclusion of gender policies among the eligibility criteria;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Emphasises the main components of the reform, such as the introduction of advance payments of up to 10 % of the anticipated financial contribution available on demand soon after an application for a financial contribution from the Fund has been submitted to the Commission (upper limit of the contribution set at EUR 30 million), the eligibility of technical assistance directly linked to project operations (a key European Parliament request), the extension of the deadlines by which Member States must make applications (12 weeks after the first damage) and set up the project (18 months), as well as the introduction of a six-month deadline by which the Commission must respond to applications; takes the view, however, that this amount is insufficient and that it should be increased to 20%; takes a positive view of the eligibility of technical assistance directly linked to project operations (a key European Parliament request), but considers it vital that the remaining external technical assistance should also be included as an eligible cost, including management, monitoring, information and communication, dealing with complaints and control and auditing; welcomes the fact that the reform envisages extending the deadlines by which Member States must make applications (12 weeks after the first damage) and set up the project (18 months), even though it considers the time granted to be insufficient and takes the view that it should be increased to 24 months; points out that the introduction of a six-month deadline by which the Commission must respond to applications allows too much time and efforts should be made to shorten this deadline as far as possible in order to ensure that aid can be brought to the people affected more quickly;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Emphasises, however, that, in spite of the introduction of an advance payment mechanism upstream of the standard procedure, beneficiaries still face problems as a result of the length of the overall process, which culminates in payment of the final contribution; emphasises, in this context, the need to speed up the processing of applications and ensure that as many as possible are dealt with by the deadline set; takes the view that it would be of enormous help in this connection if the budget of the EUSF were included in the Union budget; urges that excessive bureaucracy in the procedure be simplified while at the same time stressing the need for maximum transparency in the awarding, management and implementation of funds;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Member States themselves to improve communication and cooperation with local and regional authorities, both in preparing applications and setting up projects; proposes, in this connection, that part of the fund be earmarked for the creation of a training programme for staff working for public authorities in each of the Member States who currently hold positions with responsibility for managing emergencies and disasters, in order to enhance their capacity in relation to applying for and managing funds;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Proposes that the system of economic thresholds for the eligibility of proposals be changed so that the poorest countries and regions have easier access to funding, moving from a proportional system like the one currently in place to a progressive system where the richest countries and regions would have higher thresholds than the poorest countries and regions; stresses that this change would offer genuine support for cohesion policy and represent a fairer and more solidarity-based way of using EU resources; proposes, in this connection, that the following thresholds be used: for serious disasters at state level, a progressive threshold in line with gross national income (GNI) of 0.6% for the highest-income state (or candidate country for accession) and 0.4% for the lowest-income state, applying the corresponding percentage between those figures to the remaining states; recalls that the 0.6% threshold, or estimated cost of over EUR 3 billion in 2011 prices, currently applies to all states; for serious disasters at regional level, a progressive threshold in line with regional gross domestic product (GDP) of 1% for the region with the highest GDP and 0.75% for the region with the lowest GDP, applying the corresponding percentage between those figures to the remaining regions; recalls that a threshold of 1.5% currently applies to all regions;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Proposes that a criterion needs to be introduced for regional disasters affecting NUTS level 3 areas in cases where several neighbouring regions together make up an area equivalent in size to a NUTS level 2 region; suggests that in this case the threshold would be calculated on the basis of the weighted average of the various NUTS level 3 areas affected; points out that disasters evidently affect geographical areas that do not necessarily coincide with the boundaries of administrative areas, and it would be absurd if the European Union had no procedural mechanisms to deal fairly with all areas affected by disasters; proposes, further, in keeping with the proposal made by the Committee of the Regions, that the term ‘exceptional cross- border natural disaster’ be used where, as in the above case, several NUTS level 3 regions may belong to different Member States;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8c. Points out that women are among the groups that suffer the consequences of natural disasters most acutely, and consequently proposes that gender equality policies and women’s rights be included as criteria for the eligibility of proposals;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Points out, in that connection, the importance of developing synergies between the various Union funds and policies with a view to forestalling, as far as possible, the impact of ~~natural~~ disasters and, in cases where the EUSF is activated, to guaranteeing the consolidation and the long-term development of reconstruction projects;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Barbara SPINELLI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to i~~mprove~~ntroduce mandatory procedures to ensure maximum transparency and calls for guaranteed public access to information throughout the assistance mobilisation process, from the submission of the application to project closure;

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2045(INI)

Ángela VALLINA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Reiterates its call, therefore, that in the near future the eligibility threshold for regional ~~natural~~ disasters should be set at 1 between 0.75% of regional GDP~~, in particular for the regions worst affected by the economic crisis and the refugee crisis~~ (for the poorest regions) and 1% of regional GDP (for the richest regions);

2016/07/20
Committee: REGI

2016/2031(INI)

Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Eleni THEOCHAROUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

- having regard to the 21 September 2005 EU declaration pertaining to the full, non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol by Turkey to all EU Member States,

2017/03/02
Committee: INTA

2016/2031(INI)

Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Eleni THEOCHAROUS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)

- having regard to the EU Common Position at the 53rd Association Council of 18 May 2015,

2017/03/02
Committee: INTA

2016/2031(INI)

Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eleni THEOCHAROUS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that while the modernisation of the Customs Union will further strengthen the already strong economic ties between Turkey and the European Union (EU), ~~and will keep Turkey economically anchored to the EU~~this cannot proceed when Turkey has not fully and effectively implemented the existing Customs Union towards all member states including the Republic of Cyprus; believes that strengthening trade relations could bring concrete benefits to citizens in Turkey and EU Member States, and also contribute to both sides engaging in a positive reform agenda while mitigating political tensions with Ankara on the deteriorating situation of the rule of law and fundamental freedoms in the country;

2017/02/02
Committee: AFET

2016/2031(INI)

Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Eleni THEOCHAROUS

Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)

C b. whereas Turkey has not proceeded to the full, effective and non- discriminatory implementation of the existing CU towards the Republic of Cyprus;

2017/01/26
Committee: LIBE

2016/2031(INI)

Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – point b

(b) ~~continuous professional development requirements;~~deleted

2017/09/11
Committee: EMPL

Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 c (new)

energy poverty means a household's inability to afford the necessary domestic energy services which guarantee decent human standard levels of comfort and health, as such costs represent a significant proportion of disposable income.

2017/09/28
Committee: ITRE

2016/0380(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2

2. Member States shall ensure the protection of ~~energy poor or vulnerable customers in a targeted manner by other means than public interventions in the price-setting for the supply of electricity~~domestic households and ensure right of equal access and affordable services.

2017/09/28
Committee: ITRE

2016/0380(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3

3. ~~By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2,~~ Member States ~~which~~may apply public interventions in price setting for the supply of electricity for energy poor or vulnerable household customers at the [OP: please insert the date of entry into force of this Directive] may continue to apply such public interventions until [OP: insert the date – five years from the entry into force of this Directive]domestic households in order to ensure affordability. Such public interventions shall pursue a ~~general econom~~public interest, be clearly defined, transparent, non- discriminatory, verifiable and guarantee equal access for Union electricity companies to customers. ~~The interventions shall not go beyond what is necessary to achieve the general economic interest which they pursue, be limited in time and proportionate as regards their beneficiaries.~~

2017/09/28
Committee: ITRE

2016/0380(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1

After[OP – insert the date – five years from the entry into force of this Directive], Member States may still apply public interventions in the price-setting for the supply of electricity for vulnerable household customers in so far as it is strictly necessary for reasons of extreme urgency. Such interventions shall comply with the conditions set out in paragraph 3.deleted

2017/09/28
Committee: ITRE

2016/0380(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2

Member States shall notify the measures ~~taken in accordance with the first subparagraph~~of public intervention in price setting to the Commission within one month after adoption and may apply them immediately. The notification shall be accompanied by an explanation why other instruments could not sufficiently address the situation and how the beneficiaries and the duration of the measure have been determined. The notification shall be considered as complete if, within two months from its receipt, or from the receipt of any additional information requested, the Commission does not request any further information.

2017/09/28
Committee: ITRE

2016/0380(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 28 – paragraph 1

1. . Member States shall take appropriate measures to protect customers and shall, in particular, ensure that there are adequate safeguards to protect vulnerable customers. In this context, each Member State shall define the concept of vulnerable customers which ~~may~~shall refer to energy poverty and, inter alia, to the prohibition of disconnection of electricity to such customers in critical times. Member States shall ensure ~~that~~a free provision of a basic minimum quantity of electricity to vulnerable customers and guarantee that all other rights and obligations linked to ~~vulnerabl~~these customers are applied. In particular, they shall take all necessary measures to protect customers in remote areas. They shall ensure high levels of consumer protection, particularly with respect to transparency regarding contractual terms and conditions, general information ~~and~~, dispute settlement mechanisms and data protection.

2017/09/26
Committee: ITRE

2016/0380(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Member States shall organize an independent ombudsman service for energy, where it not already exists, to mediate conflicts between the consumer and the supplier.

2017/09/26
Committee: ITRE

2016/0380(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 1

Member States shall ~~define a set of criteria~~in close collaboration with the Energy Poverty Observatory define a set of common criteria and indicators for the purposes of measuring energy poverty. Member States shall continuously monitor the number of households in energy poverty and shall report through a national action plan on the evolution of energy poverty and measures taken to prevent it to the Commission every two years as part of their Integrated National Energy and Climate Progress Reports in accordance with Article 21 of [Governance Regulation as proposed by COM(2016)759].

2017/09/26
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 a (new)

Article 15a Decision-making The Agency shall adopt and publish adequate and proportionate rules of procedure for all Agency tasks under Chapter I. For all Agency decisions, the rules of procedure shall ensure a transparent and reasonable decision- making process guaranteeing fundamental procedural rights based on the rule of law, in particular the right to be heard, the right to access file and the duty to give reasons. For all other Agency tasks under Chapter I, the rules of procedure shall at least ensure that fundamental procedural rights are guaranteed.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2

~~The Agency may establish local offices in the Member States, subject to their consent and in accordance with Article 25(j).~~deleted

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3

3. The Administrative Board shall ~~elect by a two-thirds majority~~appoint its Chairman and its Vice- Chairman from among its members, striving for a balanced geographical representation of Member States over time. The Vice-Chairman shall automatically replace the Chairman if the latter is not in a position to perform his duties. The term of office of the Chairman and of the Vice-Chairman shall be two years, renewable once. The term of office of the Chairman and that of the Vice- Chairman shall expire when they cease to be members of the Administrative Board.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5

5. Decisions of the Administrative Board shall be adopted on the basis of ~~a simple~~two- thirds majority of the members present, unless provided otherwise in this Regulation. Each member of the Administrative Board or alternate shall have one vote.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 8

8. The members of the Administrative Board shall undertake to act independently and objectively in the public interest without seeking or following any political instructions. For that purpose, each member shall make a written declaration of commitments and a written declaration of interests indicating either the absence of any interest which may be considered prejudicial to his independence or any direct or indirect interest which might be considered prejudicial to his independence. Those declarations shall be made public annually.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2

2. The annual work programme shall comprise detailed objectives and expected results including performance indicators. It shall also contain a description of the actions to be financed and an indication of the financial and human resources allocated to each action, in accordance with the principles of activity-based budgeting and management. The annual work programme shall be coherent with the multi-annual work programme referred to in paragraph 4. It shall clearly indicate tasks that have been added, changed or deleted in comparison with the previous financial year. ~~Annual and multi- annual programming shall include the strategy for relations with third countries or international organisations referred to in Article 43 and the actions linked to that strategy.~~

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1

1. The Board of Regulators and sub- committees pursuant to Article 7 shall act by a ~~simple~~two-thirds majority of the members present, with one vote for each member~~, except for the opinion pursuant to paragraph 5(b) which shall be taken on the basis of a two-thirds majority of its members present~~.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 5 – point a

(a) provide opinions to the Director on ~~the~~all documents containing opinions, recommendations and decisions referred to in Articles 4 to 14, 16, 30, which are considered for adoption. ~~In addition, t~~The Board of Regulators, within its field of competence, shall provide guidance to the Director in the execution of his tasks, with the exception of decisions pursuant to Article 16(6) of Regulation 1227/200138. __________________ 38 Regulation (EU) 1227/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October on wholesale energy market integrity and transparency, OJ L 326, 8.12.2011, p. 1 may amend the opinions, recommendations and decisions drafted by the Director pursuant to Article 25. In addition, the Board of Regulators, within its field of competence, shall provide guidance to the Director and the Agency working groups in the execution of their tasks.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point k

(k) be responsible for deciding whether it is necessary for the purpose of carrying out the Agency's tasks in an efficient and effective manner to locate one or more staff in one or more Member States for the purpose of carrying out the Agency's tasks in an efficient and effective manner. The decision to establish a local office requires the prior consent of the Commission, the Administrative Board and the Member State or Member States concerned. The decision shall specify the scope of the activities to be carried out at that local office in a manner that avoids unnecessary costs and duplication of administrative functions of the Agency.deleted

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 2

2. Under the relevant provisions of those agreements, arrangements shall be made specifying, in particular, the nature, a performance assessment and a sunset clause, scope and procedural aspects of the involvement of those countries in the work of the Agency, including provisions relating to financial contributions and to staff. Third countries participating in the Agency shall respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of all Member States.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0379(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 3

3. The Administrative Board shall adopt a strategy for relations with third countries or international organisations for which the Agency is competent. The Commission shall ensure that the Agency operates within its mandate and the existing institutional framework by concluding an appropriate working arrangement with the Agency's Director.deleted

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)

(5a) Despite significant progress in integrating and interconnecting the internal electricity market, some Member States or regions still remain isolated or not sufficiently interconnected. This is particularly the case for insular Member States or Member States located in the periphery. The Agency in its work should appropriately take account of the specific situation of these Member States or regions.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17

(17) Since the stepwise harmonisation of the Union energy markets involves finding regional solutions regularly as an interim step, it is appropriate to reflect the regional dimension ~~of the internal market and to provide for appropriate governance mechanisms~~. Regulators responsible for coordinated regional approvals should be able to prepare Board of Regulators decisions on issues of regional relevance in a regional subcommittee of the Board of Regulators~~, unless those issues are of general importance for the Union~~.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26

(26) The Agency should have the necessary powers to perform its regulatory functions in an efficient, transparent, reasoned and, above all, independent manner. The independence of the Agency from electricity and gas producers and transmission and distribution system operators is not only a key principle of good governance but also a fundamental condition to ensure market confidence. Without prejudice to its members’ acting on behalf of their respective national authorities, the Board of Regulators should therefore act independently from any market interest, should avoid conflicts of interests and should not seek or follow instructions or accept recommendations from a government of a Member State, from Union institutions or another public or private entity or person. The decisions of the Board of Regulators should, at the same time, comply with Union law ~~concerning energy~~, such as the internal energy market, the environment and competition. The Board of Regulators should report its opinions, recommendations and decisions to the Union institutions.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34

(34) Through the cooperation of national regulators within the Agency it is evident that majority decisions are a key pre- requisite to achieve progress on matters concerning the internal energy market which have significant economic effects in various Member States. National regulators should therefore ~~vote with simple~~continue to vote with two- third majority within the Board of Regulators. The Agency should be accountable to the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35

Countries which are not members of the Union should be able to participate in the work of the Agency in accordance with appropriate agreements to be concluded by the Union and after the approval of the Member States.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38

(38) The Agency’s host Member State should provide the best possible conditions to ensure the smooth and efficient functioning of the Agency, including multilingual, European- oriented schooling and appropriate transport connections.deleted

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2

2. In cases where the network codes and guidelines developed pursuant to Chapter VII of [recast Electricity Regulation as proposed by COM(2016) 861/2] provide for the development of proposals for terms and conditions or methodologies for the implementation of those network codes and guidelines which require regulatory approval by all regulatory authorities or by all regulators of the concerned region, the terms and conditions or methodologies shall be submitted for revision and approval to the Agency. Before approving the terms and conditions or methodologies, the Agency shall revise and change them where necessary in order to ensure that they are in line with the purpose of the network code or guideline and contribute to market integration, non-discrimination and the efficient functioning of the market for the benefit of the people. The procedure for the coordination of regional tasks in accordance with Article 7 shall apply.

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0378(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3

3. In the context of the bidding zone review, the Agency shall approve and may request amendments to the methodology and assumptions that will be used in the bidding zone review process pursuant to Article 13 paragraph 3 of [recast Electricity Regulation as proposed by COM(2016) 861/2].deleted

2017/09/21
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1

(1) The electricity sector in the Union is undergoing a profound transformation, characterised by more decentralised markets with more players, better interlinked systems and a higher proportion of renewable energy. In response, Directive xxx/ Regulation xxx [Reference to the proposed Electricity Directive and Electricity Regulation] aim to upgrade the legal framework governing the Union's internal electricity market, so as to ensure that markets and networks function in an optimal manner, to the benefit of ~~businesses and consumer~~EU citizens.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25

(25) This Regulation should enable electricity undertakings and customers to rely on market mechanisms as laid down in [proposed Electricity Directive and Electricity Regulation] ~~for as long as possible when coping with electricity crisis situations~~. Rules governing the internal market and system operation rules shcould be resuspe~~cted even~~nded in crisis situations. This means that non-market measures, such as forced demand disconnection, or the provision of extra supplies outside normal market functioning should be taken ~~only as a last resort, when all possibilities offered by the market have been exhausted~~when the continuation of market activities could lead to the further deterioration of a crisis situation. Therefore forced demand disconnection can be introduced ~~only~~ after all possibilities for voluntary demand disconnection have been exhausted. In addition, any non-market measures should be necessary, proportionate, non- discriminatory and temporary.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1

This Regulation lays down rules for the cooperation between Member States in view of preventing, preparing for and handling electricity crises in a spirit of solidarity and transparency ~~and in full regard for the requirements of a competitive internal market for electricity~~.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2

2. Member States shall notify the Commission without delay of the name and the contact details of the competent authority, once designated and make it public.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1

1. By [OPOCE to insert exact date: two months after entry into force of this Regulation], ~~ENTSO-E shall submit to the Agency a proposal for~~the Agency shall establish a methodology for identifying the most relevant electricity crisis scenarios in a regional context.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5

5. Within two months of receiving the proposed methodology, the Agency shall either approve the proposal or amend it. In the latter case, it shall consult ENTSO- E before adopting the amended version and publish it on its website.deleted

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3

3. Within two months of receiving the proposed methodology, the Agency shall either approve the proposal or amend it. In the latter case, it shall consult ENTSO- E before adopting the amended version and publish it on its website.deleted

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1

1. On the basis of the regional and national electricity crisis scenarios identified pursuant to Articles 6 and 7, the competent authority of each Member State shall establish a risk-preparedness plan, after consulting the electricity and gas undertakings, the relevant environmental organisations, trade-unions, organisations representing the interests of household and industrial electricity customers and the national regulatory authority (where it is not the competent authority).

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 7

7. The Member States shall ~~make the plans public~~ensure that all relevant information is made public and easily accessible, while ensuring that the confidentiality of sensitive information is preserved, notably information on measures relating to the prevention and mitigation of malicious attacks.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point g

(g) identify ~~possible~~the contribution of non- market measures to be implemented in electricity crisis situations, specifying the trigger, conditions and procedures for their implementation~~, and indicating how they comply with the requirements set out in Article 15~~;

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point h

(h) provide a detailed load shedding plan, stipulating when loads are to be shed, in what circumstances and what values of load are to be shed. The plan shall specify which categories of electricity users are to receive special protection against disconnection, and justify the need for such protection, notably with regard to public safety ~~and~~, personal security and the continuity of essential public services;

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point i a (new)

(ia) Take into account the environmental impacts of the defined measures;

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. As far as possible, priority should be given to measures based on renewable energy sources.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0377(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2

2. Where necessary and possible Member States shall offer each other assistance to prevent or mitigate an electricity crisis. Such assistance shall be subject to fair compensation, taking into account the financial capacities of the Member States.

2017/09/14
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Recital 1

(1) ~~Moderation of energy demand is one of the five dimensions of the Energy Union Strategy adopted on 25 February 2015. Improving energy efficiency~~Improving energy efficiency for environmental and social purposes will benefit the environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy security by reducing dependence on energy imports from outside the Union, cut energy costs for households and companies, help alleviate energy poverty and lead to increased jobs and economy-wide economic activity. This is in line with the Union commitments made in the framework of the Energy Union and global climate agenda established by the Paris Agreement of December 2015 by the Parties of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change to keep a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre- industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)

(2a) With the objective of achieving the ambitious energy efficiency target, financial barriers should be removed. Therefore, public investments in energy efficiency shall not be considered as public deficit as established by the Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance in the Economic and Monetary Union.

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Recital 4

(4) There are no binding targets at national level in the 2030 perspective. The need for the Union to achieve its energy efficiency targets at EU level, expressed in primary and final energy consumption, in 2020 and 2030 should be clearly set out in the form of a binding 340 % target. This clarification at Union level should not restrict Member States as their freedom is kept to set their national contributions based on either primary or final energy consumption, primary or final energy savings, or energy intensity. Member States should set their national indicative Member States should set their national binding energy efficiency ~~contribution~~targets taking into account that the Union’s 2030 energy consumption has to be no more than 1 1321 Mtoe of primary energy and no more than ~~987~~846 Mtoe of final energy. This means that primary energy consumption should be reduced by 234 % and final energy consumption should be reduced by 1729 % in the Union compared to 2005 levels. A regular evaluation of progress towards the achievement of the Union 2030 target is necessary and is provided for in the legislative proposal on Energy Union Governance.

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Recital 6

(6) In view of the climate goals of the Paris Agreement and the climate and energy framework for 2030 the energy savings obligation should be extended beyond 2020. Extending the commitment period beyond 2020 or even beyond 2030 would create greater stability for investors and thus encourage long term investments and long term energy efficiency measures, such as the renovation of buildings.

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Recital 12

(12) I125 million Europeans are affected by energy poverty, therefore improvements to the energy efficiency of buildings should benefit ~~in particular~~as a priority consumers affected by energy poverty. Member States can already require obligated parties to include social aims in energy saving measures, in relation to energy poverty, and this possibility should now be extended to alternative measures and transformed into an obligation while leaving ~~full~~ flexibility to Member States with regard to the size, scope and content of such measures. In line with Article 9 of the Treaty, the Union's energy efficiency policies should be inclusive and therefore also ensure accessibility of energy efficiency measures for energy ~~poor~~low-income consumers.

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Recital 13

(13) Energy generated on or in buildings from renewable energy technologies reduces the supplied fossil energy. The reduction of energy consumption and the use of energy from renewable sources in the buildings sector are ~~important~~key measures to reduce the Union’s energy dependency and greenhouse gas emissions, especially in view of ambitious climate and energy objectives set for 2030 as well as the global commitment made in the Conference of the Parties of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris in December 2015. Support for renewable energy generated on or in buildings for own use should be complementary and additional to Members States ~~should therefore~~' energy savings requirements under Article 7. Therefore, Member States should not be able to take into account a certain amount of renewable energy generated on or in buildings for own use into account to satisfy their energy savings requirements. ~~For this purpose Member States should be allowed to use calculation methodologies established under Directive 2010/31/EU.~~

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Recital 18

(18) In order to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of Directive 2012/27/EU, a requirement for a general review of the Directive and a report to the European Parliament and the Council by 28 February 20242 should be introduced.

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4

2. In designing alternative policy measures to achieve energy savings, Member States shall ~~take into account the effect on~~establish specific measure dedicated to low-income households affected by energy poverty.

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4

Directive 2012/27/EU
Article 7b – paragraph 3

3. For all measures other than those relating to taxation measures, Member States shall put in place measurement, control and verification systems under which documented audits are carried out on a statistically significant proportion and representative sample of the energy efficiency improvement measures put in place by the participating or entrusted parties. This measurement, control and verification shall be conducted independently of the participating and entrusted parties. Member States shall ensure that no double counting of energy savings are made between policy measures and individual actions.;

2017/07/04
Committee: ITRE

2016/0376(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11

(11) In order to reinforce the take-up of the EFSI in less-developed and transition regions and to encourage social and regional cohesion through the creation of quality jobs and the broadening and improvement of the productive base of Member States, especially those most affected by the crisis, the scope of the general objectives eligible for EFSI support should be enlarged.

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2016/0276(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16

(16) In line with the exceptional market demand for SME financing under the EFSI ~~which is expected to continue~~, the EFSI SME Window should be enhanced~~. Particular attention should be paid to social enterprises, including through the development and deployment of new instrument~~ with additional resources, as well as the support capacities for SME of the advisory hub. Particular attention should be paid to social enterprises.

2017/03/02
Committee: ITRE

Proposal for a decision
Recital 1

1. ~~The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) stipulates in Article 145 that Member States and the Union shall work towards developing a coordinated strategy for~~Member States and the Union should seek to pursue strategic cooperation on employment and particularly ~~for~~to promot~~ing~~e a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce a~~s well as~~nd labour markets ~~that are~~ responsive to economic change ~~and with a view to achieving the objectives defin~~. Member States should promote work with rights, in accordance with labour regulations and collective agreements and based ion ~~Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU)~~higher wages, eliminating the harmful economic and social consequences that austerity policies have entailed for their peoples.

2016/06/07
Committee: EMPL

2016/0043(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 2

(2) The "Europe 2020 Strategy" ~~proposed by the Commission enables the Union to turn~~failed to achieve high level employment and social cohesion. The EU its economy towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, accompanied by high level employment, productivity and social cohesion. Five headline targets, listed under the relevant guidelines, constitute shared objectives which guide the action of the Member States, and take into account their relative starting posiin need of holistic policies and public investments that will fight against unemployment and poverty at work, as well as promote social inclusion, decent work with rights, strengthen collective agreements and collective bargaining, help the Member States on reindustrializations and national circumstances as well as the positions and circumstances of the Union. The European Employment Strategy has the leading role in the implementation of the employment and labour market objectives of the new strategyfully respect their rights to plan their own employment policies based on their own needs and circumstances.

2016/06/07
Committee: EMPL

2016/0043(NLE)

João PIMENTA LOPES, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a decision
Recital 3

(3) The ~~integrated~~employment guidelines ~~are in line with the conclusions of the European Council. They give precise guidance to the~~should support Member States on ~~defin~~forming their National Reform Programmes and implementing reforms, reflecting interdependence and in line with the Stability and Growth Pact. The employment guidelines should form the basis for any country-specific recommendations that the Council may address to the Member States under Article 148(4) of the TFEU, in parallel withown strategies on employment and respect their subsidiarity, revoking the country- specific recommendations' addressed to the Member States under Article 121(2) of that Treaty. The employment guidelines should also form the basis for the establishment of the Joint Employment Report sent annually by the Council and the European Commission to the European Councilusterity measures that caused impoverishment and unemployment in the Member States.

2016/06/07
Committee: EMPL

2016/0043(NLE)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 4

4. The examination of the Member States’ National Reform Programmes contained in the Joint Employment Report shows that Member States should continue to make every effort to address the priority areas of increasing labour market participation and reducing structural unemployment, developing a skilled workforce responding to labour markethose programmes have served to increase unemployment, lower wages, deregulate labour markets, reduce welfare provision, and wreck public services, leaving roughly a quarter of the Union population exposed to the risk of poverty and social exclusion. A policy of economic cooperation, basing labour relations on collective bargaining, raising wages and pursuing active policies to combat une~~eds~~mployment and promot~~ing job quality~~e social support, and ~~lif~~developing ~~learning, improving the performance of education and training systems at all levels and increasing participation in tertiary education, promoting social inclusion and combating poverty~~universal free public services in the areas of education, health, and social security are the best ways to enhance the well-being of, and improve living conditions for, the workers and peoples of Member States.

