Activities of Paul MURPHY
Plenary speeches (272)
EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement negotiations
Posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (A7-0249/2013 - Danuta Jazłowiecka)
European Court of Justice judgment of 8 April concerning data retention (C 293/12 and C 594/12) (debate)
European Court of Justice judgment of 8 April concerning data retention (C 293/12 and C 594/12) (debate)
Interinstitutional agreement on the transparency register (A7-0258/2014 - Roberto Gualtieri)
Situation in Iran (debate)
Community regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual-use items (debate)
Reduction or elimination of customs duties on goods originating in Ukraine (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Invasion of Ukraine by Russia (debate)
US NSA surveillance programme, surveillance bodies in various Member States and impact on EU citizens' fundamental rights (A7-0139/2014 - Claude Moraes)
2013 progress report on Turkey (B7-0241/2014)
Role and operations of the Troika with regard to the euro area programme countries - Employment and social aspects of the role and operations of the Troika (debate)
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
Situation in Venezuela (debate)
Implementation of the Youth Guarantee (debate)
Occurrence reporting in civil aviation (A7-0317/2013 - Christine De Veyrac)
EU-Indonesia voluntary partnership agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the EU - EU-Indonesia voluntary partnership agreement on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the EU (debate)
Fund for European aid to the most deprived (A7-0183/2013 - Emer Costello)
European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social aspects (A7-0091/2014 - Sergio Gutiérrez Prieto)
Elimination of female genital mutilation (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
EU-Russia summit (debate)
Alleged pushbacks off the coast of Greece (Farmakonisi) that resulted in refugee deaths (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Homophobia and discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (short presentation)
EU homelessness strategy (debate)
EU citizenship for sale (debate)
Review of the Lithuanian Presidency (debate)
Social protection for all, including self-employed workers (A7-0459/2013 - Vilija Blinkevičiūtė)
Award of concession contracts - Public procurement - Procurement by entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors (debate)
Outcome of the Vilnius Summit and the future of the Eastern Partnership, in particular as regards Ukraine (RCB7-0557/2013, B7-0557/2013, B7-0558/2013, B7-0559/2013, B7-0564/2013, B7-0567/2013, B7-0568/2013, B7-0569/2013)
Situation in Sri Lanka (debate)
Situation in Sri Lanka (debate)
Situation in Sri Lanka (debate)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (19 - 20 December 2013) (debate)
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund 2014-2020 (A7-0005/2013 - Marian Harkin)
Human rights in the world 2012 and EU policy on the matter (A7-0418/2013 - Eduard Kukan)
Generalised tariff preferences (GSP +) (debate)
Imports of rice from Bangladesh (A7-0304/2013 - Paul Murphy) (vote)
Negotiations for an EU-Canada strategic partnership agreement (A7-0407/2013 - Elisabeth Jeggle)
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (A7-0426/2013 - Edite Estrela)
Gender aspects of the European framework of national Roma inclusion strategies - Progress made in the implementation of national Roma integration strategies (debate)
Common provisions on European funds (A7-0274/2013 - Lambert van Nistelrooij, Constanze Angela Krehl)
European Regional Development Fund and the 'investment for growth and jobs' goal (A7-0268/2013 - Jan Olbrycht)
European Regional Development Fund and the 'European territorial cooperation' goal (A7-0280/2013 - Riikka Pakarinen)
Cohesion Fund (A7-0270/2013 - Victor Boştinaru)
European grouping of territorial cooperation (A7-0309/2013 - Joachim Zeller)
Gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges (A7-0340/2013 - Evelyn Regner, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou)
Horizon 2020 - framework programme for research and innovation (2014-2020) - Rules for the participation and dissemination in Horizon 2020 - Specific programme implementing Horizon 2020 - Strategic innovation agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology - European Institute of Innovation and Technology (debate)
Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - European defence technological and industrial base (debate)
Multiannual financial framework 2014-2020 - Interinstitutional agreement on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management (debate)
Erasmus for all programme (A7-0405/2012 - Doris Pack)
European Atomic Energy Community research and training programme (A7-0407/2012 - Peter Skinner)
Climate change conference (B7-0482/2013)
Konferencija o klimatskim promjenama (B7-0482/2013) HR
Detention of Greenpeace activists in Russia (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Caste-based discrimination (debate)
Rule of law and human rights in Russia, especially with respect to xeno- and homophobia (debate)
Recent cases of violence and persecution against Christians, notably in Maaloula (Syria), Peshawar (Pakistan) and the case of Pastor Saeed Abedini (Iran) (debate)
Recent cases of violence and persecution against Christians, notably in Maaloula (Syria), Peshawar (Pakistan) and the case of Pastor Saeed Abedini (Iran) (debate)
Recent violence in Iraq (debate)
EU and Member State measures to tackle the flow of refugees as a result of the conflict in Syria (debate)
Assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (A7-0277/2013 - Andrea Zanoni)
Technical requirements and administrative procedures related to air operations (B7-0440/2013)
Rise of right-wing extremism in Europe (debate)
Alleged transportation and illegal detention of prisoners in European countries by the CIA (debate)
Migratory flows in the Mediterranean, with particular attention to the tragic events off Lampedusa (debate)
Manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products (A7-0276/2013 - Linda McAvan)
EU-Mauritania fishing opportunities and financial contribution protocol (A7-0184/2013 - Gabriel Mato Adrover)
Equal pay for male and female workers (B7-0387/2013)
Situation in Syria (RCB7-0413/2013, B7-0413/2013, B7-0423/2013, B7-0424/2013, B7-0425/2013, B7-0426/2013, B7-0427/2013, B7-0428/2013)
EU's military structures: state of play and future prospects (A7-0205/2013 - Marietta Giannakou)
Situation in Bahrain (debate)
Endangered European languages and linguistic diversity (A7-0239/2013 - François Alfonsi)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse) (A7-0347/2012 - Arlene McCarthy)
Implementation of the EU youth strategy 2010-2012 - Tackling youth unemployment: possible ways out (debate)
Fuel quality directive and renewable energy directive (debate)
Impact of the crisis on access to care for vulnerable groups (debate)
Situation of fundamental rights: standards and practices in Hungary (A7-0229/2013 - Rui Tavares)
Closure of Greek national broadcasting company (continuation of debate)
US NSA surveillance programme, surveillance bodies in various Member States and impact on EU citizens' privacy (debate)
Review of the Irish Presidency, including the MFF agreement (debate)
Contribution of cooperatives to overcoming the crisis (A7-0222/2013 - Patrizia Toia)
Situation in Bulgaria (debate)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (27-28 June 2013) (debate)
Fund for European aid to the most deprived (A7-0183/2013 - Emer Costello)
Establishment of 'Eurodac' for the comparison of fingerprints (A7-0432/2012 - Monica Luisa Macovei)
Situation in Turkey (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Labour conditions and health and safety standards following the recent factory fires and building collapse in Bangladesh (continuation of debate)
Situation of Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries (B7-0199/2013, B7-0200/2013, B7-0222/2013, B7-0226/2013, B7-0227/2013, B7-0228/2013, RCB7-0199/2013)
Asset recovery to Arab Spring countries in transition (debate)
Asset recovery to Arab Spring countries in transition (debate)
EU trade and investment agreement negotiations with the US (debate)
Reinstatement of Myanmar/Burma's access to generalised tariff preferences - Myanmar/Burma's access to generalised tariff preferences (debate)
Reinstatement of Myanmar/Burma's access to generalised tariff preferences - Myanmar/Burma's access to generalised tariff preferences (debate)
Preparations for the European Council meeting (22 May 2013) - Fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and tax havens - Annual tax report: how to free the EU potential for economic growth (debate)
Adequate, safe and sustainable pensions (A7-0137/2013 - Ria Oomen-Ruijten)
Specific tasks for the European Central Bank concerning policies relating to the prudential supervision of credit institutions - European Banking Authority and prudential supervision of credit institutions (debate)
EU strategy for the Arctic (debate)
EU strategy for the Arctic (debate)
Scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading (A7-0060/2013 - Peter Liese)
Credit institutions and prudential supervision (A7-0170/2012 - Othmar Karas)
Prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms (A7-0171/2012 - Othmar Karas)
Advancing development through trade (A7-0054/2013 - Alf Svensson)
European Central Bank annual report (2011) (debate)
Global cotton value chain (debate)
Asbestos-related occupational health threats and prospects for abolishing all existing asbestos (A7-0025/2013 - Stephen Hughes)
Nuclear threats and human rights in North Korea (B7-0132/2013, B7-0134/2013, B7-0135/2013, B7-0136/2013, B7-0137/2013, B7-0138/2013)
EU-China relations (A7-0434/2012 - Bastiaan Belder)
Case of Arafat Jaradat and situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
Preparations for the European Council meeting (14-15 March 2013) (debate)
Situation in Mali (debate)
Economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area (A7-0172/2012 - Jean-Paul Gauzès)
Impact of the economic crisis on gender equality and women's rights (A7-0048/2013 - Elisabeth Morin-Chartier)
Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the CAP - 2011/0280(COD) - Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) - 2011/0281(COD) - Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) - 2011/0282(COD) - Decision on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on financing, management and monitoring of the CAP - 2011/0288(COD) (debate)
Impact of austerity on the living conditions of people with disabilities (debate)
European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (A7-0029/2013 - Kartika Tamara Liotard)
Common fisheries policy (debate)
European Semester for economic policy coordination: annual growth survey 2013 - European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social aspects in the annual growth survey 2013 - Governance of the single market (debate)
Corporate social responsibility: accountable, transparent and responsible business behaviour and sustainable growth - Corporate social responsibility: promoting society's interests and a route to sustainable and inclusive recovery (debate)
'One carry-on bag' rule imposed by certain airlines (debate)
Violence against women in India
Human rights situation in Bahrain
Programme of activities of the Irish Presidency (debate)
Recent casualties in textile factory fires, notably in Bangladesh (debate)
Recent casualties in textile factory fires, notably in Bangladesh (debate)
Interim agreement establishing a framework for an EC-Eastern and Southern Africa States Economic Partnership Agreement - Implementation of IEPA between the European Community and Eastern and Southern Africa States in light of the current situation in Zimbabwe (debate)
Interim agreement establishing a framework for an EC-Eastern and Southern Africa States Economic Partnership Agreement - Implementation of IEPA between the European Community and Eastern and Southern Africa States in light of the current situation in Zimbabwe (debate)
Interim agreement establishing a framework for an EC-Eastern and Southern Africa States Economic Partnership Agreement - Implementation of IEPA between the European Community and Eastern and Southern Africa States in light of the current situation in Zimbabwe (debate)
Question Time (Commission)
Question Time (Commission)
Youth guarantee (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Caste discrimination in India
Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2011 and the European Union's policy on the matter - EU's human rights strategy (debate)
Situation in Egypt (debate)
Israeli government's decision to expand settlements in the West Bank (debate)
Israeli government's decision to expand settlements in the West Bank (debate)
Explanations of vote
EU-Columbia/Peru trade agreement (debate)
EU-Columbia/Peru trade agreement (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Human rights situation in Iran, particularly mass executions and the recent death of the blogger Sattar Beheshti
Explanations of vote
Situation in Gaza (debate)
Negotiations for an EU-Kazakhstan enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement (debate)
Negotiations for an EU-Kazakhstan enhanced partnership and cooperation agreement (debate)
Human rights situation in the United Arab Emirates
Discrimination against girls in Pakistan, in particular the case of Malala Yousafzai
Discrimination against girls in Pakistan, in particular the case of Malala Yousafzai
Explanations of vote
Innovative financial instruments in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (debate)
One-minute speeches on matters of political importance
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EC and Israel on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (debate)
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EC and Israel on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (debate)
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EC and Israel on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (debate)
Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the EC and Israel on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (CAA) (debate)
Explanations of vote
South Africa: massacre of striking miners
Explanations of vote
Exclusion of certain countries from trade preferences (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Political use of justice in Russia (debate)
Alleged transportation and illegal detention of prisoners in European countries by the CIA (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Freedom of expression in Belarus, in particular, the case of Andrzej Poczobut (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement between the EU and its Member States, Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland and the USA (debate)
EU-Israel agreement on conformity assessment and acceptance of industrial products (debate)
Explanations of vote
Economic and budgetary surveillance of Member States with serious difficulties with respect to their financial stability in the euro area - Monitoring and assessing draft budgetary plans and ensuring the correction of excessive deficit of the Member States in the euro area (debate)
Latest developments in the Middle East, including the situation in Syria (debate)
Preparation of the informal European summit - Investment, growth and jobs (debate)
Trade and investment strategy for the southern Mediterranean following the Arab Spring revolutions (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Means to combat the economic crisis, particularly in the eurozone (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Palestine: raids by Israeli forces on Palestinian TV stations
Kazakhstan (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (1-2 March 2012) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin - Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Egypt: recent developments (debate)
Death penalty in Japan (debate)
19th session of the UN Human Rights Council (debate)
Agreement between the EU and Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products and fishery products (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Danish Presidency Programme (continuation of debate)
Recent Council decisions and Commission revision of the EGF regulation - Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (application EGF/2009/019 FR/Renault from France) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Situation of women in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
EC-Uzbekistan partnership and cooperation agreement and bilateral trade in textiles (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (8-9 December 2011) (debate)
ECB annual report for 2010 (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Iran - recent cases of human rights violations
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Bahrain
Explanations of vote
Surge in job dismissals in Europe as a result of the economic crisis in particular at Arcelor and Nokia (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Question Time (Commission)
Question Time (Commission)
Explanations of vote
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
State of play of the Middle East peace process (debate)
State of play of the Middle East peace process (debate)
Explanations of vote
EU homelessness strategy (debate)
Explanations of vote
Situation in the Arab world and North Africa - Situation in Yemen - Situation in Syria (continuation of debate)
Situation in the Arab world and North Africa - Situation in Yemen - Situation in Syria (continuation of debate)
Explanations of vote
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (debate)
Guantánamo: imminent death penalty decision (debate)
Explanations of vote
EU-Canada trade relations (debate)
One-minute speeches (Rule 150)
Report: Zver - Youth on the Move: – a framework for improving Europe's education and training systems - Report: Honeyball - Early years learning - Report: Schaake - Cultural dimensions of EU external actions - Report: Sanchez-Schmid - Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries - Sarajevo as a European Capital of Culture in 2014 (debate)
Sri Lanka: follow-up of the UN report (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Stress tests of the EU banking sector (debate)
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
Explanations of vote
The case of Ai Weiwei in China
Explanations of vote
Conclusions of the European Council meeting (24-25 March 2011) (debate)
Explanations of vote
Reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on imports of rice originating in Bangladesh PDF (204 KB) DOC (173 KB)
Shadow reports (28)
RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 428/2009 setting up a community Regime for the control of exports, transfer, brokering and transit of dual use items PDF (159 KB) DOC (68 KB)
REPORT on Employment and social aspects of the role and operations of the Troika (ECB, Commission and IMF) with regard to euro area programme countries PDF (256 KB) DOC (147 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Republic of Tunisia PDF (218 KB) DOC (307 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Indonesia on forest law enforcement, governance and trade in timber products to the European Union PDF (181 KB) DOC (78 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 2173/2005 on the establishment of a FLEGT licensing scheme for imports of timber into the European Community PDF (192 KB) DOC (302 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a revised Memorandum of Understanding with the United States of America Regarding the Importation of Beef from Animals Not Treated with Certain Growth-Promoting Hormones and Increased Duties Applied by the United States to Certain Products of the European Union PDF (157 KB) DOC (66 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision authorising Member States to ratify, in the interests of the European Union, the Convention concerning Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work, 1990, of the International Labour Organisation (Convention No 170) PDF (135 KB) DOC (53 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan PDF (267 KB) DOC (221 KB)
REPORT on tackling youth unemployment: possible ways out PDF (348 KB) DOC (236 KB)
REPORT on the first annual report from the Commission to the European Parliament on the activities of Member States’ Export Credit Agencies PDF (165 KB) DOC (93 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 552/97 temporarily withdrawing access to generalized tariff preferences from Myanmar/Burma PDF (147 KB) DOC (79 KB)
REPORT on asbestos related occupational health threats and prospects for abolishing all existing asbestos PDF (227 KB) DOC (144 KB)
REPORT on Corporate Social Responsibility: promoting society’s interests and a route to sustainable and inclusive recovery PDF (386 KB) DOC (266 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States PDF (123 KB) DOC (56 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion of the Interim Agreement establishing a framework for an Economic Partnership Agreement between Eastern and Southern Africa States, on the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, on the other part PDF (180 KB) DOC (94 KB)
RECOMMENDATION FOR SECOND READING on the Council position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing further macro-financial assistance to Georgia PDF (175 KB) DOC (109 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the implementation of the Agreements concluded by the EU following negotiations in the framework of Article XXVIII of GATT 1994, amending and supplementing Annex I to Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff PDF (144 KB) DOC (172 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and Brazil pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions with respect to processed poultry meat provided for in the EU Schedule annexed to GATT 1994, and of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and Thailand pursuant to Article XXVIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994 relating to the modification of concessions with respect to processed poultry meat provided for in the EU Schedule annexed to GATT 1994 PDF (147 KB) DOC (68 KB)
RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part, amending the Annexes to Protocols 1 and 2 of the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the State of Israel, of the other part PDF (129 KB) DOC (57 KB)
REPORT on Social Business Initiative – Creating a favourable climate for social enterprises, key stakeholders in the social economy and innovation PDF (205 KB) DOC (140 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 774/94 opening and providing for the administration of certain Community tariff quotas for high-quality beef, and for pigmeat, poultrymeat, wheat and meslin, and brans, sharps and other residues PDF (167 KB) DOC (199 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulations (EC) No 2008/97, (EC) No 779/98 and (EC) No 1506/98 in the field of imports of olive oil and other agricultural products from Turkey as regards the delegated and implementing powers to be conferred on the Commission PDF (213 KB) DOC (271 KB)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 617/2009 opening an autonomous tariff quota for imports of high-quality beef PDF (208 KB) DOC (229 KB)
REPORT on employment and social aspects in the Annual Growth Survey 2012 PDF (205 KB) DOC (115 KB)
REPORT on the Statute for a European Cooperative Society with regard to the involvement of employees PDF (186 KB) DOC (115 KB)
REPORT on the mid-term review of the European strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work PDF (270 KB) DOC (163 KB)
INTERIM REPORT on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, amending the Agreement in order to extend the provisions of the Agreement to bilateral trade in textiles, taking account of the expiry of the bilateral textiles Agreement PDF (220 KB) DOC (146 KB)
REPORT on promoting workers’ mobility within the European Union PDF (276 KB) DOC (192 KB)
Shadow opinions (20)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EC) No 718/1999 of 29 March 1999 on a Community-fleet capacity policy to promote inland waterway transport
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species
OPINION on the situation and future perspectives of the European fishing sector in the context of the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and Thailand
OPINION on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies
OPINION on an Action Plan for a competitive and sustainable steel industry in Europe
OPINION on CARS 2020: towards a strong, competitive and sustainable European car industry
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on consumer product safety and repealing Council Directive 87/357/EEC and Directive 2001/95/EC
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on market surveillance of products and amending Council Directives 89/686/EEC and 93/15/EEC, and Directives 94/9/EC, 94/25/EC, 95/16/EC, 97/23/EC, 1999/5/EC, 2000/9/EC, 00/14/EC, 2001/95/EC, 2004/108/EC, 2006/42/EC, 2006/95/EC, 2007/23/EC, 2008/57/EC, 2009/48/EC, 009/105/EC, 2009/142/EC, 2011/65/EU, Regulation (EU) No 305/2011, Regulation (EC) No 764/2008 and Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels and amending Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
OPINION Reindustrialising Europe to promote competitiveness and sustainability
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data (General Data Protection Regulation)
OPINION on Corporate Social Responsibility: accountable, transparent and responsible business behaviour and sustainable growth
OPINION on Corporate Social Responsibility: accountable, transparent and responsible business behaviour and sustainable growth
OPINION on Corporate Social Responsibility: promoting society’s interests and a route to sustainable and inclusive recovery
OPINION on the Statute for a European mutual society
OPINION on the proposal for a Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020
OPINION on Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs): competitiveness and business opportunities
OPINION on the Mutual Evaluation Process of the Services Directive
OPINION EU and China: unbalanced trade?
