43 Amendments of Marian HARKIN related to 2016/2269(INI)
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
- having regard to its resolution of 14 June 2017 on the need for an EU strategy to end and prevent the gender pension gap;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital –A (new)
Recital –A (new)
-A. Whereas equality and fairness are part of the European values and a cornerstone for the European Social model, the EU and its Member States.Whereas Member States and EU objectives are the promotion of employment, with a view to lasting high employment and the combating of exclusion.
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. Whereas inequalities are understood both as the income gap among individuals and also as individuals' loss of opportunities, impeding the potential progress of the individual's abilities and skills, curbing their development and, consequently, their potential contribution to society;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas inequality undermines growth and quality job creation16 , according to international institutions such as the IMF17 or the OECD18 ; _________________ 16 IMF (2017) Working Paper 17/76 Inequality Overhang. Grigoli, Francesco; Robles, Adrian. 17 IMF (2015), Causes and Consequences of Income Inequality: A Global Perspective. Staff Discussion Note SDN/15/13 Washington: International Monetary Fund http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/sdn/20 15/sdn1513.pdf 18 OECD (2015) In It Together. Why Less Inequality Benefits All. OECD Publishing, Paris.
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. Whereas the OECD and the IMF have stated that too high and rising inequalities have direct social costs, hamper social mobility and can also hamper economic growth today and in the future;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. Whereas OECD highlights that "lowering inequality by 1-Gini point would translate into an increase in cumulative growth of 0.8% in the following five years" [1]. [1] OECD's report 'In it Together:Why Less Inequality Benefits All', p.67
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas inequalities throughout the life-cycle are reflected in inequalities in old-age such as lower healthy life expectancy, old-age poverty, and a gender pension gap of almost 40 %;whereas this prevents older people to contribute fully to society and to support growth and quality of life as volunteers, carers, consumers or mentors;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas inequalities increased inwithin several Member States between 2008 and 2014 in terms of household disposable income, mainly in Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Greece, Portugal, or Cyprus19 ; _________________ 19 Eurofound (2017) Income inequalities and employment patterns in Europe before and after the Great Recession.
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
H a. Whereas disparities in and within the Member States' economic growth are leading to economic imbalances within the Union, these excessive unequal economic trends have generated excessive unemployment and poverty pockets.
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Firmly believes that the reduction of inequalities must be an institutionalone of the main priorityies at the European level in this very moment, not only in order to tackle poverty or to promote convergence, but also as the precondition for economic recovery, quality job creation and shared prosperity;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that reducing inequalities is essential to promote fairer andcan help promoting more stable democracies, marginaliseing populism and extremism and ensureing that Europe is a project embraced by all its citizens;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Asks the Commission and the Member States to evaluate the performance and outcomes of economic policy coordination, taking into account the evolution of social progress and social justice in the EU; warns that the European Semester has not been successful in the achievement of these aims and in reducing inequalities;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop a concrete framework of measures ranging from social measures to economic ones that could address inequalities;Believes that specific polices aimed to fight economic inequalities should be introduced in the European Semester and in Country- specific recommendations;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. UrgesCalls on the Commission to extendinclude in the scope of the European Semester and in the in-depth analysis in the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure (MIP) by adding new binding indicators to estimate individual imbalances in inequalities as a way to link economic coordination with employment and social performancean estimate of imbalances in inequalities;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates its call for the establishment of an authentic European Pillar of Social Rights and the building of a deeper and fairer social dimension of the EMU, with the necessary legislative, institutional and financial means being devoted to guaranteeing true social progress for its citizens to ensure a level playing field in our market union;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Calls on the Member States to continue their efforts and to encourage an adequate framework of measures which ensures public education, health, adequate public infrastructure and social services, among others that encourages equality of opportunities.Such framework should enable a well-functioning "social lift";
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Calls for more equal economic trends without hampering incentives to free competition, entrepreneurship and innovation;
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Calls on the European Commission and Member States to complement the Gini Index as a measure of inequalities with the Palma ratio as the evolution of the relationship between the 10% richest an the 40% poorest;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2
Subheading 2
Boosting qualitydecent job creation
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Expresses its concern regarding the evolution of inequality in the EU after the crisis, which was largely driven by growing unemployment21 ;Understands unemployment as the main source of economic inequality.Despite the fact that it falls under Member States' competences, job-creation policies are the best option to increase productivity and raise competitiveness.Hence, believes that job-creation policies targeted towards the main unemployment pockets will not only homogenise unemployment rates across the Union but they will also help reduce differences in the incomes distribution; _________________ 21 Eurofound (2017) Income inequalities and employment patterns in Europe before and after the Great Recession.