2016/06/07
Committee: EMPL

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 a (new)

(1a) It is important not to jeopardise the ability of Member States to negotiate the content of the intergovernmental agreements.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 4

(4) ~~However,~~ Decision No 994/2012/EU ~~proved ineffective in terms of ensuring compliance of intergovernmental agreements with Union law. That Decision~~ mainly relied on the assessment of intergovernmental agreements by the Commission after they were concluded by the Member States with a third country. Experience gained in the implementation of the Decision 994/2012/EU demonstrated that such an ex-post assessment does not fully exploit the potential for ensuring compliance of intergovernmental agreement with Union law. In particular, intergovernmental agreements often contain no appropriate termination or adaptation clauses which would allow Member States to bring the intergovernmental agreement in compliance with Union law within a reasonable period of time. Furthermore, the positions of the signatories have already been fixed, which creates political pressure not to change any aspect of the agreement.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 5

(5) In order to avoid any incompliance with Union law and enhance transparency, Member States shcould, on a voluntary basis, inform the Commission of their intent to enter into negotiations with regard to new intergovernmental agreements ~~or amendments to existing intergovernmental agreements as soon as possible~~. The Commission shcould be kept informed regularly of the progress of the negotiations. Member States should have the possibility, on a voluntary basis, to invite the Commission to participate in the negotiations as an observer.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 6

(6) During the negotiations of an intergovernmental agreement, the Commission should have the possibility, at the request of the Member States involved, to advicse on how to avoid incompatibility with Union law. In ~~particular, the Commission could develop, together with Member States, optional model clauses or guidelines. T~~that framework, the Commission should also have the possibility to draw attention of the Member States concerned to the Union’s energy policy objectives and the principle of solidarity between Member States and Union policy positions adopted in Council or European Council conclusions where relevant. However, this should not form part of the legal assessment of the Commission of the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7

(7) In order to ensure compliance with Union law, Member States should notify the draft intergovernmental agreement to the Commission before it becomes legally binding for the parties (ex-ante). In a spirit of cooperation, the Commission should support the Member State, following their request, in identifying compliance issues of the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment. The respective Member State would then be better prepared to conclude a Union law compliant agreement. The Commission should have sufficient time for such an assessment in order to provide for as much legal certainty as possible while avoiding undue delays. In order to fully benefit from the Commission's support Member States shcould, on a voluntary basis, refrain from concluding an intergovernmental agreement until the Commission has informed the Member State of its assessment. The Member States should take all necessary steps to find a suitable solution to eliminate the incompatibility identified.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7 a (new)

(7a) The Commission should consider shortening the periods provided for its assessment, in particular if a Member States so requests.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 11

(11) Member States establish relations to third countries not only by concluding intergovernmental agreements, but also in the form of non-binding instruments. Even if legally non-binding, such instruments can be used to set out a detailed framework for energy infrastructure and energy supply. In this respect non-binding instruments can have similar impacts on the internal energy market as intergovernmental agreements as their implementation might result in a violation of Union law. In order to ensure greater transparency regarding all measures applied by Member States that can have an impact on the internal energy market and energy security, Member States should therefore submit to the Commission, ex post, also the respective non-binding instruments. The Commission should assess the submitted non-binding instruments and, if appropriate, inform the Member State accordinglyMember states should be able, on a voluntary basis, to submit to the Commission non-binding instruments for example legally non-binding arrangements between one or more Member States and one or more third countries which set conditions for energy supply or for the development of energy infrastructures.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 14

(14) The Commission should make information it receives available to all other Member States in secure electronic form. The Commission should respect requests from Member States to treat information submitted to it as confidential. Requests for confidentiality should, however, not restrict access of the Commission itself to confidential information, as the Commission needs to have comprehensive information for its own assessments. The Commission should be responsible for guaranteeing the application of the confidentiality clause. Requests for confidentiality should be without prejudice to the right of access to documents as provided for in Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council11 . _________________ 11 Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents (OJ L 299, 27.10.2012, p. 13).

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 18

(18) The Commission should facilitate ~~and encourag~~the coo~~rdin~~peration between Member States ~~with a view to enhancing the overall strategic role of the Union through a strong and effective coordinated approach to producer, transit, and consumer countries~~.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1

1. This Decision establishes a mechanism for the exchange of information between Member States and the Commission with regard to intergovernmental agreements ~~and non- binding instruments~~ in the field of energy as defined in Article 2~~, in order to optimise the functioning of the internal energy market~~.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1

(1) ‘intergovernmental agreement’ means any legally binding agreement, regardless of its formal designation, between one or more Member States and one or more third countries tha~~ving an impact on the operation or the function~~t concerns: (a) the purchase, trade, sale, storage or supply of energy ing ofr t~~he internal energy market~~o at least one Member State; or on(b) the ~~security of energy supply in the Union~~construction or operation of energy infrastructure with a physical connection to at least one Member State; however, where such a legally binding agreement also covers other issues, only those provisions ~~that~~ related to those energy, i~~ncluding~~ssues and the general provisions applicable to those energy-related provisions, are deemed to constitute an ‘'intergovernmental agreement’';

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3

(3) ‘non-binding instrument’ means a legally non-binding arrangement between one or more Member States and one or more third countries, such as a memorandum of understanding, joint declaration, ministerial joint declaration, joint action or joint code of conduct, which contains interpretation of Union law, sets the conditions for energy supply (such as volumes and prices) or the development of energy infrastructures;deleted

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4

~~(4) 'existing non-binding instrument' means a non-binding instrument signed or otherwise agreed prior to the entry into force of this Decision.~~deleted

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1

As soon as an agreement has been reached by the parties on all the main elements of a draft intergovernmental agreement or an amendment to an existing intergovernmental agreement, ~~but before the closure of formal negotiations, the Member State concerned shall~~the Member State concerned could, on a voluntary basis, notify to the Commission this draft agreement or amendment together with any annexes thereto for ex-ante assessment in accordance with Article 5.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2

Where the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment to an existing intergovernmental agreement refers explicitly to other texts, the respective Member State shall also submit those other texts in so far as they contain elements which may have an impact on the functioning of the internal energy market or on the security of energy supply in the Union.deleted

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 5

5. All notifications pursuant to paragraphs 1 to 3 of this Article~~, Article 6(1) and (2)~~ and Article 76(1) and (2) shall be made through a web- based application provided by the Commission. The periods referred to in Article 5(1) and (2) and Article 6(3) shall start to run on the date when the complete notification file has been registered in the application.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1

1. The Commission shall, within ~~six~~two weeks of the date of notification of the complete draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment, including annexes thereto, pursuant to Article 3(2), inform the Member State concerned of any doubts it may have as to the compatibility of the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment with Union law, in particular with internal energy market legislation and Union competition law. In the absence of a response from the Commission within that period, the Commission shall be deemed not to have any such doubts.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 2

2. Where the Commission informs the Member State concerned pursuant to paragraph 1 that it has doubts, it shall inform the Member State concerned of its opinion on the compatibility with Union law, in particular with internal energy market legislation and Union competition law, of the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment concerned within 12four weeks of the date of notification referred to in paragraph 1. In the absence of an opinion from the Commission within that period, the Commission shall be deemed not to have raised any objections.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1

The Member State shall not sign, ratify or agree to the draft intergovernmental agreement or amendment to an existing intergovernmental agreement until the Commission has informed the Member State of any doubts, in accordance with paragraph 1, or, where applicable, has issued its opinion in accordance with paragraph 2, or, in the absence of a response or opinion from the Commission, until the periods referred to in paragraphs 1 or, where applicable, 2, have elapsed.deleted

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 7

Notification obligations and assessment by the Commission with respect to non- 1. Upon adopting a non-binding instrument or an amendment to a non-binding instrument, the Member State concerned shall notify the non-binding instrument or the amendment, including any annexes thereto, to the Commission. Where the non-binding instrument or the amendment to the non-Article 7 deleted binding instrument refers explicitly to other texts, the Member State concerned shall also submit those other texts in so far as they contain elements which may have an impact on the functioning of the internal energy market or on the security of energy supply in the Union. 2. By [3 months following the entry into force of this Decision] at the latest Member States shall notify to the Commission all existing non-binding instruments, including annexes and amendments thereto. Where the existing non-binding instrument refers explicitly to other texts, the Member State concerned shall also submit those other texts in so far as they contain elements which may have an impact on the functioning of the internal energy market or on the security of energy supply in the Union. 3. The obligation to notify to the Commission according to paragraphs 1 and 2 does not apply in respect of agreements between undertakings. 4. 4. Where, following its first assessment, the Commission considers that the measures implementing the non-binding instrument notified to it under paragraphs 1 and 2 could conflict with Union law, in particular with internal energy market legislation and Union competition law, the Commission may inform the Member State concerned accordingly.s

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1

When providing information to the Commission in accordance with Article 3(1) to (3)~~, Article 6(1)~~ and Article 76(1) ~~and (2)~~, a Member State may indicate whether any part of the information, be it commercial or other information the disclosure of which could harm the activities of the parties involved, is to be regarded as confidential and whether the information provided can be shared with other Member States.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1

Where a Member State has identified as confidential in accordance with paragraph 1 an existing intergovernmental agreement, an amendment to an ~~existing~~ intergovernmental agreement, or a new intergovernmental agreement, ~~an existing non-binding instrument, an amendment to an existing non-binding instrument or a new non-binding instrument,~~ that Member State shall make available a summary of the information submitted.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) reviewing developments in relation to intergovernmental agreements ~~and non- binding instruments and striving for consistency and coherence in the Union’s external energy relations with producer, transit, and consumer countries~~;

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0031(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 2

2. The report shall, in particular, assess the extent to which this Decision promotes compliance of intergovernmental agreements ~~and non-binding instruments with Union law and a high level of coordination between Member States with regard to intergovernmental agreements and non-binding instruments~~. It shall also assess the impact that this Decision has on Member States’ negotiations with third countries and whether the scope of this Decision and the procedures it lays down are appropriate.

2016/07/01
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 c (new)

(1c) Access to affordable energy is a basic social right and energy poverty must be tackled.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 d (new)

(1d) As the gas accounts for almost 50% of the EU´s primary energy consumption for heating and cooling, of which 80% is used in buildings, Member States should primarily focus on energy efficiency measures, particularly in the buildings, in order to reduce gas demand and thus EU dependence on foreign suppliers.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)

(6a) Energy efficiency measures has a fundamental role to play towards a secure energy system. Reduced gas consumption should be a priority to insure Europe's energy sovereignty and secure gas supply.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13

(13) The infrastructure standard should oblige Member States to maintain a minimum level of infrastructure such as to ensure a degree of redundancy in the system in the event of a disruption of the single largest infrastructure. As an analysis by reference to the N-1 indicator constitutes a purely capacity-based- approach, the results of N-1 should be complemented with a detailed analysis that also captures gas flowslimit redundancy and also take in consideration gas consumption's trends (The European gas demand has declined by 14% since 2000 and by 23% since 2010) and impacts of energy efficiency policies (the European Union gas imports fall by 2.6% for every 1% improvement in energy efficiency according to COM(2014)520) in order to limit the risk of stranded assets and a new carbon lock- in.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 a (new)

(22a) The complementarity of European gas and electricity systems and demand side management can significantly improve European resilience and energy security and at the same time support the development of renewable energies.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24

(24) The roles and responsibilities of all natural gas undertakings and competent authorities should therefore be defined precisely in order to keep the internal gas market functioning ~~properly~~under the supervision of national regulatory authorities, particularly in the event of supply disruptions and crises. Such roles and responsibilities should be established in such a way as to ensure that a three-level approach is respected which would involve first the relevant natural gas undertakings and industry, then Member States at national or regional level, and then the Union. This Regulation should ~~enable natural gas undertakings and customers to rely on market mechanisms for as long as possible when coping with disruptions. However, it should also~~as a priority provide for mechanisms that can be deployed when markets alone are no longer able to deal adequately with a gas supply disruption.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25

(25) In the event of a supply crisis, ~~market player~~national regulatory authorities should be given sufficient opportunity to respond to the situation ~~with market-based measures. Where market measures have been exhausted and they~~. Where market measures are still insufficient, Member States and their competent authorities should take measures to remove or mitigate the effects of the supply crisis.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32

(32) The preventive action plans and emergency plans should be updated regularly and published. They should be subject to peer review. The peer review process allows for early identification of inconsistencies and measures that could endanger other Member States' security of supply, thereby ensuring that plans from different regions are consistent with one another. It also enables Member States to share best practice. The plans should be coherent with the EU energy and climate targets on greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and renewable energy. The plans should be regularly updated in order to ensure their coherence with those objectives.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – subparagraph 2 – point 1 – introductory part

(1) 'protected customer’ means a household customer connected to a gas distribution network, including household in situation of energy exclusion, and, in addition, where the Member State concerned so decides, may also mean one or more of the following:

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part

1. The competent authorities of the Member States of each region as listed in Annex I, after consulting the natural gas and electricity undertakings, the relevant organisations representing the interests of household and industrial gas customers, including electricity producers, the national environmental agency, and the national regulatory authorities, where they are not the competent authorities, shall establish jointly:

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a

(a) a sustainable preventive action plan containing the measures, including energy efficiency measures, to be adopted to remove or mitigate the risks identified in the region, including risks of purely national dimension, in accordance with the risk assessment undertaken pursuant to Article 6 and in accordance with Article 8; and

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point c

~~(c) may distort competition or hamper the functioning of the internal energy market;~~deleted

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0030(COD)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2 – point e a (new)

(ea) is not in line with the EU climate and energy targets.

2016/06/20
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 1

(1) In the multiannual radio spectrum policy programme (RSPP) established by Decision No 243/2012/EU20 , the European Parliament and the Council set the objectives of identifying at least 1 200 MHz of spectrum suitable for wireless broadband electronic communications services in the Union by 2015, of supporting the further development of ~~innovative~~broadcasting and audiovisual media services, including public broadcasting services, by ensuring sufficient spectrum for the satellite and terrestrial provision of such services~~, if the need is clearly substantiated,~~ and of ensuring sufficient spectrum for programme making and special events (PMSE). __________________ 20 Decision No 243/2012/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2012 establishing a multiannual radio spectrum policy programme (OJ L 81, 21.3.2012, p. 7).

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 3

(3) Spectrum in the 470-790 MHz frequency band is a ~~valuable asset for the cost-efficient deployment of wireless networks with universal indoor and outdoor coverage~~public good. This spectrum is currently used across the Union for digital terrestrial television (DTT) and wireless audio PMSE equipment. It supports the development of the media, creative and cultural sectors, which ~~extensively~~ rely on this spectrum resource for the wireless provision of content to mass audiences.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7

(7) In his report to the Commission (the ‘Lamy report’)22 , Pascal Lamy, the Chairman of the high-level group on the future use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band, recommended that the 700 MHz frequency band be made available for wireless broadband by 2020 (+/- two years). This would help achieve the goal of long-term regulatory predictability for DTT in having access to the sub-700 MHz frequency band until 2030, although this would have to be reviewed by 2025. The Lamy Report also recommended national flexibility in spectrum use of the sub-700 MHz frequency band, which is limited to downlink-only. Downlink-only is the restriction of all transmissions in a wireless system, independent of its technology, to unidirectional transmission from central infrastructure stations such as a TV broadcasting tower or a mobile base station to portable or mobile terminals such as TV sets or mobile phones. Flexibility in use of the sub-700 MHz frequency band should be introduced only when it allows for continued spectrum access by DTT and PSME and should take into account the need to preserve the specificities of the European audiovisual model. __________________ 22 Report by Mr Pascal Lamy, available at: https://ec.europa.eu/digital- agenda/en/news/report-results-work-high- level-group-future-use-uhf-band.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 8

(8) The Radio Spectrum Policy Group (RSPG) recommends in its opinion on a long-term strategy on the future use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band in the Union (the ‘RSPG opinion’) the adoption of a coordinated approach across the Union to make the 700 MHz frequency band available for effective use for wireless broadband electronic communications services by the end of 2020. This would be in conjunction with ensuring long-term availability until 2030 of the sub-700 MHz frequency band for the downlink-only provision of audiovisual media services. The RSPG particularly recommends introducing flexibility so that the sub-700 MHz frequency band can also be used for downlink-only wireless broadband electronic communications services, though Member States should be able to decide to delay the availability of the band for up to two years. This would be in conjunction with ensuring long-term availability until 2030 of the sub-700 MHz frequency band for DTT.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 9

(9) As some Member States have already launched or completed a national process to authorise the use of the 700 MHz frequency band for bidirectional terrestrial wireless broadband electronic communications services, the Union should take immediate action in order to prevent fragmentation of the single market. What is needed is a coordinated approach to the future use of the 470-790 MHz frequency band, which should also provide regulatory predictability, balance Member State diversity with single market objectives and promote a coherent Union position on the international scene. In this context, Member States should be required to repurpose the 700 MHz frequency band in a timely manner in accordance with Union and national law.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 12

(12) In line with Articles 9 and 9a of Directive 2002/21/EC, Member States should apply a flexible approach where possible and may allow the introduction of alternative downlink-only uses such as terrestrial wireless broadband electronic communications services in the sub-700 MHz frequency band ~~in accordance with national needs for distribution of audiovisual media services to a mass audience~~only where there is no significant demand for DTT and PMSE services at national level. When allowing use within the sub-700 MHz frequency band for downlink-only terrestrial wireless broadband electronic communications services, Member States should ensure that such use does not affect the use of sub-700 MHz band for digital terrestrial broadcasting or PMSE services in neighbouring Member States, as provided for in the agreement at the Regional Radiocommunication Conference of 200625 . __________________ 25 Regional Radiocommunication Conference of 2006 for planning of the digital terrestrial broadcasting service in parts of Regions 1 and 3, in the frequency bands 174-230 MHz and 470-862 MHz (RRC-06) in Geneva.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 13

(13) In any case, spectrum usage in the 470-694 MHz frequency band should be reassessed at Union level no later than 2025. Such an assessment should also take into account the planned review of this frequency band at the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2023. Changes in the use of the sub-700 MHz frequency band should take into consideration technological developments, consumer behaviour, the importance of continuing the delivery of free television26 service and social, economic and cultural general interest objectives. In this context, studies on technical and regulatory conditions for co-existence between incumbent and new spectrum uses in the sub-700 MHz frequency band are necessary. These would ensure coherence between the approaches taken by different Member States on flexible and efficient spectrum use and would enable technical harmonisation measures for use and co- existence in this band. Such studies and measures may be developed pursuant to Decision No 676/2002/EC. __________________ 26In the meaning of Directive 2010/13/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (Audiovisual Media Services Directive).deleted

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 14

(14) Member States should adopt coherent national roadmaps to facilitate the use of the 700 MHz frequency band for terrestrial wireless broadband electronic communications services while ensuring continuity for the television broadcasting services that vacate the band. Once adopted, Member States should communicate the roadmaps in a transparent manner around the Union. The roadmaps should cover activities and timescales for frequency re-planning, technical developments for network and end-user equipment, co-existence between radio and non-radio equipment, avoiding harmful interferences to users in adjacent bands, existing and new authorisation regimes and ~~information on the possibility to offer~~ compensation for migration costs, where these would arise, in order to avoid~~, inter alia,~~ costs for end- users of DTT and PMSE services. Where Member States intend to maintain DTT, the roadmaps should give particular attention to facilitating upgrades of broadcasting equipment to more spectrum- efficient technologies ~~such as advanced video formats (e.g. HEVC) or signal transmission technologies (e.g. DVB-T2)~~.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 15

(15) The scope and mechanism of possible compensation for completing the transition in spectrum use within the 470~~- 79~~0 MHz frequency band should be analysed in accordance with the relevant national provisions as provided by Article 14 of Directive 2002/20/EC27 , and have to be consistent with the provisions of Articles 107 and 108 TFEU. __________________ 27 Directive 2002/20/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on the authorisation of electronic communications networks and services (Authorisation Directive) (OJ L 108, 24.04.2002, p. 21)

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Recital 16

(16) Since the objective of this Decision, namely to ensure coordinated transition in spectrum use of the 470~~-79~~0 MHz frequency band in the Union according to common objectives, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can therefore, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective,

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1

(1) ~~By 30 June 2020,~~ Member States shall allow the use of the 694-790 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing wireless broadband electronic communications services only under harmonised technical conditions set by the Commission pursuant to Article 4 of Decision 676/2002/EC by 31 December 2020, or 31 December 2022 if this is justified by economic, social or cultural grounds. Where necessary, Member States shall carry out the authorisation process or amend relevant existing rights to use the spectrum in accordance with Directive 2002/20/EC, in order to allow that use.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3

(3) Member States shall not be bound by the obligations under paragraphs 1 and 2 in geographical areas where frequency coordination with non-Union countries remains unresolved, as long as Member States make all practicable efforts to minimise the duration and geographical scope of such unresolved coordination and annually report the results to the Commission until the outstanding coordination issues have been resolved. This paragraph shall also apply to the spectrum coordination problems in the Republic of Cyprus arising from the fact that the Government of Cyprus is prevented from exercising effective control in part of its territory, due to the illegal occupation by Turkey.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1

(1) Member States shall ensure, at least until 2030, availability of the 470-694 MHz frequency band or parts of the band for the terrestrial provision of broadcasting and audiovisual media services to mass audiences, including free television, and for use by wireless audio PMSE equipment, based on national broadcasting needs. Member States shall ensure that any other use of the 470-694 MHz frequency band on their territory does not cause harmful interference with the terrestrial provision of audiovisual media services in a neighbouring Member State. Any use shall be in accordance with existing international agreements.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 2

(2) If Member States authorise the use of spectrum in the 470-694 MHz frequency band for terrestrial systems capable of providing electronic communication services other than television broadcasting networks, such use shall be limited to downlink-only and be compatible with broadcasting services. Such use shall be without prejudice to obligations resulting from international agreements and Union law.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1

By 3~~0 June~~1 December 2017, Member States shall adopt and make public their national plan and schedule (‘national roadmap’) for fulfilling their obligations under Articles 1 and 4 of this Decision.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 2

In order to ensure that the use of the 694- 790 MHz frequency band is in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 1, Member States shall include in their national roadmaps~~, where appropriate,~~ information on measures to limit the impact of the forthcoming transition process on the public and users of wireless audio PMSE equipment and to facilitate the timely availability of interoperable television broadcasting network equipment and receivers in the internal market. Members States shall adopt all necessary measures to ensure that the changes in the use of the 700MHz frequency band avoids interferences with other spectrum bands and to provide adequate compensation where needed. Member States shall elaborate those roadmaps ensuring the public participation of all relevant stakeholders with a legitimate interest, including broadcasters, consumer organisations and social partners.

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0027(COD)

Dennis de JONG, Jiří MAŠTÁLKA, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kateřina KONEČNÁ

Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1

By 1 January 2025, the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall carry out an assessment and report to the Council and Parliament on developments in the use of the 470-694 MHz frequency band, taking into account the social, economic, cultural and technological aspects affecting the use of the band pursuant to Articles 1 and 4. The report shall assess whether it is necessary to change the use of the 470-694 MHz frequency band, or any part of it, in the Union.deleted

2016/07/06
Committee: ITRE

2016/0014(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2

(2) ‘market surveillance’ means the activities carried out and measures taken by the market surveillance authorities to ensure that vehicles, systems, components or separate technical units as well as parts and equipment made available on the market comply with the requirements set out in the relevant Union legislation and do not endanger health, safety, the environment or any other aspect of public interest protection including consumer rights;

2016/10/18
Committee: IMCO

2016/0014(COD)

Dennis de JONG, Jiří MAŠTÁLKA, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kateřina KONEČNÁ

Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1

1. Approval authorities shall only approve such vehicles, systems, components or separate technical units that comply with the requirements of this Regulation. The authority shall ensure that the vehicles and systems, components, or separate technical units tested for approval are equivalent to those that will be placed on the market.

2016/10/18
Committee: IMCO

2016/0014(COD)

Dennis de JONG, Jiří MAŠTÁLKA, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kateřina KONEČNÁ

Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – title

Obligations of importers concerning their vehicles, systems, components or separate technical units that are not in conformity or concerning their vehicles, systems, components, separate technical units, parts or equipment that present a ~~serious~~ risk

2016/10/18
Committee: IMCO

2016/0014(COD)

Dennis de JONG, Jiří MAŠTÁLKA, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kateřina KONEČNÁ

Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3

3. The required tests shall be performed on those vehicles, systems, components and separate technical units that are strictly representative of the type to be approved.