Amendments (520)
Amendment 5 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the garment and textile industry does not only constitute Vietnam´s largest single source of formal sector employment with a direct labour force of more than two million workers but is also its largest export sector; whereas the electronics assembly sector, another leading export manufacturing sector, employs approximately 120,000 workers;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas Vietnam has so far only ratified 5 of the 8 core ILO conventions; whereas it has not ratified ILO convention No 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize, No 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining and No 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour; whereas all core ILO conventions are reported to be regularly violated, particularly in the Special Economic Zones;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Recital F c (new)
Fc. whereas forced and child labour, including forced trafficking of minors from rural areas into urban centres, have been reported to be a regular occurrence in Vietnam´s garment industry; whereas this goes largely unchecked and is aggravated due to the government of Vietnam´s severe restrictions vis-à-vis the right of civil society in general and trade unions in particular to organise;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the on-goIs opposed to the on-going FTA negotiations since the protection and advance of social, environmental and labour standards are clearly not at the heart of the negotiating progrcess in the FTA negotiations andand negotiations lack transparency due to the lack of meaningful involvement of civil society stakeholders and trade unions in particular and will therefore not be in the interest of workers and poor farmers in both the EU and Vietnam; notes the Commission's regular debriefing with the European Parliament (hereafter EP) on their state of play; reminds that the consent of the EP to the FTA is mandatory8 , and that the Commission and the Council should not propose any provisional application of the FTA before the EP has given its consent; __________________ 8 Article 218(6)(a)(v) of the TFEU. Article 218(6)(a)(v) of the TFEU.
Amendment 14 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is of the strong opinion that respect for workers´ and trade union rights must be a key feature in all trade agreements the EU signs with third countries; insists therefore that the ratification and subsequent implementation of all ILO core conventions, particularly Convention No 87 and No 98, must be a prerequisite for continuing the negotiations for a possible free trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam; calls on the Vietnamese government to live up to all its obligations under the core ILO conventions it has ratified and to ratify and implement the outstanding core conventions without further delay; reiterates that workers´ and trade union rights must be universal and applied to all workers, including those in the Special Economic Zones;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 2
Amendment 17 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is appalled by past statements made by the European Chamber of Commerce (EuroCham) in Vietnam, threatening to withdraw European investment in the country if minimum wages are raised, notes that similar statements have been made by the Foreign Business Association in Vietnam in relation to environmental regulations and labour regulations that would improve working conditions; is of the opinion that all workers, including women and migrant workers and those working in the Special Economic Zones, must be entitled to receive at least the legal minimum wage; insists that European companies operating in Vietnam should by no means attempt to undermine increases in the legal minimum wage;
Amendment 18 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on the European Council and Commission to introduce mandatory and enforceable provisions on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), based on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN guiding principles on business and human rights as well as on the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and Reporting, into a possible future FTA with Vietnam; calls on the Commission to establish an effective monitoring scheme with regard to Corporate Social Responsibility that involves trade unions and other civil society stakeholders;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Emphasizes the importance of promoting a strong public sector; insists to refrain from further liberalisation and privatisation of the public sector, in particular with regard to essential public utilities, such as water, water distribution, health, public transport and waste collection as those have been proven to have adverse effects on employees and users of public services; believes therefore that the public procurement sector in Vietnam should not be subject to further liberalisation but be used as a means to support sustainable development, requiring transparency and democratic control of the public procurement sector;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the EU and Vietnam to agree in the FTA on a fair and equitable treatment of all investors and services providers in the banking, insurance, legal, accounting, transport and retail sector services; recalls that as regards financial services, it is also essential to ensure adequate supervision thereof to reduce systemic risk, fight money laundering and provide the highest possible level of consumer protection as well as to enforce fair competition rules and practices between domestic and foreign investors and services providers, amongst other, by reducing, if not fully eliminating existing equity caps and abolishing restrictions on establishment and licence acquisition;
Amendment 44 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses that IPRs should only be enforced in such cases where IPR infringements would directly have damaging and detrimental effects on patients´ health; insists that nothing in the agreement must hamper access to affordable generic medicines; underlines that the protection of geographical indications should be pursued in the interests of small producers and consumers;
Amendment 50 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the European Commission to refrain from including an investor-state dispute settlement mechanism (ISDS) into a possible future free trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam and supports the right to regulate in the general interest of society;
Amendment 56 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 14
14. Commends the socioeconomic progress made by Vietnam as part of its Doi Moi reform, and supports its continued efforts for further societal improvements; salutes therefore Vietnam's candidature endorsed by ASEAN to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2014-2016 and its Government's decision of 27 August 2013 to submit an aide-memoire containing voluntary pledges and commitments to contribute to the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular calls on the Vietnamese authorities to treat the forced abduction of Sombath Samphone, a human rights activist and campaigner from Laos, with high priority and thus fostering sustainable development on its territory and in relation to its partners;
Amendment 59 #
2013/2989(RSP)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Insists that a strongly worded chapter on sustainable development, laying down the highest possible social, environmental and labour standards is of utmost importance and therefore needs to be an integral, binding and enforceable part of a possible future FTA with Vietnam and must include concrete provisions to review the agreement, depending on possible adverse effects of the agreement in the area of environmental protection, labour and social rights; believes that an up to date and independent ex-ante Sustainable Impact Assessment (SIA) of the possible positive as well as negative impacts of such an agreement is necessary before an agreement can be concluded; is of the opinion that additionally, an independent ex-ante Human Rights Impact Assessment is needed as well as concrete provisions on mechanisms to review the agreement on the basis of an ex-post Human Rights Impact Assessment that evaluates the impact of obligations arising from the agreement such as liberalisation provisions, intellectual property provisions and investment provisions; insists that on the basis of the findings of such an impact assessment, the agreement can be suspended, amended or abandoned;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the revolutionary mass movements in North Africa and the Middle East, referred to as the Arab Spring, hasve brought about dramatic changes to the peoples of the countries concerned and there is considerable expectation that the European Union will respond in a manner commensurate with the commitments it undertook towards its Southern neighbours in the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy; whereas almost three years later, there are hardly any results in terms of meeting the aspirations of those who made the revolutions for democratic rights and improved living standards;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU should use its exclusive competence over trade and investment policy to foster greater links and economic integration in the Mediterranean area, with the sole objective of assisting with the meeting of the just aspirations of the people in the Southern Mediterranean countries in terms of a meaningful and lasting increase in living standards, democratic freedoms and the creation of decent and unionised jobs;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the evolving political landscape in the Southern Mediterranean is very fragile and necessitates a clear and supportive response by the European Union in order to consolidate and broaden the democratic gains achieved to date and support those whose realisation is still underway; whereas trade based on the principles of solidarity and sustainable development in the interests of the majority of the people and the environment, potentially offers genuine opportunities of lifting countries out of poverty and creating new opportunities in order to meet the social demands of the people which have so far not been met;
Amendment 16 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the useEuropean Union's design of Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (DCFTAs) where the economic and political requiich focus on further liberalisation and market opening in the areas of procurements are met offer a means of furthering the economic links between the European Union and the SMCs, particularly as regards regulatory convergencend services does not sufficiently take into account the asymmetries between the EU and the respective countries and are therefore not likely to be beneficial for the majority of the people, both in the EU and the SMCs;
Amendment 18 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas trade liberalisation in the Mediterranean area, in particular in the agricultural sectors, should be beneficial to all Mediterranean regions and not undermine EU regions' economyis most likely to have detrimental effects for small farmers on both sides of the Mediterranean;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas on 19 November 2012, the Polisario raised five pleas in law in support of its action against (i) Council Decision 2012/497/EU of 8 March 2012 on the conclusion of an Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products, processed agricultural products, fish and fishery products, the replacement of Protocols 1, 2 and 3 and their Annexes and amendments to the Euro- Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (OJ 2012 L 241, p. 2) and (ii) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 812/2012 of 12 September 2012 amending Council Regulation (EC) No 747/2001 as regards tariff quotas of the Union for certain agricultural and processed agricultural products originating in Morocco (OJ 2012 L 247, p. 7);
Amendment 20 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas many SMCs suffer from serious economic weaknesses and obstacles to growth such as poor governance and, corruption and nepotism, partly inherited from the old dictatorships but also partly carried on by the new rulers as well as chronic unemployment where large sectorions of the population, and young people in particular, are excluded from the job market and whereas according to the ILO Euromed countries have the highest ratio of women compared to men in low quality jobs;
Amendment 27 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the already strong trade links between the European Union and the SMCs through the Association Agreements need to be furthered strengthened exploiting the possibilities and opportunities offered by these Agreements; in particular is of the opinion that economic diversification is key and given; underlines that the preservices sector is becoming increasingly significant for the SMCs, supports offering the SMCs more integraation and the development of strong and democratically run public services is another important precondition into the EU's internal market for servicesguarantee sustainable development in the region;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Points out the vulnerability and fragility of the economies of the Southern Mediterranean countries and insists that those asymmetries need to be taken into account when engaging in trade relations with those countries in order for the benefits of economic reforms, political, social and environmental commitments to be enjoyed by the whole population of the partner country; is therefore convinced that DCFTAs and a fully-fledged Southern Mediterranean Free Trade Area are not the right tool to advance regional integration and the social and economic development of the region;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Reiterates its position that it consider the public external debt of the countries in North Africa and the Middle East to be odious debt considering that the debt was built up by dictatorial regimes, mostly through the enrichment of the political and economic elite and the purchasing of arms often used to oppress their own populations; therefore calls for the cancellation of this debt, and notably that related to arms expenditure;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Strongly opposes the conditionalities with regard to demands for economic, structural adjustment programmes stipulated in the MoU for IMF loans and the EU's Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) Scheme, as they contribute to the worsening of living standards of workers and the most vulnerable layers of society;
Amendment 32 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 35 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is of the opinion that the highest degree of transparency is needed in relation to the negotiations or the possible opening of DCFTA negotiations with countries of the Southern Mediterranean, demands therefore that the possible draft negotiating mandate or in the case of Morocco, the mandate for the negotiations, is made public and that full participation of trade union organisations and civil society organisations on both sides is guaranteed, stresses furthermore that in case of a possible conclusion of negotiations with one of the respective countries, the outcome of the impact assessment is publicly debated in the European Parliament and the wider public domain before a possible agreement is initialled, provisionally applied or ratified;
Amendment 36 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomesTakes note of the future establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean trade and investment facilitation mechanism (TIFM), which should provide economic operators with the necessary information on doing business in the region, including inter alia on regulations and trade and investment flows;
Amendment 45 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 49 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 51 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Is deeply concerned about the European Union's relations with the deeply undemocratic Kingdom of Morocco, urges the European Union to suspend the advanced status it has granted the country and not to conclude the fisheries agreement or the negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement while Morocco continues with its policy of systematic human rights violations in the occupied territories of Western Sahara;
Amendment 52 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Reiterates that Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara has never been recognised by international law, as noted by the opinion of the International Court of Justice in The Hague in October 1975; states that Morocco is illegally occupying the territory of Western Sahara and does not, therefore, have any sovereignty over its natural resources; calls on the EU to demand that the Kingdom of Morocco respect international law regarding the exploitation of the natural resources of Western Sahara; therefore stresses the urgent need to complete the decolonisation process of the Non- Autonomous Territory of Western Sahara as established by international law in order to put end to the Moroccan occupation;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Welcomes the mobility partnership signed with Morocco in June 2013, the first of its kind between the Union and a Mediterranean partner, which will facilitate the issuing of visas for certain groups of people such as business professionals and researchers; hopes that the ongoing negotiations on mobility partnerships with Tunisia and with Jordan will be concluded in the near future; stresses however that ordinary citizens, including trade unionists and political activists encounter enormous difficulties when applying for visas to enter the European Union, underlines that this situation is unsustainable;
Amendment 56 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Is opposed to the agreement between the EU and Morocco concerning reciprocal liberalisation measures on agricultural products and fishery products as well as any steps towards concluding free trade agreements with the countries of the Mediterranean; is of the opinion that the conclusion of free trade agreements will adversely affect small farmers, working people and young people, as well as the environment, in both the Southern Mediterranean and the EU;
Amendment 57 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Reiterates that the Western Sahara cannot be included in any agreement that the EU concludes with the Kingdom of Morocco, is of the opinion that the door should be opened to separate agreements with the Western Saharan people, concluded through their legitimate representatives, if they wish to pursue this course;
Amendment 65 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Condemns the military coup d'état in Egypt, demands an immediate end to all EU military aid to Egypt and stresses that the release of all political prisoners the right to a fair trial and a return to civilian rules based on the objectives of the 2011 revolutionary movements with regard to democratic and social rights and freedoms as well as an improvement of living standards is an absolute precondition before entering into ant negotiations for a possible DCFTA with Egypt;
Amendment 66 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Expresses its concerns about political developments in Egypt and condemns the military coup d'état of 3 July 2013; is of the opinion that the leaders and generals of the Egyptian army cannot offer a way forward to advance the rightful demands of the Egyptian people, as the army's leadership holds powerful economic positions within Egypt and represents different economic and political interests from those of the workers, the poor and young people who demand social justice and higher living standards; reiterates that meeting those demands of the Egyptian people must be the sole objective of the EU's trade policy towards Egypt;
Amendment 74 #
2013/2739(RSP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Highlights the importance of the uniform implementation of the principle of territoriality in conformity with international law by all Parties to facilitating the expansion of cooperation and commercial exchange, as well as securing the fundamental rights of all peoples of the region in a climate of peace;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas the austerity policies are leading to rising unemployment and falling wages, an increase in the numbers of highly skilled and qualified workers and young people who are emigrating, and less investment in education, and are thus serving to decrease workers’ productive capacity;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the troika interventions in the programme countries displayed a serious democratic deficit, people were effectively subjected to economic blackmail and diktats by unelected, unaccountable and non-transparent bodies;
Amendment 28 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas public spending in Portugal rose from 42% of GDP in 2000 to 51% in 2010 owing to the crisis, as a result of moves to stimulate the economy whose main approach was defined by the EU; whereas in 2011 spending on social protection stood at 26.5% of GDP by comparison with an EU-28 average of 29.1%; whereas in 2007, before the international crisis, the public deficit stood at 3.1% and public debt at 68.3%, values close to those imposed by the rules of the Maastricht Treaty (and close to those recorded in countries such as Germany);
Amendment 29 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas Portuguese public debt has virtually doubled since 2007; whereas Portuguese public debt shot up with the Memorandum of Understanding, rising by EUR 25.3 billion per year in 2011 and 2012, i.e. at a pace 6.4 times higher than that recorded between 2001 and 2004 and 2.7 times higher than that recorded between 2005 and 2010; whereas in August 2013, according to the Bank of Portugal, general government debt reached EUR 254 638 million (155.2% of GDP) and public debt according to the Maastricht criteria, which do not include the whole debt, reached EUR 214 880 million (131.4% of GDP), an unprecedented level;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas the "success story" around Ireland exiting the programme has very little to do with actual accomplishments that have an impact on people's lives; whereas this story is mainly empty spin designed to support the Irish government's policies, and use Ireland as an example to force working people in southern Europe to accept more austerity; whereas in reality Ireland has the highest net emigration rate of all member states, investment as a percentage of Irish GDP is at 10.6%, the lowest rate in the EU, with the average at 20%, Ireland is still left with an unsustainable debt to GDP ratio of 125% and personal consumption is down 12% compared to 2008;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas studies show that reducing Portuguese public debt to levels close to 60% of GDP, as provided for in the so- called fiscal compact, will be possible only if two conditions are met at the same time over the next 20 years: significant economic growth of around 4% of nominal GDP and a positive primary balance of around 3.5%;
Amendment 30 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital H c (new)
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas, despite of claims by the Troika and the Irish government, Ireland has not regained "economic sovereignty" since exiting the programme; whereas Ireland, in addition to being subject to EU 'economic governance' like all other EU countries, is also still subjected to "post- programme monitoring" by the IMF and "post-programme surveillance" by the Commission which include formal inspections and the power to impose further austerity; whereas the same will apply to other countries when they exit their programmes;
Amendment 31 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the EU institutions (the ECB, the Commission and the Eurogroup) are fully co-responsible, together with national governments, for the conditions imposed under the economic adjustment programmes, and therefore for their social consequences;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A g (new)
Recital A g (new)
Ag. whereas the weaknesses of the Portuguese economy, exacerbated by successive policies supported by the EU, in particular the so-called SGPs (from 2010 onwards), have had a recessionary effect and led to spiralling interest rates, and blackmail and extortion by banks and investors in sovereign debt;
Amendment 34 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)
Recital A h (new)
Ah. whereas the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding dramatically worsened Portugal's economic indicators, causing a sharp drop in GDP and public investment, which fell below 1980s levels, as well as in public and private consumption; whereas household consumption has fallen considerably and agricultural, industrial and energy production has declined, as has trade; whereas overall employment has fallen by 8.1% in the past two years and 400 000 jobs have been destroyed;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A i (new)
Recital A i (new)
Ai. whereas the Portuguese people are being made to suffer increased poverty, unemployment, extreme deprivation, the collapse of various public services and emigration, and more than 220 000 Portuguese people have been forced to leave the country in the past two years;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A l (new)
Recital A l (new)
Al. whereas the Memorandum of Understanding with Portugal is geared to attacking workers' rights and their wages and pensions, destroying public services and cutting jobs in this sector; whereas unemployment has reached extremely high levels, particularly among young people, and thousands of SMEs have gone bankrupt; whereas worsening social conditions and increased worker exploitation contrasts with the rise in the number of millionaires and the size of their fortunes in Portugal since the Memorandum of Understanding came into force;
Amendment 38 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deplores the fact that Parliament has been completely marginalised during all phases of the project: the preparatory phase, the development of mandates and the monitoring of the results achieved by the programmes and related measures; Notes that the European Parliament supported the same kind of neoliberal austerity policies, e.g. through its acceptance of inter alia the 2-pack, 6-pack or European Semester .
