Activities of Marian HARKIN related to 2013/2134(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on European Semester for economic policy coordination: implementation of 2013 priorities
Amendments (9)
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Deplores the fact that the EU 27 is now in recession and that current fiscal policies are not reversing this process; calls therefore on the Commission to re- evaluate its approach in light of this fact and the unacceptable levels of youth and long-term unemployment in many Member States;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that this year's Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) are particularly important, because Member States define their investment priorities for cohesion policy in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF); calls in this context for increased targeting of EU funding on growth and employment policies, especially on combating youth unemployment and long-term unemployment;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that the debt to GDP ratio in some countries is still increasing and that employment and growth promoting measures must be stepped up in these Member States;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that all Member States have received recommendations with regard to levels of labour market participation; calls on those Member States with high levels of unemployment to step up, in consultation with the social partners, active labour market measures, such as training and employment services, and to introduce further reforms to facilitate access to employment, prevent early withdrawals from the labour market, reduce the cost of labourimprove competitiveness and combat labour market segmentation;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the need to ensure greater equity in tax systems, in particular more progressive tax systems and the shifting of the tax base from labour to other sources;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on Member States to put in place schemes to ensure greater access to finance for SMEs in order to boost employment growth;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Stresses the need for greater fiscal flexibility to meet the specific needs of different Member States;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that particular action is needed to increase the labour participation of women, older workers and workers with disabilities by ensuring that there are efficient incentives to return to, and stay in, work; recalls that the quality, affordability and accessibility of services related to early childhood education and child, childcare and eldercare play a crucial role;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls the skills mismatches and bottlenecks in many regions and sectors and the inadequacy of certain education and training systems to cope with market demands; welcomes the reforms of vocational education and training systems undertaken by several Member States in order to adapt skills and competences to labour market needs, especially those of young people; recalls that almost all Member States need to undertake further action and investment in the field of education and training, training, research, innovation and development;