2016/10/18
Committee: IMCO

2016/0014(COD)

Dennis de JONG, Jiří MAŠTÁLKA, Merja KYLLÖNEN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kateřina KONEČNÁ

Proposal for a regulation
Article 71 – paragraph 6

6. The type-approval authority shall have a sufficient number of competent personnel and other resources at its disposal for the proper performance of the tasks foreseen by this Regulation

2016/10/18
Committee: IMCO

2015/2354(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcomes~~Expresses its concern on the Single Market Strategy (SMS), which will ~~help to inject new life into Europe’s economies by~~ likely aggravate social dumping and the negative effects on worker's labour and social conditions of enhanced competition in goods and services in the current Single Market; calls for the developmen~~ing up borders and removing barriers for goods and services;~~ t of a Social Progress Protocol that ensures a revision of the EU's regulation on the Single Market so that it does not jeopardize fundamental social rights; notes, in this respect, the reference to the European Social Charter in TFEU's article 151;

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2354(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Believ~~Stresses that ~~barriers to doing business across borders are barriers to growth and job creation~~Member States have a right to regulate services, professions and commerce in line with their social policy objectives;

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2354(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that the deepening of the ~~single market and the digital single market will bring new opportunities and challenges, such as~~digital single market poses new challenges in terms of skills, and new forms of employment an, which will have to be addressed fin~~ancial structures, which will have to be addressed~~ regular dialogue with the social partners; stresses that under no circumstances "digitalization" should be used as a tool to lower current social standards by circumventing existing labour and social regulations;

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2354(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes the potential of the collaborative economy for job creation and a more inclusive labour market across Member States; believes that a country-by-country taxation principle needs to be established;deleted

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2354(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the opportunities that the SMS offers to SMEs; believes that developing the right business environment by improving private venture capital frameworks for SMEs and fully applying the ‘Think Small First’ principle across the single market is crucial for growth and job creationExpresses its concern on the ways the SMS may affect SMEs; believes that increased dependence on capital markets will transfer risk and volatility from the financial sector to the SMEs, thus jeopardizing its potential development; objects to the ‘Think Small First’ principle as it is leading to the exemption of SMEs from social and employment law;

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2354(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Regrets that the services market remains fragmented; c~~Calls on the Commission to deliver the necessary reforms that will ~~remove barriers in the service sector by adopting a targeted sector-specific approach for service~~ensure high social standards in the service sector in full respect of national rules on service provision and labour standards; stresses the need to protect Member States right to include social and environmental criteria in their public procurement tenders;

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2354(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Urges the Commission to enforce proper information and consultation rights for workers in its revision of bankruptcy legislation, in order to avoid the irregular use of bankruptcy procedures; stresses that the protection of workers should be the cornerstone of any revision of insolvency legislation;

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2354(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to support quality job creation in the "collaborative" economy by developing appropriate safeguards~~, while at the same time providing a platform that will allow entrepreneurs to grow, innovate and create jobs.~~ that ensure that employment and social security legislation fully applies to workers in this sector and are extended to self-employed workers; stresses the need to fight practices such as "bogus" self- employment and undeclared work in this sector;

2016/02/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/2353(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Believes that the Commission should undertake~~Calls for a comprehensive review of the functioning of the current MFF, followed by a legislative revision including an adjustment on the ceilings, in order for the EU to respond to a number of unforeseen serious crises that is faced with, and address new political priorities;

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2353(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Underlines that according to the Treaty, the Parliament and the Council constitute the two arms of the budgetary authority; therefore calls for the full involvement of the Parliament in the mid- term review and revision of the MFF regulation;

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2353(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that, while the MFF Regulation has to a large extent remained unchanged since its adoption, the framework conditions for its implementation have changed; highlights the fact that~~, following a genuine review, a legislative proposal should addres~~ intensive recourse to MFF flexibility instruments after exhausting all available margins is not the best way to face complicated crises that are likely to continue; therefore a permanent system allowing for the mobilization of additional resources twhe~~se challenges; points out in this regard that the new instruments, such as EFSI, that have been set up since the adoption of the MFF Regulation should be duly incorporated into~~n needed should be established through a genuine review, accompanied by a legislative proposal; while acknowledging the need to consolidate and further increase flexibility within MFF, points out that any new financial instrument should be set up according to the community method, in full compliance with the principle of the unity of the EU budget ~~without any negative financial impact on the agreed programmes~~and on the grounds of democratic accountability and transparency;

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2353(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Believes that new political priorities should not be proposed at the expense of the agreed programmes of the current MFF, in particular H2020, CEF, COSME, Galileo and Copernicus, and pre-allocated national envelopes; therefore any redeployment of funds to the benefit of new financial instruments, such as EFSI, should not have any negative financial impact on agreed programmes with proven added value, such as H2020, CEF and COSME;

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2353(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a further strengthening of coordination, and a maximising of synergies between, ESIF funds and EU programmes such as Horizon 2020, COSME and CEF;

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2353(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that Union programmes have not significantly contributed to ensuring access to finance for ~~SME~~the majority of SMEs in the EU and especially for the ones operating in countries facing severe and persistent financial crisis; calls for further consideration to be given to ways of ~~extend~~meeting the ~~programme to even more SMEs and meeting the various needs of SMEs~~various urgent needs of the SMEs and especially of the ones in danger of shut down, more adequately;

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2353(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises that Union funding can actually trigger and catalyse actions that Member States are unable to carry out on their own and create synergies and complementarities with Member States’ activities; ~~encourages Member States to better explore areas in which the EU is not taking action;~~

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2353(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Calls for the mid-term evaluation of the MFF programmes on the basis of their~~Notes that given the fact of the late implementation of the current framework, the revision of the MFF is a key point in the management of EU spending in order to assess whether investment programmes perform~~ance~~ against stipulated targets and objectives, present adequate absorption capacity and generate EU added value~~, taking into account the late implementation of the current framework.~~; underlines also that the mid-term review/revision is an opportunity for an MFF comprehensive simplification encompassing reforms in application, management, reporting and control of funds;

2016/04/26
Committee: ITRE

2015/2352(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas conventional indigenous sources of oil and gas contribute significantly to Europe's current energy needs and are crucial at present for our energy security and energy diversity;

2016/06/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2352(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Underscores the fact that the Member States already have the world's best-performing offshore safety regimes and that overregulation in this area would seriously harm the competitiveness of their industriesNotes current Member States' offshore safety regimes; stresses the need to improve the requirements in relation to financial liability, so as to ensure that operators have the capacity to provide adequate compensation in the case of accident;

2016/06/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2352(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses the need to promote measures to strengthen prevention and enhance safety and environmental protection standards in all offshore operations in order genuinely to enhance energy security for the benefit of peoples.

2016/06/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2352(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Underlines the importance of strengthening solidarity and cooperation between Member States so that safety systems can be made more effective;

2016/06/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2352(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Invites the Member States and the Commission to consider the special situation of small and medium-sized businesses. Offshore oil and gas incidents may have particularly serious implication for fishing and tourism industries, for workers and employees on the platforms as well as and on other sectors that rely in the good condition of the shared marine environment for doing business, since these sectors, which include many SMEs, could suffer significant economic loss in the event of a major offshore accident;

2016/06/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2352(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that there is a 'broad variety of financial security products available to hedge oil and gas companies’ operating risk. These range from self-insurance options, to third-party insurance, to mutual schemes such as the Offshore Pollution Liability Association Ltd (OPOL), to alternative risk transfer mechanisms and others'; expresses its opposition at public- private arrangements when they entail a non-proportional transfer of private risk to the public purse;

2016/06/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2352(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Fabio DE MASI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Notes the way civil liability is handled varies considerably from one State to another and there is often uncertainty as to how their legal systems would deal with the diversity of civil claims that could result from offshore oil and gas incidents;

2016/06/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2344(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that the success of the eurozone is dependent on increasing the welfare of all its citizens, and on well- functioning labour markets and welfare systems, based on decent work with rights, a strong role for the social partners, social dialogue, collective bargaining and collective agreements, and preventing individual Member States from trying to gain an unfair competitive advantage by infringing workers’ rights or,by promoting social dumping, by dismantling collective agreements, or by lowering the workers' social protection;

2016/06/09
Committee: EMPL

2015/2344(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Fabio DE MASI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets the fact that the current system of European economic governance is highly unbalanced and focuses almost exclusively on fiscal stability and wage competitiveness, while concerns about economic recovery, public investment policies and more and better jobs and social cohesion are largely ignored; notes that the economic governance framework has proven to be counter-productive as it forces Member States to adopt pro- cyclical measures; points out that the narrow focus on public deficit and debt numbers along with austerity measures pursued among others through MoUs promoted the distortion of social security and wage levels in several Member States;

2016/06/09
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)

- Having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2014 on an EU Homelessness Strategy;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas unemployment ~~has been diminishing since 2013 thanks to supportive macroeconomic policies and the impact of structural reforms; whereas it nevertheless remains too high, currently affecting 9.9 % of active citiz~~remains too high, currently affecting 9.9 % of active citizens, i.e. 23 million Europeans, about half of them being long-term unemployed; whereas unemployment has been diminishing since 2013 only gradually due to the persisting macroeconomic austerity regimes and structural reforms in many Member States that hamper large-scale public investmenst, ~~i.e. 23 million Europeans, about half of them being long-term unemployed~~weaken social dialogue, destabilise labour markets, dismantle social security and perpetuate social exclusion;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas many Member States cut funding in the education sector, hampering quality education, putting pressure on pay and working conditions of teachers, and increasing precarious contractual arrangements for teachers and employees in the education sectors; whereas about 20 % of active citizens in the EU have only basic skills while 39 % of companies have difficulty finding staff with the required skills, whereas low educational level ~~is one of~~and a lack of comprehensive social inclusion measures are the key causes of young people becoming NEETs;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~although~~ atypical or non- standard forms of employment ~~do not in themselves constitute precarious work, it is more likely to be found~~are continuously increasing, especially in Member States that implemented labour market reforms with a negative effect on worker's rights; whereas contracts of this nature a~~pply, albeit such contracts account for a minority of existing employment relationships~~re one of the root causes of precarious work, as they are often fix-termed and occur with no sufficient protection against dismissal, a lack of social security, insufficient contributions to pension schemes, and the absence of works council and trade union representation;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas - although one of the five Europe 2020 targets aims at reducing by at least 20 million the number of people in or at risk of poverty and social exclusion - poverty rates in the EU have increased even further and are at an unacceptably high level; whereas almost 123 million people in the EU are in this situation; whereas in 2013 26.5 million children in the EU28 were at risk of ~~falling into~~ poverty or social exclusion; whereas homelessness is increasing in a majority of Member States;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the fact that the Commission’'s Annual Growth Survey (AGS) underlines the need to pay more attention to social fairness in the context of the new macroeconomic adjustment programmes,; Deplores that the add~~ing~~ed three social indicators (activity rate, youth unemployment and long-term unemployment) in the 2016 Alert Mechanism Report have no triggering effect and therefore are at risk of not preventing the further dismantling of social standards; calls for the inclusion of social indicators that trigger concrete measures for inclusive growth and the eradication of poverty; stresses that the need to invest in social development is not just a means of guaranteeing that economic growth and convergence can be achieved, but must also be a specific target in itself;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Commission to ~~fos~~promoter, at Member State level, a broader investment strategy for the full cycle of education and training, encompassing all sectors of lifelong learning, work-based and workplace learning, formal and non- formal learning, and to foster forms of cooperation involving governments, enterprises, educational institutions and social partners, with a view to ~~adap~~creating ~~Member States’~~inclusive education and training systems ~~to the needs of~~for a successful access to the labour market;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Welcomes the Commission´s proposal to enhance the Youth Guarantee at national, regional and local level, and stresses its importance for school-to-work transitions; stresses the need to guarantee suitable forms of collaboration between public and private employment services, and social support services; emphasises the need to ensure that the Youth Guarantees reaches young people facing multiple exclusions and extreme poverty;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Emphasises the urgent need to ensure that the EU's efforts to fight poverty and social exclusion are at the core of its growth strategy; calls on the Commission and Member States to actively address the growing number of people facing extreme housing exclusion and homelessness, which are currently not captured by indicators used to measure the EU poverty target, but nevertheless represent an alarming social reality, affecting at least 4 million people every year; is concerned by the fact that 22,348,834 households, or 11% of the population, in the EU are facing housing cost overburden and a further 10.5 million households suffer severe housing deprivation;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that the EU continues to suffer from structural social problems that need to be addressed urgently, pointing up the need to ~~continue prioritising investment, structural reforms~~prioritise large-scale public investment, socially progressive reforms (like the invention of an EU target for minimum wages to provide for a remuneration of at least 60 % of the respective national average wage, accompanied by an EU target for minimum income schemes providing income support of at least 60 % of national median equalised income), and responsible fiscal consolidation, thus reinforcing a favourable economic environment for ~~business with a view to~~the creatingon of more quality jobs while re-balancing the social and economic dimensions; stresses that those priorities will only be achieved if investment in human capital is prioritised as a common strategy;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. ~~Considering that flexicurity contributes to avoiding~~Objects to the Commission's attempt to re-introduce the failed flexicurity concept, as more flexibility led to more labour market fragmentation ~~and promoting the creation of more quality jobs~~, more precarious work and a re-commodification of labour, permanent uncertainty for employees, psychological stress, and the hampering of a stable life planning and a decent family life; calls on the Member States to modernise their employment protection legislation in order to guarantee ~~more stability in~~high quality jobs with dismissal protection, high quality public services for the transitions between jobs, as well as employees’' access to high standards of social security and welfare rights; calls on the Commission to step up monitoring of the abusive practice of successive fixed- term contracts, in both private and public sectors;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Member States to gradually shift taxes from labour ~~to other sources~~and consumption to capital and property, and to implement tax rules that foster incentives to entrepreneurship and employment creation, especially for highly qualified young people, in order to boost research and innovation projects within European enterprises;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Member States to modernise their current social protection systems, in order to guarantee ~~their sustainability in the face of expected ageing; considers that pension schemes should be linked not only to life expectancy but a~~a holistic approach for a new inclusive, demand driven growth model, including: - income support sufficient to avoid social exclusion and income poverty; - inclusive labour markets with comprehensive support for disadvantaged groups; - better access to quality services, especially for the most disadvantaged (like the rising number of homeless people in the EU, Roma, single-parent households, elderly, NEETs, and refugees); - strategies to end homelessness; - strategies to end child poverty; - gender mainstreaming, - anti-discrimination and active participation of those people affected in policy design; considers that pension schemes should be linked to various economic, social and labour factors, such as the consideration of long-term effects of different job profiles on the physical and mental health of employees, life expectancy, future productivity growth, decent wage levelso t~~o other social and labour factors, while not jeopardising~~hat allow contributions to pension schemes allowing a decent revenue when employees reach pension age, and immigration policies with a focus on fast social and economic integration measures, in order to stabilise the sustainability of public finances;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Member States to ~~examine the persi~~strengthen efforts to eradicate the gender pay gap and to take more active measures to stren~~ce of low fertility rates in the EU~~gthen women's participation in the labour market, such as investment in child and elderly care, adequate maternity and paternity leave provisions and the access to social services; cCalls on the Commission and the Member States to promote family-friendly policies that enhance parents’' capacity to ensure their children’'s wellbeing; encourages the Member States to consider applying more favourable fiscal differentiation in line with the number of children in a family;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Calls on the Member States to implement and monitor more ~~efficient~~inclusive forms of social protection systems and income support, in order to ensure that these systems offer a ~~minimum~~decent standard of living for the unemployed and those at risk of social exclusion, ~~while guaranteeing that such mechanisms do not perpetuate social dependency and constitute an incentive to education or~~develop integrated strategies to tackle homelessness and housing exclusion, while guaranteeing that such mechanisms provide access to education and training and opportunities to enter~~ing~~ the ~~job~~labour market;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls on ~~the~~all Member States to agree on a common policy for the welcoming of refugees and to implement the necessary national measures for their inclusion ~~of refugees~~; stresses that such an approach will require the allocation of funds that, in so fragile a situation, cannot be provided solely by Member States; calls on the Commission to provide the funding required to develop such a strategy as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); calls on the Commission and the Member States to invite the social partners to play a key role in the common task of integrating migrants and refugees into the labour market, to cut the waiting period before asylum seekers are allowed to work to a minimum, to develop mechanisms for the fast recognition of skills and competences, to introduce labour market policies that offer language courses, training and consultation, to develop a framework to guarantee decent work and equal treatment, and to prevent a drift of immigrants and refugees into undeclared work;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to work together on removing the obstacles to ~~fair~~rights-based, socially secure and voluntary labour mobility, ensuring that EU mobile workers are not treated abusively; calls, therefore, for a full implementation of the principle of equal pay for equal work (and work of equal value) at the same work place, and for respect for collective agreements; rejects any attempt of Member State governments or the Commission to discriminate workers from EU or third countries by excluding them from in-work benefits; rejects any attempt to revise the regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 in a way that reduces access of EU and EFTA citizens to social benefits;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2330(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)

31 a. Rejects the establishment of National Competitiveness Boards as new bureaucratic institutions to interfere in collective bargaining at national level;

2016/01/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that timely and correct transposition of EU law into national legislation and a clear domestic legislative framework should be a priority for the Member States in order to reduce breaches of EU law ~~and therefore deliver benefits to people and business;~~; expresses its concern at the high number of cases of late or incorrect transposition of EU Directives which result in restrictions to workers' freedom of movement, the non-application of the non-discrimination principle or the circumvention of maximum working time requirements in several Member States1 a; ___________ 1a http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-eu- law/docs/annual_report_32/20140701_an nual_report_2014_member_states_en.pdf

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights the fact that in 2014 the Commission received its highest number of new complaints in the area of employment, social affairs and inclusion since 2011; stresses the fundamental role of trade unions and civil society organisations in monitoring shortcomings in the transposition and application of EU law by Member State authorities;

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Urges the Commission, when drafting and assessing legislation, to ~~take greater ac~~ensure adequate parliamentary participation, count ~~of the burden it may impose on SMEs, which create 85% of new job~~rol and supervision, as well as the involvement of social partners;

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Expresses its concern at the Commission's initiatives under the "Better Regulation" agenda, which is being used to lower the rights and protection afforded to workers under existing regulation;

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Welcom~~Notes the efforts made by the Commission during the past years and acknowledges the range of measures that have been put in place to assist the Member States with implementation such as correlation tables, an annual scoreboard and guidelines; is concerned by the discretion of the Commission in setting up these instruments;

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to coordinate their efforts at an earlier stage of the legislative process with a view to ensuring that future EU law can be implemented more effectively;deleted

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to strengthen cooperation with the Member States in order to speed up the correction of breaches of EU law where necessary; highlights that this cooperation must be transparent and open to parliamentary scrutiny;

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2326(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to give greater support to the Member States with regard to implementing EU law by providing tailor-made tools, such as detailed implementation plans and guidance documents; stresses that an increase in the staffing of Member States' labour inspectorates, in line with ILO recommendations, and the establishment of a regular dialogue with social partners are essential to ensure effective implementation of EU labour law in Member States.

2015/12/10
Committee: EMPL

2015/2324(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses the importance of increasing the economic potential of the strategic sectors of agriculture, forestry, tourism, energy, the bioeconomy, organic products, health and the latest technologies, ~~and~~ giving strong backing to SMEs ~~with which research centres should form link~~, and promoting at the same time public investment for decent and secure job creation , which will respect collective bargaining and collective agreements;

2016/03/03
Committee: EMPL

2015/2324(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that an environment needs to be created that fosters innovation and research with smart specialisation strategies and stronger links between the complementary strengths of the Alpine Region and its interests; notes that research and innovation may in some cases cost a number of jobs; stresses in this regard the importance of holistic employment and development strategies that create new, secure and decent jobs;

2016/03/03
Committee: EMPL

2015/2324(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that multi-skills training and training courses that match the needs of the labour market and its strategic sectors should be encouraged, with specific training centres and an online multilingual regional job centre in particular; training courses should be combined to broader public strategies of fighting unemployment and promote secure and decent jobs;

2016/03/03
Committee: EMPL

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

Towards a well-functioning energy market benefiting c~~onsumer~~itizens

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

6. Calls, therefore, on the Commission ~~and the Member States to rigorously ensure full implementation of the Third Energy Package, and calls for its revision~~ to take account of the following recommendations:

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point c

c. Recommends developing rules for price comparison tools to ensure that consumers can access independent, up-to-date and understandable comparison tools; believes those tools should also include the energy generation costs for every type of technology, the energy mix used and more information about the energy companies such as ethical responsibility, job quality and gender equality; believes Member States should develop accreditation schemes covering all price comparison tools, in line with CEER guidelines;

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

Democratising the energy system by helping c~~onsumer~~itizens take ownership of the energy transition, produce their own energy and become energy-efficient

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Considers that access to capital, high upfront investment costs and long repayment periods represent barriers to the take-up of self-generation and energy efficiency measures; calls, therefore, for the development of ~~new business models and innovative financial instruments~~public financial support to incentivise self-generation, consumption and energy efficiency for all consumers; considering the importance of self-generation and energy efficiency measures, suggests that the public funds mobilised to reach those objectives should not be considered as public deficit in the terms of the TSCG ; suggests that this should become a priority for the EIB, EFSI and the Structural Funds;

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Recommends self-consumed energy should not be monitored and should be free of taxes and fees, recommends the establishment of a contractual framework between consumers who produce their own energy and suppliers; in case of a positive net balance, during a period of one year, consumers should be paid for the provided energy.

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Recommends reducing to an absolute minimum the administrative barriers to new self-generation capacity, suggests establishing a "one-stop-shop" to provide information and suggests replacing lengthy authorisation procedures with a simple notification requirement; suggests that the revision of the renewable energy directive could include specific provisions to remove barriers and promote community/cooperative energy schemes;

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls for the development of a strong EU framework to fight energy poverty, including a broad, common but non- quantitative definition of energy poverty, ~~focusing on the idea that access to affordable~~considering energy as a public social good and access to energy ias a basic social right; urges the Commission to prioritise measures to alleviate energy poverty in upcoming legislative proposals and to present a dedicated action plan by mid- 2017;

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2323(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Considers that, as a basic rule, it is forbidden to cut off power supplies to European citizens in financial difficulties; recommends social services as the responsible structure to determinate the poverty situation, suggests that suppliers should propose social tariffs adequate to consumers economics capacities;

2016/03/03
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Commission’'s planned transformation of the electricity market must contribute to efficiency ~~and~~, security of supply and to achieving the goal for the European Union to become the world number one in renewable energies;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the integration of the energy markets ~~will~~can enhance achievement of the Treaty goals of secure, ~~low-cost~~affordable and sustainable energy;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~national~~ capacity m~~arkets make it harder to integrate electricit~~echanisms distort national and potentially also EU-energy markets and run contrary to the objectives of the common energy policy;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

Ga. whereas the support for renewables is necessary due to clear distortion of the energy market due to significant subsidies to the incumbent sector;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the Commission communication on the transformation of the energy market and endorses the view that the transformed electricity market should enhance regional cooperation on security of energy supply and should focus on ~~more market and less regulation~~the integration of variable supply of renewable energy and decentralized renewable energy generation to the benefit of citizens;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for the existing regulatory framework of the European markets to be adjusted to allow for a growing share of renewable energy sources; stresses that a new market design for electricity must promote sustainable, renewable and efficient electricity supply;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Calls on the Member States to be more pro-actively involved in the design of a European internal market in electricity and to avoid undermining the objectives of Articles 114 and 194 TFEU by means of ~~permanent~~ capacity m~~arket~~echanisms;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the right of Member States to determine the conditions for the use of their energy resources, the national energy mix and the overall structure of their energy supply; nevertheless underlines the EU's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically and to increase the share of renewable energies and improve energy efficiency;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Supports the closer linkage of di~~ffering priorities in the national energy mix, such as wind energy with nuclear or with water reservoir~~spatchable renewable power generation with variable renewable energy sources;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Notes that network expansion ~~in particular is indispensable~~might be necessary with a view to completing the internal market in electricity with a growing share of renewables; regrets that there are still large gaps in the interconnections between Member States, leading to network bottlenecks and significantly impairing cross-border energy trading; calls for the electricity interconnection objectives to be differentiated by region and aligned with the ENTSO-E ten-year network plan;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Notes that new approaches should be developed to overcome bottlenecks and achieve a smart distribution grid that allows for the smooth integration and provision of services by decentralised generators, prosumers and consumers;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes that rapid network expansion and the removal of network bottlenecks are also essential if uniform price zones are to be retained, and that the splitting of bidding zones could be a sensible market economy approach to reflect actual electricity shortages in certain regions; takes the view that in closely integrated electricity networks the allocation of price zones should be decided together with all neighbours concerned in order to prevent both the inefficient use of networks and the reduction of cross-border capacities, which is incompatible with the internal market; stresses that decentralized small scale production increases security of supply and reduces the investment needs in infrastructure;

2016/04/05
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

~~14. Insists that national capacity markets should be open to cross-border participation and should only create the capacity strictly necessary for security of supply;~~deleted

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

~~16. Insists that, before a capacity market is authorised, it must be shown that all efforts have been made to reinforce the internal market and dismantle obstacles to flexibility;~~deleted

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Notes that the expectation of future price surges can create incentives for producers and investors to invest in production capacity, particularly in high- efficiency modern gas-fired power stations, ~~urges politicians not to intervene in the market even in the event of large price surges and calls, in the medium term, for the complete abolition of regulated final consumer prices;~~

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Notes that the Member States must meet ambitious specific quantitative objectives for the share of renewables in energy consumption, irrespective of the market situation, and therefore stresses the importance of promoting renewables in a way that focuses on c~~ompetition and cost efficiency; therefore regards the promotion of investment as more compatible with the market than feed-in priorities and fixed price~~ertainty for investors in renewable energy sources; therefore regards feed-in priorities and fixed prices as necessary for meeting investors’ needs;

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. ~~Insist~~Stresses that, with the increasing technical maturity and ~~widespread~~growing use of renewable energy sources, ~~subsidy rules must be geared to market conditions in order to keep costs for energy consumers within reasonable bound~~the objective of support schemes is to allow newer and more costly technologies, to progress along their learning curve; demands that support schemes take into consideration the different maturity levels, specific barriers as well as risk profiles of different renewable energy technologies;

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Warns against mixing energy supply objectives with~~Stresses the link between energy policy and climate policy objectives; calls for the ETS to be ~~consistently rein~~reforcmed ~~and the market to be redesigned with a view to greater flexibility, so that in future CO2 and fuel prices can give more support to the expansion of renewables~~in a way to help achieve the decarbonisation objectives of the European economy whilst allowing a ‘just transition’ for all workers without undermining quality of life or generating windfall profit;

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Calls for operators of renewable power plants to be held strictly responsible for balancing within their areas and stresses that, in the event of departure from the schedule announced by the operator, an appropriate compensatory energy price should be charged;deleted

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

~~25. Is convinced that, alongside renewables, all energy sources which serve the objective of gradual decarbonisation will continue to have a role to play in electricity generation;~~deleted

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2322(INI)

Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Calls for measures to facilitate necessary investments in distribution systems which are not yet prepared for taking in growing quantities of renewables or for digitalisation; in this connection, data collection and distribution must be accorded a greater role and data protection must be secured; each party requesting data from consumers should provide justification why the data is needed, i.e. the burden of proof should be extended to DSOs/metering operators;

2016/03/29
Committee: ITRE

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that in order to ensure better conditions for job creation for the SME sector Member States must address the following problems, which are unequally present in different regions: ~~skills scarcity and brain drain; regulatory burdens and regulatory uncertainty; the shadow economy; and the de facto privileged position of multinational corporations (MNCs);~~ lack of investment in real economy; lack of public investment and creation of decent secure jobs; one-sided austerity measures which minimize the buying power of people due to wage cuts and social spending cuts and force SMEs to closure; skills scarcity and brain drain, and regulatory uncertainty; the shadow economy; and the de facto privileged position of multinational corporations (MNCs); stresses the need to include SMEs into the centre of public investment policies of economy revitalization, which will also promote investments in real economy and local businesses;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Takes the view that tackling the above-mentioned structural problems would result, inter alia, in social development, fairer competition and the extension of the social contribution and tax base to a higher number of economic operators, lthus creadting ~~to lower labour and administrative costs and thus creating better condition for~~better condition for job creation, which should be part of holistic policies of social development, which will promote viable and sustainable SMEs and safe and decent job creation;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that ~~labour costs have an impact~~wages and social benefits onf SMEs~~’ job creation~~ workers should be prote~~ntial and competitiveness~~cted, since higher wages favour SME growth;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Is concerned at the growing phenomenon of bogus self-employment across the EU, which cannot be considered in positive terms as contributing to the ‘growing number of micro-enterprises’, but, ~~rather, undermines the image of entrepreneurship~~should rather be dealt with policies against bogus self-employment by expanding social security, the welfare state, collective bargaining, promoting the role of social partners and secure and decent jobs;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Takes note of the Investment Plan for Europe, which is designed to create new jobs and boost innovation, and hopes that the European Investment Project Portal, as a transparent pipeline for investable projects in the EU, will help orientate investors towards existing opportunities, in favour of financing SMEs and start-up development as the fastest way to reduce unemployment; deplores the fact that the Investment Plan does not promote public investments and has failed to promote investment in countries of the European Periphery that need these the most;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Considers that apprenticeship schemes within SMEs should be promoted by Member States~~, including through financial incentives~~;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Encourages the~~ Member States tocould create opportunities for young people to acquire entrepreneurship skills~~; also stresses the importance of mentoring for young entrepreneurs~~ if they include these in broader social development programs of job creation and strong social security; also stresses the importance of mentoring for young entrepreneurs; deeply regrets the phenomena where young people are taken advantage of (amongst others in bad quality internships) and have to work under precarious conditions, sometimes without payment or social security;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Takes the view that ~~reducing the regulatory and administrative burden~~, together with improving the quality of regulation and enforcement, constitute the right way to lower SMEs’ ~~costs, including labour costs~~, in order to increase their job creation potential; strongly believes, that any regulation change should aim to strengthen social security, collective bargaining, and the role of the social partners;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Calls on the Commission to adopt~~, in the framework of the European Semester’s country-specific recommendations,~~ a differentiated approach to improve the environment for SMEs and to promote stronger social security and workers’ rights, taking into account the country- specific circumstances and the EU regions’ specific structural differences; calls further more on the Commission to focus not only on SME but on Micro Enterprises as well;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21

21. Calls on the Member States to adopt favourable legislative frameworks for newly- created SMEs, focusing in particular on incentive measures aimed at tackling the shadow economy; recognizes that austerity measures implemented in many Member States had a catalytic impact in the growth of the shadow economy;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24

24. Takes the view that overregulated and bureaucratic economic systems induce higher labour costs, which represent a higher financial burden for SMEs than for big companies owing to the differences in business volumes;deleted

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Notes that a ~~reduced regulatory burden, better~~mong others, regulation and improvement of law enforcement ~~can~~ contribute to tackling the issues of the shadow economy and tax avoidance, as the attractiveness of such ‘exits’ from the regulatory systems would be substantially reduced;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Takes the view that new EU regulations and agreements with third countries should take into account the EU regions’ specific structural differences ~~in the SME sector~~for micro- and SMEs, assessing the impact of future rules on employment perspectives;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2320(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Calls on the Commission to conduct an impact assessment regarding the disastrous implications of the future TTIP agreement for jobs in the SME sector in all Member States;

2016/05/13
Committee: EMPL

2015/2257(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Points out that Erasmus and other mobility programmes ~~have fostered European integration and strengthened the idea of citizenship; notes that these programmes have had an indi~~within the European Union have contributed to the potential increase in the cultural universality of their beneficiaries, and have been an important mechanism for promoting tolerance, solidarity and dialogue between citizens of differecnt ~~impact on employment~~nationalities and experiences; points out that mobility in the context of vocational education and training (VET) is ~~fundamental to the fight against unemployment,~~an important factor in increasing and diversifying technical and academic capacities, which enhances employability and reduces the skills gap;

2015/12/01
Committee: EMPL

2015/2257(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that, despite ~~improvements to~~the propaganda around the benefits of the Bologna Treaty and other processes for the standardisation of education and training systems, serious inconsistencies persist in the arrangements for the recognition of diplomas, credits, skills certificates, competency accreditations and acquired expertise in the context of VET, ~~a legal basis applicable throughout the EU is neede~~which fail to meet the expectations of students and workers who seek to make use of these arrangements of their own accord;

2015/12/01
Committee: EMPL

2015/2257(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Welcomes~~Points out that the tools developed by the Commission, such as Ploteus and Eures, which offer information about VET and mobility~~, but deplores the fact that they are little known and little used~~; notes, however, that mobility cannot be understood as a solution to the problems of unemployment and should not be promoted as a policy in substitution of the responsibility of the Member States to invest in education, training and the creation of employment, ensuring that mobility is a personal choice and not a ‘survival solution’ for citizens;

2015/12/01
Committee: EMPL

2015/2257(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Calls for a revision of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) based on criteria included ing the prior assessment of the social effect~~ivenes~~s of measures to combat unemployment, ~~with funding for the less effective provisions being cut, an approach which i~~ensuring that the allocations made to these programmes par~~ticularly important at times of crisis such as th~~e strengthened, encouraging the independence of beneficiaries and truly universal acceses, whi~~ch are marked by unacceptable imbalances~~lst at the same time avoiding the elitisation of mobility by means of under-financialisation.