Amendment 60 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the adjustment policies and structural reforms in the four countries haveneoliberal austerity programmes in the four countries have further worsened the effects of the structural capitalist crisis and led to dramatic unemployment rates, historically high rates of job losses and worsening working conditions; points out that the consequences for activity rates, in particular as regards the sustainability of social protection and pension systems, are even more serious because the gap between the Europe 2020 targets and reality is rapidly growing ever wider;
Amendment 70 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes with concern that the troikas have imposed cuts across the board in public sector pay (even doing away with holiday and Christmas bonuses) and in retirement pensions and unemployment, sickness, and other welfare benefits, as well as imposing longer working hours, adding to the exploitation of workers; points out that wages in Portugal have fallen on average by about 9% in real terms; points out that many thousands of public sector jobs have been shed in the countries being bailed out and that labour law has been amended so as to make redundancy schemes easier to implement and cheaper;
Amendment 80 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with great concernDeplores that it is young people who are suffering the highest levels of unemployment, with the situation in countries such as Greece, where the rate is over 50%, or Portugal and Ireland, where it is in excess of 30%, being quite devastating; regrets the fact that even those who do find a job often find themselves working under precarious conditions or on part-time contracts, 43% of young workers are working with a part-time contract compared to 13% of adult workers, which make it hard to live independently;
Amendment 83 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes with great concern that it is young people who are suffering the highest levels of unemployment, with the situation in countries such as Greece, where the rate is over 50%, or Portugal and Ireland, where it is in excess of 30%, being quite devastating; regrets the fact that even those who do find a job often find themselves working under precarious conditions or on part-time contracts which make it hard to live independently; points out that the much-vaunted fall in Portugal’s youth unemployment rate (36% in the third quarter of 2013) was influenced by the increase in young emigrants and by active employment policy measures based on insecure contracts;
Amendment 87 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that the sharp rise in living costs due to budget cuts, privatisations and lack of investment in public services, has also made it more difficult for young people to find the financial means necessary to live independently from their families; stresses the need for massive investment in public services to make living independently a reality for young people;
Amendment 90 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers, as regards the decision taken in some of the four countries, that it is unacceptable to increase the social security contributions payable by workers while lowering the contribution rates payable by companies, bearing in mind that this constitutes a setback for fairer redistribution of income and will jeopardise the sustainability of public social security systems;
Amendment 92 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the most vulnerable groups – the long-term unemployed, women, migrant workers and the disabled – have been strongly hit and are suffering from higher unemployment rates than the national average; points out that high unemployment rates put pressure on working conditions, as workers do not know whether their jobs will be preserved or whether there will be alternatives to fall back on, they are more likely to suffer, and are more vulnerable to, violence, mobbing, and sexual harassment, they are made to multitask – in the sense of executing numerous tasks for which they have no aptitude – and, as a result of mass redundancies, are obliged to take on additional tasks previously performed by other workers;
Amendment 107 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that the Europe 2020 strategy accurately states that the figure to watch is the employment rate, which indicates the availability of human and financial resources to ensure the sustainability of our economic and social model; regrets that the slowdown in the unemployment rate is confused with the recovery of jobs lost; recalls that in the last four years job losses have reached 2 million in the four countries, which is 15% of existing jobs; stresses that new jobs need to be quality jobs, meaning jobs with good wages and conditions and full trade union rights, so that employment is a guarantee for workers, and particularly young workers, for a life in dignity;
Amendment 108 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the economic situation and recent developments in some Member States have compromisMemoranda of Understanding (MoU) have reinforced the neoliberal policies, aggravated the economic and social situation in Member States , had a massive negative impact on wages, pensions, lead to a decline of domestic demand and public investments and have downgraded the quality of employment, social protection and health and safety standards;
Amendment 111 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the economies of Member States under Memoranda of Understanding are characterized by continuous recession, increase of government debt and decline of the GDP. Indicatively in Greece, the public debt in 2009 was 129% of the GDP while now is at 178% of the GDP, during the period 2008-2013 the Greek GDP decreased by 25%, which is the biggest percentage reduction in peacetime and the Greek economy has been in recession for the sixth consecutive year;
Amendment 112 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Stresses that to reach full employment a radical break with neoliberal policies is necessary; radically different measures should be implemented, including a general reduction of the working time without loss of pay, the lowering of the pension age and a massive plan for public investment in socially useful, quality jobs; stresses that these measures should be implemented in a democratically planned way and funded through a system of progressive taxation aimed at making the super-rich and big business pay for the crisis they have caused;
Amendment 114 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the Task Force for Greece was set up to strengthen the capacity of the Greek administration to design and implement structural reforms to improve the functioning of the economy and society and create the conditions for sustained recovery and job creation, as well as to speed up the absorption of EU Structural and Cohesion Funds in Greece and to provide critical resources to finance investmentestablished ,on the substance, to strengthen the enforcement of austerity measures and to ensure the implementation of unpopular reforms imposed by the memoranda of understanding; having as a pretext the structural reforms to improve the functioning of the economy, the Task Force contributes to the full deregulation of the labour market, to the loss of social and labour rights, to the liberalization of the markets, to privatizations and to the clearance sale of the public wealth;
Amendment 119 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is concernoutraged that, among the conditions for financial assistance, the programmes include recommendations for specific cuts in fundamental areas of the fight against poverty, such as pensions, basic services, health care and pharmaceutical products for the basic protection of the most vulnerable; highlights the fact that the main impact of these measures is on the fight against child poverty;
Amendment 122 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas the programmes and especially the Greek program, were in the short run primarily meant to avoid the transmission of the sovereign debt crisis to the European banks and to the rest Member States. Whereas the medium- term objective was the forced redistribution of income against the middle and low income people in Member States under Memoranda of Understanding
Amendment 127 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recalls the tragic and sharp rise in suicide rates, most notably in Greece where suicide figures are estimated to have risen by 43% between 2008 and 2011; stresses that experts point to the crisis and the devastating effects of austerity measures as one of the key contributing factor for this rise;
Amendment 145 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses that the rise in poverty, exclusion and uncertainty amongst the vast majority of the people living in the programme countries is mirrored by a sharp rise in wealth for a small minority; e.g. in Ireland since 2007 profits have increased by 21% and according to the Revenue Commissioners, the number of people earning more than €500,000 a year has grown to 3,443 in 2012 with a combined income of €1.8bn, while over 1 million taxpayers out of 2.16 million had incomes lower than €30,000; Similarly in Portugal 75% of pensioners receive pensions less than €419.22 while the 870 Portuguese millionaires increased their fortunes by €7,5 billion since 2012;
Amendment 146 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Notes with concern that cases of hunger and malnutrition have increased, many families have had their water, electricity and gas supply cut off, people have lost their homes (because of bank repossessions or evictions), increasing numbers of families no longer have enough money to pay for crèches, kindergartens and old people's homes, for thousands of children the only meal of the day is the meal provided for them at school, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of requests for help from social institutions, which are unable to cope with the growing number of applications, and the public funds available to support groups at risk of poverty are increasingly scarce;
Amendment 147 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the fact that in those studies the Commission recognised that only a strong reversal of current trends will make it possible to meet the Europe 2020 targets; Considers however that these targets are insufficient and suggests that the aim should be the full elimination of poverty;
Amendment 149 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets the fact that, for Greece, Ireland and Portugal at least, the programmes included a number of detailed prescriptions on health system reform and expenditure cuts, despite the fact that Article 168(7) TFEU prohibits such intervention; notes the example of Ireland where an additional €618 million will be cut from the Health Service Executive in 2014; stresses that this is a danger to health and safety of patients as hospitals had already lost 20% of their budget since 2009;
Amendment 162 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Notes with concern that cuts in public funding for primary and secondary education have worsened significantly – including through the dismissal of tens of thousands of teachers in each country – and this has practical implications for the quality of education and the material and human resources available in schools; notes that these measures are leading to growing class sizes, the reorganisation of curricula, school mergers and increased concentration, with schools being closed in the most remote and rural areas, with the result that many young people are being deprived of access to public education; stresses that, as a result of this situation, public education is to a greater and increasing extent being replaced by private education, which only some people can afford, and this is adding to social inequalities among pupils;
Amendment 164 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the fact that tertiary education attainment levels have been rising in all fsome of the bailed-ourt countries; notes, however, that this is partially explained by the need of young people to improve their future labour market chances; points out that in Portugal the number of students starting further education has fallen for the fifth year in a row, and this decline is inextricably linked to the increase in fees and other costs and the fact that access to social measures in the field of education is severely limited;
Amendment 167 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses that for education to be truly accessible for all it should be public, democratically run and free at the point of use;
Amendment 178 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Supports unions that refuse to be made co-responsible for implementing austerity by accepting 'fairer cuts' and insist on their role to independently voice the interests of workers in rejecting neoliberalism and austerity;
Amendment 184 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Points out that, in the sphere of health, the austerity measures imposed by the troikas and implemented by governments have resulted in the closure of hospital services and facilities, the elimination of or cuts in local healthcare provision and the consequent reduction in preventive care and access to diagnosis, the withdrawal of support for the transport of patients – with the result that they are missing out on vital consultations and treatment – and a sharp rise in charges for public health services, and these measures have had the effect of restricting access to health services;
Amendment 187 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Points out that unemployment, cuts in social benefits, poverty and a lack of prospects for the future are among the factors that may cause or worsen cases of depression which may lead to suicide attempts; notes that deteriorating working conditions and the increasingly precarious nature of employment are leading to a rise in psycho-social factors and a rise in depression among workers;
Amendment 204 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Points out that the November 2013 ILO report 'Tackling the jobs crisis in Portugal' advocates a strategy based on job creation and productive investment, preserving jobs and supporting unemployed people and vulnerable groups, better-quality jobs, social protection, higher wages, and the revitalisation and expansion of collective bargaining and the social dialogue;
Amendment 218 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the EU not to apply such institutional and financial solutions inausterity measures in the future, and to put in place mechanisms enabling the EU institutions to achieve the social goals and policies set out in the Treaties, in particular those relating to the individual and collective rights of those at greatest risk of social exclusion;
Amendment 222 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give the sameprimary attention to social imbalances, and to correcting them, as it does to macroeconomic imbalances, and to that end to put EPSCO and its priorities on an equal footing with ECOFIN and the Eurogroup;
Amendment 227 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Calls for an immediate end to austerity policies;
Amendment 233 #
2013/2277(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Considers it imperative that fundamentally different, socialist policies are implemented to solve the social catastrophe caused by capitalism and the crisis; Stresses therefore that a truly progressive taxation system should be put in place, that the banking sector should be taken into democratic public ownership to be run in a democratically planned way and help fund a mass plan of investment in public works and services to create quality employment and services for all;
Amendment 243 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that, in the case of Greece the economic data deviate significantly from the objectives of the programmes of Memoranda and the considerations of the troika. Indicatively, in Greece the forecast for unemployment in 2011 was 15% and finally reached 20.7%, for 2012 was 15.2% and stood at 26%, the deficit forecast in 2011 was -7.5% and stood at - 9.5%, while for 2012 was -7.3% and stood at -10% and the recession was estimated at 5.5% for 2011 and was 7% and for 2012 was estimated at 2.8% and stood at 6.5%.
Amendment 350 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Regrets that the programmes for Greece, Ireland and Portugal comprise a number of detailed prescriptions for health systems reform and expenditure cuts and dismantle wage bargaining systems; regrets that the programmes are not bound byviolate the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the Treaties, including Art. 168(7) TFEU;
Amendment 382 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Deplores that since 2008 and during the implementation of Memoranda of Understanding , the income distribution inequality has grown above average in the four countries and that cuts in social benefits and rising unemployment are raising poverty levels, resulting to social regression and humanitarian crisis;
Amendment 387 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Condemns the deregulatory measures for the labour market that are being promoted through the Memoranda of Understanding which lead to reductions in wages, constant undermining of collective bargaining agreements, facilitation of dismissals and reinforcement of flexible forms of employment.
Amendment 412 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stress that the rise in poverty, social exclusion and uncertainty amongst the majority of people living in the programme countries is mirrored by a sharp rise in wealth for a small minority; e.g. in Ireland since 2007 profits have increased by 21% and according to the Revenue Commissioners, the number of people earning more than €500,000 a year has grown to 3,443 in 2012 with a combined income of €1.8bn, while over 1 million taxpayers out of 2.16 million had incomes lower than €30,000;
Amendment 413 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Condemns the major cuts in spending on health care system promoted by the memoranda of understanding within the fiscal austerity context.
Amendment 439 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Believes that the "success story" around Ireland exiting the programme has very little to do with actual accomplishments that have an impact on people's lives; whereas this story is mainly empty spin designed to support the Irish government's policies, and use Ireland as an example to force working people in southern Europe to accept more austerity; whereas in reality Ireland has the highest net emigration rate of all member states, investment as a percentage of Irish GDP is at 10.6%, the lowest rate in the EU, with the average at 20%, Ireland is still left with an unsustainable debt to GDP ratio of 125% and personal consumption is down 12% compared to 2008;
Amendment 440 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Is of the opinion that whereas, despite claims by the Troika and the Irish government, Ireland has not regained "economic sovereignty" since exiting the programme; whereas Ireland, in addition to being subject to EU 'economic governance' like all other EU countries, is also still subjected to "post-programme monitoring" by the IMF and "post- programme surveillance" by the Commission which include formal inspections and the power to impose further austerity; Stresses that this will also be the case if other countries exit their programme;
Amendment 459 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Considers that the Memorandum of Understanding with Portugal has offered the banking industry and big business a millionaire support and guarantee package and delivered up public resources to usury and financial market speculation;
Amendment 500 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Deplores however the sometimes over- optimistic assumptions made by the Troika, especially as far as growth is concerned, but also the insufficient recognition of political resistance to change in some Member Statethe negative economic and social impacts; deplores the fact that this also affected the Troika’'s analysis of the interplay between fiscal consolidation and growth; notes that as a result fiscal targets could not be fulfilled;
Amendment 504 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. notes that in Greece although the wages, the pensions and the allowances have been decreased dramatically, despite the rising of the unemployment at historically high levels, the reducing of social spending, the dismantling of the state and the social welfare, it didn´t lead neither at a substandard level to the estimated recovery nor to the desirable development.
