58 Amendments of Tatjana ŽDANOKA related to 2016/2270(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to ILO Convention No 102 on Social Security and its Recommendation No 202 on Social Protection Floors,
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission Communication of 20 February 2013 entitled 'Towards Social Investment for Growth and Cohesion – including implementing the European Social Fund 2014-2020',
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
Citation 7 b (new)
– having regard to the Commission recommendation of 20 February 2013 entitled 'Investing in Children: breaking the cycle of disadvantage',
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 a (new)
Citation 20 a (new)
– having regard to Eurofound (2015) Access to social benefits: reducing non-take-up,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 20 b (new)
Citation 20 b (new)
– having regard to forthcoming Eurofound report on "Income inequalities and employment patterns in Europe before and after the great Recession",
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
Citation 18 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 26 May 2016 on poverty: a gender perspective,
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 b (new)
Citation 18 b (new)
– having regard to its recommendation to the Council of 7 July 2016 on the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly,
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas poverty and social exclusion are infringements of human dignity and fundamental human rights; whereas the EU and Member States committed in 2010 to a reduction of the number of persons at risk of poverty and social exclusion with 20 million by 2020;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas according to the Parliament's Resolution of 2010, adequate minimum income schemes must set minimum incomes at a level equivalent to at least 60% of average income in the member state concerned;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas according to a forthcoming Eurofound report on "Income inequalities and employment patterns in Europe before and after the great Recession" the impact of the crisis has been generally more acute among lower-income individuals, pushing income inequalities upwards within European societies;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the current emergency situation calls for measures to promote national minimum income schemes for citizeninhabitants, so that all citizeninhabitants are ensured decent living conditions;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas according to an overview by Eurofound many people in the EU do not receive the benefits they are entitled to, including in-work benefits, for example because of complexity of benefit systems or application procedures, or unawareness of entitlement for instance assuming that by being employed one is not entitled;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas introducing and strengthening schemes for adequate minimum income schemesupport is an important and effective way to overcome poverty and inequality, support social integration and access to the labour market and meet the targets of the Europe 2020 strategy;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas contrary to what is often thought, well-designed, adequate and widely available income support systems do not prevent or discourage a return to the labour market;1a __________________ 1aEuropean Commission, Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2013, January 2014
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Ib. whereas the Recommendation on Active Inclusion rightly recognised that apart from facilitating access to quality employment for those who can work, active inclusion policies should also "provide resources which are sufficient to live in dignity, together with support for social participation, for those who cannot";
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the Council on 5 October 2015 adopted conclusions on pension adequacy, considering it essential that public pension or other social protection schemes contain appropriate safeguards for people whose employment opportunities do or did not allow them to build up sufficient pension entitlements and that such safeguards notably include minimum pensions or other minimum income provisions for older people;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas in the Commission's recommendation of 3 October 2008 on active inclusion it is stressed that adequate income suppordentifies adequate income support as one of the three equally important strands of an active inclusion strategy and is stressed that it must be accompanied by access to quality services and by inclusive labour markets;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas in many countries key barriers to developing effective links between the different strands of active inclusion include lack of capacity, skills and resources in public employment services and social assistance institutions, lack of coordination and cooperation between services, and a tendency to prioritise different groups in need of support who may be easier to reintegrate into the labour market;2a __________________ 2aEuropean Social Policy Network, Minimum Income Schemes in Europe: A study of national policies 2015, January 2016
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas the 2013 European Commission's Social Investment Package again reiterated the importance of an active inclusion approach and within this stressed the importance of adequate minimum income support; whereas it was stated that the adequacy of existing national minimum income schemes can be improved to ensure the level is high enough for a decent life; whereas it was mentioned that "the Commission will, as part of the European Semester, monitor the adequacy of income support and use for this purpose reference budgets once these have been developed together with the Member States";
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L c (new)
Recital L c (new)
Lc. whereas ILO Recommendation 202 on social protection floors states that countries should "establish as quickly as possible and maintain their social protection floors comprising basic social security guarantees. The guarantees should ensure at a minimum that, over the life cycle, all in need have access to essential health care and to basic income security which together secure effective access to goods and services...";
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L d (new)
Recital L d (new)
Ld. whereas the Council recognised the necessity of active inclusion with adequate income support and the importance of an integrated life cycle approach for tackling poverty;3a __________________ 3aCouncil Conclusions on “combating Poverty and Social Exclusion: An integrated approach”, 16 June 2016
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas a transitional job scheme is one of the most effective forms of minimum incomecan be an effective tool for social and labour market inclusion for those who are able to work, as it combines income support with a proper job; whereas people who keep themselves busy working in a public transitional job scheme will also find it easier to find new jobs in the private sector;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Recital P a (new)
Pa. whereas difficulties in accessing minimum income schemes are experienced by those people in the most vulnerable situations such as the homeless;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P b (new)
Recital P b (new)