2015/12/01
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)

- having regard to the decision of the European Parliament and the Council on establishing a European Platform to enhance cooperation in the prevention and deterrence of undeclared work,

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the scale of mass unemployment in Europe, the difference in wage levels between countries and the tactic of pitting workers against one another necessarily leads to lower wages for everyone and an increase in unemployment;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the Court of Justice of the European Union, in its judgment in the C- 341/05 Laval case of 18 December 20073, highlighted the legitimacy of the struggle against social dumping, but whereas the first strikes and protest actions held to denounce this type of practice were sharply criticised by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which found that they ‘hampered the free movement of persons’; whereas the Laval judgment found against the Swedish trade unions that had paralysed the workshop of a Latvian construction company, which was building a school in Sweden and paying Latvian wages; __________________ 3 http://curia.europa.eu/juris/showPdf.jsf?te xt=&docid=71925&pageIndex=0&doclang =FR&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1& cid=498309

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls for a thorough review of the 1996 directive on the posting of workers, rather than a simple strengthening of controls in the event of breaches of the rules;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls for social contributions to be calculated in accordance with the rules in force in the host country and to be paid into the social security fund of the country of origin;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Calls on Member States to increase the staffing levels and resources ofor their labour inspectorates and ~~their~~ liaison offices, in particular for interpretation and translation and not to impose restrictions on the scope for carrying out checks, including by trade unions;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls for the main contractor to be held fully liable in the event of social fraud in the organisation, at all levels;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to introduce legislation for compulsory and automatic inclusion of posted workers in the relevant collective agreements at their place of work; where no local collective agreement exist, posted workers shall covered by the relevant sectorial collective agreement or law of the country they work in;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Calls for the setting up of a framework to prevent fundamental social rights being weakened and argues for the establishment of a social progress clause during the revision of the Posted Workers Directive;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Takes the view that a social protocol is necessary to ensure the primacy of fundamental rights over economic freedoms and that a social progress clause needs to be included in directives relating to working conditions for workers in the European Union;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Takes the view that a social protocol is necessary to ensure the primacy of fundamental rights over economic freedoms; calls, in this respect, for the EU to complete the process of accession to the European Convention of Human Rights and to systematically align its legislative and policy-making proposals with the European Social Charter, while starting the process for a future accession of the EU to the European Social Charter;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Desires that wage floors be established, possibly in the form of a minimum wage; emphasises that this instrument should be set up on the basis of legislation or convention, in accordance with national practices, with due respect for the role of the social partners; believes that these wage floors should represent at least 60% of the average national wage; calls on the Commission to consult the social partners with a view to introducing, where appropriate, a minimum wage in some border areas associated with highly mobile workers, a compulsory and automatic inclusion of posted workers in the relevant collective agreements at their place of work; where no local collective agreement exist, posted workers shall covered by the relevant sectorial collective agreement or law of the country they work in;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2255(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)

28a. Demands a thorough revision of the Posted Workers Directive, and calls for the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’ to be laid down in black and white and for the host country to be entitled to apply to foreign workers its own legislation on working conditions and collective labour agreements;

2016/02/25
Committee: EMPL

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas increased energy efficiency and energy saving are key factors for environmental and climate protection ~~and supply securi~~, in line with the COP 21 agreement to limit global warming below 2°C, and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C, supply security and energy sovereignty; whereas the Energy Efficiency Directive provides an important basis in this connection;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas the EU is making ~~good~~ progress towards its environmental targets for 2020 (reducing CO2 emissions, increasing the share of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency) and is playing a ~~leading~~n important role at world level;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1

Energy Efficiency Directive ~~only inadequately implemented – savings targets achieved nonetheles~~provides framework for reaching energy savings targets

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that up to now neither the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive nor the 2010 Buildings Directive have been adequately implemented by the Member States; considers, therefore, that one reason why the energy efficiency targets are being achieved lies in the fact that citizens and undertakings themselves have an interest in low energy consumption and cutting costsregrets the substantial delays in implementation despite that citizens and undertakings themselves have an interest in low energy consumption and cutting costs; highlights that the European Commission assessed in the energy efficiency progress report to the European Parliament and the Council that currently only 17.6% primary energy savings will be achieved by 2020 according to the national indicative targets and that the 20% target will probably not be reached;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Urges the Member States to quickly implement the EU legislation in order to take the necessary measures to achieve the energy saving targets;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Recalls Parliament's resolutions of 5 February 2014, 26 November 2014 and 15 October 2015, which call for three binding energy and climate targets for 2030, in particular the 40 % energy efficiency target;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses th~~at the directive’s flexibility has allowed many Member States~~e existence of many loopholes in the existing directive in particular in Article 7; calls the European Commission to rem~~bark on energy efficiency measur~~ove these loopholes;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that the Energy Efficiency Directive became an Energy Saving Directive as a result of political decisions; calls for the focus of the directive to be turned more towards energy efficiency considerations;deleted

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

~~Competing legal provisions slow down environmental progress, create red tape and increase energy costs~~deleted

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. ~~Criticises the 2 000 or so~~Notes that energy reporting obligations ~~imposed on businesses, consumers and public authorities; regrets that it is ultimately electricity consumers who bear the consequences of an overly complex reporting system~~as part of a framework, are essential to evaluate the progress on the implementation of the existing EU legislation;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Points out that ~~energy saving rules and rules on increased use of renewable energy sources have a direct and indirect impact on the carbon footprint and the ETS system (certificate prices)~~pricing instruments such as the ETS system (certificate prices) is not appropriate tool to reach energy efficiency target; notes that low ETS certificate prices reduce the incentives for investment in energy saving;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that national legislation (exit from coal, payment schemes for renewable energy, capacity markets) restricts the scope for European solutions that provide the best possible results in terms of cost and supply and cancels out the price advantages obtained through energy saving; calls for increased possibilities for binding coordination by ththe Energy Efficiency Directive gives the necessary flexibility that enables Member States to tailor European solutions that provide the best possible results in terms of cost and supply according to national circumstances; notes that Member States have the possibility to introduce more stringent measures that are Ccom~~mission~~patible with Union law (Article 1.2);

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Calls for the prioritisation of energy efficiency measures focus on low-income populations, especially regarding social building renovation in order to eradicate the energy poverty;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

Energy legislation needs to be more coherent ~~and more flexible~~

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Stresses that a ~~barrier-free internal energy market will optimise~~public supervision of the energy market will enable the control of the costs of energy production and distribution and significantly improve energy efficiency across Europe;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes the positive impact that certification schemes or saving obligations (Article 7) are having in many Member States; considers the flexibility of the rules to be a major factor in guaranteeing their acceptance; asks that the calculation of certification schemes and energy-saving measures should not be hampered by overly restrictive interpretations and time limitsnotes that actions under Article 7.2 are no longer relevant and that the statistical removal of energy used in transport and ETS sectors from setting the target has diminished the effectiveness of the energy savings requirement;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Takes the view that ~~more flexibility is needed in order to reach~~ the EU’s climate protection and efficiency targets; calls for ‘target flexibility’ for Member States; takes the view that rebates should be available for targets relating to energy saving and increasing the share of renewable energy sources (Article 3 of the Energy Efficiency Directive) where for example the CO2 targets have been exceeded must be collectively increased and binding targets for energy efficiency are essential to ensure ambitious objectives, and to allow sufficient flexibility for Member States to tailored the measures at the national level;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls in this connection for the Energy Efficiency Directive to be adapted in line with the EU’s climate protection targets for 2030, as the minimum basis and in line with the COP 21 agreement;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2232(INI)

Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Josu JUARISTI ABAUNZ, Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Welcomes the fact that the Commission is working on guidelines for the implementation of Articles 9 to 11 of the Energy Efficiency Directive; considers cost transparency ~~– taking account of cost- effectiveness and technical feasibility –~~ to be a prerequisite for energy saving; takes the view that this topic could potentially be included in the Buildings Directive; considers that the basis of cost- effectiveness should not be the decisive criteria to implement energy efficiency measures;

2016/03/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Notes with concern that the financial crisis and response to it has impacted disproportionately on women in the EU in a number of ways - layoffs in the public service, where women constitute on average more than two-thirds of the workforce, have driven many women into unemployment or precarious, low-paid work; funding cuts to public services have increased women's risk of poverty, social exclusion, health problems and violence; home repossessions by banks have increased poverty and the risk of homelessness among women and children; notes that single mothers and single women pensioners have faced the biggest cumulative losses as a result of austerity policies;

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Notes that cuts to family benefit and welfare systems implemented as part of austerity programmes in some Member States have reduced the income of women and increased the level of poverty among women and children; urges Member States in which this has occurred to immediately restore their family benefit and welfare systems to ensure an adequate minimum income;

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Notes that women struggle to build up sufficient contributions across both the private and public pension systems as a result of the pay gap, precarious and low- paid work, carrying out unpaid caring, and being excluded from the labour market for long periods over the course of their lives as a result of the prohibitive cost of childcare in many Member States; calls for Member States to introduce "care credits" to allow women outside the formal labour market to collect pension contributions;

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)

2d. Considers that austerity policies are resulting in the reprivatisation of care, which not only reduces access to care services but significantly increases the burden on women in childcare and care for older people and people with disabilities by shifting the responsibility for care from society to women; calls on the Member States to restore high-quality and accessible public services including childcare, disability and elderly care;

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that women are disproportionately and often involuntarily concentrated in precarious work; urges the Member States to consider implementing the International Labour Organisation (ILO) recommendations intended to reduce the scale of precarious work2 , such as restricting the circumstances in which precarious contracts can be used, using tax measures to disincentivise the over-use of temporary contracts, and limiting the length of time workers can be employed on such a contract, after which they must be given a permanent contract; __________________ 2 International Labour Organisation, Policies and regulations to combat precarious employment, 2011.

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the lack of free or affordable high-quality childcare contributes to the gender employment gap, the pay gap and related pension gap, and the disproportionate number of women who are in precarious work and in or at risk of poverty; urges the Member States to ensure access to childcare by, for example, increasing expenditure on the provision of childcare services and/or subsidies to households, incentivising employer contributions to childcare costs, and making better use of EU funds;

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that women’s economic independence plays a crucial role in their ability to escape situations of domestic violence, and that women who have exhausted their paid leave are at risk of losing their jobs and economic independence; notes that the recent introduction of domestic violence leave in Australia and the US has provided many workers with employment protection when dealing with the impact of domestic violence, for example, moving house and attending medical and legal appointments; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ~~consider~~ introduc~~ing~~e a statutory right to paid domestic violence leave.

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2228(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Considers that while the promotion of female entrepreneurship may reduce poverty for some women in the EU, it is not nearly a sufficient policy measure to address the scale of the problem; believes that policies which promote a guaranteed adequate minimum income, accessible public services including care services, and secure jobs which incorporate a living wage and a fair work-life balance will make a more significant impact on reducing poverty for a much larger number of women;

2016/02/04
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

- Having regard to the Commission Communication of 3 March 2010 entitled ‘Europe 2020: A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’ (COM(2010)2020) and to its resolution of 16 June 2010 on that communication, __________________ 1 JO C 236 E of 12.8.2011, p. 57.deleted

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3

~~- Having regard to the Commission Communication of 19 March 2014 entitled ‘Taking stock of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’ (COM(2014)0130),~~deleted

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)

- having regard to its resolution of 15 July 2015 on the follow-up to the European Citizens' Initiative Right2Water1 a; __________________ 1 a Text adopted, P8_TA(2015)0294

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas between 2008 and 2013, the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU27 increased from 117 million to 121 million of which the number of people severely materially deprived increased from 42 to 45 million, the number of people at risk of poverty after social transfers increased from 82 to 86 million; whereas this development runs counter to the EU target to reduce poverty by 20 million by 2020; whereas certain groups are more at risk of poverty than others such as children, women, people with disabilities, Roma communities, and older people;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. Whereas one of the consequences of rising energy prices is that many families live in houses without heating and that not having adequate heating has a negative impact on a person’s health, in particular for children and older persons;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas the wide gap between Member States in the provision of welfare and a minimum income means that in some Member States welfare reduces the risk of poverty by 60% and in others by only 15%; whereas the average impact of the provision of welfare on reducing the risk of poverty in the EU is 35%;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the UN has affirmed that the human right to water and sanitation entitles everyone to water for personal and domestic uses which is of good quality, safe, physically accessible, affordable, sufficient and acceptable; whereas a further UN recommendation has stated that 3% of household income should be seen as a maximum for water payments where payments apply; whereas the privatisation of water services has a negative impact on households living in, or at risk of, poverty;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas there are 12 million more women than men living in poverty in the EU; whereas factors contributing to this inequality include the gender pay and pension gaps, the large proportion of women in precarious work, and the fact that women are often forced to be economically inactive due to the prohibitive cost of childcare;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital Da (new)

D a. Whereas privatisation and deregulation of energy services have contributed to the rise in prices, which prevents growing numbers of the population from having access to these services;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Invites the Commission~~, in the context of the announced social pillar,~~ to present an EU framework directive on adequate minimum income in 2016;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – introductory part

5. FPoindts ~~it regrettable~~out that the EU2020 target to reduce poverty in Europe by, lifting 20 million people out of poverty, appears even further out of reach than when it was set; reiterates that one of the target groups is people that face severe material deprivation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ~~renew their commitment to the poverty reduction target~~support measures to reduce poverty by adopting the following measures:

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – introductory part

5. Finds ~~regret~~unacceptable that the EU2020 target to reduce poverty in Europe by lifting 20 million people out of poverty appears even further out of reach than when it was set; reiterates that one of the target groups is people that face severe material deprivation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to renew their commitment to the poverty reduction target by:

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – indent 5 a (new)

- taking measures to address extreme forms of poverty that currently fall beyond the scope of the target, namely homelessness;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Welcome~~Highlights the Commission’s intention to present a new social pillar; recalls that to deliver on Article 9 TFEU, such a pillar should be aimed at setting a European framework for a minimum income above the poverty level, continuing with a rights- based approach to social policy and improving implementation of existing social, labour and anti-discrimination legislation;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. ~~Welcome~~Highlights the Commission’s intention to aim for a social triple A score for the Union; finds regrettable that this is currently out of reach owing to increasing inequality, high poverty and social exclusion and less and less availability of quality and affordable social, health and care services; recalls that a social triple A must be based on Article 9 TFEU aimed at a ‘high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion and a high level of education, training and protection of human health’; recalls that achieving a social triple A as a benchmark requires assessing both policies that hinder and work towards achieving the benchmark; finds regrettable that so far the latter has not been addressed at Union level;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop, adopt and implement an EU framework to reduce poverty and social exclusion~~, in line with the Europe 2020 Strategy,~~ consisting of concrete measures and actions, including energy poverty;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 A. Calls on the Commission to bear in mind the proposals contained in the Opinion published by the European Economic and Social Committee, ‘For coordinated European measures to prevent and combat energy poverty’, and to encourage the urgent adoption of a European energy security and solidarity commitment and, within this framework, the setting-up of a European Poverty Observatory and a European fund with the specific aim of eradicating energy poverty

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Calls on Member States to reassess their progress towards ending homelessness given that rising rental costs and decreasing social housing stock in some Member States have caused the homelessness rate to rise;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)

12 b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to urgently identify, implement and maintain policy measures that enable households to meet housing costs, including provision of housing allowances, given that 22, 348,834 households (approximately 11% of the EU population) spend more than 40% of their disposable income on housing and 21,942,491 households (approximately 10.8% of the EU population) experience difficulty maintaining adequate household temperature;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)

12 c. Notes that contributing factors to housing stress and the risk of homelessness include: a lack of social housing stock; uncontrolled rental costs; high mortgage interest rates; insufficient rental, housing and mortgage allowances; and a lack of restrictions on banks in repossessing homes of households in poverty;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)

12 d. Stresses that while rent controls and higher housing allowances can lower housing costs for households at risk of poverty in the short term, these measures should also be accompanied by long-term housing and community programmes to increase the housing stock for different socially disadvantaged target groups and middle income households;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 e (new)

Notes that low-income households and those in or at risk of poverty are more dependent on the provision of free, high- quality public services; stresses that the austerity measures implemented by many Member States since 2008 including funding cuts to, and privatisation of, public services has had a detrimental and disproportionate impact on low-income households and those in or at risk of poverty; urges Member States to act to halt and reverse these cuts and privatisations; (Note: to be inserted after subheading 4)

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Expresses its concern that since 2008, due to the financial and economic crisis and the austerity policies which have increased poverty and the number of low-income households in Europe, an increasing number of people have been facing difficulties in paying their water bills and affordability is becoming a matter of growing concern; deplores the fact that in the EU-28 more than 1 million people still lack access to a safe and clean drinking water supply and nearly 2% of the population lacks access to sanitation, according to the World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), and therefore urges the Commission to act immediately;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13 b. Rejects water cut-offs and the enforced switching-off of the water supply of households unable to pay water bills as a violation of human rights, and calls on Member States to put an immediate end to these situations when they are due to socioeconomic factors in low-income households; welcomes the fact that in some Member States 'water banks' or minimum water quotas are being used in an effort to help the most vulnerable with their utility costs, to guarantee water as an inalienable component of fundamental rights;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)

13 c. Notes that the gender pay gap in the EU is on average 16%, and stresses that the cumulative effect of lower earnings for women (including interruptions from work due to caring responsibilities) is a far wider gender pension gap of 39%, which puts older women at a much greater risk of poverty than older men;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)

13 d. Notes that lone parents, the majority of whom are women, are at a higher than average risk of poverty (34%); notes that a major contributing factor to this increased risk is the fact that due to childcare costs lone parents either face exclusion from employment or are in precarious, low- paid employment; urges Member States to act to legislate for a living wage that guarantees workers' basic needs can be met;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)

13 e. Urges Member States to implement policies that can ensure quality and affordable childcare is available to all who require it, including through the provision of subsidised childcare and childcare allowances for lone parents and low-income households;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Notes that 55 million EU citizens (9.6% of the population) are not able to afford a quality meal every second day (Eurostat 2014.) The inability to afford nutritious meals has a serious detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of affected individuals and in turn erects obstacles in terms of employment, job- seeking and caring responsibilities; urges the Commission and Member States to enact policies that will end food poverty including the provision of subsidised food for those in poverty in the short term, and the provision of an adequate minimum income;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Stresses that there is a lock-in effect as regards energy poverty, as poor households cannot afford ~~the initial upfront investment needed~~ to combat energy poverty;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16 a. Calls on the Commission to map the problem of fuel poverty in the EU, and in particular winter deaths amongst people living in cold homes; and to support the Member States in developing effective solutions;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16 b. Stresses that poor people living in poor quality and energy inefficient housing are particularly vulnerable to fuel poverty, that investment in this target group can leverage maximal social, health and energy impacts, and that specific measures are required to reach them;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)

17 a. Emphasises that there are a range of barriers to ensuring that the EU Structural and Investment Funds available for energy efficiency reach those living in the poorest quality and most energy inefficient housing, including limited household savings for those living in cold homes and the split incentive between landlords and tenants; calls therefore on the Commission, national, regional and local authorities, and the European Investment Bank to develop innovative funding mechanisms that overcome these barriers, working with stakeholders and building on existing good practice;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2223(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)

23 a. Calls on Member States to develop energy policies which are at the service of economic development and populations, which reduce consumption and energy deficits, and which can be seen as a factor for inclusion and not as a constraint on the development of small and medium- sized enterprises and the well-being of peoples;

2015/11/18
Committee: EMPL

2015/2132(BUD)

Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eleni THEOCHAROUS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Costas MAVRIDES

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)

40a. Deems it necessary to increase appropriations for the Turkish Cypriot Community budget line (Article 13 07 01) for the purpose of contributing decisively to the continuation and intensification of the mission of the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus and of supporting the bicommunal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, thus promoting trust and reconciliation between the two communities;

2015/10/06
Committee: BUDG

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Member States to explore and develop their natural resources should be respected by all and safeguarded in all circumstances;

2015/06/23
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Cornelia ERNST, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas the future vision of the Energy Union must be one in which Member States recognise that they depend on each other to combat energy poverty, reiterate that the Energy is a public social good, ensure equal access to affordable energy for all and deliver secure energy to their citizens, based on true solidarity and trust~~, and in which the Energy Union speaks with one voice in global affairs~~;

2015/06/23
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital O

O. whereas ex-post assessment and verification of all energy-related agreements as regards compliance with EU law is already possible ~~through, inter alia, competition and energy regulations; whereas insufficient ex-ante compliance checks at national and EU level lead to severe market distortions~~;

2015/06/23
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital Y a (new)

Ya. whereas the promotion of the exploitation of indigenous conventional oil and gas resources in full compliance with EU acquis, both in traditional production areas (e.g. the North Sea) and in newly discovered areas (e.g. Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea) should be promoted and supported;

2015/06/23
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital Y a (new)

Ya. whereas exploitation of indigenous coal and other conventional fossil resources contributes to energy security; whereas adequate funding for coal- mining and extraction of other conventional fossil resources and for research and adaptation of coal- fossil- based energy plants is required to ensure that the mining of indigenous coal and other conventional fossil resources is both economically viable and environmentally sustainable;

2015/06/23
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Underlines that energy suppliers coming from third countries must be subject to the EU acquis while~~ Highlights the need to actively strengthen cooperation with the EU's partners and recognize the important role of international cooperati~~ng o~~on in the ~~common market, and calls on the Commission to enforce EU law by all means available in order to allow energy to flow freely in the EU and prevent distortions in the internal market~~field of Energy, and especially energy security; in this regard stresses that all intergovernmental agreements must be based on the principle of mutual respect with the third countries involved;

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that it is of upmost importance to the EU to end the isolation of ~~some~~ Member States ~~from the internal energy market~~and regions from European gas and electricity networks, as demonstrated by the gas stress tests carried out by the Commission; calls on the Commission, in this regard, to carry out such tests every two years; Is of the opinion that the EU should help those most vulnerable countries to diversify their sources and supply routes, as a matter of priority;

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that, in the context of the future Energy Union, security of energy supply is the most pressing issue and that Member States must coordinate and cooperate in this respect with their neighbours when developing their energy policies; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to examine how the current architecture of national preventive and emergency response measures could be streamlined at both regional and EU level;deleted

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Stresses that a basic precondition for ensuring energy security and stability in the Energy Union is the protection of the sovereignty and sovereign rights of Member States, including those relating to the exploration and exploitation of natural resources;

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission to support those Member States that wish to negotiate energy contracts on a voluntary basis by introducing a common negotiating mechanism, and stresses that the functioning of such a mechanism must be subject to compliance with the EU internal market acquis and with EU competition and World Trade Organisation rules;deleted

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses that greater transparency of intergovernmental agreements could be achieved by strengthening the role of the Commission in energy-related negotiations involving one or more Member States and third countries, including by having the Commission participatethe Commission could, on the request of the Member States, participate as an observer in those negotiations if there is a risk of abuse of a dominant position by one supplier; notes that furthermore the Commission should carry out ex-ante and ex-post assessments and draw up both a positive and a negative list of agreement clauses, such as export ban and destination clauses;for intergovernmental agreements; However, it is important not to jeopardise the ability of Member States to negotiate the content of the agreements.

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses that all future intergovernmental energy agreements with non-EU parties must be discussed with the Commission ahead of signing in order to make sure that they comply with EU legislation, in particular with the Third Energy Package;deleted

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Cornelia ERNST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Ccalls on the ~~Commission to enhance the transparency of commercial gas contracts in order to effectively remove abusive clauses and ensure better ex-ante compliance checks with EU law and energy security provisions~~Member States to communicate to the Commission, on a voluntary basis, commercial gas contracts that are referred explicitly in intergovernmental agreements in order to effectively remove abusive clauses; As regards commercial gas contracts, the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information needs to be guaranteed;

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to prepare draft contract templates and guidelines including an indicative list of abusive clauses in order to create a reference for competent authorities and companies in their contracting activities;deleted

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Stresses that in order to ensure a level playing field and strengthen the bargaining position of EU companies vis- à-vis external suppliers, key features of the contracts should be aggregated and regularly published so as to establish a transparent benchmark which can be referred to by competent authorities and companies in their future negotiations, whilst protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information;deleted

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Believes that the Union can reduce its dependency on particular suppliers and fuels and should terminate its dependency on nuclear energy by maximising its use of indigenous sources of energy, including conventional ~~and unconventional~~ low-emission fossil fuels and renewables, and ~~therefore stresses that no fuel or technology contributing to energy security and climate goals should be discriminated against;~~ above all by promoting energy savings and sustainable consumption. Notes that energy dependency must be reduced following strict rules of environmental protection, including on drillings in sea and on the efforts of production of alternative sources of energy.

