41 Amendments of Heide RÜHLE related to 2010/2278(INI)
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas the Single Market contains diverse forms of enterprises, including social economy enterprises (including cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations), and whereas enterprises in the Single Market, and the social economy enterprises in particular, pursue not only economic interests, but also contribute to society beyond economic activity;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas a Single Market Act can have a sense only if its connected with the purpose of shifting the EU economy towards more sustainable and solidarity- based patterns,
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas it is important that the Single Market Act does not consist of a series of measures isolated from each other, and that all proposals must participate together in the achievement of a coherent objective,
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
Ec. whereas public authorities must be re- established in their democratic, legitimate role of regulation and re-orientation of our economy,
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission Communication ‘Towards a Single Market Act’, and specifically Chapter II, ‘Restoring confidence by putting Europeans at the heart of the Single Market’, containing 19 initiatives oriented to European citizens; ; considers that the three chapters of the Communication are equally important and interconnected, and should be dealt with in a consistent approach without isolating the different issues at stake from each other;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Emphasises in particular the Commission’s commitment, in this Communication, to promote new approaches towards sustainable development;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses the importance of the Single Market and emphasises that it should be reconciled with citizens concerns; welcomes the holistic approach used in the Communication;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that efforts to achieve the Single Market need to concentrate on the concerns and rights of citizens, consumers, public service users and SMEs in order to overcome the current ‘European fatigue’; Underlines that "Putting citizens at the heart of the single market" will remain wishful thinking if it is only an instrumental strategy to convince people that the single market is good for them. More resolute actions must be taken to preserve and enhance the solidarity-based European model;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that the Communication’s proposals are still too weak to put citizens at the heart of the Single Market, and the proliferating number of EU initiatives without clear prioritisation or clear links with relevant existing initiatives creates a need for consistency and good governance to ensure the coherence of European integration measures;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the priorities set out in the 19 proposals in accordance with five criteriasix priorities – basic social rights, consumer rights, free movement of workerspeople, free movement of goods and, socially oriented corporate institutions and social services of general interest, which should all be taken in the context of the fight against climate change and the need for long term economic, environmental and social sustainability – to provide tangible sustainable benefits for citizens and enterprises in a feasible period of time;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls that in its resolution on social economy, the European Parliament has demanded better recognition for social economy enterprises, including generalised integration of the concept in EU policies, intensified dialogue with social economy representatives, better business support and recognition in social dialogue; recalls that in the same resolution, the European Parliament has demanded national registers to take social economy enterprises into account and has demanded specific statistics on the activity social economy enterprises;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Insists on the need to insert a ‘horizontal social clause’ in all Single Market legislation so, with a view to ensuring competition rules do not overrule fundamental rights and protect and uphold all fundamental rights and to ensure that policy is developed centring on citizens’ basic social rights: (a) the right to take collective action, (b) workers’ rights and labour law, and (c) employment protection, anticipating the planning of industrial restructuring in accordance with Article 9 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights; Believes that all single market legislations should be evaluated in a multi- dimensional way (real effects on the economy, the quality of products and services and social and societal consequences) concerning first and foremost the existing legislations on the liberalisations of services of general interest, for instance in postal, transport and energy services. Points to the fact that in order to ensure that the rights of the Charter of Fundamental Rights are respected, it is necessary to analyse the social impact not only of all proposed legislation, but also of the already adopted legislation
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.3
Paragraph 7 – point 7.3
7.3. a framework directivelegislative framework on services of general economic interest in accordance with Article 14 and Protocol 26 of the Treaty;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.4
Paragraph 7 – point 7.4
7.4. a new regulationrevision of the Directive on the recognition of professional qualifications, on improving human resources mobility, and on providing equal access and opportunities for citizens;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.5
Paragraph 7 – point 7.5
7.5. immediate action on a single mortgage market, to help the recovery of the housing market and European citizens’ confidence in the relevant financial instrumentsappropriate regulation and supervision ensuring responsible mortgage lending and borrowing;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.6
Paragraph 7 – point 7.6
7.6. an appropriate EU-cofinanced trans- European transport and energy network, including inter alia, promotion of interoperability and intermodality in the transport sector, and of renewable sources of energy, as a form of social and territorial inclusion for European citizens and economies;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.6 a (new)
Paragraph 7 – point 7.6 a (new)
7.6a. A Commission communication on the rights of passengers for all means of transport, to be followed by legislative proposals;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7
7.7. effective regulation of market surveillance and product safety, to reinforce consumer protection; to this end, the Commission should draw up a multiannual action plan for the development of European market surveillance, as well as guidelines for customs controls for product safety; urges the Commission to establish a single market surveillance system for all products, based on one legislative act covering both the GPSD and the Market Surveillance Regulation; this new legislative act should be created to reach a high level of product safety and market surveillance, clarifying the legal base and taking into account the provisions more developed in the two existing legislative acts;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7 a (new)
7.7a. Welcomes the ‘Youth on the move card’ in order to improve young people’s studying, training and employment conditions abroad; Points to the fact that this initiative is not at all sufficient to combat the alarming youth unemployment in Europe;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7 b (new)
7.7b. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal on a consultation regarding the Statute for a European Cooperative Society in order to make it more attractive for social entrepreneurs;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 – point 7.7 c (new)
7.7c. Legislative initiatives on access to basic banking services and the Commission to call upon the banking sector to submit an initiative aimed at improving the transparency and comparability of bank charges by the end of 2011;