Pb. whereas Minimum income schemes represent a very small percentage of the government's social spending while providing a huge return on investment and the cost of non-investment has enormous immediate impacts for the individuals concerned and long term costs for society;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P c (new)
Recital P c (new)
Pc. whereas minimum income schemes are good for the whole of society as they are indispensable for more equal societies and more equal societies perform better on many social and economic indicators;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P d (new)
Recital P d (new)
Pd. whereas minimum income schemes are effective economic stimulus packages, as the money is used to address pressing needs and immediately re-enters the real economy;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P e (new)
Recital P e (new)
Pe. whereas the right to an adequate standard of living is recognised in Article 25 of the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and refers to the extent to which the level of benefit provides people with sufficient resources to ensure "a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being"; whereas coverage refers to the extent to which all those in need of support are covered by the eligibility conditions pertaining to a minimum income scheme; whereas take- up refers to the extent to which those who are eligible to receive a minimum income benefit actually do receive it;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P f (new)
Recital P f (new)
Pf. whereas often the lack of adequate payments coupled with limited coverage and poor take-up due inter alia to poor administration, inadequate access to information, excessive bureaucracy and stigmatisation means that they fall very far short of ensuring a decent life for the most vulnerable in society;4a __________________ 4aEuropean Social Policy Network, Minimum Income Schemes in Europe: A study of national policies 2015, January 2016
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. TCalls on all Member States to put in place adequate minimum income schemes that can be accessed by all who need them; takes the view that introducing well-organised and adequate minimum income schemes in all EU Member States - consisting of specific measures supporting people whose income is insufficient with a funding supply and facilitated access to services - is one of the most effective ways to combat poverty including intergenerational poverty, and inequality, guarantee an adequate standard of living and foster social inclusion and integration;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Considers that the right to an adequate income should be recognised as a fundamental right and should enable people to live a life in dignity, support their full participation in society and ensure their independence across the life cycle;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 a (new)
Paragraph -1 a (new)
-1a. Points out that minimum income policies constitute an important tool of comprehensive social protection policies; considers that adequate minimum income schemes form the basis on which high quality social protection schemes should be built, while ensuring a positive hierarchy with other social benefits and minimum wages; considers therefore that they need to be complemented with adequate pension rights for older persons and income support for young people, children and their families;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Acknowledged that it is difficult for Member States to go from no or low quality minimum income schemes to high level schemes; requests therefore from Member States to work towards the progressive realisation of adequate minimum income schemes addressing the issues of adequacy, coverage and take-up of the schemes;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that it is vital for everyone to have a sufficient minimum income to be able to meet their basic requirements as well as those of their dependants; considers that adequate minimum income is an income that is indispensable to live a life in dignity and to fully participate in society, across the life span; points out that in order to be adequate, it has to be above bare minimum and needs to allow people not just to survive but to thrive;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that an adequate income across the life cycle is fundamental for a dignified life and that without a minimum income and a stake in society individuals cannot develop their potential to the full and participate in the democratic shaping of society;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that, while most Member States have national minimum income schemes, several do not; calls on thoseof these schemes do not provide adequate income support for all the people that need them; calls on all states to provide for the introduction and upgrading of guaranteed minimum income schemes to prevent poverty and foster social inclusion;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to agree on a set of common principles, definitions and methods for adequate minimum income schemes to be achieved in all Member States;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘European minimum income and poverty indicators’ and supports the proposal concerning a framework directive on adequate minimum income in the European Union, which should lay down common rules and indicators, provide methods for monitoring its implementation and improve dialogue between the individuals concerned, the Member States and the EU institutions; is of the view that a framework of this kind should be based on tangible factors and should bear in mind the social and economic context of each Member State; calls on the Commission and the Member States, in this regard, to evaluate the manner and the means of providing an adequate minimum income in all Member States;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. points out that as has been shown before that it is legally possible to have a framework directive on minimum income within the context of the current EU Treaties;5a __________________ 5aA. Van Lancker, EAPN Working Paper on a Framework Directive on adequate minimum income, September 2010
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. ConsidersRecalls that adequate minimum income schemes must be part of a comprehensive Active Inclusion Strategy which requires combining the equally important strands of adequate minimum income schemes, inclusive labour markets and access to high-quality social services; considers therefore that minimum income schemes should be embedded in a strategic approach towards social inclusion and integration, involving both general policies and targeted measures - in terms of housing, health care, education and training, social services - helping people to recover from poverty andand other services of general interest - helping people to recover from or not to fall into poverty and to address situations where people are confronted with multiple difficulties or problems at the same time; believes such approach will support those who can work to take action themselves to gain access to the labour market; believes that the real objective of minimum income schemes should be not simply to assist but mainly to accompany the beneficiaries in moving from situations of social exclusion to active life;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Calls on Member States to improve coordination and integrated planning between administrations and services dealing with the different strands of active inclusion, developing one point of contact for clients, and enhancing the capacity of and resources available to services so as to increase the access to and quality of the services concerned;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Condemns negative or even punitive activation incentives, such as cuts to the level of benefits, sanctions, stricter eligibility criteria, or broad definitions of "suitable" job offers, which can lead to pushing people into precarious employment; considers that guiding people out of unemployment requires adapting the labour market for it to be inclusive and open for those most excluded and/or discriminated, including through personalised approaches;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