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Underlines that the EU should take advantage of the opportunities that emerge from the energy sources of the Eastern Mediterranean, in particular with a view to creating a Mediterranean gas hub through a corridor from the South- eastern Mediterranean to Europe in order to enhance EU's energy security; calls the EU to promote initiatives for the cooperation in the sector of Energy between the countries in the eastern Mediterranean contributing thus to peace and economic prosperity for the people.

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Calls on the Commission, and in particular DG TRADE, to continue to press for a dedicated energy chapter within the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), with a view to removing US export restrictions on both crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and eliminating protectionist measures;deleted

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Believes that the energy-efficiency target must work alongside energy and climate goals ~~and strengthen the competitiveness of the EU economy vis-à- vis its major trade partners~~;

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. Recognises that indigenous energy sources such as nuclear, clean coal technologies and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage (CCS) would make a fundamental contribution to EU energy security and decarbonisation, with shale gas facilitatSustainable consumption of resources as well as low emission economy, should be in the core of Energy Union; accordingly th~~e transition to a low- emission economy; believes, in this respect, that the Energy Union must reflect the need for~~is must be reflected in the EU policies, and the effort of the EU to usbe a~~ll low and lower emission sources at Member States' disposal~~ pioneer towards climate change tackling;

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2113(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Cornelia ERNST, João FERREIRA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)

43a. Reiterates that Energy is a public social good and therefore the EU should closely focus on the issue of energy poverty and promote measures to tackle this problem. Insists, therefore, that the Energy Union should ensure equal access to energy for all, contribute to affordable energy prices for the benefit of the consumers, promote connections and energy infrastructures that have a strategic role for the benefit of the people and strengthen public control and regulation.

2015/06/19
Committee: ITRE

2015/2108(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Emphasises that special support must be given to Member States, such as Cyprus and Malta, that face serious problems due to their isolation from the electricity grids. New measures should therefore be promoted forthwith, particularly for those States, to ensure that they can attain the 10% target for electricity interconnection by 2020, thereby also enhancing the Union’s energy security.

2015/08/04
Committee: ITRE

2015/2108(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Emphasises the importance of promoting the Israel-Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection project (Euro- Asia Interconnector), which has already been included in the projects of common interest for the EU. The completion of this project, in conjunction with the region’s energy reserves, will help channel cheap energy to Europe and overcome the energy isolation of the States in question.

2015/08/04
Committee: ITRE

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas good health, both mental and physical, is a fundamental right that ~~has~~is of positive value in itself;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the right to work in a proper health and safety environment is a fundamental employment right that is constantly under challenge as a result of the working conditions currently on offer for workers, who, faced with the prospect of unemployment and impoverishment, are forced to accept anything; whereas the economic crisis has been contributing to the aggravation of working conditions;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas preventing occupational risks and promoting health and safety at the workplace are fundamental ways of creating and maintaining healthier and safer working environments, improving working conditions and effectively combating workplace accidents and occupational diseases;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas identifying at-risk workers and detecting symptoms early are vital strategies for preventing musculoskeletal disorders, as is the introduction of a follow-up and monitoring system based on clinical assessments, in order to produce a more up-to-date reference model;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas in the present situation, with the widespread implementation of ‘austerity policies’ by the EU and its Member States, it is essential to discuss the 'social' cost of workplace accidents resulting from non-compliance, carelessness or negligence on the part of employers, who still regard health and safety at work as a cost;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas the whole of society is overburdened by the cost of both workplace accidents and occupational diseases, and it should therefore be the employers of the workers affected who are liable for compensation;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the proportion of workers, who report their health and safety to be at risk because of their work, varies significantly across Member States14 and sectors of economic activity; __________________ 14 5th Working Conditions Survey, Overview Report, Eurofound (2012) http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/sites/defa ult/files/ef_publication/field_ef_document/ ef1182en.pdf

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas work-related stress is the second most frequent health problem in Europe - after musculoskeletal disorders - and almost half of all workers consider it to be common at their workplace; whereas it accounts for almost half the number of working days lost each year and represents an annual cost to society put at EUR 240 billion;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas the most common causes of work-related stress – precarious employment, longer working times, shorter rest periods, more intensive work patterns and competition among workers, as well as bullying by supervisors and managers – have increased with the austerity policies imposed on the peoples and workers of the Member States, largely as a result of the European Union Treaties;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas worker representation at company level and commitment from management is ~~important~~necessary to successful risk prevention at the workplace15 ; __________________ 15 Worker representation and consultation on health and safety, EU-OSHA (2012) https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/repo rts/esener_workers-involvement

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas worker representation at company level and commitment from management is important to successful risk prevention at the workplace3, but the fight against workplace accidents, occupational diseases and psychosocial risks will be fully effective only if anthropocentric models are promoted in both business and public administration; __________________ 3 Worker representation and consultation on health and safety, EU-OSHA (2012) https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/repo rts/esener_workers-involvement

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. Whereas the EU needs sufficient resources to appropriately deal with workplace health and safety against the background of on-going traditional risks at work and continually emerging new risks like risks deriving from nanomaterials, psycho-social risks, aging of the workforce, demands concerning the mobility and flexibility of workers, or changes in the forms of employment;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. Whereas chronic health problems are widespread in the EU and the number of work-related diseases is alarmingly high, including an extreme high number of up to 192.000 work related annual deaths;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)

Dc. Whereas the pandemic of asbestos related diseases is far from its end, and especially construction workers in maintenance, demolition, repair and similar occupations but also workers in other sectors are potentially exposed;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)

Dd. Whereas low exposure to asbestos as for example in the environment or in schools and long latency periods can result in mesothelioma;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)

Df. Whereas the precarisation of employment conditions is undermining existing structures of occupational safety and health and excludes workers with unstable contracts from training and access to OHS services;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D g (new)

Dg. Whereas the fundamental role of European social partner organisations in the dynamic world of work is established in TFEU Art. 153 – 155;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Stresses that all employees have a right to the highest level of protection regarding health and safety in the workplace, which must be guaranteed regardless of the size of the employer, the underlying contract or the Member State of employment;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls on the Commission to work out a precise strategy to cover all forms of employment under the EU legislation on OHS and to integrate self-employment and other types of employment not covered into OHS services and training;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Calls on the Commission to rethink its SME concept which in its current form covers some 99 % of all companies and therefore does not allow making precise distinctions between varying conditions or needs of specific type of economic activity or company size;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission to address the increasing number of musculoskeletal diseases resulting from working conditions;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. is concerned by the fact that some employers use the financial crisis as an excuse to reduce health and safety standards, and calls for better and more effective controls by the Member States in cooperation with the social partners;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that it is vital and necessary to ~~ensur~~guarantee a safe and healthy working environment ~~throughout people’s working life in order to achieve the goal of active and healthy ageing~~ for all workers;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Urges the Council and the Commission to ensure that all EU trade agreements with third countries respect the obligation of the EU to improve the working environment in order to protect workers' health and safety;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. stresses furthermore that the participation of workers' organizations in planning national and risk assessment strategies both in public and in private sector are essential

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Calls for enhancing the role of trade unions, assuming its importance in informing, preventing, whistling and fighting against labour practices which are an offense to human dignity and reveal contrary to corporate social responsibility and decent work

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on Member States to ensure that the action taken by the authorities responsible for working conditions is coordinated with the judicial authorities, so as to hold to account employers who unlawfully and immorally violate the most basic human rights at the workplace;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Calls on Member States to pass on to employers the costs relating to treatment of occupational diseases and accidents at work - the cost of drugs, sick-leave-related social security costs, the cost of rehabilitating and reintegrating workers, especially where occupational diseases that are work-related are involved, the cost of occupational-disease-based invalidity pensions, and the cost of exemptions in connection with transport and other public services for pensioners and persons with a disability, where those costs are attributable to poor working conditions;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Kostadinka KUNEVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. recalls that undeclared work is the most unprotected form of work and calls all Member states to develop practical tools both for control and compliance of employers using undeclared workers

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Gabriele ZIMMER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11b. Calls on the Member States to strength public investment (both in terms of human and technical resources, but also in regarding financial means) headed for the supervision regarding the compliance of labour standards and for the sanctioning of their violation, and also headed for the promotion of specialized training in health and safety fields and for campaigns to aware, inform and to advice on issues concerned to labour relations;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Welcomes efforts to improve the quality of the regulatory framework; reminds the Commission, however, that the submission of OSH directives to the REFIT exercise and modifications of legislation should focus on further enhancing protection of employees, be transparent, involve social partners and must under no circumstances result in reductions in occupational health and safety provisions; reminds that EU Directives in this field are setting minimum standards and Member States are invited to implement higher standards and that the often used term of "gold- plating" is misleading and inappropriate in connection with EU OHS legislation;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Urges the Commission to conduct a study, broken down by gender and age, into well-being and exposure to stress at work;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2107(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)

21b. Calls on Member States to conduct studies, broken down by gender, age and area of economic activity, into the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders among the working population at national level, with a view to preventing and combating the emergence of these disorders;

2015/07/14
Committee: EMPL

2015/2106(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the opening of the consultation on the Capital Markets Union, and underlines the need to learn lessons from the crises in order to enhance ~~market~~financial stability and facilitate ~~non-bank~~ financing of the real economy~~; believes that this initiative, by widening access to funding and unlocking investment, can be an important tool to get Europe back on track for economic growth~~;

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2106(INI)

João FERREIRA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Highlights the opening of the consultation on the Capital Markets Union, and underlines the need on the one hand to consider the impact of the single market on the worsening economic and social asymmetries between Member States, and on the other hand to learn lessons from the 2007/2008 financial crisis, whose harmful effects on world economies, and in particular on people and workers, are still being felt; in this context, rejects the idea that (i) forms of financing associated with complex financial products should be promoted; (ii) financing the real economy, in particular industry, should be subject to the dictates of financial speculators (also known as investors), and (iii) there should be no separation of retail and investment banking;

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2106(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the need to take into account the wider global context; calls for a set of measures to ~~improve the investment climate, attracting capital flows into the EU and restoring the international competitiveness of the Un~~regulate international financial flows in order to reduce dependence on short-term and foreign currency loans; points out that industrial development is particularly vulnerable to hot capital flows and financial speculation; regrets, in this respect, that official public loans have often been made conditional on financial liberalisation;

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2106(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. ~~Welcomes~~Stresses that the envisaged diversification of funding channels~~, which should be complementary to the existing ones and promote instruments which have proved their usefulness; underlines the need to reduce administrative burd~~ may increase significantly the risks of financial fragility and instability; underlines that the development of new financial instruments ~~and foster the application of the principles of proportionality, coherence and practicability in EU legislation, in the interests of efficient, liquid and cost- effective capital markets~~must be effectively linked to the needs of the real economy and calls on the Commission to apply the precautionary principle in matters of financial regulation;

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2106(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Welcomes the launch of consultations~~Expresses its concern on the review of the Prospectus Directive and the efforts being made to remove regulatory barriers to access to securitisation; underlines, in particular, the need to open up financial markets to SMEs; supports broadening the funding options available for SMEs; callss it may lead to lower regulatory standards for securitisation; stresses that efforts be made to ensure that SMEs can access finance without increasing their exposure to financial markets; calls, in this respect, for improved access to long-term financing ~~and for~~through the development of ~~a pan- European private placement market promoting venture capital, as well as alt~~public, coopernative ~~instruments such as peer-to- peer lending and crowdfund~~and industrial banking;

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2106(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Commission to take into account the specificities of individual markets and propose changes only in those areas that require intervention in order to e~~liminate the existing barriers~~nhance financial stability; believes that the bottom-up approach and sharing national best practices should be at the core of the Capital Markets Union initiative;

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2106(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Underlines the importance of comprehensive and cross-sectional impact assessments, ~~and~~with adequate emphasis on the risks for industry of external funding in case of enhanced financial fragility, volatility or concentration as result of the Capital Markets Union; calls on the Commission to undertake detailed consultations on matters of concern to ~~all~~social partners and other stakeholders, and to ensure the coherence of the delegating and implementing acts.

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2106(INI)

João FERREIRA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Rejects the establishment of the Capital Markets Union, on the grounds that the further development of the EU single market has accentuated the dismantling of sovereign instruments of economic regulation; takes the view, further, that this process does not represent convergence, cooperation or solidarity, and that instead it represents economic dominance, divergences and asymmetries in development;

2015/09/24
Committee: ITRE

2015/2105(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Cornelia ERNST

1a. In the context of world market contraction and recession, trade and investments policies should take this into account and take alternatives to promote the job creation and sustainable and environmental friendly growth, boosting the public investment as a key priority for economic recovery;

2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE

2015/2105(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Cornelia ERNST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses the importance of SMEs to trade and investment, given that there are more than 600 000 SMEs in the EU, which account for one third of EU exports, representing the majority of the social fabric and of the job creation in Europe;

2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE

2015/2105(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Cornelia ERNST, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls trade and investment policies to have into account the full respect of EU and international law and policies, specifically in what regards occupied and under conflict territories, as well as in full compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights;

2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE

2015/2105(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Cornelia ERNST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Calls the European Commission to promote the women employment and decent working conditions in the development of the implementation of trade and investment policies;

2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE

2015/2105(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Cornelia ERNST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)

6c. Calls the Commission to support the inclusion of minorities in the trade and investment policies;

2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE

2015/2105(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Cornelia ERNST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls the trade and investment policies of the EU to fully respect the public ownership of strategic assets and to refuse the unfair and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources for trade purposes specifically on the third and poorest countries,

2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE

2015/2105(INI)

Marisa MATIAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Cornelia ERNST

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

~~8. Notes the requirement in the Commission’s ‘Investment Plan for Europe’ to boost investment within the EU, and considers trade strategies to be an essential means of achieving this goal.~~deleted

2016/02/25
Committee: ITRE

2015/2103(INL)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Stresses that the development of robotics in the EU will have a strong impact on industrial relations. Believes that this impact should be addressed in a balanced manner so as to promote the reindustrialisation and allow also the workers to enjoy the productivity gains for example by reducing the working time without loss of salary;

2016/09/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2103(INL)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1 b. Considers that in order to maximize the benefits of robotics, it must not to be used for a mere substitution of workers, but it must help to create more quality jobs and scale-up the whole production of a company;

2016/09/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2103(INL)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Believes that in order to implement a socially balanced framework on robotics that allows the development of European industries without mass destruction of jobs, social partners, both trade union and industry, have to be involved and considered at EU, Member States and industry level;

2016/09/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2103(INL)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Ensure that any future legal framework for robotics shall also develop consistent rules on liability in the field of penal law and war crimes, in order to avoid crimes without criminal accountability;

2016/09/08
Committee: ITRE

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the EU as a whole is facing a serious demographic challenge as birth rates are constantly decreasing in most Member States, ~~and family policies that are fair to men and women should both improve women’s prospects on the job market and have a positive impact on demographic processes;~~ not because of a choice made by women and couples over whether to have children but because of the growing deterioration in their living and working conditions as a direct result of so-called austerity policies, which have created unemployment and precarious employment and led to the absence of and violation of maternity and paternity rights at the workplace, increasing the cost of essential goods and services, destroying public services and making it more difficult to access facilities for children;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. whereas many workers who are in precarious employment or unemployed do not have the right to parental leave;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Considers it regrettable that not all Member States have provided the Commission with correspondence tables between the provisions of the directive and the transposition measures; considers it crucial for Member States to ensure that the necessary inspection resources are in place to verify that legislation protecting parents' rights is being complied with;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Considers it regrettable that there are disparities between the transposition measures of the directive in the field of application, thus creating systems that benefit workers to varying degrees depending on their employment sector (public or private) and the length of their contract; stresses that everyone should be guaranteed the right to parental leave without discrimination, regardless of the type of contract working fathers and mothers are employed under;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises that family rights assigned by public policies, including parental leave, should be ~~individual rather than transferable, with a view to encouraging both parents to achieve a better work-life balance;~~ designed to encourage both parents to achieve a better work-life balance, minimising the discriminatory effects that prolonged periods of labour market inactivity have on women who take up maternity and parental leave; takes the view that the Member States should define ways in which leave can be shared or used simultaneously, in line with the outcome of consultations with women's organisations and trade unions, whereby this arrangement should not jeopardise the social rights already in place at present;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes the flexibility the directive grants to the Member States to define forms of parental leave – part-time or full-time – and the working and notice periods established as conditions for granting parental leave, whereby these different arrangements should depend on requests being made by mothers and fathers; welcomes the initiatives introduced by the Member States to give workers as much flexibility as possible in this area, ensuring that parental leave ties in with their professional and personal circumstances~~, but~~; believes that any choices made to cede some of the decision-making power to employers ~~should not~~will undermine the target of increasing the taking of parental leave; points out that consideration needs to be given to a minimum period of leave of six weeks, which would be compulsory for mothers after confinement, in line with Parliament's proposal of 20 October 2010 with a view to amending Directive 92/85/EEC;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Emphasises the need to activate the revision clause in EU legislation on parental leave for that purpose, including, in particular: the adoption of measures guaranteeing the allocation of parental leave allowances always on the basis of 100% of reference pay, a specific form of maternity leave in the case of premature birth for as long as the newborn baby has to remain in hospital, and subsidised leave where babies are born with conditions that require hospitalisation;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2097(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Patrick LE HYARIC, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Commission and the social partners to offer to extend this minimum duration from four to six months, paid at 100%, to improve work-life balance;

2016/01/29
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. having regard to the varying job types and conditions under which women are employed as domestic workers or carers, which can be, among other possibilities, as undeclared, undocumented, ~~casual or migrant workers with no contract, or no~~migrant workers with no contract, with a casual contract, workers on full- or part-time contracts, working for one or more employers, hired by individuals or companies, internally or externally, with or without recognition of their qualifications,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas domestic and care work is primarily characterised by the following: job instability, geographical mobility, ad- hoc hours, seasonal work patterns, shifts, lack of job security, casual employment, mainly undeclared labour,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas undocumented female migrant workers are the subject of worrying levels of discrimination, and fail to report instances of abuse, unfair dismissal, non-payment of wages, violence, discrimination, maltreatment, forced labour, servitude or confinement owing to a lack of awareness about their rights, obstacles such as a language barrier or out of fear of being arrested, deported or losing their job,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas domestic and care work is a sector that creates jobs; these jobs must be of a high quality, as it is because of the work carried out by workers in this sector that many people are able to be economically and socially active outside of the home,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. having regard to the particular relationship of dependency between a male or female employer and a female employee as a result of the latter's working in the former's private space,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)

Ca. having regard to the absence of a legal framework at EU level and the variety of ways of arranging and proposing legislation over domestic and care work, which differ between the Member States,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas the observation and application of existing national laws for the protection of domestic and care workers’ labour rights remains an outstanding issue for some Member States,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C c (new)

Cc. whereas regulated and declared domestic and care work improves the quality of life of the people who carry it out, provides them with social services and protection against abuse and discrimination, reduces the risk of poverty, marginalisation, stigmatisation and loss of face, and also gives the employer a better guarantee of a quality service and helps to increase revenue for the Member States’ social security funds,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Recital C d (new)

Cd. whereas providing adequate protection for people with disabilities, the elderly, ill people, dependants and minors is a fundamental EU principle and domestic and care work is a sector that is essential to ensuring that it is maintained,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Recital C e (new)

Ce. whereas austerity measures introduced as a result of the crisis have reduced public investment in the care sector, which has forced many people, mainly women, to cut their working hours or return to the home to take care of dependants, elderly people, ill people or children,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Recital C f (new)

Cf. whereas the place in which these people carry out their work does not make the employer exempt from complying with health and safety and risk prevention requirements, or from respecting the privacy of those who stay overnight on the premises,

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Encourages the Member States to ratify ILO Convention 189, and urges those who have already done so to apply it ~~stringently~~in its entirety, implementing the appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the articles of said Convention and ILO Recommendation R-201 of 2011 on decent work for domestic workers;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women domestic and care workers through the removal of EU labour provisions that specifically exclude women domestic and/or care workers with a view to ensuring that these people are included;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for ~~measures to be taken to ensure full~~improvements to the existing national labour legislation through the development of systems to ensure effective application and greater compliance with th~~e law~~is legislation on issues affecting this group, to step up labour inspections in the workplace so as to clamp down on unlawful behaviour ~~and to facilitate and incentivise legal hiring practices;~~ ;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Member States to better regulate the labour market to create high- quality jobs, and recalls that not regularising undocumented workers causes the underground economy to grow and results in workers being unable to defend or protect themselves;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Welcomes the initiatives for preventing and discouraging undeclared work, as the underground economy threatens job security, reduces the quality of work available, puts the sustainability of the social welfare system at risk and reduces the tax income to the State’s coffers; insists that female workers should not be held responsible or face penalties;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Calls on the Commission to urge the Member States to invest in more and better ways of preventing, detecting and combating illegal employment through better, more streamlined labour control and inspection mechanisms that penalise employers who break the law, without this having a detrimental or harmful effect on the person who has complained about their employer, irrespective of the former’s legal-administrative situation;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)

2d. Calls on the Commission to provide new lines of funding with sufficient resources to raise awareness among and provide specific training to the relevant authorities (labour, judicial, immigration, State security bodies, etc.), enabling more efficient coordination between all of these entities, the introduction of protocols to upgrade and enhance the skills of civil servants responsible for assessing and suitably dealing with complaints raised by these female workers;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)

2e. Calls on the Commission to urge the Member States to commit more public investment to cover families’ care needs (elderly care homes, day-care centres, centres for dependants, nurseries, etc.) to ensure that families who provide care are able to do so on a voluntary basis rather than as punishment for having a low income, as a result of having been abandoned by the State;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recommends the establishment of an office, a helpline and a website providing assistance ~~and~~, with information on the rights ~~of women workers in each Member State;~~ and responsibilities of workers and employers (families or agencies) in each Member State, and a European Observatory of Domestic and Care Work tasked with devising methods for providing protection, lodging complaints and raising awareness;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines the need to provide women domestic and care workers with an understanding of the employment conditions stipulated in their job contract, access to information on resources and services available to them, knowledge of existing legislation, rules and collective agreements, access to and knowledge of trade union activities and the advantages of collective organisation;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Recommends that a consensual contract be drawn up for domestic and care work in each Member State, following a social dialogue between social workers, employers and female workers;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Stresses the need to raise awareness among employers of their obligations, and to provide them with information on good hiring practices, their legal obligations, penalties in the event of infringement and information and assistance available to the parties, and emphasises the need for the employer to recognise this group as workers with rights;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)

3d. Recommends that the Member States develop campaigns to improve visibility, enhance understanding and raise awareness among public and private bodies, families and public opinion as a whole with a view to dignifying the profession and gaining recognition for the important work and contribution of women domestic and care workers to the functioning of society;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)

3e. Reminds the Commission of its obligation to verify the application of the European Convention on the legal status of migrant workers, the Council of Europe Convention on action against trafficking in human beings, and the International Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families, adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 45/158 of 18 December 1990;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 f (new)

3f. Calls for the provision of public aid and subsidies to establish and support cooperatives, autonomous associations and women domestic and care worker platforms, as these organisations contribute to the collective defence of these people’s rights;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 g (new)

3g. Stresses the importance of taking action to ensure the full application of the laws for the prevention of occupational hazards in the homes of employers, in order to guarantee occupational health and safety at the same levels as those enjoyed by other workers and prevent work-related accidents, risks of illness and exposure to hazards, such as intoxication with cleaning products, which are detrimental to health and well- being;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Regrets that women domestic and care workers continue to be poorly represented in trade union organisations in the various Member States and stresses the need to encourage these female workers to join trade unions;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Recommends that the Commission promote the exchange of best practices between the Member States, following the example of successful models that have had a positive impact on the sector in social and labour terms, e.g. the ‘service vouchers’ introduced by Belgium and the ‘universal service employment cheque (CESU)’ in France;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls on the Commission to urge the Member States to commit more public investment to creating stable, high-quality jobs in the sector;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Calls on the Commission to encourage the Member States to establish systems for professionalisation, training, continuous skills development and recognition of women domestic and care workers’ qualifications, including literacy (if applicable), to enhance their prospects of personal, professional and career development;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Expresses concern over the lack of inspections to oversee, monitor and supervise the hiring of women domestic and care workers carried out by companies or recruitment agencies and reiterates the need to increase the number of public inspectors and inspections to ensure compliance with the law;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recommends affording women domestic workers and carers the same status as ~~the rest of the labour force~~any other worker in any Member State, recognising their work as an occupation in its own right and paving the way for working conditions to be genuinely afforded the same status as the rest of the productive sectors in fundamental aspects such as the following: a minimum wage, working days of the same length as the rest of the country’s workers, a weekly rest period and the right to holidays, recognised paid sick, maternity, paternity and breastfeeding leave, unemployment benefits, social security, occupational health and safety, restrictions on cash-in- hand pay, paid overtime, a precise definition of the tasks involved in the position and clear information on general working conditions, freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and the right to a pension, etc.;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. recalls that, pursuant to the Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations of 1961, civil servants from the diplomatic corps must respect the laws and regulations of the State, including employment law, but that, owing to the fact that employers have immunity from the criminal justice system of the host State and their homes enjoy inviolability, the latter are protected against prosecution, leaving their employees defenceless and without access to justice if they suffer abuse or any prospect of changing employer due to the risk of losing their residence permit;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2094(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Calls for compliance with the European Convention on au pair placement and for an increase in inspections as this employment method is sometimes exploited by employers to obtain cheap internal female domestic workers;

2015/09/28
Committee: EMPL

2015/2074(BUD)

Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Sofia SAKORAFA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Believes that the 2016 budget should focus on initiatives that contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and the creation of high-quality and durable employment across the Union and that programmes contributing directly to these objectives should be given priority when budgetary decisions are made;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Draws attention to the need for funding under the Horizon 2020 framework programme to be shared out in a more even-handed way among the Member States and to the fact that several cohesion countries are net contributors to the framework programme; points out that the ‘Innovation Union’ initiative has to involve all countries and regions and that there must be no ‘innovation divide’ between more innovative countries and regions and the rest;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA, João FERREIRA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Notes the considerable impact of the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) on the 2016 budget; believes that the objectives of the EFSI can only be achieved if~~Believes that the level of financing for Horizon 2020 and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) ismust be fully maintained;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Considers it to be essential, given that they make up 99 % of the Union's corporate fabric and account for 80 % of jobs in the Union, to provide greater support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in order to boost their productivity within a stable business environment, minimise the effect of dominant market positions occupied by large companies and conglomerates, and help MSMEs and worker cooperatives to be set up and to grow;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Calls for an increase in resources for budget headings providing subsidies for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives in order to cope with rising production factor costs and keep pace with the evolving knowledge society and with development based on balanced economic growth, especially in Member States where the crisis has had a greater impact in terms of MSME closures;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the commitments agreed in the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 should be met in full; expresses concern at the growing number of unpaid invoices; notes that interest on late payments in 2014 has risen more than sevenfold since 2012; calls for immediate action to reduce the backlog of outstanding payment claims; draws attention to the scantiness of the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework and to the need for it to be revised as soon as possible with a view to substantial expansion;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses that funding for research should be focused on areas in which the greatest added value can be achieved and that improving energy efficiency should therefore be one of the priorities for European research; draws attention to the inequalities among Member States;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Notes with disquiet that, because of the budget cuts being imposed on Member States, investment in science, technology, and innovation (STI) will be reduced still further, with highly damaging results;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6b. Points to the crucial role of structural and investment funds in promoting STI investment; believes that the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund have a central role to play in, respectively, training and skills development for workers in the area of innovation and the funding of regional innovation strategies that could bring benefits in terms of territorial policy, improving living conditions, promoting social justice and well-being, and preserving the environment; points to the importance of strengthening cohesion policy and the related objectives by supporting innovation and other fields and, to that end, revising the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