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Believes that any reform of second- pillar pension systems should be aimed at reinforcing and complementing the first pillar, which guarantees adequate pensions; reminds the Commission that many Member States have a well- functioning first-pillar system in place; urges the Commission to take note of this and to use these examples as benchmarks across the EU; Underlines that the economic crisis, the demographic change and the problems encountered by mobile workers must not be used as a pretext to put in question the primacy and importance of the 1st pillar of pension rights, especially as regards poverty prevention;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Considers that the Social Business Initiative will be most effective when based on clear, precise definitions and focussing on enterprises of the social economy, i.e. enterprises, which a) give primacy of the individual and the social objective over capital, b) offer voluntary and open membership, c) practice and encourage democratic control by the membership, d) combine the interests of members/users and/or the general interest, e) defend and apply the principle of solidarity and responsibility, f) are managed autonomously , g) of which surpluses are used to carry out sustainable development objectives or to provide services of interest to members or of the general interest;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Welcomes the proposals supporting the innovative potential of the social economy; draws attention to the part of the social economy involving cooperatives, mutual societies, associations and foundations, which plays an especially valuable role in creating sustainable employment and growth and combating poverty and exclusion; Calls for measures to set up a legal frameworks and distinct European statutes for foundations, cooperatives and mutual associations, to prevent legal uncertainty and to ensure there are socially oriented corporate institution, facilitate cross-border operations and to ensure that not only can such socially oriented innovative enterprises are able to make the most of their economic and social potential in the single market but also that there are socially oriented corporate enterprises and socially innovative corporate projects in the area of services of general interest;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Stresses the importance of using public procurement to support employment, social progress, sustainable development and innovation; urges the Commission to facilitate access to public procurement for SMEs, social economy enterprises and Fair Trade;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Considers that the programme does not sufficiently analyse the causes of market fatigue, the impact of liberalisation and market mechanisms on public services in terms of costs, affordability, quality, accessibility irrespective of age, disability, gender, ethnic origins and religion, or the expectations of Europe’s citizens from a revived Single Market;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Commission to propose legislation to ensure that citizens throughout the EU can benefit from high- quality services of general interest; notes that the SMA initiative includes a commitment to bring forward, in 2011, a set of measures relating to services of general interest; expects those proposals to reflect the provisions of Article 14 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and its Protocol No 26;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that the Communication does not sufficiently stress the importance of social services and does not recognise the specificities of SSGI within SGI; considers this ie proposals far from the quality framework promised by the Commission President; and included in the Commission work programme; calls on the Commission to urgently deliver on both the quality framework and the related proposals;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Emphasises the lack of a Digital Single Market, and calls for the democratisation of broadband access and for continuous review of the Regulation on the telecoms sector ensuring privacy, data protection, and the protection of vulnerable groups;
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to introduce urgently clear-cut legislation which defines SSGI on the basis of fundamental rights rather than economic prospects, strengthens the principles of subsidiarity and local self-government and excludes SSGI from the application of market rules; points to the long ongoing stakeholder dialogue on this matter and calls on the Commission to finally move to action;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Emphasises the lack of clarity in the area of socially responsible public procurement, and draws attention to the changes in the legal framework brought about by the Lisbon Treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and looks to the Commission to implement the relevant provisions in an appropriate manner;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point a
Paragraph 17 – point a
(a) to enhance European market surveillance, improve access to basic banking services, create a single integrated mortgage market and remove tax obstacles and double taxation;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point -1 (new)
Paragraph 17 – point -1 (new)
(-1) Calls for a targeted revision of the Posting of Workers Directive (96/71/EC1) with a view to protecting Member States’ labour standards and industrial relations systems, including collective bargaining and different forms of collective action, and upholding the principle of equal pay for work of equal value at the same workplace rather than simply referring to minimum rates; calls for all relevant legislation to respect that labour standards are defined in relation to the place of work;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 17 – point a a (new)
(aa) Calls for the Commission to launch an extended examination of the phenomenon “social dumping” in pay and working conditions within the Internal Marked; Underlines that the social partners and the national labour inspection authorities must play a crucial role in this examination; Expects the Commission to propose new legal actions or additional implementation measures if appropriate;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point c
Paragraph 17 – point c
(c) to devise an action plan which is proportionate and has public support whilst respecting fundamental rights against counterfeiting and piracy as a major preventive tool, in order to ensure that goods circulating in the Single Market are safe to consume, of the appropriate standard and legal;
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point e
Paragraph 17 – point e
(e) to introduce a system of benchmarks, based on the horizontal social clause, to assess the relevance and added value of all Single Market measures in terms of their social impact, tangibility and feasibility ex ante and ex post, involving relevant stakeholders, including civil society organisations;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 17 – point e a (new)
(ea) to encourage and support the supply of social services of general interest by social economy enterprises;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point e b (new)
Paragraph 17 – point e b (new)
(eb) Legislative initiatives on universal access to basic banking services for all EU citizens and the Commission to propose initiatives aimed at improving the transparency and comparability of bank charges by the end of 2011;.
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 – point e c (new)
Paragraph 17 – point e c (new)
(ec) measures to stabilise financial markets and protect consumers through appropriate regulation and supervision ensuring responsible mortgage lending and borrowing. This necessitates rendering the marketing of mortgage products accurate, fair, clear and not misleading. There is also a need for stronger rules on the assessment of credit worthiness and suitability, as well as more generally on credit intermediaries;