9c. Considers it crucial to guarantee adequate income also for people in vulnerable situations for whom a return to work is not possible or no longer an option such as people with a disability, long-term unemployed, older workers, as recognised by the Recommendation on Active Inclusion;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Notes with concern that in many Member States, for example the costs of long-term care exceed even the average pension income; stresses the importance of taking into account the specific needs and living costs of different age groups;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses the importance of defining appropriate eligibility criteria in order to benefit from an adequate minimum income scheme; emphasizes that these criteria should not create insurmountable administrative barriers to access minimum income schemes for people who are already in a very vulnerable situation, such as the requirement of having a physical address for homeless people;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Is concerned about the high rate of non-take up amongst people that are entitled to minimum income which highlights the many barriers including intrusive procedures and stigma linked to the application for minimum income schemes; considers that non-take up is a major barrier to the social inclusion of the people concerned; requests the Commission and the Social Protection Committee to further research the problem of non-take up and develop recommendations and guidelines to tackle this problem; calls on Member States to combat non-take-up, including by raising public awareness about the existence of minimum income schemes, providing appropriate guidance on accessing these and improving the administrative organisation;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the need for Member States to take specific action to determine a minimum income threshold, based on relevant indicators including reference budgets, in order to safeguard social and economic cohesion and reduce the risk of poverty throughout the European Union; calls on the Council to express its views more firmly with regard to such action;
Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Points out that reference budgets can help set the level of minimum income necessary to meet people's fundamental needs, including also non-monetary aspects, such as access to education and lifelong learning, decent housing, quality healthcare services, leisure and social activities or civic participation, while taking into account household composition and ages; calls therefore to use reference budgets, as a tool to assess the adequacy of minimum income schemes provided by Member States;
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Notes that many already use the Minimum Income Protection Indicators (MIPI); calls for the use of MIPI data by all Member States, which will also allow for better comparison between national systems;
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Emphasises the need, when the levels of minimum incomes are determined, for due account to be taken of dependants, in particular children, in order to break the vicious circle of child poverty; takes the view, furthermore, that the Commission should draw up an annual report on progress in the fight against child povertycalls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the swift implementation of the 2013 recommendation on 'Investing in children – breaking the cycle of disadvantage'; takes the view, furthermore, that the Commission should draw up an annual report on progress in the fight against child poverty and on the implementation of the recommendation with the help of the indicators therein, while using the European Semester as monitoring framework;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Is still of the opinion that adequate minimum income schemes should set minimum incomes at a level equivalent to at least 60 % of median income in the Member State concerned; considers reference budgets could be used to test the robustness of the level of minimum income and of the 60% threshold;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to carry out an impact assessment of minimum income schemes in the Union and to consider further steps, taking into account the economic and social circumstances of each Member State as well as assessing whether the schemes enable households to meet their basic personal needs;
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Is concerned about the cuts in the amount and/or duration of unemployment benefits as well as in the tightening of eligibility criteria in many Member States over the last years, which leads also to more people having to rely on minimum income schemes and causes extra pressure on these schemes;6a __________________ 6aEuropean Social Policy Network, Social Investment in Europe: A study of national policies 2015, January 2016
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Is concerned that in many Member States the level of benefits and coverage of minimum income schemes seems to have been reduced in recent years; considers Member States should increase coverage by minimum income schemes of people in need of support, in line with the recommendations of the European Social Policy Network: 7a a. calls on Member States with very complex and fragmented systems to simplify these and develop more comprehensive systems; b. calls on Member States with currently low levels of coverage to review their conditions to ensure that all people in need are covered; c. calls on Member States whose minimum income schemes currently exclude significant groups experiencing poverty such as homeless people, refugees, asylum seekers, Roma, young people to amend their schemes to better cover them; d. calls on Member States with high levels of administrative discretion in their core minimum income systems to aim to reduce this and ensure that there are clear and consistent criteria for making decisions linked to an effective appeals process. __________________ 7aEuropean Social Policy Network, Minimum Income Schemes in Europe: A study of national policies 2015, January 2016
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Believes that job creationthe creation of quality jobs with decent working conditions including adequate wages, should be a priority for the European Union as a firsn important step towards reducing poverty;
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure the full participation of all stakeholders, in particular the social partners and civil society organisations in the design, implementation and monitoring of minimum income policies and programmes;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Calls on the Commission to continue its support for the European Minimum Income Network, as a network that monitors and supports the progressive realisation of adequate, accessible and enabling Minimum Income Schemes in all Member States;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)