Miguel URBÁN CRESPO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Sofia SAKORAFA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises that greater priority must be given to parts of the budget earmarked for increasing Europe's security of supply by building a network of interconnectors to ensure a free flow of energy between Member States; stresses the importance of enlarging the concept of security so as to include and address the problem of energy poverty;

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2074(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

~~9. Insists that the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) be provided with sufficient resources to execute the tasks conferred on it by the EU legislative authorities.~~deleted

2015/05/22
Committee: ITRE

2015/2010(INL)

Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Eleni THEOCHAROUS, Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Welcomes the recent initiatives of the Commission and encourages Member States to tackle further tax fraud, tax evasion and tax avoidance, promoting clear and fair tax rulings, combatting aggressive tax planning ~~and re-launching the Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base scheme~~, stressing the importance to avoid any increase in administrative burdens and cost of compliance;

2015/10/06
Committee: ITRE

2015/2010(INL)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that taxes must be paid where profits are made or value is created and where public services and infrastructures are used; stresses, in this respect, the need for clear, transparent and coherent rules on the accounting of profits and value creation, thus avoiding their "ad hoc" transfer for taxation purposes, particularly by means of intangibles;

2015/10/06
Committee: ITRE

2015/2010(INL)

Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Eleni THEOCHAROUS, Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Believes that the sovereign rights of Member States should be taken into consideration, as well as the diversities on economic, commercial and corporate sectors in terms of affecting the growth and development as well as the social cohesion within the Member State and the EU as such;

2015/10/06
Committee: ITRE

2015/2010(INL)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Underlines the importance of guaranteeing personal data protection~~, confidentiality of information exchanged and freedom to conduct a business; encourages the identification of solutions that strike a balance between transparency and confidentiality~~ while ensuring transparency in corporate taxation;

2015/10/06
Committee: ITRE

2015/2010(INL)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Condemns the complicity of financial and consultancy corporations in the development of aggressive tax planning in the EU;

2015/10/06
Committee: ITRE

2015/2010(INL)

Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital U – point i

(i) whereas a mandatory Union-wide Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base (CCCTB) would be a major step towards solving those problems associated with aggressive tax planning within the Union; whereas the ultimate goal should remain a full, mandatory CCCTB with possible exemptions for small- and medium-sized enterprises and companies with no cross-border activity; whereas until a full CCCTB is in place, the Commission is considering temporary measures to counteract profit shifting opportunities; whereas it is necessary to ensure that those measures, including the offsetting of cross-border losses, do not increase the risk of BEPS;deleted

2015/10/13
Committee: ECON

2015/2010(INL)

Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Eleni THEOCHAROUS, Georgios KYRTSOS, Manolis KEFALOGIANNIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Maria SPYRAKI, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Demetris PAPADAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital V – introductory part

V. whereas improved coordination alone will not solve fundamental problems arising from the fact that different rules regarding corporate taxation exist in different Member States; whereas part of the overall response to aggressive tax planning must involve the convergence of a limited number of national tax practices; whereas this can be achieved while still preserving the sovereignty of Member States in relation to other elements of their corporate tax systems; whereas, we should take into consideration the sovereign rights of Member States and the diversities on economic, commercial and corporate sectors in terms of affecting the growth, development and national income on which they depend on as well as the social cohesion within the Member State and the Union as such;

2015/10/13
Committee: ECON

2015/2010(INL)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital W a (new)

Wa. whereas this report does not aim to harmonise Member States' corporate tax rates and respects their sovereign rights to set their own taxation policy as well as their economic and social cohesion and stability;

2015/10/13
Committee: ECON

2015/2010(INL)

Costas MAVRIDES, Demetris PAPADAKIS, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU

Motion for a resolution
Annex – title 2 – subtitle 1

Recommendation B1. Introduction of a Common Corporate Tax Base The European Parliament calls on the European Commission to bring forward as soon as possible a legislative proposal for the introduction of a common corporate tax base: As a first step, by June 2016, a mandatory Common Corporate Tax Base (CCTB) in the Union, with an exemption for small- and medium-sized enterprises and companies with no cross-border activity, in order to have only one set of rules for companies operating in several Member States to calculate their taxable profits. As a second step, as soon as possible and certainly no later than the end of 2017, a mandatory CCCTB, taking into due consideration the range of different options (factoring in the costs, for example, of incorporating small and medium enterprises and companies with no cross-border activity); During the interim period between the introduction of mandatory CCTB and that of full CCCTB, a set of measures to reduce profit shifting (mainly via transfer pricing) including a Union anti-BEPS legislative proposal. These measures should include a temporary cross-border loss offset regime only if the Commission can guarantee that it will be transparent and will not create the possibility of misuse for aggressive tax planning. The Commission should consider to what extent it would be necessary to harmonise accounting principles in order to prepare the underlying accounting data to be used for CCCTB purposes.deleted

2015/10/13
Committee: ECON

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Recital 1 a (new)

(1a) The circular economy sector has an enormous job creation potential. Member States should ensure that labour standards are not lowered as a result of the resource transition, which should be based on the creation of quality jobs.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3

(3) Many Member States have yet to develop the necessary waste management infrastructure. It is therefore essential to set long-term policy objectives and financial and political support in order to guide measures and investments, notably by preventing the creation of structural overcapacities for the treatment of residual waste or for landfilling and lock-ins of recyclable materials at the bottom of the waste hierarchy. In this context it is also essential to use the European Structural and Investment Funds in order to finance the development of the waste management infrastructure needed to meet the relevant targets.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)

(3a) The different starting positions in the Member States with regard to the progressive increase in the targets mean that different levels of effort will be required to achieve the goals set. Consequently, the Member States should be accorded the necessary time flexibility to guarantee the feasibility of complying with these targets.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 b (new)

(3b) The EU should increase the resources at the Member States' disposal to support them in making the necessary investments in order to achieve the goals set.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a directive
Recital 7

(7) Commission and Member States should put in place adequate incentives for the application of the waste hierarchy, in particular, by means of financial incentives aimed at achieving the waste prevention and recycling objectives of this Directive, such as landfill and incineration charges, pay as you throw schemes, extended producer responsibility schemes and incentives for local authorities.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)

(7a) Commission and Member States should develop measures to guarantee the sustainable recovering of landfill area or landfill damaged area;

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a directive
Recital 9

(9) Extended producer responsibility schemes form an essential part of efficient waste management, but their effectiveness and performance differ significantly between Member States. Thus, it is necessary to set minimum mandatory operating requirements for extended producer responsibility schemes. Those requirements should reduce costs and boost performance, facilitate better implementation of enforcement of separate collection and sorting, ensure quality recycling, secure cost- efficient access to secondary raw material as well as ensure a level-playing field, including for small and medium sized enterprises, and avoid obstacles to the smooth functioning of the internal market. They should also contribute to the incorporation of end-of-life costs into product prices and provide incentives for producers to take better into account recyclability and reusability when designing their products. The requirements should apply to both new and existing extended producer responsibility schemes. A transitional period is however necessary for existing extended producer responsibility schemes and for Member States without extended producer responsibility to adapt their structures and procedures to the new requirements. Support measures should be provided to those Member States.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Recital 12 a (new)

(12a) It is necessary to take into account the Food and Agriculture Organization reports entitled “Food wastage footprint: Full-cost accounting” and "Food wastage footprint: Impacts on natural resources “ in order to better assess the real costs of food waste and bear in mind the best practices in this field.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Recital 19 a (new)

(19a) In order to achieve the objectives of this Directive, the Commission should promote the coordination and exchange of information and best practices both between Member States, civil society organizations, regional and local authorities and social partners including trade-unions, and the waste industry. This could be achieved through the establishment of communication platforms.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Recital 21 a (new)

(21a) Union funds that are allocated to support the transition to the circular economy could therefore be used for research programmes on the treatment of hazardous waste. Extended producer responsibility schemes should be applied for any hazardous waste putting the burden on the producer of this kind of waste that should be the responsible of their collection and environmental costs.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Recital 23 a (new)

(23a) The Union is one of the larger importers of raw materials of the world; the circular economy is an opportunity to reduce our dependency on imports; this could lead to a reduction of many conflicts at global level, a better environmental performance and to the development of a more resilient European industry.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Xabier BENITO ZILUAGA

Proposal for a directive
Recital 26 a (new)

(26a) The Commission should promote support measures for small establishments or undertakings in order to be able to achieve goals set.

2016/07/18
Committee: ITRE

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point a

1. Member States shall take measures, as appropriate, to promote preparing for re- use activities, notably by encouraging the establishment of and support ~~for re-use and repair networks~~of preparing for re-use operators and their networks, in particular those which operate as social and solidarity enterprises, and by facilitating the access of such networks to waste collection points and facilities, and by promoting the use of economic instruments, procurement criteria, quantitative objectives or other measures.

2016/06/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point a a (new)

Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3 a (new)

(aa) in paragraph 1, the following subparagraph is inserted: “Member States shall promote measures such as VAT reductions, in order to incentivise the uptake of secondary raw materials. Those measures shall encourage, inter alia, the replacement of natural primary raw materials with the secondary ones, and green public procurement criteria”.

2016/06/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point e

Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 11 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1

Estonia, Greece, Cyprus, Croatia, Latvia, Malta, Romania and Slovakia may obtain five additional years for the attainment of the targets referred to in paragraph 2(c) and (d). The Member State shall notify the Commission of its intention to make use of this provision at the latest 24 months before the respective deadlines laid down in paragraphs 2(c) and (d). In the event of an extension, the Member State shall take the necessary measures to increase the preparing for re-use and the recycling of municipal waste to a minimum of 50% and 60% by weight, by 2025 and 2030 respectively.

2016/06/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 10 – point f a (new)

Directive 2008/98/EC
Article 11– paragraph 5a (new)

(fa) the following paragraph is added: “5a. In order to build an accurate baseline to set targets for recycling of non-hazardous commercial and industrial waste, the Commission shall gather data on such waste, based on common reporting from Member States. The Union is to provide financial and technical support to Member States with difficulties to achieve these targets.”

2016/06/21
Committee: ITRE

2015/0275(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2

The Investment Committee shall be composed of six ~~independent~~ experts and the Managing Director. ~~Independent experts shall have a high level of relevant market~~Experts shall be selected on the basis of relevant knowledge and experience in management in project finance and the fields of employment policy, industrial policy, energy and research and innovation; They shall be appointed by the Steering Board for a renewable fixed term of three years.

2015/03/16
Committee: ITRE

2015/0009(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c

2015/03/16
Committee: ITRE

2015/0009(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF, João FERREIRA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 a (new)

The Investment Committee shall be responsible to ensure that overall, projects under the EU guarantee foster European social and regional cohesion.

2015/03/16
Committee: ITRE

2015/0009(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. At least one third of total guarantees will be used to support MSMEs and cooperatives.

2015/03/16
Committee: ITRE

2015/0009(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miloslav RANSDORF, João FERREIRA

Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1

1. The Commission and the EIB, with support from the Member States and the European Parliament, shall promote the creation of a transparent pipeline of current and potential future investment projects in the Union. The pipeline is without prejudice to the final projects selected for support according to Article 3(5).

2015/03/16
Committee: ITRE

2015/0000(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Notes that ~~many Member States still have large~~austerity programmes implemented in Member States, including those imposed by the Troika (Eurogroup, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund), have often resulted in further economic contraction and increased deficits, and that there is a need ~~to develop fiscal responsibility programmes that are fully~~for a new stimulus-based economic direction that is compatible with quality job creation, economic growth and welfare state sustainability; calls on the Commission, which has already received the national budget proposals for 2016, and within the framework of COM(2015)00121, to provide a flexible process of fiscal ~~responsibility~~policy-making at national level that allows for the adoption of socially responsible and economically efficient policies aimed at decent job creation; __________________ 1 COM(2015)0012, ‘Making the best use of the flexibility within the existing rules of the SGP’.

2015/07/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/0000(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Calls for the country-specific recommendations (CSR) to include the Commission’s recommendation2 on private debt aimed at creating second chances for enterprises; calls for these programmes, as the first priority, to be extended to families at risk of eviction from their first home and for th~~ese~~is extension to apply to those evicted since the financial crisis began; calls for the CSR to include a call on Member States place a moratorium on further evictions, and for this to be guaranteed, in particular, in banking entities within bank restructuring programmes supported by public money; __________________ 2 Recommendation of 12 March 2014 on a new approach to business failure and insolvency.

2015/07/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/0000(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Takes note of the recommendations on the need to move forward within new labour reforms, and calls for such reforms, if carried out, to guarantee social dialogue and to ensure necessary political consensus in order to be sustainable and effectivelabour reforms; considers it regrettable that many labour reforms have ~~not ensured the required ba~~attacked job security, workplance ~~between flexibility and security~~rights and trade unions' representation rights, resulting in, for example, the exclusion of millions of workers from collective bargaining, increased job insecurity and increased inequality; calls for labour reforms capable of reducing fragmentation, putting an end to insecurity ~~and increasing the productivity and competitiveness of our economy~~ while ensuring decent jobs and living wages through investment in human capital;

2015/07/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/0000(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Points out that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have warned of the social (in-work poverty) and economic (depressed internal demand) problems caused by the wage devaluation that has occurred in recent years; considers it regrettable that there is no reference to the importance of increasing wages, especially in those countries where wages are below the poverty threshold; recalls that minimum wages differ substantially between Member States (Bulgaria EUR 184/month, Luxembourg EUR 1 923/month), and reiterates its request for a study4 on this issue; calls for the inclusion of recommendations that Member States set their minimum wage as a 'living wage' - i.e., calculated according to the basic cost of living in the particular Member State; __________________ 4 Resolution of 11 March 2015 (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2015)0068), paragraph 47.

2015/07/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/0000(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Notes that some labour reforms have introduced new contractual formulas that, according to the Commission, have increased precariousness in the labour markets; of particular concern are some Member States whose rates of temporary employment are over 90 % for new contracts, which particularly affects young people and women and which, according to the OECD1, is one of the direct causes of increasing inequality; calls for inclusion of a recommendation that Member States take steps to restrict and reverse the growth of such precarious employment contracts; __________________ 1 OECD report ‘In it together: Why less inequality benefits all’, 21 May 2015.

2015/07/24
Committee: EMPL

2015/0000(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Notes that there is significant disparity in the success of the implementation of the Youth Guarantee and Youth Employment Initiative between Member States to date; notes that the International Labour Organisation has estimated that resolving youth unemployment in the EU requires a budget of EUR 21 billion and that the Commission's current financial commitment is wholly inadequate and needs to be raised to a sufficient level; calls on the Commission to work with Member States and representative youth organisations to propose minimum standards and best practice in the implementation of the Youth Guarantee;

2015/07/24
Committee: EMPL

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas the financial crisis has undermined the positive effects of cohesion policy and led to even higher unemployment rates, ~~increased~~even more poverty and social exclusion, and less convergence than expected;

2015/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2014/2245(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Underlines the fact that the economic crisis has seriously damaged economic, social and territorial cohesion, in the Union with an unemployment rate growing by more than 3% since the beginning of the crisis and resulting in huge differences between Member States; recalls that since the onset of the crisis over 3.8 million jobs have been lost in manufacturing in the EU1 ; __________________ 1 Industrial Scoreboard 2013, Commission Staff Working Document, p.6.

2015/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Underlines that EU must promote environmental friendly policy, emphasizing on the renewable energy sources and severe sanctions for the industrial pollution.

2015/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, João FERREIRA, Marisa MATIAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Considers it regrettable that the ~~job creation~~ potential of EU funds for the creation of high- quality jobs is still insufficient, and notes that it should be further strengthened;

2015/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2014/2245(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Underlines that SMEs make up 99% of the EU's corporate fabric and account for 80% of jobs in the EU

2015/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Considers that austerity measures in several Member States are having a negative impact on jobs and growth, resulting in decreasing investments, increasing unemployment, and in the destruction of the job creation potential; considers that all the new projects and investments promoted by EU funds should have an employment clause that includes the obligation to create new and non- precarious jobs;

2015/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls for an inclusive jobs and growth strategy that will tackle unemployment and secure more growth, more jobs with enhanced workers' rights, and access to public health and education as one of the means of achieving the economic, social and territorial cohesion that is needed in the EU; considers that the ultimate goal should be sustainable development and a high quality of life, together with prosperity and decent work for everyone;

2015/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, João FERREIRA, Marisa MATIAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Considers it regrettable that the unemployment rate among young people is still too high; calls on the Member States to make the best and promptest possible use of the money available under the Youth Employment Initiative, especially the EUR 1 billion in pre-financing once it has been released, with adequate involvement of social partners;

2015/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2014/2245(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Points out that it is essential to provide greater support especially to micro and small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and worker cooperatives in order to boost their productivity within a stable business environment, minimize the effect of dominant market positions occupied by large companies and conglomerates, and help MSMEs and worker cooperatives to be set up and to grow".

2015/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, João FERREIRA, Marisa MATIAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that it is high time for the EU to ~~invest in businesses and support business creation; welcome~~support public investment to increase employment and social and regional cohesion; regrets, therefore, the intention to set up the new European Fund for Strategic Investments as a ~~complementary tool with the potential to generate 1.3 million additional job~~tool to guarantee private investments without any conditionality as regards wit~~hin three years~~s effects on employment or social and regional cohesion.

2015/03/11
Committee: EMPL

2014/2245(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for an inclusive industrial strategy that will tackle unemployment and secure more growth, more jobs with enhanced workers’ rights, and better working conditions, promote measures for ensuring safety and access to public health and education as one of the means of achieving the economic, social and territorial cohesion that is needed in the EU; considers that the ultimate goal should be sustainable development and a high quality of life, together with prosperity and decent work for everyone.

2015/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2014/2245(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, João FERREIRA, Marisa MATIAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls for a direct support to promote solid growth and sustainable development of MSMEs in order improve labour productivity and resource use efficiency and keep pace with the evolving knowledge society and with development based on balanced economic growth, especially in Member States where the crisis has had a greater impact in terms of MSME closures;

2015/03/02
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. Whereas the concept of the blue economy covers a wide range of economic sectors linked to the seas and oceans, spanning traditional or established and emerging sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, (seagoing) shipping and inland waterway transport, ports and logistics, tourism, pleasure sailing, and cruising, shipbuilding and ship-repairing, maritime works and protection of the coastline, prospecting for, and exploitation of, offshore mineral resources, prospecting for, and exploitation of, offshore energy resources, and biotechnology;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that blue growth should never be considered in isolation from the maintenance and sustainability of the natural resources of the seas, the restoration of those which have been lost and measures which are certainly sustainable and have been proven to be so;

2015/04/23
Committee: EMPL

2014/2240(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses the importance of improving the necessary skills for applying the new technologies to the marine environment and of strengthening research coordination in order to create sustainable quality jobs and contribute to the full achievement of the social and employment objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy;

2015/04/23
Committee: EMPL

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. Whereas the sectoral priorities for the development of the Blue Economy may differ from Member State to Member State, depending on the one hand, on the respective development record of traditional or established sectors and, on the other hand, on existing resources and the development potential of emerging sectors in each Member State;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. Whereas increased investment in research and innovation associated with the seas and oceans may be a useful tool to support the goals of economic, social and territorial cohesion, tackling the asymmetries and growing differences between Member States;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Highlights the need to focus on environmental aspects and on improving the quality of the marine environment in order to ensure we have a sustainable blue economy w~~ithout restrict~~hile realising its employment potential;

2015/04/23
Committee: EMPL

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. Whereas in several Member States, and especially in countries where the troika has intervened, investment levels - public and private - have been reduced to historically low levels, which has had and is having negative repercussions on the development of various sectors of the Blue Economy which should be taken into account and reversed;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)

Fb. Whereas there may be advantages in extending the scope of action of the European Maritime Safety Agency in order to cover a wider range of common issues associated with the promotion and sustainable development of the maritime economy;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Takes the view that coastal and maritime tourism can contribute to economic growth and t~~o reducing casual or temporary work, provided~~he creation of quality jobs; stresses, however, that ~~the~~all activities armust be carried out in an environmentally-~~friendly~~sustainable way;

2015/04/23
Committee: EMPL

2014/2240(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Lynn BOYLAN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Considers that in order to maximise sustainable economic growth and ~~employment and~~increase the creation of quality jobs based on blue technologies, exchanges of ideas between the world of research and that of business should be encouraged, to promote and increase their ability to cooperate and network.

2015/04/23
Committee: EMPL

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Draws attention to the need to promote an integrated approach to different sectors of the Blue Economy, recognising and respecting the priorities of the different Member States and supporting them in developing these priorities;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Calls on the European Commission and its agencies to support Member States in the formulation and implementation of national and regional strategies for the development of the maritime economy;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Considers the shortage of qualified professionals in various fields of study and activity – including, ~~though not confined to,~~ researchers, engineers, ~~and~~ technicians, and workers - to be a huge hurdle that could prevent the blue economy from fully realising its potential; maintains that this shortcoming is closely bound up with the growing disengagement and disinvestment by Member States in the spheres of science and education and with the decline in the professional status and social standing of several of the professions concerned, and therefore calls for these two trends to be reversed without delays;;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)

10a. Considers that proper development of the Blue Economy requires the dignity of the professions associated with it and the creation of stable employment with rights;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11a. Considers that public investment, especially in some Member States, plays a decisive role in promoting the development and full exploitation of the potential of the Blue Economy;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls for an appropriate financial framework to be established in order to stimulate the development of the blue economy and job creation, combining and coordinating the financial instruments available – structural and investment funding (EMFF, ERDF, ESF, Cohesion Fund), the research framework programme, and so forth; points out that the instruments should be better geared to the needs of individual stakeholders – public institutions, local authorities, businesses, especially SMEs, non-governmental organisations, etc. – and the opportunities being offered widely publicised;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Draws attention to the negative development and clear deterioration of some of the more traditional sectors of the Blue Economy (such as fisheries and shipbuilding and repair), especially in areas where they functioned as authentic anchor activities, boosting economic activities either upstream or downstream, creating jobs and promoting development; considers that any EU strategy on the Blue Economy should not forget these activities and regions, and should highlight the potential of innovation in reversing this decline;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13b. Draws attention to the importance of public or majority-owned state companies in areas such as merchant shipping, port management, the shipping industry and maritime and coastal defence works; rejects the vision that tends only to focus on the private sector and believes that the strengthening and modernisation of the public sector can be an important driving force behind the promotion of the Blue Economy;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)

13c. Suggests evaluating the possibility of extending the scope of action of the European Maritime Safety Agency, as a way of strengthening coordination, cooperation and support to Member States in the development and full use of the Blue Economy’s potential; in stressing the key role of Member States in this area, considers that this could be an important stimulus towards achieving this goal;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)

13d. Considers that the implementation of strategies, plans and programmes, as well as specific national legislation, may provide a political and institutional framework which is more favourable to the development of the Blue Economy in the various Member States; stresses that these strategies, plans and programmes, together with specific national legislation, should contribute to harmonious and sustainable interaction between human activities and the marine and coastal environment;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 e (new)

13e. Stresses that the sovereignty of Member States in their exclusive economic zones and over their resources on the continental shelf should be respected, subject to the necessary deepening of cooperation for the sustainable development of the Blue Economy and the preservation of the marine environment;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2240(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Considers that coastal and island communities should be fully involved at every stage in the development of the blue economy, this being a sine qua non for realising its potential in terms of innovation, jobs, prosperity, and sustainable development; advocates greater appreciation and a substantial increase in the budget of the Community- Based Local Development Programmes;

2015/04/21
Committee: ITRE

2014/2238(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas there is clear evidence that ~~shifting from labour to environmental taxation,~~ investing in energy and resource efficiency, and developing the supply chain through a clear industrial strategy has a positive impact on job creation;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2238(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Urges the Commission to maintain policy coherence on the need for green employment, a just transition and decent work across all areas of its work, including by promoting this agenda in its Integrated Guidelines on economic and employment policies;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2238(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the 'just transition' and decent work agenda are part of its position in the climate negotiations at the COP21 summit in Paris this year;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2238(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the critical importance of workers’ participation in achieving these changes; ~~calls for~~notes that trade unions have stated that the lack of any legal obligation on employers to include workers' representatives in green workplace programmes is blocking the potential of this partnership; calls for the Member States to ensure the involvement of trade union ‘green representatives’ working with employers on increasing sustainability at their workplaces;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2238(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Welcomes the tools for skills development and the forecasting of skill needs proposed by the Commission; stresses, however, that more ambitious action and investment is needed;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2238(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Notes that these strategies should include the identification of skill gaps and targeted vocational and lifelong training programmes; stresses the need to actively include in the strategies both displaced workers and low-skilled workers at risk of being excluded from the labour market by ensuring that skills training must be targeted, accessible and free for these workers; stresses that steps need to be taken to counter the gender imbalance in certain sectors;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2238(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18

18. Calls on the Commission to use the EU Semester and the review of the Europe 2020 strategy to support green job creation; calls on the Commission to issue country- specific recommendations that contribute to higher employment and smaller ecological footprints, including ~~a shift from labour to environmental taxation and~~ the phasing out of counterproductive subsidies by 2020;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2238(INI)

Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)

18a. Notes that environmental taxes in the form of consumption taxes are often regressive in nature and impact disproportionately on lower-income groups who should be exempt from consumption-based environmental taxes; calls for any new environmental taxation to target the major polluters; notes that if successful, environmental taxation will result in a lowering of pollution and therefore a fall in tax revenue in the medium to long term, which must be taken into account;

2015/04/17
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital -A a (new)

-Aa. Whereas, under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, all children should be guaranteed the right to an education, health-care services, housing, protection, participation in decisions that affect them, leisure and free time, a balanced diet, and the receipt of care in a family environment;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. Whereas the factors with the greatest influence on child poverty are wealth- redistribution policies and labour policy9 a, particularly parental income levels and social rights; __________________ 9aSave the Children, ‘Child Poverty and Social Exclusion in Europe’, Brussels, 2014, p.5

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

A B. Whereas, although the children of parents with very low work intensity are 56.7 % more likely to be at risk of poverty or social exclusion, families with high work intensity remain at risk of child poverty today (Romania, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Latvia, Slovakia, Poland or Luxembourg);

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. Whereas ~~the destruc~~distribution of incomes has a major impact on reducing cycles of social inequality and the Member States with lowest rates of child poverty – such as Sweden and Denmark – are also those with the lowest levels of general poverty and inequality;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. Whereas between 2008 and 2012, the number of children at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Europe (EU27+Norway, Iceland and Switzerland) rose by almost one million, increasing by half a million between 2011 and 2012 alone9, and, according to data from Eurostat in 2013, 26.5 million children in the EU28 are at risk of falling into poverty or social exclusion; in the EU27, the risk of poverty or social exclusion increased between 2008 and 2012 from 26.5% to 28%; in 2013, in the Member States of the EU28, 28% of the total population under 18 was at risk of poverty or social exclusion and, in the vast majority of countries, the risk of poverty and social exclusion is greater for children than for adults; __________________ 9 Save the Children, ‘Child Poverty and Social Exclusion in Europe’, Brussels, 2014, p.5

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

F a. Whereas the latest reports by the European Federation of National Organisations Working with the Homeless highlight an increase in women, young people and families with children (with migrant children over- represented) taken into homeless shelters;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)

G a. Whereas the first few years, even before compulsory education, are crucial to children’s development, given that it is during this period that they develop essential capacities and that access to a high-quality education has a significant impact on self-esteem, ability to participate in social life, better health, social inclusion and, in the future, access to better job opportunities; whereas the educational gap between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds has increased;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)

H a. Whereas, in 2012, the average school-dropout rate was 13 % for the EU and over 20 % in some countries (Portugal, Spain and Malta)9 a __________________ 9aEU-SILC (2013) EU statistics on Income and Living Conditions

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)

H b. Whereas working parents who do not have access to a nursery school are often forced to leave children in the care of another child, or to recourse to paid and uncertified informal care networks, which jeopardises their children’s safety and well-being;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)

I a. Whereas children born into poverty are at greater risk of suffering chronic illnesses and having more health problems, which leads to the perpetuation of inequality;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)

I b. Whereas, even in countries where the right to health is enshrined in law, many children do not have access to appointments with a general practitioner or dentist, particularly because of a lack of available public services; whereas some children have very limited access to health-care services, which does not go beyond accident and emergency;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)

I c. Whereas the financial problems of families have been contributing to increased mental health problems in parents and to instances of family breakdown, which has undeniable repercussions on the psychological and social well-being of children;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital I d (new)

I d. Whereas the environment in which a child lives, including the pre-birth period, has a decisive influence on the development of the cognitive system, on communication and language, and on social and emotional skills, which will have a consequence for health, well- being, participation in communities and learning capacities9 b; __________________ 9b Drivers, 2014, ‘Universal, quality early childhood programmes that are responsive to need promote better and more equal outcomes in childhood and later life’.