Amendment 517 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. notes that in the case of Greece the public debt to GDP ratio since 2009, has increased by approximately fifty percent (50%) and according to the Report of the OECD in 2020 the public debt will stand at 157% of GDP versus 124% which is foreseen by the Memorandum of Understanding
Amendment 763 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Calls for the Memorandum of Understanding with Portugal to be cancelled forthwith and for the Troika to be disbanded; recognises that the Portuguese public debt is unsustainable and calls for a process to begin without delay with a view to renegotiating the debt as regards the amounts, due dates, interest rates, and terms of payment, which should be brought into line with the economic and social needs and the economic and social development requirements of the country and the Portuguese people;
Amendment 764 #
2013/2277(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 b (new)
Paragraph 38 b (new)
38b. Criticises the fact that the immediate cancellation of the Memorandum of Understanding would still not guarantee the Portuguese people’s inalienable right to development; calls for the Stability Pact, the six-pack, the two-pack, and the ‘Fiscal Compact‘ to be revoked without delay and for the European Semester and economic governance process to be halted;
Amendment 1 #
2013/2179(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises theat trade, economic and strategic importance of Thailand for the EU, and recalls the substantial benefits of this FTA for the EU economy as a whole between the EU and Thailand can potentially play an important role in positively advancing the development of those societies in the interests of workers, small farmers and fishermen, provided that trade follows the objectives of creating a sustainable economy based on the highest labour, social and environmental standards and contributes to the creation of decent, unionised jobs on both sides;
Amendment 2 #
2013/2179(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Supports sustainable regional integration amongst ASEAN countries; noteinsists that the FTA with Thailand constitutes an essential pillar in that process, the ultimate objective being to conclude a region-to- region FTA in the futurea strongly worded human rights and sustainability chapter, including clear mechanisms for the monitoring and implementation for those standards, will be a precondition for concluding a possible FTA with Thailand;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2179(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Demands that imports of canned tuna and other fish products from Thailand be subject to the greatest possible extent to the same competitive conditionprovisions in relation to labour, social and environmental standards as those for EU fish products; this implies in particular that an ambitious trade and sustainable development chapter must be part of the Agreement, whereby Thailand undertakes to respect, promote and implement internationally recognised labour standards, as embodied in the fundamental ILO conventions, including those on forced labour;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2179(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 12 #
2013/2179(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Expresses its indignation at the working conditions and coercive labour practices, in particular with respect to migrant workers, in the Thai fishing industry as revealed in the latest joint ILO report; points out that the report states that there are no reports of any unions existing in the Thai fishing sector and even if there were, legal restrictions would make it difficult to truly represent the interests of the largely migrant workforce1; concludes that this situation is unacceptable and needs to be resolved before any further negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement take place; __________________ 1 The report referred to is entitled "Employment practises and working conditions in Thailand´s fishing sector", page xiii
Amendment 1 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Shares the Commission’sis of the view that a strong and competitivsustainable steel industry is important for Europe’employment in Europe and its industrial base; the EU is the second largest producer of steel in the world, with an output of over 177 million tonnes of steel per year, accounting for 11 % of global output;
Amendment 4 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. DeplorNotes the fact that some trading partners have imposed unjust trade barriers, such asntroduced export restrictions and export duties on raw materials, which contribute to unduly raising steel production costs in the EU;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is of the opinion that, in the interest of a sustainable and publicly run steel industry, the EU must invest in increasing its recycling capacities instead of predominantly focusing on access to raw materials;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Deplores the factNotes that some of ourEU trading partners apply unfair, restrictive measures, such as investment limitations to foreign investment and public procurement preferences that protect domestic steel industries, which unduly hamper EU steel exportin order to protect and advance domestic interests as well as steel and related industries;
Amendment 15 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is of the opinion that fiercer competition on the world market and lower energy costs vis-à-vis the production of steel in third countries must not act as a precursor to increase pressure for nor act as an incentive for shale gas production in the EU;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Takes the view that EU standards regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee participation should also be implemented by European companies in third countries, and that regional development should be promotedIs of the strong opinion that EU based companies and institutions like the EBRD must adhere to binding, transparent and enforceable principles with regard to corporate social responsibility (CSR), reflecting the highest labour, social and environmental standards, including the principle of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of local communities before engaging in or supporting steel production related mining activity in third countries;
Amendment 28 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Asks the Commission to regularly assess the cumulative impact of agreements, both those currently in force and those under negotiation, on the basis of specific, defined criteria, including on the way in which stakeholders, in particular trade unions, local community organisations as well as other civil society organisations (CSOs), are involved;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Insists that a genuine and sustainable industrial policy for the EU needs to follow a holistic approach and needs to address all shortcomings and failures of EU and Member States' policies; these include the urgent need to reverse its austerity policies and focus on so called budgetary discipline which leave little space for public investment programmes in infrastructure and furthermore undermines the purchasing power of working class people in Europe;
Amendment 35 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Stresses that overcapacities in China and other steel producing and exporting countries also hint at a general slow-down of the economies in emerging countries which is bound to have severe repercussions for the world economy, including further adverse sectoral impacts on inter alia the steel and related industries;
Amendment 37 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Points out that a recent report by research group IHS found that in order to bring European car production in line with current overcapacities, estimated at 30% in the sector, another 18 automobile plants in Europe need to close, inevitably causing negative repercussions for the steel industry in Europe;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2177(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7d. Is of the opinion that the private sector and current pro free-market, neo-liberal policies of the EU and its Member Dates have failed with regard to providing a sustainable industrial policy in the EU; points out that tax breaks provided by Member States' governments to multinational steel giants such as ArcelorMittal with a view to keeping production sites in Europe and maintaining employment have dramatically failed working class people and tax payers in the EU; concludes therefore that the only sustainable and viable solution for the steel industry is the nationalisation of the industry under democratic workers' control in order to conduct massive and socially useful and meaningful public investment programmes in infrastructure in order to create decent jobs and stimulate the economy;
Amendment 6 #
2013/2062(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Recognises the low domestic demand for cars in the EU; underlines that low demand, particularly in the so-called peripheral countries, is a direct result of the economic and social crisis in Europe, aggravated by the severe austerity policies carried out across Europe which undermine the purchasing power of European citizens and increase already existing overcapacities with massive job losses as a result;
Amendment 8 #
2013/2062(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 f (new)
Paragraph 1 f (new)
1f. Underlines that a slow down in the world economy and in China in particular will further reduce the prospect for an increase in exports of European car producers and therefore highlights the need for an alternative strategy for the European car industry;
Amendment 23 #
2013/2062(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2e. Stresses that an EU strategy for the automotive sector needs to be consistent with other EU policy objectives such as the reduction in CO2 emissions and other objectives related to climate change; therefore calls for an increased funding for public research in sustainable public mobility and for a general and fundamental shift towards public transport; to that end calls for the reconversion of closed plants or those threatened with closure to the production of public transport vehicles;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2062(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 f (new)
Paragraph 2 f (new)
2f. Recalls that necessary and large scale innovation in the interest of sustainable production in the car industry is often hampered by the lack of a long term perspective and planning due to increased competitive pressures on an international scale and the drive for short term profit; underlines that this development goes against the interests of workers, consumers and the environment;
Amendment 29 #
2013/2062(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. In light of the current crisis in the car industry and increased competitive pressures on workers' wages and conditions, partly brought about by existing free trade agreements and potentially aggravated through the signing of new free trade agreements between the EU and third countries, underlines the need of trade unions to develop an international strategy to defend jobs and conditions of workers employed in the car industry; is of the opinion that this strategy needs to include a radical plan to reorganise the car industry in the interests of working people and the environment based on the nationalisation of the industry under the democratic control and management of the workers, trade unions and the state;
Amendment 3 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. SupporRejects the ongoing negotiations for a PCA and FTA and calls for them to be ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficialFTA with Malaysia and insists that the PCA will include strong provisions on the protection of human and labour rights as well as on environmental protection;
Amendment 7 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Encourages the Malaysian Government to continue its reforms towards building a modern economy, moving up the value chain and becoming a high-income country by 2020sustainable economy that is based on the needs and in the interests of the majority of all people living and working in Malaysia;
Amendment 10 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that closer economic regional integration of the ASEAN countries needs to be based on fundamental respect for workers' and trade union rights; reiterates that workers' and trade union rights must be universal and applied to all workers and throughout the region, including the Special Economic Zones (SEZ);
Amendment 11 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Supports the demand by the Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) for the introduction of a decent legal minimum wage; is of the opinion that all workers, including migrant workers, women workers and workers in the special economic zones must be entitled to receive at least the minimum wage; insists that European companies operating in Malaysia should by no means attempt to undermine the introduction of a legal minimum wage;
Amendment 12 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Reminds the Malaysian government to live up to all its obligations under the core ILO Conventions it has ratified, in particular ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining; calls on the Malaysian government to revoke its denouncement of ILO Convention 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labour and to ratify the core ILO Labour Conventions 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and the core convention 111 on Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), insists that ratification of the core ILO conventions must be a minimum requirement by the European Commission before concluding a free trade agreement and a partnership and cooperation agreement with Malaysia;
Amendment 13 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Is of the strong opinion that any future PCA and FTA agreement with Malaysia must have a strong focus on environmental protection and land rights of indigenous peoples, European companies must not engage in 'land grabbing', which can lead to deforestation and land degradation and are major threats brought about by the strong demand for timber and palm oil on the international market; insists that respect for indigenous peoples' land rights is essential and that the principle of 'The Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent' (FPIC) needs to be applied;
Amendment 14 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Calls on the European Council and Commission to introduce mandatory and enforceable provisions on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), based on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN guiding principles on business and human rights as well as on the UN Principles for Responsible Investment and the principle of integrated reporting, into a future PCA and FTA agreement; calls on the Council and Commission to establish an effective monitoring scheme with regard to Corporate Social Responsibility that involves trade unions and other civil society stakeholders;
Amendment 20 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the importance of promoting improved access to each other's services markets, given that this plays an ima strong public sector; insists to refrain from further liberalisation and privatisation of the public sector, in particular with regard to essential public utilities, such as water, water distribution, health, public transport ant role in modern economies and generates growth and traded waste collection as those have been proven to have adverse effects on employees and users of public services;
Amendment 22 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. to refrain from including an investor- state dispute settlement mechanism (ISDS) into a possible future trade and investment agreement with the US and supports the right to regulate in the general interest of society;
Amendment 24 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the importance of protecting and enforcing IPR to encourage growth and investment and a knowledge-based economy; recalls that nothing in the agreement may be construed so as to hamper access to medicines; underlines the importance of agreeing on high-levelat IPRs should only be enforced in such cases where IPR infringements would directly have damaging and detrimental effects on patients' health; insists that nothing in the agreement must hamper access to affordable generic medicines; underlines that the protection ofor geographical indications should be pursued in the interest of small producers and consumers as a means of protecting traditional knowledge and know-how and guaranteeing a fair return to farmers;
Amendment 26 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 29 #
2013/2052(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the European Commission and on the European Council as well as on the Malaysian government to ensure transparency in the PCA and FTA negotiations; insists that public scrutiny is essential when negotiating agreements that will affect large sections of the population; therefore insists that trade unions and other civil society organisations with expertise in the field should be involved in the negotiations on an equal footing and should as a very minimum have access to all relevant documents, including the mandate;
Amendment 18 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas in January 2013 23 % of active young people were jobless, with the rates ranging from 15 % or less in Austria, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands to over 55 % in Greece and Spain, indicating marked geographical differences; Notes that in many member states different categories of young people, e.g. underemployed part-time workers or people sanctioned for not complying with 'workfare' schemes, are not included in these figures and that the real figures on youth unemployment are higher;
Amendment 33 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. Whereas youth unemployment is an important contributing factor to the sharp rise in migration that is taking place in a number of member states, seen most profoundly in the so-called 'PIIGS'; Whereas this massive emigration has deprived these countries of an important layer of their most dynamic people and has a devastation effect on local communities;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas young people are particularly disadvantaged during economic crises, more so than most groups; raises in this regard the detrimental effect of the move towards more flexible contracts which is particularly strong among young workers leading to them having a disproportionate rate of precarious contracts and therefore be the first to suffer from unemployment; whereas for many young people current unemployment can be expected to turn into long-term unemployment, which brings risks of social exclusion; whereas this has alarming consequences for young individuals, lowering their self-esteem, leaving their ambitions unrealised, and delaying their assumption of an independent adult life including starting a family, and consequently also for society, negatively impacting on the social, economic and demographic situation in Europe;
Amendment 46 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas Member States have to provide a social safety net and guarantee decent living conditions for workers who become unemployed and for young people unable to find work;
Amendment 50 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas as the economic and financial crisis has worsened and austerity has been imposed, emigration from the Member States in the most severe difficulty has been increasing at an accelerating rate; whereas a new category of emigrants has emerged, namely young people, more often than not highly qualified;
Amendment 52 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas in the context of the Lisbon Strategy 2000-2010 the EU has undertaken to raise education levels, reduce school drop-out rates to less than 10% by 2020, and increase the rate of completion of tertiary or equivalent education to at least 40%; whereas several Member States have increased or are thinking of increasing tuition fees in higher education;
Amendment 53 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas more and more teachers have been losing their jobs in some countries being ‘bailed out’ by the Troika, and, as a result, teaching standards are declining, schools are being closed, curricula are being pared down, and academic failure and school drop-out rates are rising; whereas the higher student-teacher ratios resulting from the cuts are translating into lower teaching standards in the education system, the goal of which should be to enable teachers to follow the school careers of their pupils more closely;
Amendment 54 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. Whereas the liberalisation of the education system, for instance through the Bologna process, and the austerity policies imposed in various member states have undone many of the steps towards a more accessible education system; stresses therefore the need for an education system that is publicly owned, democratically run, accessible to all and free at the point of use;
Amendment 60 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas SMEs, which are a driving force for economic growth and job creation and for achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy, have shed more than 3.5 million jobs as a result of the economic crisis, with workplace closures affecting all workers, including the young;
Amendment 68 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the economic crisis which begancame visible in 2008 has negatively affected both demand and supply on the labour market, thus dramatically increasing uncertainty over job prospects and making it essential for all unemployed people to be better informed about employment prospects;
Amendment 72 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. Whereas austerity policies implemented across Europe have not led to an economic recovery or job growth; whereas more and more economists clearly indicate that austerity policies have had the opposite effect: depressing economic growth and destroying jobs;
Amendment 100 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the policy measures implemented by Member States need to be diversified and should tackle all potential obstacles in young people's pathway to sustainable employmentmeaningful, sustainable, well paid, decent employment with full trade union rights, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups that are more likely to suffer from multiple disadvantages;
Amendment 103 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that, given the fact that the number over young unemployed and underemployed people far outstretches the number of available jobs, unemployment can not be blamed on the unemployed; therefore clearly denounces any shift of responsibility for the unemployment crisis to the unemployed;
Amendment 121 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including trade unions, training and education providers, individual employers, public and privatestudent organisations, youth organisations, public employment services, social partners, third-sector organisations, and health and other authorities, is essential for the successful implementation of a variety of measures fostering youth employment and employability in an integrated fashion; emphasises that measures must be flexible so as to meet the continuously evolving needs on the labour markeneeds of young people best;
Amendment 146 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises the particularly difficult situation in certain regions where the level of unemployment among young people is above 25 %; welcomes the fact that EU support for youth employment will be further boosted through the proposed EU Youth Employment Initiative, with a budget of EUR 6 billion over the seven- year period 2014-2020; regrets however the moderate ambitions of the YEI and the fact that the funding allocated is far below what would be necessary to have a real impact on youth unemployment; Refers in this context to the ILO study 'Euro Zone job crisis: trends and policy responses' that raises the need for 21 billion euro to be injected to have an impact on the level of youth unemployment2; __________________ 2 http://www.ilo.org/global/research/publica tions/WCMS_184965/lang--en/index.htm
Amendment 160 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the decision of the EPSCO Council on 28 February 2013 to agree on a Council recommendation on implementing a Youth Guarantee; recommends extending eligibility to graduatesyoung people aged underp to 30; stresses that the success of this measure will be highly dependent on other factors, e.g. the infrastructure and capacity of public and strengthened private employment services, the availability of student placesplaces for young people, the provision of training and, apprenticeships, and the transferability and implementation of successful experiences from other Member States; stresses that the Youth Guarantee must be integrated within the broader framework of active labour market policies while ensuring high quality standards;
