Activities of Pirkko RUOHONEN-LERNER related to 2023/2116(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2024
Amendments (14)
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the persistent challenges of the cost of living across all EU Member States, where nearly half of the population faces difficulties in meeting their expenses; whereas Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has exacerbated existing inequalities within the EU, triggering humanitarian, energy, and economic crises; whereas we see the detrimental impact of wide income disparities on both economic growth and social unity; whereas the EU is still facing a surge in the cost of living and the rise in inflation, largely propelled by soaring prices of energy, fuel, food, and essential commodities, precipitating an economic and social crisis throughout Europe;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas with regard to the general escape clause under the Stability and Growth Pact, which expires at the end of 2023, fiscal policy needs to support monetary policy in reducing inflation and needs to safeguard fiscal sustainability, while providing sufficient space for additional investments, including investment in social infrastructure and servicand supporting long-term growth, acknowledging the importance of concentrating and coordinating the governance cycle to avoid overburdening it with too many diverse issues, thus maintaining a focus on the core areas of economic and social policy; whereas prioritising responsible budgetary management and ensuring prudent financial decisions are crucial to safeguarding the fiscal health of the economy, thereby fortifying its resilience against uncertainties and support foring long-term gprowthsperity;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas skilled workers that can respond to the demands of the labour market and education, training and lifelong learning are of key importance to ensure sustainable growth, increased innovation and competitiveness and the sustainable and just transition of the EU economy, recognising the unique challenges faced by recent graduates and young professionals in their first jobs, and emphasising the need for targeted support and opportunities to facilitate their successful integration into the workforce, thereby contributing to the dynamism and adaptability of the EU labour market;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. whereas decreasing birth rates pose a challenge across EU Member States, contributing to an aging population and a decline in the workforce which can strain social security systems and negatively impact economic growth;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that some of the aims of sustainable economic growth must be to ensure an inclusive socio-ecological and digital transformation of our economies to prevent social, economic, digital and environmental imbalances by fighting poverty, reducing inequalities and creating decent jobs with adequate wages and working conditions, while ensuring alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals and the EPSR, as well as to strengthen economic, social and territor and social cohesion;
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need to invest significantly in people and to offer quality, inclusive and subsidised education and training in areas linked to skills and competences that are in demand in labour markets and future-oriented sectors according to local and regional needs; further stresses the need to address skills mismatches and labour market shortages; underlines the need to ensure that workers are ready for the green and digital transitions, that they can benefit from opportunities for new employment or career progression and that training and education programmes are aligned with the needs of the planetEU, the economy and society of the future;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Highlights the demographic aging across the Union, and urges Member States to enact policies aimed at safeguarding and boosting birth rates;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Recognises the potential benefits of reskilling programs for elderly individuals, enabling opportunities for reskilling the elderly populace could significantly contribute to the welfare system by allowing them to remain active in the job market, fostering a more fulfilling life, and mitigating the economic impacts associated with aging societies; stresses that this strategic approach not only supports a longer and more productive engagement in the workforce by older individuals but also contributes positively to social and economic well-being, thereby reinforcing the welfare system;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that EU fiscal rules should allow for the necessary public investment and financing of the juste importance of adhering to EU fiscal rules that enable essential public investment for the transition towards a zero-carbon economy, as well as for the proper implementation of the principles of the nd facilitate the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and of social investments; stresses that, although there is a need toemphasises the necessity of reduceing public debt within a reasonable time frame, smaller or more indebted Member States need more flexible individual adjustment paths that allow them enough fiscal space to undertake the investments and reforms needed for socially fair green and digital transitions in a way that leaves no one behind; stresses that it is crucial to ensure that smaller or more indebted Member States are equipped with adequate fiscal measures that enable responsible budgeting; highlights that fiscal responsibility is necessary to support essential investments and reforms for equitable digital transition, prioritising social equity and inclusion without compromising fiscal stability;
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Takes note of the Commission’s proposals for new regulations within the revision of the economic governance framework of April 2023 to strengthen debt sustainability and enhance sustainable and inclusive growth through investment and reforms, includingfiscal adjustment paths that allow for social investment; calls on the Commission to assess which expenditures and investments are necessary to achieve the long-term socioeconomic objectives required to comply with milestones in the national recovery and resilience plans; calls on the Commission to propose a new system for excessive deficit calculations based on this assessment in order to increase fairness during the green and digital transitions, social resilience and the implementation of the EPSR, while ensuring the sustainability of public finances in the Member States;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Strongly urges the Commission and Member States to implement robust and decisive measures in combating both tax avoidance and tax fraud; highlights that addressing these issues is paramount not only in diminishing economic disparities but also in bolstering the overall collection of tax revenue within the Member States; highlights that by prioritising these actions, we can significantly contribute to fostering greater economic equality and enhancing the integrity of tax systems across the Union;
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reconfirms the role of social partners in strengthening social dialogue and considers that the revision of the European Semester process should promote further dialogue with the relevant stakeholders, in particular relevant social partners and civil society organisations, on the main policy issues where appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the TFEU and national legal and political arrangements and emphasises the importance of transparency and dialogue in the process, and underlines that the needs of Member States should be better considered and integrated into this process;