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)

J a. Whereas child poverty has a high economic cost for societies, particularly as regards increased spending on social support;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital K

K. Whereas families living at risk of poverty are more likely to live in unsanitary and unsafe areas, and that 17% of children in the EU28 still live in these conditions, with 15 countries above average11; the price of energy means that many children live in homes without heating, which increases the number of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases; the increasing number of evictions due to the inability to pay housing costs has pushed children into shelters; __________________ 11 EU-SILC (2013) Statistics on Income and Living Conditions

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)

K a. Whereas migrant children are over- represented in the group at risk of poverty and there is more discrimination against them because of language barriers, with this situation worse for illegal immigrant children; whereas, today, with the intensification of migratory flows, there are a growing number of cases in which the children of emigrants remain in the country of their birth under the care of other family members or third parties, negatively influencing the children’s development, particularly at the emotional level;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)

K b. Whereas there should be financial reinforcement of food-aid programmes aimed at disadvantaged families, since a growing number of children only have access to food at school; whereas these programmes are important, but cannot be seen as a long-term solution;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Recommends that Member States increase the quantity, amounts, scope and effectiveness of the social support specifically directed to children, but also to parents (such as unemployment benefits) and to promote labour laws that guarantee social rights and security to families and fight precarious employment while promoting work with rights;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on the Member States actually to realise the right to housing, by guaranteeing citizens and families an appropriate home that meets their needs and ensures their well-being, privacy and quality of life, thereby contributing to the achievement of social justice and cohesion and the combating of social exclusion and poverty;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Recommends that Member States’ national budgets contain visible and transparent provisions for appropriations and costs to combat child poverty and to fulfil their duty to protect children;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Recommends that the Commission and Member States set targets for reducing child poverty and social exclusion;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on Member States to introduce legislation to protect or increase maternity and paternity rights; regrets the announced withdrawal of the revised draft of the Maternity Leave Directive by the Commission, which guarantees working women more rights during the pre- and post-birth periods;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Recommends that Member States develop proactive social policies that prevent poverty and the ~~departure~~removal of children from their family environment, ensuring that it is not through poverty that children are institutionalised; calls on the Member States to use the EU Structural Funds and the European Fund for Strategic Investments to support the transfer of institutionalised children to host families and community-based services;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Recommends that Member States guarantee all children access to free, quality public education at all ages, including early childhood, and establish appropriate teacher-student ratios, in order to safeguard the safety and well-being of children;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9 A. Calls on the Member States to promote inclusive schooling, which should involve not just increasing the number of special education teachers, but also integrating children with special educational needs into normal classes;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Urges Member States to guarantee universal, public, free and quality health care with regard to prevention and primary care, access to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, guaranteeing women the right to sexual and reproductive health by ensuring health care for babies, maternity care in the pre- and post-natal care period, particularly in the case of premature birth, access to family doctors, dentists and mental health specialists for all children and their families, and integrate these aspects into national and the EU public health strategies;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on Member States, particularly those where social inequalities are greater, to strengthen social rights that the state must guarantee, increasing the number of employees and ~~technician~~professionals in the social security services working with and for children and their families, and increasing the medical, psychological and social care of children;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13 a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to participate actively in combating the trafficking of children for any form of exploitation, including work, forced marriage, illegal adoption, illegal activities and sexual exploitation;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)

13 b. Calls on the Member States to support, through their municipalities, local centres for supporting children and their families, particularly in the communities and/or areas most affected by the issue of child poverty, which provide not just for legal aid and/or advice, parental advice and school support, but also for education and guidance on a healthy lifestyle and on safe Internet use, amongst other things;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)

13 c. Recommends that the Member States guarantee refugee citizens, particularly children and young people, the same rights of access to education, health care, work and housing as other citizens of the Member State in question;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2237(INI)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Gabriele ZIMMER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Recommends that the Commission and Member States develop statistical methods that integrate multidimensional indicators in measuring poverty ~~to take into account the limitations of relative poverty measurements and the work of the UNDP, UNICEF and the OECD, going beyond the AROPE~~(parents’ income, access to high-quality public services, participation in social and cultural activities, access to adequate formal and informal education services, exposure to physical risk, safety, stable family environment, and level of life satisfaction) and to take into account the limitations of relative poverty measurements and the work of the UNDP, UNICEF and the OECD, which take these multidimensional indicators into account in their statistics; recommends that these indicators be cross-referenced with indicators of socioeconomic classification (parents’ income and literacy level, country of origin, gender, disability, geographical location, etc.), going beyond the AROPE (at risk of poverty and/or exclusion) indicators;

2015/05/21
Committee: EMPL

2014/2236(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Patrick LE HYARIC, Lynn BOYLAN

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas, as a consequence of the economic and financial crisis, the policies imposed on Member States under reconstruction programmes, and the deepening of the economic governance framework, levels of poverty and social exclusion have increased, as has long-term unemployment;

2015/05/26
Committee: EMPL

2014/2236(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas social innovation refers to new ideas, whether they be products, services or social organisation models, designed to meet new social and environmental demands and challenges, such as the ageing population, balancing work and family life, managing diversity, youth unemployment and climate change, but under no circumstances can it replace the role of the welfare state;

2015/05/26
Committee: EMPL

2014/2236(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Recital H

~~H. whereas education and training must be priority areas in fostering the entrepreneurial spirit among our young people;~~deleted

2015/05/26
Committee: EMPL

2014/2236(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that social economy cannot replace the welfare state and public services

2015/05/26
Committee: EMPL

2014/2236(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that social economy enterprises have a strong local and regional basis, which means that they are more aware of specific needs and able to offer products and services which match those needs~~, thus improving social and territorial cohesion~~;

2015/05/26
Committee: EMPL

2014/2236(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Believ~~Notes that social innovation ma~~kes a significant~~y, along with public investments and the safeguarding of the welfare state, contribut~~ion~~e towards laying the foundations for a type of growth which serves a more sustainable, inclusive society generating social cohesion;

2015/05/26
Committee: EMPL

2014/2236(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

~~19. Calls on Member States to include the entrepreneurial spirit and the principles of the social economy in education and training curricula;~~deleted

2015/05/26
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Citation 2

— having regard to its resolution of 22 October 2014 on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2014 priorities1 , __________________ 1 Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0038.deleted

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Citation 3

— having regard to its resolution of 15 April 2014 entitled ‘How can the European Union contribute to creating a hospitable environment for enterprises, businesses and start-ups to create jobs?'2 , __________________ 2deleted Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0394.

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas ~~labour market rigiditie~~austerity and labour reforms are having a negative impact on job creation~~, while a competitive EU labour market can contribute to achieving the Europe~~ and its quality, moving the economy away from its 2020 employment and poverty targets;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Notes that in the wake of the European economic crisis a number of Member States are struggling with high unemployment levels (EU28: 9.9 %) ~~as well as public debt~~; is further concerned that youth unemployment rates (EU28: 21.4 %) are generally much higher;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that ~~ambitious economic pol~~public servicies and ~~labour marke~~investment areforms are needed in order to boost smart, sustainable and inclusive growth and create more jobs; further stresses the need for economically sustainable social welfare systems which are based on incentives to work pivotal in order to create decent jobs and an environmentally and socially sustainable economy; in this respect, further stresses the need for robust social welfare systems;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2

Situation on the EU labour market~~, including labour market shortages~~

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Notes that several important challenges are affecting Europe's labour market, including ~~increasing demand for highly skilled labour, rapid technological change and development, as well as an ageing society which requires that early retirement be made less attractive~~changes in the patterns of demand for a broad range of labour skills, rapid technological change and development; notes that early retirement may contribute to improving working opportunities for younger workers;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Points out that ~~the intra-EU labour mobility remains low (EU27: 0.29 %), with high unemployment rates in some Member States and unfilled job vacancies in others~~high unemployment rates in some Member States and regions has a devastating effect on social and regional cohesion;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

~~7. Notes that the economic and motivational incentives to work are too low in many European countries;~~deleted

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Notes with concern the persistence of involuntary temporary and involuntary part-time work; condemns the wide- spread use of opt-out clauses by Member States in the setting of maximum working hours and the rising worker intensities suffered by many workers;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7 b. Draws attention to social dumping as one of the factors deteriorating job quality in the Union; calls on the Commission and the Council to ensure the reinforcement of social dialogue and collective bargaining institutions and the improvement of minimum employment conditions and wage standards, both at the national and European level, to avoid a race-to-the-bottom in working conditions between Member States;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3

Fostering ~~a competitive EU~~ labour ~~market~~skills

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Believes that in ~~order to achieve a competitive EU~~the light of constantly changing labour market,s a~~mbitious reforms are needed which increase inclusiveness, flexibility and mobility, in the light of constantly changing labour markets and production patterns;~~ nd production patterns, States are encouraged to build a safety net to tackle the effects of technological unemployment on workers, ensuring that they receive an appropriate income and training during periods of transition;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Stresses the importance of human development~~, career flexibility and self- responsibility~~; recalls in this respect that investment is needed to actively support ~~employability~~vocational training and prevent skills depletion among the unemployed; emphasiszes th~~at such measures should be combined with reforms in pension and social welfare systems that encourage more people to work~~e importance of an adequate supervision of training schemes by public authorities and trade unions;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Recalls the importance of ensuring that the mobility of workers ~~for a competitive labour market, and stresses the need to reduce the administrative and linguistic barriers that are liable to restrain it; encourages raising of awareness of and~~is voluntary and fair; encourages further improvement of the EU-wide EURES job portal;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Stresses the importance of partnerships between ~~universities, businesses and~~social partners and public authorities with a view to estimating labour needs for the future, as well as fostering cooperation between Member States in this regard;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Stresses the importance of public leadership in the transition towards a socially and environmentally sustainable economy; calls for an adequate planning of the skills required in the development of sectors such as renewable energy, improved housing and industrial efficiency or the development of public and social welfare services;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Recalls the ~~need to strive for a more flexible approach to individual career development and lifelong education and training across one's personal career path~~importance of the availability of lifelong support, education and training for workers;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Believes that training and re- qualification programs for the unemployed should be designed and implemented in close cooperation ~~with employers' associations, with a view to better aligning workers' new skills with the needs of employer~~between social partners and public authorities;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Recalls that it is of utmost importance to ~~give~~provide job guidance and counselling to ~~jobseekers in how to look for a job~~workers and to ensure that their skills are recognised through ‘competences passports' reflecting the skills acquired through both formal and informal learning;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6

~~Strengthen~~Improving connections between education and employment

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

~~17. Underlines the importance of better synergies between education systems and the labour market, including exposure to the workplace and cooperation with businesses;~~deleted

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Notes that for a successful transition to employment, it is of great importance to take informed decisions~~, and that motivation, self-awareness and initiative should be encouraged~~;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7

~~Fostering labou~~Labour migration and fair mobility

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Recalls that there are curre~~Draws attention to the 7 million EU citizens living or working, as of 2013, in a member country other than their countlry ~~2 million unfilled vacancies in the EU; emphasises the need for labour mobility in the Union in order to fill this gap,~~of citizenship, the 1.1 cross-border workers and the 1.2 posted workers across the EU; emphasises the need for their citizenship and labour rights to be fully respected and reiterates the importance of ~~ERASMUS+ and~~improving EURES in this respect;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22 a. Recalls that fair mobility is closely linked to the right of free residence for EU workers; emphasizes that it cannot act as a substitute for policies aiming at improving regional and social cohesion in those areas with high unemployment rates;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Recalls th~~e importance of the mobility of highly skilled workers from third countries in the light of the demographic challenges~~at migration of workers from third countries must be respectful of their resident and labour rights; is concerned by the negative effects on third countries of European migration policies, including on social cohesion and availability of relevant worker skills e.g. "brain drain";

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 9

~~Nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among citizens:~~ SMEs and micro- enterprises

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25

25. Believes that teaching self- responsibility and fostering entrepreneurial education from an early age further improves links between school and the labour market, and can contribute to lowering unemployment levels;deleted

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Underlines the importance of support measures for SMEs and micro-enterprises, in order to ~~reduce the administrative and financial barriers to their establishment and operation as well as facilitating the hiring of qualified labour and training of employees~~improve their access to financing and workers training;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Believes that ~~incentives should be introduced for entrepreneurs who invest in training and apprenticeship~~training and apprenticeships schemes should be adequately funded and supervised by public authorities;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Stresses the importance of innovation and digitalisation for ~~competitiveness~~productivity and growth, and, in this respect, of the need to provide the knowledge and skills that are needed~~, as well as of motivation and determination on the part of employees and prospective employees~~ with a view to creating innovative, creative and digital products and services;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29

29. Highlights the job creation potential offered by ~~completing the digital single market, building the energy union, creating jobs through~~ investing in research and development and innovation, and ~~fostering transport networks~~planning for a transition towards a socially and environmentally sustainable economy;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29 a. Notes with concern the failure and delays of Youth Guarantee schemes in most Member States and calls on the Commission to provide a detailed impact assessment of this initiative and its various implementations and assess the possibilities for increased funding within the current MFF;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Stresses the importance of special measures and support for employers, in particular SMEs, to encourage them to hire young people for their first job and ensure their in-house training, as also for older workers; rRecalls the importance of social responsibility on the part of employers towards all employees and towards society; believes that such social responsibility should also be required of institutions responsible for education and training;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31

31. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ~~consider innovative ways to encourage~~revise rules constraining public spending and investment in the EU in order to boost growth and jobs;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32

32. Calls on the Member States to learn and draw from best practices ~~that deliver lower unemployment rates and undertake reforms which draw on those practices~~on employment policies that contribute to the creation of decent employment;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2235(INI)

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33

33. Calls on the Member States to ~~include leadership, management and financial education and business start-up advice in their education programmes, and to~~ prioritise the further development of vocational training and education (VET) programmes, under adequate supervision of trade unions;

2015/05/08
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point ii

(ii) to ~~ensur~~guarantee that TTIP includes comprehensive provisions on labour laws and policies that are consistent with the ~~core~~ ILO Conventions and the Decent Work Agenda, with a clear commitment to promote higher standards and, furthermore, to ~~ensur~~guarantee that where disputes arise, labour provisions will have ~~a conditional dimension~~primacy over provisions of free movement;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point ii a (new)

(ii a) to guarantee a clear commitment from the EU and the US to revoke anti- trade union laws and actors such as the Troika and the right to work legislation;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point iii

(iii) to ~~ensur~~guarantee that the horizontal dimensions of labour and social provisions are recognised and fully integrated into all relevant operational parts of the agreement to ensure a coherent and comprehensive approach to trade and sustainable development;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point iv

(iv) to ~~ensure that civil society can make a meaningful contribution to implementing relevant TTIP provisions~~respect the overwhelming opposition in civil society against TTIP which has been clearly expressed by the 1.5 million European citizens who have signed the Citizens' Initiative against TTIP;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point v

(v) to ~~take immediate steps to safeguard the right of EU governments to legislate, organise, set quality and safety standards for, manage and regulate public services~~unequivocally exclude public services, including Services of General Interest and Services of Non-Economic Interests, as well as rules on public procurement from areas that can be liberalised;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point vi

(vi) to ensure that the specific challenges faced by ~~SMEs are fully taken into accou~~the 87 percent of all SMEs in Europe which are not involved in export but relies on domestic demand are fully taken into account; and to identify and clearly communicate which sectors and branches are likely to be adversely affected by TTIP prior to the signing of an agreement;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point vii

(vii) to take steps to promote the uptake of corporate social responsibility (CSR), which must be additional to and not replace ~~existing~~ labour and environmental laws;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point viii

(viii) to guarantee that ~~agreement on any~~no mechanism for investor-state dispute- settlement ~~mechanism must take into accoun~~(ISDS) will be part of a final agreement; and to respect the results of the public consultation ~~on investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), must be fully transparent and democratically accountable and must not hinder legislators from passing laws in the area of employment policy~~which showed wide opposition against ISDS rather than public support of a reformed ISDS; Believes that the ISDS undermines democratically adopted legislation which has been put in place to safeguard public interests;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Patrick LE HYARIC, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point x

(x) to ensure that statistical projections on job losses/gains, and on sectors, affected are constantly updated so that timely intervention can be undertaken by the Commission to support affected sectors, regions or Member States.; Believes that the negotiations are based on a flawed and biased impact assessment study which has not addressed the negative impacts on employment, job displacement, public finances and trade diversion1 ; __________________ 1 The Commission Impact assessment of TTIP is based on analysis carried out by the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). However, a number of independent studies which have critically assessed the CEPR studies points out that the study has exaggerated the claims of growth and job creation. "Nor does it contain an adequate assessment of the risks or drawbacks", says the European Parliament Impact Assessment team (IMPA) (page 8 of the EP Initial appraisal of a European Commission Impact Assessment http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/et udes/note/join/2013/507504/IPOL- JOIN_NT%282013%29507504_EN.pdf )

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)

(x a) to abandon the export-led growth model and explore and prioritise other ways of stimulating much needed growth and creation of decent jobs in the EU: - promote counter-cyclical actions aimed at stimulating domestic demand and consumption and countering high; unemployment and social exclusion - revoke the 1/20 rule on debt reduction; - allow all public investments to be regarded as fiscally neutral as regards the Stability and Growth Pact;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)

(x b) to reject the Regulatory Cooperation Council as it lacks democratic accountability, does not ensure multi- stakeholder representation and does not foresee social impact assessments of how new laws and regulations will affect working and living conditions of citizens;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2228(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 – point x c (new)

(x c) to insert a sunset clause that activates after 5 years and that ensures that any subsequent re-activation can only be proposed after an extensive evaluation of the effects of the TTIP agreement;

2015/03/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2224(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, João FERREIRA, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Miguel VIEGAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the increase of EUR 244,2 million in the overall level of commitment appropriations compared to the original position of the Council of 2 September 2014; is satisfied with the fact that the EUR 521,9 million of cuts by the Council in commitments have been fully reversed and that a further EUR 170,7 million of commitments have been added, including the full package of pilot projects and preparatory actions;deleted

2014/12/12
Committee: BUDG

2014/2224(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Martina MICHELS, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Emmanouil GLEZOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that the research and innovation programmes of the EU, a fundamental pillar of growth strategy, should support social development and resolve problems of the European Union such as poverty and social exclusion;

2014/12/12
Committee: BUDG

2014/2224(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, Martina MICHELS, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Emmanouil GLEZOS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Stresses that the EU Budget must promote social development and cohesion over austerity, wage reductions and distortion of social fabric in countries under adjustment programmes;

2014/12/12
Committee: BUDG

2014/2224(BUD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Takis HADJIGEORGIOU, João FERREIRA, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Miguel VIEGAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Reaffirms its position that a new system of Own Resources is vitally important to get out of the current impasses in budgetary negotiations and therefore attaches the highest importance to the work of the Monti group;deleted

2014/12/12
Committee: BUDG

2014/2223(INI)

Pablo ECHENIQUE, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recognises that sustainable forest management is essential to balance ecological, social and economic functions that forests serve, and that the existing sustainable forest management frameworks often do not adequately address risks associated with the lack of a balanced approach to forestry such as increasing demands;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2223(INI)

Pablo ECHENIQUE, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Welcomes the study assessing the impact of EU consumption on deforestation published by the European Commission in July 2013; regrets that despite the request made by the Parliament in its resolution 2010/C 184 E/08 of 23 April 2009, the study does not deal with forest degradation; Calls on the Commission to bring forward proposals to reduce the impacts identified in the study and contribute to EU and international environmental goals and commitments to sustainable development; calls on the Commission to publish an EU action plan on deforestation and forest degradation to this end as called for by the 7th Environmental Action Programme Decision No 1386/2013/EU;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2223(INI)

Pablo ECHENIQUE, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Takes the view that it is important to promote the implementation of the concept of bioeconomy while respecting the sustainability boundaries of raw material supply, to boost the economic viability of forest value chains through innovation and technology transfer, and, to this end, provide more support for forest products other than timber, and to ensure that different demands on forest products are balanced and evaluated against the sustainable supply potentials;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2223(INI)

Pablo ECHENIQUE, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Supports the carrying out of a cost assessment of all EU legislation affecting the value chains of forest-based industries, with a view to cutting out all unnecessary and burdensome bureaucracy and increasing the industry’s long-term competitiveness in a sustainable manner.deleted

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Citation 1

— having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Aarticle ~~192~~s 147, 173, 174, 192 and 345 thereof,

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

Fa. whereas to ensure cohesion within the European economy, excessive concentration of high value-added industry in a few regions, including the base-metal sector, should be avoided;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)

Fb. whereas the base-metal sector plays a key role in the development of the overall economy, both technologically and in overcoming supply bottlenecks;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)

Fc. whereas research, development and innovation in this sector is key for European industry; whereas plant closures often result in irreversible loss of technology and know-how and unskilling of industrial workforce;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the two dimensions of ~~competitiveness~~production and emissions cuts are becoming complementary since, if European production becomes carbon- virtuous, preservation of its share of the European and world markets is an effective means of contributing to an overall limitation of greenhouse gas emissions of industrial origin; adds that the same applies to the production of imported goods, for which the same approach should be followed;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls for an EU-level plan for the development of base-metal recycling, in order to move closer to a circular economy; calls for the development of strong linkages between the base-metal recycling sector and other industries to strengthen the size and resilience of the industrial base, in particular in regions affected by deindustrialisation;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Recalls the importance of public investment and, in the European context, of Horizon 2020 funds, in improving the environmental and energy efficiency of the base-metal industry, including the achievement of lower carbon emissions in line with EU2020 targets;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Urges that free allowances be allocated strictly on the basis of programmes for investment in new equipment, R&D - including CCS - and the training of workers, as soon as possible and at all events during the fourth stage, covering the period 2021-2028;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. ~~Notes that it remains possible to conclude long-term contracts, under certain conditions, which must be compatible with a return on investment, the duration of which must be no less than 15 years~~Calls for higher flexibility in the conclusion of long-term contracts, including bilateral contracts, in the case of highly ~~capital~~energy-intensive industries, to ensure a stable environment for investment;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)

20a. Expresses concern for market regulations allowing for a structural gap between electricity prices and generation costs; calls on the Commission to fight against anti-competitive practices of private oligopolies in the energy market;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 10 a (new)

Calls for a better involvement of social partners and, in particular, workers organizations and trade unions at the national and European level to avoid social dumping practices in the sector and ensure the creation of quality employment; calls for the involvement of workers in the decision-making process of the industry;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)

22a. Calls for a revision of competition policy and state aid rules in order to facilitate public intervention aiming at maintaining social and regional cohesion, improving labour and environmental standards or addressing public health concerns;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2211(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)

22b. Emphasises the importance of the skills and qualifications of the workers of the base-metal sector; calls for active employment and industrial policies ensuring that this knowledge is developed and recognized as an important asset of the European base-metal industry; asks that the maintenance of industrial know- how and a skilled workforce be considered in assessing the viability of production in any particular plant;

2015/07/15
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas family businesses differ in terms of values from non-family corporations as regards long-term orientation, have a special degree of commitment to their local community ~~– rooted in the European tradition of the ‘honourable merchant’ –~~ and are generally slower to close down and put workers out of jobs;

2015/05/06
Committee: EMPL

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Recital F

F. whereas it is impossible, due to the lack of a definition, to gather comparable data in the EU Member States in order to draw attention to the special situation and contribution of family businesses;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Welcom~~Notes the work being undertaken on an EU definition of ‘family business’, and calls for the specificities within Member States’ definitions to be taken into account, in particular with regard to guaranteeing social rights, social security, pension entitlements and health and safety at work;

2015/05/06
Committee: EMPL

2014/2210(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Notes that family businesses should not constitute a separate category from existing definitions of Micro- and SMEs; notes that a majority of family businesses have less than 5 employees and calls on the Commission to protect and define their activity accordingly;

2015/05/06
Committee: EMPL

2014/2210(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Stresses the importance of supporting micro, small and medium enterprises not only by funding, but also through a fair and progressive taxation, and a fairer and more even distribution of tax burden across labour, profits and consumption;

2015/05/06
Committee: EMPL

2014/2210(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2.Welcomes EU efforts, in cooperation with national authorities, in promoting entrepreneurship education, in schools, universities and VET, as an important tool to fight unemployment and create new jobs while stressing that topics related to running family businesses, like succession, ownership transfer, personnel management and innovation shall be included in curricula;deleted

2015/05/06
Committee: EMPL

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that, because of their history, family businesses are very rooted in a particular location and thus also create and maintain jobs in rural and in less ~~attractive~~favoured areas; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to provide the necessary infrastructure in order to ensure the ~~competitiveness~~viability, continuity, renewal and growth of such businesses;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Notes that highly specialised family businesses in particular play an important role as suppliers and innovators to larger companies and that, given their long-term and intergenerational approach to business, they provide the companies they supply with material security and thereby make a significant contribution to economic growth;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Calls on the Member States, with this in mind, to ensure that national rules on the taxation of inheritance and gifts and on corporate taxation do not discriminate against equity financing which is so vital for family businesses; ~~points out, in this connection, that in Hungary inheritance tax on business assets has been abolished;~~

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Draws the Commission’s attention to the need for equal treatment of big multinationals and family businesses so as to ensure a balanced level playing field in terms of competition, while respecting the unique nature of family businesses~~, in particular in those Member States in which such businesses were destroyed after 1945~~.