Amendment 165 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the decision of the EPSCO Council on 28 February 2013 to agree on a Council recommendation on implementing a Youth Guarantee; recommends extending eligibility to graduates aged under 30; stresses that the success of this measure will be highly dependent on other factors, e.g. the infrastructure and capacity of public and strengthened private employment services, the availability of student places, the provision of training and, apprenticeships, and the transferability and implementation of successful experiences from other Member States; stresses that the Youth Guarantee must be integrated within the broader framework of active labour market policies, while ensuring high quality standards, only if these policies are not compulsory;
Amendment 171 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 181 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Maintains that that such support for enterprises, cooperatives, and third-sector organisations should be of an exceptional and temporary nature and subject to explicit undertakings given in return, in particular to preserve jobs, observe the standards laid down in national law and collective labour agreements, and fulfil tax and social security obligations; believes that support of this kind should be publicised and made known to workers and their representative organisations, and that employers should be required to post information on company premises, in places readily accessible to workers, specifying the support received, its purpose, and the way in which it is to be implemented;
Amendment 186 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Believes that work placements should be supervised and followed up to more useful effect and permanent contracts concluded when permanent posts are to be filled in entities receiving support;
Amendment 204 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Maintains that all unemployed persons receiving support should be monitored so as to enable each worker’s specific training, skills, and, where applicable, vocational retraining needs to be determined at the time when job offers are being assessed and after a worker has accepted a job, the object being to ascertain whether the conditions laid down are being complied with and how far the worker has adapted to the circumstances;
Amendment 221 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Member States to support self-employment among young people by creating facilities and preferential conditions for starting up their own businesses, through, e.g., cutting red tape and introducing favourable tax policiesyoung people who choose to be self- employed;
Amendment 232 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes, in the context of promoting self-employment among young people,Notes the proposed successor to the Progress Microfinance Facility included in the Programme for Social Change and Innovation for the period 2014-2020, in order to better meet demand, also among young people;
Amendment 241 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for an ambitious holistic policy approach which looks at education, training, employment and self- and employment initiatives, for all young people at all the various levels, in an integrated way;
Amendment 251 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Maintains that Member States should regulate work placements in the proper manner, encompassing them under the heading of student training, and that unpaid placements should be prohibited;
Amendment 253 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Member States to ensure high-quality frameworks for traineeships making sure that traineeships are tailored to the needs of young people and include decent wages, labour rights and working conditions that do not undermine the wages and conditions of the existing workforce, backed up by financial support and mandatory monitoring, as well as a common quality standard for traineeships and work placements; stresses that active promotion and awareness-raising in respect of such programmes is needed among entrepreneurs;
Amendment 273 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that the Alliance for Apprenticeship should also support European and national campaigns for changing perceptions of vocational education, thereby ensuring that students undergoing training of this kind will be placed on an equal footing with other students as regards access to higher education, and should organise a regular forum for discussions on the monitoring of the European apprenticeship strategy with all relevant European and national stakeholders; stresses that incentives should also be provided to facilitate funding for cross-border training activities enabling companies and social partner organisations to become involved in establishing dual education systems;
Amendment 278 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses that in no way traineeships should be used to replace people who were hired on regular contracts or undermine their wages and working conditions; stresses therefore that all trainees, interns or people in vocational training should receive decent wages and conditions and that they should have full trade union rights;
Amendment 281 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Encourages the Member States to foster the mobility of young workers by means of further progress further towards the mutual recognition of qualifications and skills and enhanced coordination of national social security systems, especially as regards pension systems, as well as by continuing to; underlines however that any harmonisation should not undermine social rights and working conditions of workers but on the contrary it should increase the level of protection and social rights to the highest standard found in the EU; member states should invest substantially in language learning;
Amendment 309 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Member States to develop personalised career counselling and guidance, starting already during secondary school, with the aim of enabling young people to make well-informed choices about their higher education, while introducing mechanisms that can monitor the opportunities offered and assess; stresses that all counselling should be based solely on the interests, needs and aspirations of young people and not the requirements of the private sector; calls on member states to introduce mechanisms that can monitor the success rate of those young people's subsequent transition to work;
Amendment 319 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes that, because of the economic and financial crisis, many families can no longer afford to pay for higher education, with the result that drop-out rates at this level have increased; considers that Member States should ensure that all persons, regardless of their economic circumstances, can enjoy the right to free universal education of a high quality;
Amendment 327 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Stresses the need to immediately halt all austerity policies;
Amendment 328 #
2013/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Reiterates that, given the historically low level of investment in the economy by the private sector, the public sector needs to become the driving force of economic growth and job creation through massive programmes of public investment together with the taking into democratic public ownership of the economy, so to provide the basis for the re-development of the economy and thus creating meaningful and high quality jobs and the eradication of youth unemployment;
Amendment 5 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the fact that de- industrialisation across Europe has been taking place since the 1970s. This general trend in the developed countries of increased investment in the financial sector rather than in industry has stimulated and led to a bloated and deregulated financial sector which was central to the development of the world economic crisis;
Amendment 19 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Points to the historically low level of investment in the real economy as a percentage of GDP; is of the opinion that international, including European, corporations have effectively engaged in a 'strike of investment' and at the same time have hoarded huge amounts of cash reserves; supports the idea that this unproductive capital needs to be used in the interest of developing society and therefore should face a capital tax to enable it to be used in a public investment programme to create decent jobs, in particular for young people;
Amendment 39 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines that a successful and sustainable industrial policy in the interest of working class people and the environment will only be achieved if the key sections of the European economies are taken into democratic and public ownership and if a Europe-wide plan of research and production, that takes into account the needs of the majority of people, is developed and implemented;
Amendment 55 #
2013/2006(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Considers nationalisation a legitimate measure to protect jobs in the industrial sector and elsewhere; therefore calls on the European Commission not to stand in the way if Member States intend to nationalise companies that threaten job losses, closure or relocation;
Amendment 24 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) In order to guarantee the free movement of productsrights of workers and consumers in the EU and in third countries trading within the EUnion, it is necessary to ensure that theyproducts entering the EU market fulfil requirements providing a high level of protection of public interests such as health and safety in general, health and safety in the workplace, protection of consumers and workers and their basic rights, protection of the environment and public security. Robust enforcement of these requirements is essential to the proper protection of these interests and to create the conditions in which fair competition in the Union goods market can thrive. Rules are therefore necessary on market surveillance and on controls of products entering the Union from third countries.
Amendment 27 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Given the EU´s importance as a global trading bloc, it is necessary to use this position to enhance the protection of public interests such as health and safety, the protection of workers' rights and the environment in the countries the EU is trading with.
Amendment 36 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) This Regulation should strike a balance between transparency through the release of the maximum possible amount of information to the public and maintaining confidentiality, for example for reasons of personal data protection, commercial secrecy or the protection of investigations, in accordance with rules on confidentiality pursuant to applicable national law or, as regards the Commission, Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2001 regarding public access to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents. Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data and Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data apply in the context of this Regulation.
Amendment 37 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) Information exchanged between competent authorities should be subject to the strictest guarantees of confidentiality and professional secrecy and be handled in a way that investigations are not compromised and that the reputations of economic operators are not prejudiced.
Amendment 40 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Market surveillance should be financed at least in part by fees charged to economic operators where they are required by market surveillance authorities to take corrective action or where those authorities are obliged to take action themselves. Those fees should not be borne by the consumer and therefore should have no bearing on the retail price of a product.
Amendment 43 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles recognised in particular by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. in particular this Regulation seeks to ensure full respect for obligation to ensure a high level of human health protection and consumer protection as well as full respect of the freedom to conduct a business and the right to propertys well as full respect for consumers' and workers' rights,
Amendment 46 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation lays down a framework for verifying that products meet requirements which safeguard, at a high level, the health and safety of persons in general, health and safety in the workplace, consumerthe protection of workers' and consumer rights, the environment, public security and other public interests.
Amendment 55 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 13
(13) ‘product presenting a risk’ means a product having the potential to affect adversely health and safety of persons in general, health and safety in the workplace, consumer protection, the environment and public securityincluding those involved in the manufacturing process, health and safety in the workplace, workers' rights through non- compliance with fundamental ILO conventions, consumer protection, the environment and public security, including in the country where the product was produced and/or processed, as well as other public interests to a degree which goes beyond that considered reasonable and acceptable under the normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use of the product concerned, including the duration of use and, where applicable, its putting into service, installation and maintenance requirements;
Amendment 65 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
They shall cooperate with economic operators and trade unions to prevent or reduce risks caused by products made available by those operators. For this purpose, they shall encourage and promote voluntary action by economic operators including, where applicable, through the developmenteconomic operators and develop guidelines of and adherence to codes of good practice.
Amendment 66 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) provide consumers and other interested parties, including trade unions, with the opportunity to submit complaints on issues relating to product safety, market surveillance activities and risks arising in connection with products and follow up those complaints as appropriate;
Amendment 80 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) any ILO conventions signed and ratified by the countries involved in the manufacturing and/or processing of the product;
Amendment 84 #
2013/0048(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. A product the release of which has been suspended by the authorities in charge of external border controls pursuant to Article 14 shall be released if, within threfive working days of the suspension of release, those authorities have not been requested by the market surveillance authorities to continue the suspension or they have been informed by the market surveillance authorities that the product does not present a risk, and provided that all the other requirements and formalities pertaining to such release have been fulfilled.
Amendment 2 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
– having regard to the Commission's proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directives 78/660/EEC and 83/349/EEC as regards disclosure of non- financial and diversity information by certain large companies and groups (COM(2013)207 final of 16 April 2013)
Amendment 16 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Expects the Commission to hold on to the informal agreement regarding the yearly annual reporting schedule, that is, Member State reporting by July of each year and publication of the Commission's evaluation by October of each year;
Amendment 22 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Takes note of the statement of the Commission in the annual report attributing ‘a clear general willingness on the side of the Member States to apply policies to their export credit programmes, whose objectives are in line with the general language of Articles 3 and 21’, calls on Member States to ensure that its reporting is meaningful and as a minimum reports on compliance with Articles 3 and 21, the reports shall also contain the views of stakeholders such as NGOs, trade unions and community organisations, in the EU and third countries, regardless of whether the views of these organisations are in line with those of the Member States or the Commission;
Amendment 27 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Shares the observation of the Commission in the annual report that ‘it is difficult to define a precise benchmark for measuring compliance in EU law’; reiterates, however,Reiterates that Article 21 provisions remain the backgroundkey benchmark against which the policies applied to export credit transactions have to be evaluated;
Amendment 29 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that the Union will only be a trustworthy and strong global actor ifis not seen as a trustworthy global actor due to the reality of its trade policies which is based on the maximisation of profit for its major corporations over human rights and the environment, this is despite commitments and aspirations in many of its external policy objectives; therefore calls on the Member States and the European institutions pursue a consistent external policy and comply with human rights and environmental standards;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recommends that the Council Working Group on Export Credits and the Commission cooperate with the European External Action Service (EEAS) on developing a methodology for meaningful reporting on Article 21 compliance before the next annual report is due; insists that NGOs, trade unions, consumer and community organisations in third countries and in the EU are brought to the heart of this process;
Amendment 36 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Considers it of prime importance to call on the Member States to monitor, evaluate and report on the existence, outcome and effectiveness of due diligence procedures in the screening of projects officially supported by export credits with regard to their potential impact on human rights; recommends Member States to explore the set-up of and reporting on due diligence procedures primarily in high risk sectors for human rights impact, such as large infrastructure projects and extractive industries;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Considers as meaningful all reporting on human rights, social and environmental concerns raised by stake- holders affected by projects supported by export credits, independently of whether such concerns are regarded as justified, and action taken in response;
Amendment 45 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Recommends the Council Working Group on Export Credits and the Commission to cooperate on developing a methodology for meaningful reporting on the incorporation of environmental risk in the calculation of ECA premiums;
Amendment 49 #
2012/2320(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Expects the next Annual Report of the Commission to contain a statement on whether is has been able to evaluate the compliance of Member States with the Union's external action goals and, if the answer is negative, recommendations on how to improve reporting to this end; insists that NGOs, trade unions and community organisations, in the EU and in third countries, are consulted as part of this process and their reports published as part of the statement regardless of whether they are in contradiction with the Commission's finding or not;
Amendment 2 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
- having regard to the Annual Report on Human Rights in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter, including implications for the EU’s strategic human rights policy and in particular paragraph 26 thereof;1 __________________ 1 text adopted P7_TA(2012)0126
Amendment 2 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomesTakes note of the ongoing negotiations for an enhanced PCA and calls for this update to be ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial; insists that these negotiations must be accompanied by political and economic reform in Kazakhstan; reiterates its position that progress in the negotiation of the new enhanced PCA between the EU and Kazakhstan must depend on the progress of political reform;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 b (new)
Citation 11 b (new)
- having regard to the Human Rights Watch report, 'Striking Oil, Striking Workers: Violations of Labour Rights in Kazakhstan's Oil Sector' published in September 2012;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a (new). Recalls and insists on its recommendation that, whenever a gross breach of human rights is committed by a partner country with which an international agreement, such as a partnership and cooperation agreement, has been concluded, the EU take bolder steps in carrying out the appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the human rights clauses of the agreement, including possible temporary suspension of the agreement;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Draws attention to the critical situation as regardsontinuous violation of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially workers’ rights, which also gives rise to unfair competitive advantages; stresses, therefore that a binding trade and s in the wake of the killing of oil workers in December 2011, and is deeply concerned about the unfair trial against Vladimir Kozlov and others, charged to have incited the December protest; is ready to reject any enhanced PCA which fails to include a Sustainable dDevelopment chapter must be included in the new agreementproviding for binding social and environmental standards and subject to the PCA dispute settlement mechanism;
Amendment 6 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the people in the EU and Kazakhstan should benefit mutually from closer cooperation; whereas the conclusion of the new PCA negotiation should provide a comprehensive, human and democratic rights based framework for cooperation;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages Kazakhstan to take the necessary steps toIs not convinced that a swiftly concludsion of the negotiations on its accession to the WTO; calls on Kazakhstan to ensure that the Russia-Kazakhstan-Belarus Customs Union does not constitute a barrier to trade with the EU or to fulfilling its obligations arising from WTO membership and the subsequent obligations arising from WTO membership is going to be in the interest of working people and small farmers in Kazakhstan; firmly rejects any further privatisation programmes in industry, services and agriculture sector;
Amendment 14 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Kazakhstan has been admitted to the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe; whereas, however, the past year has been marked by the substantial deterioration of the situation of fundamental rights, including workers’ and democratic rights and freedoms;
Amendment 16 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a (new). Notes with great concern the amendments to the Labour Code, in particular amended articles 55, 74, 266, 287, 289, 303 and 305, signed on 17 February 2012 by the President of Kazakhstan; is of the opinion that they mark a severe regression in the field of labour relations, workers’ rights and social dialogue and demonstrate that while the Kazakhstan government presents its new laws as bringing them into line with modern international best practice they are consciously and intentionally breaching many of the required conditions of the ILO and other international conventions; therfore calls for a strongly worded Sustainable Development Chapter providing for binding social and environmental standards as a precondition for concluding the negotiations on the new enhanced PCA;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b (new). In light of recent allegations of corruption against European based corporations operating in Kazakhstan, calls for stronger and binding provisions in relation to Corporate Social Responsibility and the exclusion of EU based corporations involved in corruption from any EU and partner countries´public tenders;
Amendment 20 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on Kazakhstan not to restrict trade and investment in the raw material sectors in an unfair and unjustified mannerfor an international agreement on regulatory standards on sustainable extraction of raw materials and an efficient use of resources and investment in recycling facilities and technology, aimed at the prevention of commodity speculation, environmental destruction, the protection of ecologically sensitive areas which binds all parties to respect common environmental, social, labour and human rights standards; calls on Kazakhstan to comply with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).