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Calls on the European Commission and Members States to complement Economic and Monetary Union with a fully-fledged European labour market;Believes that well- functioning labour markets and welfare systems are vital to the success of the European monetary union and are part of a broader convergence process towards more resilient economic structures within the euro area;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12 b. Calls on Members States to ensure better alignment of education and training with labour market needs across the EU, improving opportunities for mobility, improving recruitment and training strategies - particularly 'on the job' training and through targeted investment that will boost job creation and increase employment demand;
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12 c. Recalls that reskilling is one important element which enables to re- integrate people back into the labour market, helps to tackle long-term unemployment and to better match skills with jobs available;In addition, strongly supports anticipation of future skills' needs as well as fostering entrepreneurship and individual responsibility to meet demands of the labour market;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Expresses its concern about the increasing number of atypical work contracts and forms of non-stande in undeclared employmentwork linked with precarious working conditions, lower wages, exploitation and poorerlacking social security contributions, and rising inequality;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Commission to present a proposal for a Framework Directive on decent working conditions for all forms of employment, ensuring for every worker a core set of enforceable rights, eliminating discrimination based on contractual status, ensuring a minimum number of working hours and facilitating decent working times and the right to negotiate schedulessocial partners to analyse if there is a need for common approach on decent working conditions for all forms of employment;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Expresses its concern regarding the negative effects of increasing automation due to the delay in adapting legislation, which threatens to exert downward pressure onAcknowledges the effects of increasing automation and the need to ensure the adequacy of the social protection systems and wages, especially affecting low and medium-skilled workers;
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for a common apexchange of best proach acrosstices between Member States regarding the introduction of aan adequate Minimum Income Scheme, in order to support people with insufficient income, ease access to fundamental services, combat poverty and foster social integration;
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Believes that the major step to avoid economic unequal trends is the creation of a Europe-wide income-policies framework that favour individuals with lower incomes, and a minimum income policy as a last resort for individuals before reaching poverty and social exclusion in line with the principle of subsidiarity;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to establishreflect on the feasibility of a European Unemployment Insurance sScheme, which avoids moral hazard and free-riding, complementing current national benefit systems; considers that such an automatic stabiliser can play an important role in reducing inequality between countries and in neutraliscushioning the consequences arising from the absorption of asymmetric shocks;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Commission and the Members States to strengthenNotes the importance of adequate workers’' rights and fostering the bargaining power of employees through structural reforms of labour markets, widening collective bargaining coverage, and promoting unionisationhere appropriate; Recognizes that national authorities' role will be to ensure and reinforce the right to syndicate as well as the strength and autonomy of both workers and employers unions when engaging in negotiations at any level;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Stresses the role of dialogue between social partners to address inequalities in the labour market;highlights that social dialogue should be complemented by civil dialogue with representatives of different groups of society, such as people living in poverty, different age groups, persons with different sexual orientations, persons with disabilities when discussing matters relating to inequalities and the fight against poverty and social exclusion;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Highlights that, in many countries, welfare and social protection systems have been severely undermined by austerity measures with huge consequences in terms of income inequalitiesimpacted by financial consolidation;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Believes that welfare systems should act as a safety net, but also ensure there are incentives to work;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Affirms that universal access to public, solidarity-based and adequate retirement and old-age pensions must be granted to all; calls on the Commission to support Member States in strengthening public and occupational pension systems to provide an adequate retirement income well above the poverty threshold and to allow pensioners to maintain their standard of living and to live in dignity and independence; reiterates its call for care credits in pension systems to compensate for lost contributions of women and men due to child and long-term care responsibilities as a tool to reduce the gender pension gap; highlights that while personal pension schemes can be important tools to improve pension adequacy, statutory solidarity-based pension systems remain the most efficient tool to combat old-age poverty and social exclusion and therefore should be provided with adequate resources;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Affirms that universal access to public, solidarity-based and adequate retirement and old-age pensions must be granted to all; calls on the Commission to support Member States in strengthening public and occupational pension systems to provide an adequate retirement income well above the poverty threshold and to allow pensioners to maintain their standard of livingHighlights also the important role of work-related pension systems and individual pension savings as a way to ensure an adequate mix, in line with Members States' practices;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Considers that international trade has been an engine for growth in many countries, but also can be perceived as a source of inequalitiesbut that the benefits are not always well distributed; calls on the Commission and the Member State to promote fairercontinue promoting international trade agreements that respect European labour market regulations, while proteccontributing to quality employment and workers’' rights and ensuring intra- European and national mechanisms for the compensation of workers and sectors negatively affected;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28 a. Considers that each and every EU citizen is subject to the right for equal opportunities and free to choose its own path to emancipation;Believes in the capacity of individuals to shape their own destiny and create their own opportunities;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to facilitate a common approach towards a National Child Basic Income to ensure that every child receives a minimum income, thereby helping to achieve the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy on reducing poverty and the risk of social exclusion;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Commission to complete its work-life balance legislative package with two essential initiatives: a proposal for a new Maternity Leave Directive renewing these rights and a new proposal for a directive on long-term care and carers;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Considers that, despite existing legislation enshrining the principle of equal pay for work of equal value by male and female workers, there is still a gender pay gap and an even greater gender pension gap; calls on the Commission and, the Member States and social partners to address the gender gap challenge in pay and pensions;
Amendment 392 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Commission to introduce legislation requiring Member States to publish tax rulings signed with large companies within a limited time- frameAsks the Member States to swiftly implement the Directive on Administrative Cooperation;
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33 a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to correct excessive interpersonal inequalities by supporting and encouraging most productive investments;recalls that for that objective taxation policies are crucial and that many Members States need a deep taxation reform.Calls on the Commission to monitor, advice, promote and prepare benchmarks in the light of the European Semester;