2015/05/06
Committee: EMPL

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Commission to improve access to credit for family businesses, avoiding securitisation as proposed in the Capital Markets Union Green Paper.

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Recognises that the fiscal, legal and administrative environment in which family businesses operate is defined by the combined effect of corporate legislation and private law;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission and especially the Member States therefore to improve the legal framework ~~for~~and create financing instruments supporting the transfer of family businesses, a~~nd create special financing instruments for transfers and thus prevent liquidity shortages so as to ensure the survival of family businesses and prevent distress sales~~s well as promote family business specific education on topics such as business transfer, governance structures, ownership strategies and implementing innovation;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls on the Member States to ensure that tax practices, shown to be conducive to long-term family entrepreneurship, through exemptions on gift and progressive inheritance tax, are applied and are not eroded through short sighted reforms adopted under the pressure of the current debt crisis;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Calls on the Commission to acknowledge the necessity of a progressive access to internationalisation of the family businesses, avoiding total exposure to international markets risks, while maintaining territorial added value attributed to this kind of business;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Calls on the Commission to commission studies that analyse the importance of ownership for the success and survival of a business ~~and~~, highlight the specific challenges facing family businesses~~; calls on the Commission~~ and develop a statistically workable definition of family businesses in cooperation with Eurostat; calls on the Commission to set a framework to identify and measure positive externalities generated by family businesses and also to collect enough data on family businesses in the various Member States ~~both~~, to allow a comparison of the situation of family businesses, as well as between family businesses and non-family businesses and to promote exchanges of examples of good practices;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Calls on the Commission to conduct an impact assessment of the extent to which a revision of the European SME definition from 2003 would be possible, ~~moving away from purely quantitative criteria to qualitative criteria~~ that also take into account the ownership of a company, bearing in mind the interdependence of ownership, control and management and, generally, the personal aspect of running a business, and the consequences this could have on family ~~businesses, for example, with regard to state aid and the eligibility of such~~ businesses;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Calls on the Commission in the meantime, as part of its regulatory impact assessment, to establish a ‘family business test’ modelled on the SME test, in order to be able determine the effect of certain legal acts on family businesses in advance and thereby avoid unnecessary red tape for family businesses, paying special attention to the combined effect of corporate legislation and private law;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. Calls on the Commission to strive to strengthen entrepreneurship throughout the EU and to create an favourable environment for business excellence;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission to urgently draw up a communication ~~analysing the role of~~on family businesses with a view to boosting the competitiveness of the EU’s economy by 2020, ~~and~~ to produce a road map listing the measures likely to strengthen the economic environment and development of family businesses in the EU and raise awareness on the family businesses specific characteristics and challenges to be addressed ;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2210(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Miguel URBÁN CRESPO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Calls on the Commission in the meantime to urgently launch calls within the framework of HORIZON, COSME and ERASMUS (for young entrepreneurs) programmes focusing on the specific problems faced by the family businesses that are SMEs ; calls on the Commission and the Member States to coordinate specification and activation of the Partnership Agreements and related Operational Programmes within the EU Cohesion Policy current Programming period to the benefit of family businesses that are SMEs, especially in the Member States devastated by the crisis;

2015/04/29
Committee: ITRE

2014/2208(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that the circular economy has the potential to generate millions of jobs across Europe, which should be sustainable, decent and quality jobs, respecting workers’ rights and collective agreements;

2015/04/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2208(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Emphasises that a circular economy will lead to sustainable and inclusive growth and have lasting beneficial effects on the labour market if among others the new jobs created are decent and sustainable;

2015/04/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2208(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. education and skills development should be part of a longterm and longlasting reindustrialization framework of public investments in the regions hit the most by the economic crisis

2015/04/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2208(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Patrick LE HYARIC, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Member States to put in place a regulatory environment ~~and fiscal incentives~~ that encourages the development of a circular economy, ~~such as reducing or lifting taxation on renewable resources, including labour, and differentiating VAT rates in accordance with the waste hierarchy~~promotes sustainable, decent and quality jobs, ensures progressive taxation, and a more even distribution of tax burden accross labour, profits and consumption.

2015/04/09
Committee: EMPL

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)

Oa. whereas the promotion of the exploitation of indigenous conventional oil and gas resources in full compliance with EU acquis, both in traditional production areas (e.g. the North Sea) and in newly discovered areas (e.g. Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea) will lessen the dependence of the EU on external suppliers and transit countries;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Underlines that it is important to put an end to any isolation of Member States and regions from European gas and electricity networks and strongly believes that the EU should help those most vulnerable countries to diversify their sources and supply routes, as a matter of priority; therefore recalls, in the context of energy diversity, the essential role of energy mix including all sorts of energy production and allowing for specific conditions of individual Member State in order to achieve the EU energy goals.

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, João FERREIRA, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to recognise that energy efficiency is by virtue of its lowest cost, availability and sustainability "the first fuel" in the merit order of energy resources, and thus plays a prime role in maintaining security of supply

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Notes that the EU is not yet on track to meet its commitment of saving 20 % of energy (371 Mtoe) by 2020, and that over one third of reduced energy consumption is actually attributable to lower levels of economic activity; stresses the fact that in countries under stabilisation programmes energy poverty has become a social plague and to this end calls for emergency measures to be taken on a European level;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Cornelia ERNST, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; such a revision should result in a fair burden sharing and take into account the difficulties for public investments and leveraging private capital in Member States that face financial recession; believes that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integral part of the annual European semester reporting;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Cornelia ERNST

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19

19. Considers that nuclear energy, which is carbon-neutral, continues to be a significant alternative for electricity production; notes that the choice of whether to use nuclear energy remains the competence of Member States;deleted

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)

19a. Believes that the energy security and eventually self-sufficiency of the EU, can be primarily achieved by promoting energy savings and renewable energy, which will, together with other alternative sources of energy, reduce import dependency. Notes that energy security must be achieved alongside with strict rules of environmental protection, on all kinds of energy production, offshore and an onshore operations, as well as during production of alternative forms of energy.

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Stresses that effective use of research and technological innovations fosters the leadership of European industry and contributes to the main EU energy policy goals, including security of supply, competitiveness and sustainable development of energy production, transportation and consumption; and combatting energy poverty;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Acknowledges that in order to reduce energy dependence, diversify and consolidate supply options, optimise energy network infrastructure ~~and~~, increase energy efficiency in the medium and long term and combat energy poverty, it is necessary to develop new energy technologies, using funds from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Cornelia ERNST, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)

38a. Insists that the EU's energy policy should ensure the access to energy for all, contribute to affordable energy prices for the benefit of all consumers and strengthen public control and regulation in this sector. Reiterates that the Energy is a basic human need and therefore the EU should closely focus on the issue of energy poverty and promote measures to tackle this problem, which affected one in four EU citizens - 124 million people - in 2012; reminds that this problem is likely to be aggravated in the coming years by a renewed rise in energy prices;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39

39. 39. Stresses that the EU’'s energy diversification must prioritise those projects that diversify not only routes but also sources and must meet all requirements of EU law; ~~emphasises that the diversification of routes must be directed towards reliable suppliers;~~

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Sofia SAKORAFA, Marisa MATIAS, Miloslav RANSDORF

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40

40. Expresses the opinion that Russia can no longer be considered a reliable partner as it explicitly questions EU law, including at the World Trade Organisation, and uses energy supply for political purposes; stresses, therefore,stresses that more attention should be concentrated on the development and further expansion of the gas supply infrastructure with Norway, the Southern Gas Corridor and the Mediterranean gas hub;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Eva KAILI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)

40a. Underlines the strategic importance of the completion of the Southern Gas Corridor for Europe's energy diversification and energy security; recognises that the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor delivering Caspian gas to European markets;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Eva KAILI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 b (new)

40b. Stresses that TAP will facilitate the EU's objective of diversifying the gas supply to Member States and Energy Community Countries in South East Europe; Recognises that the realisation of TAP will incentivise the development of new energy infrastructure, the integration of energy networks and the completion of the internal energy market;

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Marisa MATIAS, Sofia SAKORAFA, Eva KAILI, Lefteris CHRISTOFOROU

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)

41a. Underlines that the EU should take advantage of the opportunities that emerge from the energy sources of the Eastern Mediterranean, in particular with a view to create a Mediterranean gas hub through a corridor from the South- eastern Mediterranean to Europe in order to enhance EU's energy security. The EU should promote initiatives for the cooperation in the sector of Energy between the countries in the eastern Mediterranean contributing thus to peace and economic prosperity for the people.

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Sofia SAKORAFA, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42

42. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase their efforts towards the implementation of strategic energy infrastructure projects; believes the existing infrastructure needs to contribute to regional integration; and that energy should not be used as a means of political pressure in any context of international cooperation

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Marisa MATIAS, João FERREIRA, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 a (new)

42a. Highlights the need to actively strengthen cooperation with the EU's partners and recognize the important role of international cooperation in the field of Energy, and especially energy security; in this regard stresses that all intergovernmental agreements must be based on the principle of mutual respect with the third countries involved.

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Marisa MATIAS

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)

42b. Stresses that strategic infrastructures that promote the diversification of supplies, sources and routes, such as storage, import and transport facilities, as well as liquefaction and regafication of natural gas plants, can facilitate enhanced supply when emergency situations occur. Under normal market conditions, these infrastructures may not be fully economically and commercially feasible; therefore they may be supported by means of specific regulatory arrangements and/or public funding as provided by the 'trans-European energy infrastructure' Regulation (EU) No. 347/2013 and the 'Connecting Europe Facility' Regulation (EU) No. 1316/2013.

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46

46. Invites the Commission to analyse the potential structure of a collective purchasing mechanism and its impact on the functioning of the internal gas market and contribution to ensuring security of gas supply; notes that since there are several models of collective purchasing mechanisms, further work needs to be done to determine the best market-based model applicable for EU regions and the suppliers concerned;deleted

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2153(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Miloslav RANSDORF, João FERREIRA, Sofia SAKORAFA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48

48. ~~Highlights the need to enhance the EU’s ability to speak with one voice in order to deliver a more coherent energy diplomacy in partner countries and in multilateral fora;~~ notes in this regard that the ~~mandato~~voluntary participation of the Commission as an observer in negotiations for intergovernmental agreements, as well as both ex ante and ex post evaluation of the negotiated agreements, ~~should be required in order to~~on request of the member state, can minimise the possibility of non-conformity with EU law; However, it is important not to jeopardise the ability of Member States to negotiate the content of the agreements.

2015/02/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2152(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Draws attention to the fact that the EU is facing a demographic crisis which by 2040 ~~will~~may result in a shortfall of 24 million in the labour force, creating an economic necessity to further include women in the labour market; emphasises that increasing women’s employment rate to the level of men’s employment ~~would reduce~~may contribute to the reduction of the labour force shortfall to 3 million;

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Takes the view that gender equality is a necessary condition for meeting the Europe 2020 strategy’s 75 % employment rate target ~~and is crucial for maintaining sustainable pension systems~~;

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses th~~at economic growth and competitiveness in the EU are dependent on~~e need to clos~~ing~~e the gap between women’s educational attainment and their participation and position in the labour market;

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that the unequal division of family responsibilities is at the root of the unequal position of women in the labour market; stresses that reconciliation of work and home duties is a key condition for gender equality, which should be promoted by investment in care infrastructure ~~and encouragement of men’s participation in domestic labour by means of legislation on parental and paternity leave and flexible working time arrangements;~~ , particularly by guaranteeing infants’ education from 0 years and the care of elderly and dependent persons by means of universal public services, in addition to encouraging men’s participation in domestic labour by means of legislation on parental and paternity leave. The trend should be towards establishing equal and non-transferable paternity and maternity leave for the birth and adoption of children, by increasing the length of paternity leave until it is the same as maternity leave. This would reduce the discrimination at work that women suffer, and guarantee the right of fathers to look after their children;

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Maria ARENA, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that the unequal division of family responsibilities is ~~at the root~~one of the sources of the unequal position of women in the labour market; stresses that reconciliation of work and home duties is a key condition for gender equality, which should be promoted by investment in public care infrastructure and ~~encouragement of men’s participation in domestic labour by means of legislation on parental and paternity leave and flexible working time arrangements;~~universal public provision of social services, with particular emphasis on children education since age zero and dependency services for adults; stresses the need to encourage men’s participation in domestic labour by means of legislation on parental and paternity leave, inter alia; emphasises that paternity and maternity leaves for birth and adoption should be equal and non-transferrable.

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the feminisation of poverty is the result of factors including women’s career breaks, the gender pay gap, the pension gap and poverty in households headed by single mothers, and that the reduction of poverty levels by 20 million by 2020 can be achieved by anti-poverty policies that are grounded in gender mainstreaming. In particular, older women suffer high rates of poverty because many of them have not worked outside the home long enough to have a decent pension; it is therefore necessary to increase the amount of non-contributory pensions;

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Stresses that the feminisation of poverty is the result of factors including women’s career breaks, the gender pay gap, the pension gap and poverty in households headed by single mothers, and that the reduction of poverty levels by 20 million by 2020 ~~can be achiev~~requires changes in women's access to labour markets, supported by anti-poverty policies that are grounded in gender mainstreaming;

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need for transparency and greater gender balance in recruitment for decision-making positions, not just in the business world, but also in political institutions and in senior positions in the university system;

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Highlights the high levels of undeclared work which negatively impact on women’s social security and the EU’s GDP levels; calls for the ~~creation of incentives for employers and workers to move from the informal to the~~ effective use of sanctions to employers operating in the informal economy.

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. ~~Highlights~~Combating tax fraud – especially that committed by large companies, which has the biggest economic impact – is key to funding the extension of paternity leave and the necessary public services to encourage the incorporation of women into the labour market in conditions of equality. In addition, the high levels of undeclared work ~~which~~ negatively impact on women’s social security and the EU’s GDP levels; calls for the creation of incentives for employers and workers to move from the informal to the formal economy.

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2152(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses that the victims of undeclared work are mainly women, something which is not always their decision; calls for a comprehensive policy against employers who employ women in undeclared work.

2015/02/10
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

~~1. Recognises that REFIT represents a first step towards reducing the burden of regulation on businesses and eliminating barriers to growth and job creation;~~deleted

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Supports the Commission’s commitment on cutting red tape ~~and better regulation~~; believes that cutting ~~red~~ tape should deliver proportionate, evidence-based protection for workers, while ensuring that businesses can grow, create jobs and boost competitiveness; notes that deregulation and better regulation are not mutually exclusivebe evidence-based and under no circumstances diminish the protection for workers;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes efforts to identify genuine opportunities for simplification of legislation; stresses the need for simpler, clearly-worded rules that ~~remove complexity and~~ can be implemented in a simple manner in order to improve compliance, particularly in the area of health, safety and employment legislation;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Insists that legislation on employment and Health & Safety represents minimum standards of protection of workers which Member States can go beyond. The EU legislation will not be interpreted as maximum standards in situations in which these regulations can be seen as obstacles for competition in the single market;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Insists that a worker have the right to occupational health and safety protection and minimum working conditions regardless whether the workplace is in a small, medium-sized or large enterprise.

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Welcomes~~Calls on the Commission~~’s indication that~~ to continue negotiations on the maternity leave directive ~~should be considered for withdrawal~~;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls on the Commission to increase the protection of workers; in particular, calls the Commission to present a proposal on muscular skeletal disorders, environmental tobacco smoke and make necessary updates to carcinogens and mutagens.

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Encourages the Commission to present a proposal on the health & safety hairdressers' agreement to respect the experience of European Employers' associations and European workers representation in this sector and their decision of protecting of workers and to respect the possibility provided by the Social Dialogue based in the Treaties.

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. ~~Welcomes~~Takes note of the SME -test; ~~calls on the Commission to use lighter regimes for micro-enterprises and SMEs and to consider exemptions for micro-enterprises~~believes that micro-enterprises could be considered for exemption on a case-by-case -basis, while not ~~compromising on~~leading to lower health, safety and employment standards;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Calls for further measures to check that legislation is doing what it was intended to do and to identify areas where there are inconsistencies and ineffective measures; as a consequence legislation needs to be better enforced;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Urges the Commission to continue to improve the legislative ~~cycle and to introduce sunset~~protection of workers via employment and Health and Safety standards and that revision clauses to ensure that employment legislation is periodically reviewed;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Opposes the setting of a net target for reducing regulatory costs, as this ignores the aim pursued by regulation and its corresponding benefits;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission ~~to prioritise action in the fields of what have been identified as~~not to use the ‘Top Ten’ most burdensome laws for SMEs~~, including~~ as justification to review the working time and temporary agency directives; because the protection of workers must be guaranteed regardless whether the workplace is in a small, medium sized or large enterprise.

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. There are no satisfactory criteria to measure "efficiency" and "costs; these terms are not adequate in terms of occupational accidents and disease. This could lead to decisions taken by administration and controllers thereby circumventing the legitimate democratic legislators;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Calls on the European Parliament to systematically review Commission impact assessments and review IMPAs analysis as early as possible in the legislative process, and to call for impact assessments on its own reports.

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. "Simplification" and "burden reduction" are void of meaning in a situation which is ever more complex. New technologies and procedures could endanger the health of workers with requires new protection and this may be administrative burdens.

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2150(INI)

Rina Ronja KARI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Questions the balance of representation of the High Level Group of Administrative Burdens (HLG) and its recommendations (24 July 2014), rejects its recommendations and asks for recognition of the Dissenting Opinion of four members of the HLG;

2015/03/30
Committee: EMPL

2014/2040(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Pablo ECHENIQUE, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Considers it essential, given that they make up 99% of the EU’s corporate fabric and account for 80% of jobs in the EU, to provide greater support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in order to boost their competitiveness within a stable business environment, minimise the effect of dominant market positions occupied by large companies and conglomerates, encourage the culture of entrepreneurship, and help SMEs to be set up and to grow;

2014/09/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2040(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Pablo ECHENIQUE, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Calls for an increase in resources for budget headings providing subsidies for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives and for 40% of the amounts entered under those headings to be earmarked as direct support to promote solid growth and sustainable development of MSMEs and cooperatives in order to cope with rising production factor costs and keep pace with the evolving knowledge society and with development based on balanced economic growth, especially in Member States where the crisis has had a greater impact in terms of MSME closures;

2014/09/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/2040(BUD)

João FERREIRA, Miloslav RANSDORF, Pablo ECHENIQUE, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Points to the importance of narrowing the gulf between entities considered to be excellent and those which are not, the object being to ensure that science and research can also be supported in institutes which, though not considered excellent, are progressing towards excellence or could be raised to that level in cooperation with others already considered to have attained it; believes that achieving a more even-handed share- out of Horizon 2020 appropriations is an aim that should continue to be pursued with a view to improving upon the status quo created under the earlier research framework programmes;

2014/09/03
Committee: ITRE

2014/0124(COD)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a decision
Recital 2

(2) In accordance with Article 148(4) of the Treaty, the Council by Decision 2010/707/EU25 adopted guidelines26 for the employment policies of the Member States. These integrated guidelines give orientations to the Member States on defining their national reform programmes and on implementing reforms. The employment guidelines form the basis for country-specific recommendations that the Council addresses to the Member States under that Article. In recent years, those recommendations have included country- specific recommendations on the fight against undeclared work. __________________ 25 Council Decision 2010/707/EU of 21 October 2010 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, p. 46) 26The guidelines have been maintained for 2011, 2012 and 2013.deleted

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Kostadinka KUNEVA, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a decision
Recital 6 b (new)

(6b) Domestic and cross-border undeclared work are two distinctive forms of undeclared work, and cross-border undeclared work can contribute to the phenomena of social dumping, salary reductions in the member states where the services are offered, deregulation of labour relations and individualism in the labour market.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Kostadinka KUNEVA, Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7 a (new)

(7a) The implemented fiscal consolidation dictated by the EU through both the European Semester and the Troika aggravates the problem of undeclared work. Undeclared work is not a worker’s choice but very often his/her only alternative to receive income

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Kostadinka KUNEVA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a decision
Recital 7 a (new)

(7a) The financial crisis leading to poor labour market and social conditions: increase of unemployment, reduced salaries, risk of poverty, cuts in social spending, is driving the practice of undeclared work.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Kostadinka KUNEVA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a decision
Recital 10 a (new)

(10a) National labour inspection systems need to be organised in an efficient manner, have sufficient qualified staff at their disposal and carry out systematic and frequent controls.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Kostadinka KUNEVA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a decision
Recital 11 a (new)

(11a) The identification, analysis and solving of practical problems related to the enforcement of Union legislation on working conditions and social protection at work fall mainly within the competence of national labour inspection systems, for which reason they require close and effective cooperation and common principles and practices at Union level.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a decision
Recital 13

(13) Three different national enforcement authorities are mainly involved with undeclared work: labour inspectorates, social security inspectorates and tax authorities. In some cases, ~~migration authorities and~~ employment services as well as customs authorities, the police, the public prosecutor’s office and the social partners are also involved.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Kostadinka KUNEVA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1

(1) A European Platform to enhance EU cooperation in the prevention, control and deterrence of undeclared work, and in the re~~inafter referred to a~~gularisation of jobs (‘the Platform’), is hereby established.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Kostadinka KUNEVA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)

(b a) the European Parliament.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Rina Ronja KARI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. The Platform shall also encourage the Member States to: (a) combat non-permanent employment conditions for the performance of tasks corresponding to permanent needs, promoting stable and lasting contractual conditions; (b) combat forms of undeclared and illegal work and labour trafficking; (c) combat practices involving the use of labour without any employment relationship; (d) combat the use of part-time contracts when this is not the choice of the worker concerned; (e) promote the exercise of workers’ individual and collective rights.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Kostadinka KUNEVA, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Tania GONZÁLEZ PEÑAS, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)

(ab) Examine the relation between the financial situation of the member-states and its effects to undeclared work.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0124(COD)

Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Lynn BOYLAN, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO

Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 2

(2) In appointing their representatives, Member States should involve all public authorities having a role in the prevention and/or deterrence of undeclared work, such as labour inspectorates, social security authorities, tax authorities, and employment services ~~and migration authorities~~, hereinafter referred to as "enforcement authorities". They may also, in accordance with national law and/or practice, involve the social partners.

2014/12/18
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Rina Ronja KARI, Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Inês Cristina ZUBER, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)

(2a) While the freedom of movement for workers is an important right, labour mobility is not the solution to high unemployment, and labour mobility cannot replace the need to create more jobs in areas with high unemployment.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Rina Ronja KARI, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6

(6) In the ‘Compact for Growth and Jobs’, the European Council requested to explore the possibility of extending to apprenticeships and traineeships the EURES network, apprenticeships and traineeships can be covered under the present Regulation, provided that the persons concerned are considered workers with reference to the rights conferred on citizens under Article 45 of the Treaty. An appropriate exchange of general information on mobility for apprenticeships and traineeships within the Union needs to be introduced and adequate assistance to the candidates for those positions should be developed, based on a mechanism for clearance of offers, once such a clearance is deemed feasible in accordance with the appropriate standards and with due respect to the competences of the Member States. EURES will cooperate with national institutions to ensure that apprenticeship and traineeship offers do not hide irregular labour relationships.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11

(11) The composition of the EURES network as regards other organisations than the ones above should be flexible to adjust to changing developments on the market for recruitment services. The emergence of a variety of employment services coupled with the reshaped role of the PES relating to national recruitment services points towards the need for a concerted effort by Member States and the European Commission to open up the EURES network, as the main Union tool delivering intra-Union recruitment services.deleted

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12

(12) A broader membership of the EURES network has social, economic and financial benefits. It improves efficiency in service delivery by facilitating partnerships, enhancing complementarity and quality improvements. It increases the market share of the EURES network insofar as new members make available job vacancies, job applications and curriculum vitae ('CV’s'). Transnational and cross-border co- operation, which is a key feature of the operation of the EURES network, could generate innovative forms of learning and co-operation between employment services, including on quality standards for job vacancies and support services. The EURES network wshould ~~therefore~~ enhance its relevance as one of the key Union tools available to Member States and the European Commission for supporting ~~concrete measures towards a high level of~~active employment policies within the Union.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17

(17) The right of freedom of movement entails the necessity to set up the means to support clearance, that is to say, the exchange of job vacancies, job applications and CV's, in order to make the labour market fully accessible to both workers and employers in accordance with Article 46(d) of the Treaty, and therefore a common IT platform should be established at Union level and run by the Commission. Securing this right means empowering workers to actually gain access to all employment opportunities throughout the Union.deleted

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18

(18) The common IT platform which brings together job vacancies and the possibility of applying for those vacancies, while enabling job seekers and employers to automatically match data according to various criteria and levels, should facilitate the achievement of equilibrium on the Union labour markets which would bring a high level of employment and help avoid serious threats to the standard of living and levels of employment in the various regions and industries.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24

(24) A profound understanding of labour demand in terms of occupations, sectors and needs of employers would benefit the right of free movement of workers within the Union and therefore support services should include good quality assistance to employers, small and medium sized enterprises in particular. Close working relationships between employment services and employers will increase the pool of job vacancies and job matching of suitable candidates, secure pathways for job seekers in particular those in vulnerable groups and improve labour market intelligence.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27

(27) Particular attention should be paid to supporting mobility in the cross-border regions for and providing services to frontier workers who are living in one Member State and working in another and have to cope with different national practices and legal systems and encounters specific administrative, legal or tax obstacles to mobility. Member States ~~may choose to~~should set up specific support structures to ~~facilitate~~ this kind of mobility~~, s~~ including public authorities, employment services and social partners. Such structures should, within the framework of the EURES network, address the specific needs for information, guidance, cross- border matching between labour demand and supply and the resulting placements.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29

(29) The freedom of movement for workers and high levels of employment are closely linked and make it necessary for Member States to develop mobility policies supporting a better functioning of labour markets in the Union. Member States' mobility policies should be considered as an integral part of their social and employment policies.deleted

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Paloma LÓPEZ BERMEJO, Neoklis SYLIKIOTIS, Inês Cristina ZUBER

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31

(31) The sharing of draft activity plans under the programming cycle among Member States should enable the National Coordination Offices, acting on behalf of the Member States, together with the European Coordination Office and with the appropriate involvement of the social partners, to direct the resources of the EURES network toward appropriate actions and projects, and thereby steer the development of the EURES network as a more result-oriented tool responsive to the needs of workers according to the dynamics of labour markets.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32

(32) In order to obtain adequate information for measuring the results of the EURES network, common indicators should be established~~. Those indicators~~ and a thorough assessment of the impact of mobility on labour markets be made. Those indicators and that impact assessment should guide the organisations participating in the EURES network in identifying their results and should help assess the progress made against the objectives set for the EURES network as a whole, including its contribution towards the implementation of a coordinated strategy for employment in accordance with Article 145 of the Treaty.

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1

1. The aim of this Regulation is to facilitate the exercise of the freedom of movement for workers within the Union in accordance with Article 45 TFEU, by establishing a common framework for cooperation between Member States and the Commission.deleted

2015/02/05
Committee: EMPL

2014/0002(COD)