Amendment 21 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the politically motivated barriers to registering opposition parties, independent trade unions and civil society organisation remain a fundamental issue of concern;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. Whereas on 4 June 2012, 13 out of 37 oil workers received prison sentences of between 3 and 7 years for their alleged responsibility for the events in Zhanaozen, while video evidence shows that participants in the demonstration of 16 December 2011 did not use any violence against police forces, while on the other hand, policemen accused of shooting at demonstrators, killing at least 17 people, received prison sentences of between 5 and 7 years, whereas these verdicts have to be seen as grossly disproportionate;
Amendment 25 #
2012/2153(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a (new). Supports the demand of the oil workers´ strike for nationalisation of the industry under democratic and workers´control in order for Kazakhstan´s rich natural resources to be managed in an environmentally sustainable way and to be used to increase the living standards of the majority of its population;
Amendment 32 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. Whereas on 16 August the trial against the leader of the opposition party ALGA, Vladimir Kozlov, the social activist of ' Khalyk Maidany', Serik Sapargali and former oil worker and strike leader, Akzhanat Aminov, started; whereas numerous violations of law during the pre-trial custody and the judicial process of Vladimir Kozlov in particular have been noted, e.g.: remanding the defendant in poor humanitarian conditions; an insufficient period of time given to the defendant to familiarise himself with the case file; conducting the process in the Kazakh language which the defendant does not speak, while the interpretation into Russian is being distorted; discrepancies between the Russian and Kazakh versions of the official testimony of witnesses;
Amendment 39 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a (new)
Paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a (new)
(a) Recall and insist on the Parliament's recommendation that, whenever a gross breach of human rights is committed by a partner country with which an international agreement, such as a partnership and cooperation agreement, has been concluded, the EU take bolder steps in carrying out the appropriate sanctions as stipulated in the human rights clauses of the agreement, including possible temporary suspension of the agreement1; __________________ 1 text adopted P7_TA(2012)0126
Amendment 43 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) call for the negotiations to be transparent and to allow for full participation of trade unions and civil society organisations from both sides to take part in them;
Amendment 46 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point b
Paragraph 1 – point b
(b) welcomnote Kazakhstan's political will to further deepen partnership with the EU; ensure that the EU's engagement is consistent with other Union policies and that the principle of ‘more for more’ is applied;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point c
Paragraph 1 – point c
(c) work with Kazakhstan to promote regional cooperation and the improvement of neighbourly relations in the Central Asia region; insist that this cooperation fosters exchange of experiences and takes on board recommendations from registered and unregistered trade unions and civil society organisations in the region;
Amendment 54 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point f
Paragraph 1 – point f
(f) reinforce the EU's action in the fields of education, the rule of law, the environment and water, inter alia through newly established support platforms and targeted assistance; bring local NGOs and CSOs into the EU's dialogue with the Kazakh government in those areas; demand that given the current difficulties in registering NGOs and CSOs, this dialogue is not limited to officially registered NGOs and CSOs;
Amendment 62 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point h
Paragraph 1 – point h
(h) underline that progress in the negotiation of the new PCA must be linked to the progress of political reform and a genuine commitment on the part of Kazakhstan to human rights and democracy; offer adequate assistance on the EU's part for implementing the reforms; reserve the right to suspend the negotiations unless there is significant and proven improvement in the human rights situation;
Amendment 67 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point i a (new)
(ia) support the Parliament's position and call for an independent and credible investigation into the events of December 2011, with an international component3; in this regard call on the Kazakhstan authorities to allow Members of the European Parliament and others invited by Kazakh civil society organisations and trade unions unhindered access to the country; __________________ 3 Text adopted P7_TA(2012)0089
Amendment 76 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point o
Paragraph 1 – point o
(o) urge Kazakhstan to release, without further delay, political prisoners and end politically motivated arrests carried out on the basis of the vague criminal charges of ‘inciting social discord’;
Amendment 79 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point p a (new)
(pa) note with great concern the amendments to the Labour Code, in particular amended articles 55, 74, 266, 287, 289, 303, and 305, signed on 17 February 2012 by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and defend the position that they mark a severe regression in the field of labour relations, workers' rights and social dialogue and a breach of required conditions of the ILO and other international conventions; call for a strongly worded Sustainable Development Chapter providing for binding social standards as a precondition for concluding the negotiations on the new enhanced PCA;
Amendment 89 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x
Paragraph 1 – point x
Amendment 94 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x a (new)
(xa) in light of recent allegations of corruption against European based corporations operating in Kazakhstan, call for stronger and binding provisions in relation to Corporate Social Responsibility and the exclusion of EU based corporations involved in corruption from any EU and partner countries´ public tenders;
Amendment 95 #
2012/2153(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
Paragraph 1 – point x b (new)
(xb) consider it of utmost importance that European based corporations respect ILO standards on trade union rights as well as to respect environmental and health and safety standards when operating in Kazakhstan and particularly in the extractive sector of the economy;
Amendment 1 #
2012/2144(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph A
Paragraph A
A. whereas the services sector accounts for more than 65% of total GDP and employment in the EU, and a more integrated and better-functioning Single Market in services is crucial for economic recovery and the fight against unemployment;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2144(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the Commission Communication on the implementation of the Services Directive entitled ‘A partnership for new growth in services 2012-2015’, which responds to the reporting obligation as set out in Article 41 of the Services Directive; reiterates the need to take account of the medium and long-term effects of the Services Directive on employment in the EU;
Amendment 9 #
2012/2144(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes thatCall for all main stakeholders have to commit themselves to properly enforcing the full implementation of Single Market legislation, whilst also taking into account its social dimensionimarily considering the social impact of the implementation of the services directive and to prioritise the rights of workers, consumers and the majority in society in the implementation of the directive;
Amendment 18 #
2012/2144(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. NotBelieves that over two decades the Single Market has proved to be a great success; believes, at the same time, that more efforts need to be concentrated onthe implementation of austerity policies and other neo liberal measures are making the crisis worse; the full implementation of the Service Directive will not lead to a recovery; in order to promotinge growth and job creation, as a means of enabling the EU to overcome the current crisis, public investment programmes are needed to redevelop and grow the economy;
Amendment 28 #
2012/2144(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes the new Commission Communication entitled ‘Single Market Act II - Together for new growth’, which is aimed at enhancing the integration of the Single Market within the EU, stimulating growth and fostering job creation, particularly for young people, and welcomes the support it offers to social entrepreneurship.
Amendment 32 #
2012/2144(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Opposes the Communication's support for the liberalisation of passenger services in rail which will lead to an erosion of workers' rights and worse services for passengers;
Amendment 33 #
2012/2144(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Notes the Communication's support for social entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship must not be used to replace services that are provided, or ought to be provided, by the state; also opposes the use of social entrepreneurship to bring profit making companies into the provision of social services;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that many of these new jobs result from the practice of big companies of replacing directly employed workers with self-employed workers as a way of cutting costs and undermining unionisation of the workforce; condemns this practice and stresses again the need for full trade union rights in SMEs as the best way to safeguard wages and working conditions;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that SMEs are facing difficulties primarily as a result of the decline in domestic demand due to the economic crisis and exacerbated by the implementation of austerity policies; considers the ending of austerity policies and the redevelopment of the economy through public investment programmes as an effective assistance for the majority of SMEs;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that, despite the widespread nationalisation of the banking sector in many EU countries as well as the provision of capital to banks by the state, the banking sector is still being run as profit-maximising bodies, in the narrow interests of shareholders and not in the interests of SMEs, homeowners or consumers that require credit; calls for the banking sector to be genuinely brought into democratic and public ownership so that it will supply credit to those that require it;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas lack of finance, alongside weak entrepreneurial spirit (only 45 % of EU citizens wish to be self-employed compared to, for example, 55 % in the US), remains one of the main challenges to EU enterprises' competitiveness and entrepreneurship, and persistent regulatory fragmentation and red tape continue to remains one of the main challenges to EU small and micro sized enterprises' which limits SMEs' capacity to adapt to an energy- and resource-efficient economy and expand to markets beyond their home country, both within the single market and worldwide;
Amendment 21 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the most recent economic data from the BRICs countries indicate a slowdown in the growth of their economies;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Urges the Commission, and where appropriate the Member States, to foster the participation of SMEs, and where relevant microenterprises, in the global markets by implementing appropriate measures for their internationalisation, including easier access to capital and regularly updated information on business opportunities abroad, as well as efficient TDIs aimed at ensuring their rightful protection against unfair dumping and subsidies and safeguarding lawful production in the EU and EU businesses' market share in third countries; while ensuring that human, labour and social rights and the environment are protected in third countries;
Amendment 27 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that SMEs are facing difficulties primarily as a result of the decline in domestic demand due to the economic crisis and exacerbated by the implementation of austerity policies
Amendment 28 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Notes that the majority of SMEs in the EU are dependent on domestic markets, while recognising the potential for some SMEs to internationalise, asserts that internationalisation is not a means to end the crisis being faced by SMEs, considers the ending of austerity policies and the redevelopment of the economy through public investment programmes as a more effective assistance for the majority of SMEs;
Amendment 32 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers it essential for the EU's competitiveness and growth to create a network, to be part of a digital platform, bringing together national SME helpdesks, chambers of commerce, Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), business associations and the Commission, in order to provide enterprises in the EU, especially exporters and importers, with precise, timely and reader-friendly information on a one-stop- shop basis, so that they can fully benefit from the Union's new common commercial policy;
Amendment 38 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that recurrent difficulties in accessing capital are one of the key reasons preventing SMEs' internationalisation; calls on the national governments to support SMEs by means of export insurance and making credit available to them from Member States' ECAs, in doing so taking measures to ensure ECAs are only provided for projects that comply with environmental and labour standards and also to earmark sufficient funding for SMEs (e.g. special loans, cofinancing and venture capital), so as to help overcome disinvestment and deleveraging by banks; stresses that such funding should be provided to SMEs that are already exporting and which can present a viable business plan for improving or consolidating their existing market share and creating jobs, especially for young people; considers that support for start-ups offering innovative goods and services and for SMEs in need of initial investment should not be overlooked;
Amendment 40 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that despite the widespread nationalisation of the banking sector in many EU countries as well as the provision of capital to banks by the state, the banking sector is still being run as profit maximising bodies, in the narrow interests of shareholders and not in the interests of SMEs, homeowners or consumers that require credit; calls for the banking sector to be genuinely brought into democratic and public ownership so they will supply credit to those that require it;
Amendment 42 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Considers that a holistic strategy for trade finance, aimed at fostering internationalisation of SMEs, is urgently needed; believes that the EU should promote and support incentives to develop SMEs in strategic sectors in a proactive fashion, especially in the case of high- value-added manufacturing activities that offer a competitive edge over emerging economies as well as high-quality jobs for European citizens; stresses the need, therefore, to identify promising niche markets and foster their developthat wish to internationalise while at the same time protecting the small producers, SMEs, workers in third countries, protecting their industries, jobs, standard of living and environment;
Amendment 50 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recognises the need to establish, at EU level, an SME export/import facility which would disburse additional support to SMEs via ECAs;, in doing so taking measures to ensure ECAs are only provided for projects that comply with environmental and labour standards, considers that, drawing on national best practice, this additional support could involve soft and fixed- interest-rate loans, short-term work capital and refinancing, equity funding, export guarantees (e.g. an export credit guarantee to eliminate commercial and political risks of non-payment), and business insurance solutions, including an export credit insurance to prevent exchange rate risk;
Amendment 53 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – indent 2
Paragraph 8 – indent 2
– lowering enforcement costs for lenders and raising the overall quality of financial information concerning SMEs, in order to enhance their creditworthiness in the eyes of the lenders;
Amendment 56 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for increased public-private partnerships in providingrovision of seed money and venture capital to MSMEs in the EU, while sharing entrepreneurial risk; points in this regard to the positive role that both micro- finance institutions and social entrepreneurship funds can play in developing business opportunities that also have strong social, ethical and environmental goals;
Amendment 57 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls for endeavours at national and EU level to simplify the business environment for SMEs, in close consultation with EU, in close consultation with EU trade unions, environmental NGOs, health and safety experts, SMEs' associations, chambers of commerce and industry, as well as other relevant stakeholders, in support of both cutting red tapesimplifying administrational duties and internationalising SMEs;
Amendment 65 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to involve SMEs in the establishment of international standards (e.g. ISO), since changes in regulatory regimes directly impact on their profitability; insists that tackling NTBs must be regarded as a top priority on the Commission's agenda, in particular through the harmonisation of technical rules based on relevant global standardsm;
Amendment 70 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission to address these widespread and persistent issues in all multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, and especially in free trade agreements with both industrialised and emerging economies, and to ensure that in the WTO, NTBs receive, at the very least, as much attention as is currently paid to tariff elimination; insists however that addressing NTBs must avoid an adverse effect on regulatory issues that relate to health and safety requirements, labour standards and labour rights as well as respecting and maintaining the character of services as public services;
Amendment 73 #
2012/2114(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Union to fully exploit the investment opportunities for EU MSMEs that stem from the European Neighbourhood Policy, with a special focus on crossborder investment in the countries of the Eastern and Southern Mediterranean partnerships; considers that the Commission and the EEAS should develop synergies in order to further upgrade the Union's commercial diplomacy worldwide; insists that investment opportunities in the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood Policy must be used to contribute substantially towards fulfilling the social as well as economic aspirations of the masses of those regions and that increased funding will take place on the condition of promoting sustainable economic development, deepened regional co-operation, a decrease in unemployment and a rise in living standards for the whole population, as opposed to being a tool for the economic and political interests of big business in Europe;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that the Commission has not yet drawn up concrete proposals on the implementation of CSR principles in EU trade policy; and stresses that CSR, both within the EU and in third countries, should be extended to address areas such as the organisation of work, equal opportunities, social inclusion, anti- discrimination and continuous education and training;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Commits itself to step up its efforts continually so that EU institutions and officials, including the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, are required to enforce social, environmental and human rights standards in all EU external relations and actions;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Undertakes to place the corporate social responsibility issue on the agendas of all future EU meetings with third countries, especially with privileged relations partners, and calls for corporate social and environmental responsibility to be integrated into contractual relations between the EU and third countries;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2098(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for a system of legal cooperation to be set up between the EU and third countries signatories to bilateral trade agreements to ensure effective access to justice for victims in the event of; further calls on the EU and the Member States, with regard to breaches of corporate social responsibility including breaches of social orand environmental legislation by multinationals, or failure to honour CSR undertakings; , to adopt binding rules on the protection of the fundamental rights to effective legal remedies and access to an impartial and independent court, and refers in particular to Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in which these rights are enshrined;
Amendment 3 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that the Commission has not yet drawn up concrete proposals on the implementation of CSR principles in EU trade policy and stresses that CSR, both within the EU and in third countries, should be extended to address areas such as the organisation of work, equal opportunities, social inclusion, anti- discrimination and continuous education and training;
Amendment 5 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Commits itself to step up its efforts continually so that EU institutions and officials, including the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, are required to enforce social, environmental and human rights standards in all EU external relations and actions;
Amendment 10 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Undertakes to place the corporate social responsibility issue on the agendas of all future EU meetings with third countries, especially with privileged relations partners, and calls for corporate social and environmental responsibility to be integrated into contractual relations between the EU and third countries;
Amendment 37 #
2012/2097(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls for a system of legal cooperation to be set up between the EU and third countries signatories to bilateral trade agreements, to ensure effective access to justice for victims in the event of; further calls on the EU and the Member States, with regard to breaches of corporate social responsibility including breaches of social orand environmental legislation by multinationals or failure to honour CSR undertakings, to adopt binding rules on the protection of the fundamental rights to effective legal remedies and access to an impartial and independent court, and refers in particular to Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and Article 8 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in which these rights are enshrined;
Amendment 4 #
2012/2092(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Considers that the budget for 2013 should feature slight increases for the funding for the Macro financial assistance, the external trade relations, the Aid for Trade and the DCI; stresses, however, that increases in funding for Aid for Trade should not come at the expense of development funds;
Amendment 8 #
2012/2092(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for an expansion of the existing projects of Internationalisation of the European SMEs to cover new priority markets, pending assessment of the implementation of centres already existing in several Asian countries; emphasises, however, that measures directed at increasing purchasing power and enabling sustainable growth in the domestic economies will have a greater impact and should take priority;
Amendment 12 #
2012/2092(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Supports the extension into 2013 of the preparatory action ‘Euromed innovation entrepreneurs for change’ and the raise the budget lines related to European Neighbourhood overall, on condition that the funding is used to promote sustainable economic development, deepened regional co-operation, a decrease in unemployment and a rise in living standards for the population as a whole, as opposed to being a tool for the economic and political interests of big business in Europe.
Amendment 22 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Regrets, in this context, the impact of austerity policies pursued by various Member States and the detrimental effect they have had on the viability of many SMEs, e.g. through reduced consumer spending as a result of budget cuts, the shifting of the tax burden towards more indirect taxation that hits low and middle incomes harder, etc.;
Amendment 24 #
2012/2042(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Reiterates its strong commitment to full trade union rights, including the right to trade union recognition and the right to strike, for all workers regardless the size of the business they work in, as this is the best guarantee that working and wage conditions are met;
Amendment 16 #
2012/2011(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Consent should not provide a valid legal ground for the processing of personal data, where there is a clear imbalance between the data subject and the controller. This is especially the case where the data subject is in a situation of dependence from the controller, among others, this is especially the case where personal data are processed by the employer of employees‘' personal data in the employment context. Therefore consent should not provide a legal ground for the processing of personal data in an employment context. Where the controller is a public authority, there would be an imbalance only in the specific data processing operations where the public authority can impose an obligation by virtue of its relevant public powers and the consent cannot be deemed as freely given, taking into account the interest of the data subject.
Amendment 98 #
2012/2011(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 82 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 82 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Member states looking to regulate by law the processing of employees' personal data in the employment context should involve trade unions and representatives of employees at all stages of the drafting and implementing of new rules and regulations. Any new rules and regulations should provide more favourable conditions for employees' rights.
Amendment 27 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the current economical and financial crisis and an ageing populationthe neoliberal policies implemented by Member States burden social welfare systems, including statutory and voluntary healthcare schemes; whereas these policies constitute a clear political choice by Member States;
Amendment 56 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the Commission Communications ‘Social Business Initiative’ and ‘Towards a job-rich recovery’4 with recommendations to national governments on job creation – especially in the fast-growing sector for health and social care (the so-called white sector) and in the green sector – that offer new chances to social business;
Amendment 90 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that activities by volunteers constitute an important contribution to welfare organisations and solidarity, and give many people a meaning in life; asks, therefore, for financial support on local, national and European level; stresses that this may in no way undermine wage and working conditions of people who depend on their job in the sector for their livelihood;
Amendment 96 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that social business does not necessarily need to be not-for-profit; underlines, at the same time,at the social value provided by welfare organisations and the need to preserve it;
Amendment 174 #
2012/2004(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 – indent 2
Paragraph 16 – indent 2
– while profit-making in general is allowed and even supported,If profits, operating surpluses, funds andor reserves are primarily togenerated, they should be reinvested in quality, innovation and development;
Amendment 5 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In other areas there are still substantial differences between the Member States’ laws, regulations and administrative provisions on the manufacture, presentation, and sale of tobacco and related products which impede the functioning of the internal market. In the light of scientific, market and international developments these discrepancies are expected to increase. This applies in particular to nicotine containing products, herbal products for smoking, ingredients and emissions, certain aspects of labelling and packaging and the cross-border distance saleand internet sales of tobacco products and point of sale displays of tobacco products.
Amendment 10 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) Child labour is still a persisting feature of tobacco production. The increasing awareness of consumers about health and human rights problems related to production and processing methods equally require an improved tracking, tracing and reporting system with a view to identify the origin and the conditions under which tobacco was harvested and to give consumers the choice to choose tobacco produced without child labour and children exposed to toxic dangers;
Amendment 12 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The current use of different reporting formats makes it difficult for manufacturers and importers to fulfil their reporting obligations and burdensome for the Member States and the Commission to compare, analyse and draw conclusions from the information received. In this light there should be a common mandatory format for the reporting of production and processing methods as well as ingredients and emissions. The greatest possible transparency of product information should be ensured for the general public, while ensuring that appropriate account is taken of the commercial and intellectual property rights of the manufacturers of tobacco products.
Amendment 20 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
Amendment 28 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Tobacco products for smoking, other than cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco products, which are mainly consumed by older consumers, should be granted an exemption from certain labelling requirements as long as there is no substantial change of circumstances in terms of sales volumes or consumption patterns in relation to young people. The labelling of these other tobacco products should follow specific rulesubject to the same labelling as all other tobacco products. The visibility of the health warnings on smokeless tobacco products needs to be ensured. Warnings should therefore be placed on the two main surfaces of smokeless tobacco product packaging.
Amendment 34 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Cross-border distanceInternet sales of tobacco facilitate access to tobacco products of young people and risk to undermine compliance with the requirements provided for by tobacco control legislation and in particular by this Directive. Common rules on a notification system are necessary to ensure that this Directive achieves its full potential. The provision on notification of cross-border distance sales of tobacco in this Directive should apply notwithstanding the notification procedure set out in Directive 2000/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2000 on certain legal aspects of information society services, and should therefore be prohibited, in line with the implementing Guidelines of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the EU is a party to. Business to consumer distance sale of tobacco products is further regulated by Directive 97/7/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 20 May 1997 on the protection of consumers in respect of distance contracts, which will be replaced by Directive 2011/83/EU of the European Parliament and the Council of 25 October 2011 on consumer rights, as of 13 June 2014.41
Amendment 44 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) Member States should remain free to maintain or introduce national legislations applying to all products alike for aspects falling outside the scope of this Directive, provided they are compatible with the Treaty and do not jeopardise the full application of this Directive. Accordingly, Member States cshould, for instance, maintain or introduce provisions providing standardisation of packaging of tobacco products as provided that those provissions aiming at health protections are compatible with the Treaty, with WTO obligations and do not affect the full application of this Directive. A prior notification is required for technical regulations pursuant to Directive 98/34/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 June 1998 laying down a procedure for the provision of information in the field of technical standards and regulations and on rules on Information Society services44.
Amendment 47 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 41 a (new)
Recital 41 a (new)
(41a) The provisions mentioned in the Directive are justified and consistent with intellectual property rights as enshrined in TRIPS, as the TRIPS aim, which is to guarantee distinction between brands and protect against undue use of trademarks, is maintained.
Amendment 52 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the labelling and packaging of tobacco products including the health warningwarnings concerning health of producers and direct and indirect consumers to appear on unit packets of tobacco products and any outside packaging as well as traceability and security features to ensure compliance with this Directive;
Amendment 55 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) cross-border distancethe prohibitions of internet sales of tobacco products;
Amendment 103 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Unit packages should also carry traceable information on the place of harvest of the tobacco used, with a view to identify whether it was produced on the basis of child labour.
Amendment 114 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) cover 75 % of the external area of both the front and back surface of the unit packet and any outside packaging; Member States are, however, encouraged to proceed with plain packaging;
Amendment 173 #
2012/0366(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point a (new)
(a) the place of origin of the tobacco used; as well as health and human rights conditions under which it was harvested (in particular child labour rate);
Amendment 12 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
Having regard to the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and in particular Article 21 thereof and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and in particular Article 208 thereof in relation to Article 17 of Directive 2009/28/EC and Article 7b of Directive 98/70/EC,
Amendment 13 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Article 3(4) of Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable energy sources and amending and subsequently repealing Directives 2001/777/EC and 2003/30/EC requires Member States to ensure that the share of energy from renewable energy sources in all forms of transport in 2020 is at least 10% of their final energy consumption. The blending of biofuels is one of the methods available for Member States to meet this target, and is expected to be the main contributor. but should not become the main contributor due to the adverse effects of indirect land use change (ILUC) in Europe and third countries, in particular developing countries. Electricity from renewable energy sources as well as energy savings and an increase in energy efficiency in the transport sector should substantially increase their contribution towards the 10% target.
Amendment 16 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The incentive based stimulation of biofuel production has not only led to an increase in biofuel production in the European Union but has also led to an expansion of biofuel production in third countries. Although figures relating to the exact amount of land that was used and diverted to biofuel production in third countries vary, some reports found that between 2009 and 2013, 6 million ha of land was used for biofuel production by European companies in Africa alone. In a note from April 2013, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food stresses the adverse impacts of the EU biofuels policy in relation to the right to food, land and water. In order to counter these negative impacts, the Commission will propose to amend and strengthen the sustainability criteria in Article 17 of Directive 2009/98/EC and Article 7 b of Directive 98/70/EC.
Amendment 17 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Where pasture or agricultural land previously destined for the food, feed and fibre markets is diverted to biofuel or bioliquid production, the non-fuel demand will still need to be satisfied either through intensification of current production or by bringconverting non-agricultural land into production elsewhere, or by a combination of both. However, intensification of production can have adverse impacts on biodiversity, water quality and availability and can contribute to soil erosion. The latter case represents indirect land-use change and when it involves the conversion of high carbon stock land it can leads to significant greenhouse gas emissions as well as to a loss of biodiversity. Moreover, where intensification is increased by fossil fuel based substances, the objective of reducing the European Union's reliance on fossil fuels may be undermined. Directives 98/70/EC and 2009/28/EC should therefore include provisions to address indirect land use change given that current biofuels are mainly produced from crops grown on existing agricultural land.
Amendment 21 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Based on forecasts of biofuel demand provided by the Member States and estimates of indirect land-use change emissions for different biofuel and bioliquid feedstocks it is likely that greenhouse gas emissions linked to indirect land use change are significant, and couldan negate some or all of the greenhouse gas savings of individual biofuels and bioliquids. This is because almost the entire biofuel and bioliquid production in 2020 is expected to come from cropraw materials grown on land that cshould be used to satisfy the need for food and feed markets. In order to reduce such emissions, it is appropriate to distinguish between cropraw material groups such as oil crops, cereals, sugars and other starch containing crops accordingly.
Amendment 25 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Liquid renewable fuels as well as electricity from renewable energy, energy savings and an increase in energy efficiency are likely to be required by the transport sector in order to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Advanced biofuels, such as those made from wastes and algae, potentially provide high greenhouse gas savings with low risk of causing indirect land use change and do not compete directly for agricultural land for the food and feed markets. It is appropriate, therefore, to only encourage greater production of such advanced biofuels as these are currently not commercially available in large quantities, in part due to competition for public subsidies with established food crop based biofuel technologies. Fthat will not contribute to indirect land use change or any other adverse effects to the environment. On the basis of a thorough impact assessment on the positive and negative impacts of advanced biofuels on indirect land use change, further incentives should be provided by increasing the weighting of advanced biofuels towards the 10% target for transport set in Directive 2009/28/EC compared to conventional biofuels. In this context, only advanced biofuels with low estimatedrisks in relation to indirect land use change impacts and, high overall greenhouse gas savings shouldand without any risk to directly or indirectly endangering the right to food will be supported as part of the post 2020 renewable energy policy framework.
Amendment 26 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to ensure the long-term competitiveness of bio-based industrial sectors, and in line with the 2012 Communication ‘Innovating for Sustainable growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe’ and the Roadmap to a Resource Efficient Europe, promoting integrated and diversified biorefineries across Europe, enhanced incentives under Directive 2009/28/EC should be set in a way that gives preference to the use of biomass feedstocks that do not have a high economic value for other uses than biofuels and bioliquids.
Amendment 31 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) To prepare for the transition towards advanced and sustainable biofuels and minimise the overall indirect land use change impacts in the period to 2020, it is appropriate to limit the amount of biofuels and bioliquids obtained from food crops as set out in part A of Annex VIII to Directive 2009/28/EC and part A of Annex V to Directive 98/70/EC that can be counted towards targets set out in Directive 2009/28/EC. Without restricting the overall use of such biofuels, tthose Directives. The share of biofuels and bioliquids produced from cereal and other starch rich crops, sugar and oil crops that can be counted towards the targets ofr receive public funding pursuant to Directive 2009/28/EC should be limited to the share of such biofuels and bioliquids consumed in 2011. Biofuels and Bioliquids imported from third countries are counted towards this target. For the same reason and in order to avoid unequal treatment of biofuels and bioliquids from raw materials with similar impacts, it is appropriate to apply the same treatment to advanced biofuels.
Amendment 36 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The 53% limit set up in Article 3(4)d does not affect the Member States' freedom to arrange their own trajectory as to compliance with this prescribed share of conventional biofuels within the overall 10% target. As a consequence, the access to the market of the biofuels produced by the installations in operation before the end of 2013 remains fully open. Therefore this amending directive does not affect the legitimate expectations of the operators of such installations.
Amendment 39 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The estimated indirect land-use change emissions caused by biofuel and bioliquid production in Europe as well as production in third countries for the European market should be included in the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels under Directives 98/70/EC and 2009/28/EC. Biofuels made from feedstocks that do not lead to additional demand for land, such as those from waste feedstocks, should be assigned a zero emissions factor. .
Amendment 40 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) Voluntary schemes recognised by the European Commission are the main instruments that are used by economic operators to show compliance with the sustainability criteria set out in Article 7b of Directive 98/70/EC and Article 17 of Directive 2009/28/EC. However, there is a lack of criteria that those schemes need to comply with in order to obtain recognition. Clearer rules should therefore be laid down. Only schemes that provide effective mechanisms for guaranteeing the independence and reliability of audits and the involvement of local and indigenous communities should be considered as compliant with this Directive. Those schemes should further include clear and stringent rules on the exclusion of consignments of biofuels and bioliquids from the scheme in case of non-compliance with its provisions. In order to monitor and enforce the effective operation of the schemes, the Commission should be able to access and disclose all relevant documents that give rise to concerns about malpractices.
Amendment 41 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11 b (new)
Recital 11 b (new)
(11 b) Directive 98/70/EC and Directive 2009/28/EC do not contain any provisions concerning the recognition process of those voluntary schemes, thereby failing to ensure they are effective in ensuring compliance with sustainability criteria and transparency. It is therefore appropriate that the Commission sets mandatory minimum requirements for those schemes to be considered as giving presumption of compliance with sustainability criteria.
Amendment 42 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11 c (new)
Recital 11 c (new)
(11 c) The use of land for growing biofuel feedstocks must not result in the displacement of local and indigenous communities. Special land protection measures therefore need to be introduced.
Amendment 44 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The Commission should review the methodology for estimating land-use change emission factors included in Annexes VIII and V to Directives 2009/28/EC and 98/70/EC respectively in the light of adaptation to technical and scientific progress. To this end, and if warranted by the latest available scientific evidence, the Commission should consider the possibility ofsubmit legislative proposals to the European Parliament and the Council to revisinge the proposed crop group indirect land-use change factors, as well as introducing factors at further levels of disaggregation and including additional values should new biofuel feedstocks come to market.
Amendment 47 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The Commission shouldwill review the effectiveness of the measures introduced by this Directive, based on the best and latest available and publicly funded scientific evidence, in limiting indirect land-use change greenhouse gas emissions in the EU and third countries exporting to the EU and addressing ways to further minimise that impact, which could include the introduction of by including estimated indirect land-use change emission factors in the sustainability scheme as of 1st January 2021soon as this Directive enters into force. The Commission will also propose further measures such as a possible import ban on biofuels and bioliquids that contribute to increased greenhouse gas emissions through indirect land use change.
Amendment 53 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b a (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7b – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 7b – paragraph 5 a (new)
(ba) In Article 7 b the following paragraph 5 a is added: "5a. Biofuels taken into account for the purposes referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be made from raw materials obtained from agricultural residues unless evidence is provided that this does not result in a degradation of agricultural land and the functioning of the ecosystem. The volume of agricultural residues that must remain on the land for ecological reasons shall be established on the basis of local bio-geographical characteristics including, but not limited to, the organic content of the soil, the fertility of the soil, water retention capacity and carbon sequestration. Raw material obtained from agricultural residues produced during off-field processing of crops into food or other products is not covered by this paragraph."
Amendment 54 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) In Article 7b the following paragraph 5 b is added: "5b. Biofuels taken into account for the purposes referred to in paragraph 1 shall not be made from raw material obtained from land the tenure of which is contested or violates the rights of third parties, notably local communities, regarding the tenure and use of land. Free, prior and informed consent of relevant third parties shall be obtained prior to starting the production or harvesting of raw material. Relevant third parties or representatives recognised by those parties shall be involved in giving free prior and informed consent."
Amendment 55 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b c
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7b – paragraph 7
Article 7b – paragraph 7
Amendment 56 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 c – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 c – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
2 a. in paragraph 3, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following: "1. Member States shall take measures to ensure that economic operators submit reliable information and make available to the Member State [...] the data that were used to develop the information. Member States shall require economic operators to arrange for an adequate standard of independent auditing of the information submitted, and to provide evidence that this has been done. The auditing shall verify that the systems used by economic operators are accurate, reliable and protected against fraud. It shall evaluate the frequency and methodology of sampling and the robustness of the data."
Amendment 57 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 c – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 7 c – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
2 b. in paragraph 3, the third subparagraph is replaced by the following: "The Commission shall, in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 11(3), establish the list of appropriate and relevant information referred to in the first two subparagraphs. It shall seek to ensure maximum compliance with the substantive obligations of this paragraph, while seeking to minimise excessive administrative burden for operators, notably the smaller ones."
Amendment 58 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 c (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 c (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 c – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 5
Article 7 c – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 5
2 c. in paragraph 3, subparagraph 5 is replaced by the following: "Member States shall submit to the Commission, in aggregated form, the information referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, including the reports carried out by the independent auditors. The Commission shall publish that information on the transparency platform referred to in Article 24 of Directive 2009/28/EC [...]."
Amendment 59 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 d (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 d (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 c – paragraph 4 – first subparagraph
Article 7 c – paragraph 4 – first subparagraph
Amendment 60 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 e (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 e (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 c – paragraph 5
Article 7 c – paragraph 5
Amendment 61 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 f (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 f (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 c – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 7 c – paragraph 6 a (new)
2 f. In Article 7c the following paragraph 6 a is added: "6a. When the Commission envisages that a decision under paragraph 4 may be adopted, it shall publish the agreement or scheme, in a single comprehensive document, on the transparency platform referred to in Article 24 of Directive 2009/28/EC. The Commission shall invite the stakeholders to submit observations in relation to the agreement or scheme. A notice to this end shall be published in the Official Journal. The period for observations shall not be shorter than two months as from the date of publication of the notice. After the adoption of a decision under paragraph 4, the agreement or scheme shall be published, in a single comprehensive document, on the transparency platform. Where the agreement or scheme covers the cultivation or harvest of raw materials, translations of the agreement or scheme in the official languages of the countries or regions from which the raw materials originate shall be published on the transparency platform. The Commission shall monitor the operation of the agreement or scheme; moreover, decisions under paragraph 4 shall indicate that stakeholders may submit substantiated concerns to the Commission in relation to the operation of the agreement or scheme. When the information available raises doubts about whether the recognised agreement or scheme continues to fulfil the requirements of paragraph 5, the Commission shall assess the practical operation of the agreement or scheme by reviewing any relevant document, including but not limited to auditor reports, produced or held for the purposes of the operation of the agreement or scheme. When justified by preliminary evidence of serious shortcomings in the operation of the agreement or scheme, the Commission shall immediately suspend the decision under paragraph 4 by means of an implementing act adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 11(3). The suspension shall be revoked in the same manner when the Commission's assessment concludes that the matter has been solved."
Amendment 62 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 g (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 g (new)
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 c – paragraph 9 a (new)
Article 7 c – paragraph 9 a (new)
2 g. In Article 7c the following paragraph 9 a is added: "9a. By three years [from the entry into force of this Directive] the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council reviewing the operation of voluntary schemes for which a decision under paragraph 4 has been adopted and identifying best practices. The report shall be based on the best information available, including from consultation with stakeholders, and shall be based on practical experience in the application of the schemes. The report shall take into account the evolution of relevant internationally recognised standards and guidelines, including those developed by the International Organization for Standardization and the ISEAL Alliance. In relation to each scheme, the report shall analyse, inter alia, the following: - Independency, modality and frequency of audits; - Availability and experience in the application of methods for identifying and dealing with non-compliance; - Transparency, particularly in relation to the accessibility of the scheme, the availability of translations in the official languages of the countries and regions from which raw materials originate, accessibility of a list of certified operators and relative certificates, accessibility of auditor reports; - Stakeholders' involvement, particularly as regards the consultation of indigenous and local communities during the drafting and reviewing of the scheme as well as during audits; - Overall robustness of the scheme, particularly in light of rules on the accreditation, qualification and independence of auditors and relevant scheme bodies; - Market update of the scheme. The Commission shall, if appropriate in light of the report, submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council to modify the criteria listed in Article 7c(5)."
Amendment 63 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point - a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point - a
Directive 98/70/EC
Article 7 d – paragraph 1
Article 7 d – paragraph 1
(-a) Article 7 d paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: "1. For the purposes of Article 7a and Article 7b(2), life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from biofuels shall be calculated as follows: (a) where a default value for greenhouse gas emission saving for the [...] production pathway is laid down in part A or B of Annex IV and where the [...] value for those biofuels or bioliquids calculated in accordance with point 7 of part C of Annex IV is equal to or less than zero, and where the estimated indirect land-use change emissions are zero in accordance with part B of Annex V, by using that default value; (b) by using an actual value calculated in accordance with the methodology laid down in part C of Annex IV adding the estimates for indirect land-use change emissions set out in Annex V; (c) by using a value calculated as the sum of the factors of the formula referred to in point 1 of part C of Annex IV, where disaggregated default values in part D or E of Annex IV may be used for some factors, and actual values, calculated in accordance with the methodology laid down in part C of Annex IV, for all other factors, adding the estimates for indirect land-use change emissions set out in Annex V."
Amendment 66 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Amendment 69 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point i a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point i a (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – second subparagraph (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – second subparagraph (new)
(i a) a second subparagraph is added to Article 3, paragraph 4: Each Member State shall ensure that the share of electricity from renewable energy sources used in all forms of transport is at least 2% of the final consumption of energy in transport in that Member State by 2020.
Amendment 70 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point i b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point i b (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point c
(i b) point c is replaced by the following: "(c) for the calculation of the contribution from electricity produced from renewable sources and consumed in all types of electric vehicles for the purpose of points (a) and (b), Member States may choose to use either the average share of electricity from renewable energy sources in the Community or the share of electricity from renewable energy sources in their own country as measured two years before the year in question. Furthermore, for the calculation of the electricity from renewable energy sources consumed by all types of electric vehicles, that consumption shall be considered to be 5 times the energy content of the input of electricity from renewable energy sources."
Amendment 72 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point ii
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 4 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 4 – point d
(d) for the calculation of biofuels in the numerator, the share of energy from biofuels produced from cereal and other starch rich crops, sugars and oil crops shall be no more than 5%, the estimated share at the end of 2011,as well as from non-food advanced biofuels shall be no more than 3 % of the final consumption of energy in transport in 2020.
Amendment 75 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point iii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c – point iii
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point e – point iii
Article 3 – paragraph 4 – point e – point iii
Amendment 76 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point -a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point -a (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
(-a) The introductory part of Article 17 paragraph 1 is amended as follows: "1. Irrespective of whether the raw materials were cultivated inside or outside the territory of the Community, energy from biofuels and bioliquids shall be taken into account for the purposes referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) only if they fulfil the sustainability criteria set out in paragraphs 2 to 7:"
Amendment 78 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point ba (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point ba (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 17 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 79 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point bb (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point bb (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 17 – paragraph 5 b (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 5 b (new)
Amendment 80 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point bc (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point bc (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 17 – paragraph 7
Article 17 – paragraph 7
Amendment 81 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
6. In Article 18 the following paragraph 2 a is added: "Eurostat shall gather and publish detailed trade related information on biofuels produced from food crops, such as those based on cereals and other starch rich crops, sugars and oil crops. Available information shall be disaggregated trade data for both ethanol and biodiesel as current data is published in an aggregated format with ethanol and biodiesel imports and exports combined under one data set labelled biofuels. Import and export data shall identify the type and volumes of biofuels imported and consumed by EU Member States. Data shall also include the country of origin or the country exporting those products into the EU. Data on the import and export of biofeedstock or semi-processed products shall be improved with Eurostat gathering and publishing information on import or export of feedstocks, type and country of origin, including internally traded feedstocks or semi-traded feedstocks."
Amendment 83 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point -ab (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point -ab (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – first subparagraph
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – first subparagraph
(-ab) In Article 18 paragraph 3, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following: "3. Member States shall take measures to ensure that economic operators submit reliable information and make available to the Member State [...] the data that were used to develop the information. Member States shall require economic operators to arrange for an adequate standard of independent auditing of the information submitted, and to provide evidence that this has been done. The auditing shall verify that the systems used by economic operators are accurate, reliable and protected against fraud. It shall evaluate the frequency and methodology of sampling and the robustness of the data."
Amendment 84 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point -ac (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point -ac (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
(-ac) In Article 18 paragraph 3, the third subparagraph is replaced by the following: "The Commission shall, in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 25(3), establish the list of appropriate and relevant information referred to in the first two subparagraphs. It shall seek to ensure maximum compliance with the substantive obligations of this paragraph, while seeking to minimise excessive administrative burden for operators, notably the smaller ones."
Amendment 85 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point -ad (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point -ad (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 5
Article 18 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 5
(-ad) In Article 18 paragraph 3, the fifth subparagraph is replaced by the following: "Member States shall submit to the Commission, in aggregated form, the information referred to in the first subparagraph of this paragraph, including the reports carried out by the independent auditors. The Commission shall publish that information on the transparency platform referred to in Article 24 [...]."
Amendment 87 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point - ad (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point - ad (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 18 – paragraph 4 – first subparagraph
Article 18 – paragraph 4 – first subparagraph
(-ad) In Article 18 paragraph 4, the first subparagraph is replaced by the following: "4. The EU shall endeavour to conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements with third countries containing mandatory commitments on provisions on sustainability criteria that correspond to those of this Directive. The EU should also endeavour to conclude agreements with third countries containing commitments on the ratification and enforcement of ILO Conventions and MEAs as referred to in Article 17(7). Where the EU has concluded agreements containing mandatory commitments on provisions relating to matters covered by the sustainability criteria set out in Article 17(2) to (7), the Commission may decide that those agreements demonstrate that biofuels and bioliquids produced from raw materials cultivated in those countries comply with the sustainability criteria in question. When those agreements are concluded, due consideration shall be given to measures taken for the conservation of areas that provide, in critical situations, basic ecosystem services (such as watershed protection and erosion control), for soil, water and air protection, indirect land- use changes, the restoration of degraded land, the avoidance of excessive water consumption in areas where water is scarce and to the issues referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 17(7)."
Amendment 89 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 18 – paragraph 5
Article 18 – paragraph 5
Amendment 91 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 c (new)
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 18 – paragraph 9 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 9 a (new)
6 c. In Article 18 the following paragraph 9 a is added: "9 a. By three years [from the entry into force of this Directive] the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council reviewing the operation of voluntary schemes for which a decision under paragraph 4 has been adopted and identifying best practices. The report shall be based on the best information available, including from consultation with stakeholders, and shall be based on practical experience in the application of the schemes. The report shall take into account the evolution of relevant internationally recognised standards and guidelines, including those developed by the International Organization for Standardization and the ISEAL Alliance. In relation to each scheme, the report shall analyse, inter alia, the following: - Independency, modality and frequency of audits; - Availability and experience in the application of methods for identifying and dealing with non-compliance; - Transparency, particularly in relation to the accessibility of the scheme, the availability of translations in the official languages of the countries and regions from which raw materials originate, accessibility of a list of certified operators and relative certificates, accessibility of auditor reports; - Stakeholders' involvement, particularly as regards the consultation of indigenous and local communities during the drafting and reviewing of the scheme as well as during audits; - Overall robustness of the scheme, particularly in light of rules on the accreditation, qualification and independence of auditors and relevant scheme bodies; - Market update of the scheme. The Commission shall, if appropriate in light of the report, submit a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council to modify the criteria listed in Article 18(5)."
Amendment 92 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point -a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point -a
Directive 2009/28/EC
Article 19 – paragraph 1
Article 19 – paragraph 1
(-a) Article 19 paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: "1. For the purposes of Article 17(2), the greenhouse gas emission saving from the use of biofuel and bioliquids shall be calculated as follows: (a) where a default value for greenhouse gas emission saving for the production pathway is laid down in part A or B of Annex V and where the [...] value for those biofuels or bioliquids calculated in accordance with point 7 of part C of Annex V is equal to or less than zero, and where the estimated indirect land-use change emissions are zero in accordance with part B of Annex VIII, by using that default value; (b) by using an actual value calculated in accordance with the methodology laid down in part C of Annex V adding the estimates for indirect land-use change emissions set out in Annex VIII; (c) by using a value calculated as the sum of the factors of the formula referred to in point 1 of part C of Annex V, where disaggregated default values in part D or E of Annex V may be used for some factors, and actual values, calculated in accordance with the methodology laid down in part C of Annex V, for all other factors, adding the estimates for indirect land-use change emissions set out in Annex VIII."
Amendment 95 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall, before 31 December 2017, include indirect land-use change emission factors in the sustainability scheme as soon as this Directive enters into force. By [no later than one year after the entering into force of this Directive], the Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council reviewing, on the basis of the best latest available scientific evidence, the effectiveness of the measures introduced by this Directive in limiting indirect land- use change greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production ofenvironmental, social and economic impacts of conventional and advanced biofuels and bioliquids. The report shall be based on the best available and publicly funded scientific information. In assessing the environmental, social and economic impacts of biofuels and bioliquids, the report shall consider the technical and economical availability of sustainable raw materials and the benefits foregone from diverting them from other uses, notably in food and feed production, in products or as natural fertilisers. The whole life cycle of conventional and advanced biofuels and bioliquids. The report shall, if appropriate, be accompanied by a legislative proposal based on the best available scientific evidence, for introducing estimated indirect land use change emissions factors into the appropriate sustaina shall be considered. The use of fossil fuels at each step of the life cycle, notably for the production of fertilisers, process and transport energy, shall be analysed with a view to evaluating the energy return on energy invested of both conventional and advanced biofuels and bioliquids and to verifying the energy security impact of biofuels and biolity criteria to be applied from 1st January 2021 and a review of the effectiveness of the incentives provided for biofuels from non- land using feedstocks and non-food crops under Article 3(4)d of Directive 2009/28/EC. quids. The report shall be accompanied by additional legislative proposals to further decrease greenhouse gas emissions resulting directly or indirectly from conventional or advanced biofuel and bioliquid production and to stimulate the production of electricity from renewable energy and come forward with a proposal to move towards a sustainable public transport system across Europe.
Amendment 98 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Annex 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Directive 98/70/EC
Annex V – Part B – point b
Annex V – Part B – point b
(b) feedstocks whose production has led to direct land use change, i.e. a change from one of the followingnot taken place on cropland, perennial cropland or land in any other IPCC land cover categories; y (forest land, grassland, wetlands, settlements, or o) used for food production, whether lmand, to cropland or perennial cropland . Inaged or unmanaged, such a case a “direct land use change emission value (el)” should have been calculated in accordance to Part C, paragraph 7 of Annex IVgricultural and silvipastoral systems.
Amendment 103 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex VIII – Part B – point b
Annex VIII – Part B – point b
(b) feedstocks whose production has led to direct land use change, i.e. a change from one of the followingnot taken place on cropland, perennial cropland or land in any other IPCC land cover categories; y (forest land, grassland, wetlands, settlements, or o) used for food production, whether lmand, to cropland or perennial cropland. Inaged or unmanaged, such a case a “direct land use change emission value (el)” should have been calculated in accordance to Part C, paragraph 7 of Annex Vgricultural and silvipastoral systems.
Amendment 104 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex IX – Part A – point a
Annex IX – Part A – point a
Amendment 105 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex IX – Part A – point d
Annex IX – Part A – point d
Amendment 106 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex IX – Part A – point f
Annex IX – Part A – point f
Amendment 107 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex IX – Part A – point i
Annex IX – Part A – point i
Amendment 108 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex IX – Part A – point n
Annex IX – Part A – point n
Amendment 110 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex IX – Part B – point c
Annex IX – Part B – point c
Amendment 111 #
2012/0288(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Annex 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Directive 2009/28/EC
Annex IX – Part B – point d
Annex IX – Part B – point d
Amendment 1 #
2012/0251(COD)
Draft legislative resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Adopts its position at first reading, taking overRejects the Commission proposal;
Amendment 42 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The special relationship between the Union and the OCTs should move away from a classic development cooperation approach to a reciprocal partnership to support the OCTs' sustainable development. Moreover, the based on solidarity between the Union and the OCTs should be based on their unique relationship and their belonging to the same ‘European family’.
Amendment 43 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The contribution of civil society to OCT development can be enhanced by strengthening civil society organisations, especially trade unions and other workers' organisations, in all spheres of cooperation.
Amendment 44 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The association should aim at ensuring the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of biological diversity and ecosystem services as a key element for the achievement of sustainable development. Stresses in this regard the importance for OCTs to take into democratic public ownership all natural resources to guarantee respect for the environment and the interests of the general population.
Amendment 45 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The effects of the OCTs' remoteness constitute a barrierchallenge to their competitivenesseconomic development and thus it is important to improve the accessibility of the OCTs.
Amendment 46 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Union and the OCTs recognise the importance of education as a lever for the OCTs' sustainable development. Underlines of the importance of free, universal, accessible and state funded public education, at all levels, primary to tertiary as the best way to guarantee the right to education.
Amendment 47 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Further economic and social development of the OCTs should be mutually supportive and aim at strengthening competitiveness of the OCTs'the local economyies, as well as attaining social welfare and inclusion, in particular as regards vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities. To that end, cooperation between the Union and OCTs should include exchange of information and best practice in the relevant areas, including skills development and social protection, and promote the rights of persons with disabilities, bearing in mind the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Moreover, the association between the Union and OCTs should contribute to the promotion of decent work, including best practice in social dialogue, as well as respect for core labour standards, equal opportunities, non- discrimination and accessibility in the OCTs and regions where they are located.
Amendment 48 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16 a) a crucial aim of cooperation should be improving working conditions, labour and trade union rights. Underlines the important role to be played in the process by trade unions and other workers' representatives.
Amendment 49 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Global changes, reflected in the continuing process of trade liberalisation, broadly implicate the Union, the principal trading partner of the OCTs, their ACP neighbours and other economic partners. Notes that the ongoing process of liberalisation has benefitted the strong economies most and has had detrimental effects on the people in 'the global south', as well as working class and poor people in the rest of the world. Stresses therefore the need to break with neoliberal globalisation and the need to develop the global economy through genuine international solidarity and cooperation.
Amendment 50 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21 a) Austerity policies have had detrimental effects on employment and the livelihoods of millions of workers and poor around the world, stresses the need for cooperation between OCTs and the Union to break from these policies and advance ambitious programmes of public investment as the only way of guaranteeing decent living and working conditions for the majority of the population in both OCTs and the Union.
Amendment 51 #
2012/0195(CNS)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 30 a (new)
Recital 30 a (new)
(30 a) OCTs can play a crucial role in the fight against tax havens. Stresses in this regards the need to move towards genuine transparency of the financial sector. Furthermore states the need take the financial sector into democratic public ownership and control, as a public financial sector would be best placed to cater to the needs of ordinary people and redevelop the economy through a system of cheap lending while guaranteeing the savings of ordinary consumers.
Amendment 1 #
2011/2318(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the importance of the external dimension of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP); considers that the EU, as one of the biggest players in fisheries and the largest market for fish imports, has both the duty and the leverage to actively promote best practices in fisheries management, with a particular view of protecting the livelihoods and interests of small fishermen, protecting biodiversity and the environment across the globe;
Amendment 9 #
2011/2318(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Acknowledges the gains in synergy arising from coherence between different EU policies; welcomnotes the Commission's proposals for trade-related measures such as import restrictions on fish and fishery products to be applied to countries allowing non-sustainable fishing while ensuring their compatibility with the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO);
Amendment 1 #
2011/2152(ACI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomeRejects the political agreement reached on 27 June 2013 at the highest political level between Parliament, the Irish Presidency and the Commission on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2014-2020 package (MFF Regulation and IIA), as the maximum achievable under the current circumstances and procedures; Is determined to make full use, is agreement, does not reflect any of the priorities and concerns that could contribute to a turn- around in the current social, economic and financial crisis that could obviate the current social emergency situation existing in so many EU Member States; underlines, that this agreement, which will bind the course of forthcoming budgetary procedures, of the new instruments established, notably as regards flexibilityUnion for the next seven years, and the measures of the European Council, the European Commission, the European Central bank and the International Monetary Fund to fight the social, economic and financial crisis will only bring about a dramatic increase in unemployment, deep wage cuts, a higher pension age, lower public spending in areas such as research, innovation, education and health;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that the European reference framework on occupational health and safety (OHS) does not automatically provide for improvement in working conditions, and that proper implementation, notably via employee participation, and supervision of the application of the legislation are crucial; calls on the Commission to take swift action when infringements are detectedStrongly criticises that according to the 2009 scoreboard's findings, not all Member States set measurable targets related to their national OHS strategies and that the vast majority of them have not set targets on occupational diseases, work related health problems and illnesses, occupational risk factors or on high risk sectors;
Amendment 46 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that occupational accidents form only a limited part of the health problems caused by work, and that narrowing down the former much broader preventive focus of the Community Strategy to this single target breaks with the holistic spirit of the framework directive; criticises that the strategy for the current period (2007 – 2012) views occupational health primarily as a variable of the productivity and competitiveness of businesses;
Amendment 47 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NotDeplores that legal requirements and employee claims are the two main factors motivating employers to take action the mid-term review presented by the Commission Services provides only very vague and general information about Member State's progress on implementing the strategy; highlights that neither the mid-term review nor the 2009 scoreboard on the Community Strategy on Health and Safety at Work provide any substantial information on where Member States stand with regard to the EU strategy’s only quantified target of a 25 % reduction in occupational accidents by 2012; calls for future evaluation reports better to assess the extent to which EU health and safety legislation has been complied with in practice in the Member States;
Amendment 56 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Emphasises the need to mainstream gender when dealing with issues concerning health and safety at work and welcomes the initiative of the Commission calling for the preparation of unique methods of impact assessment in OSH with regard to gender specificity; calls on the Commission to assess the availability of gender-disaggregated statistics at Community level on work-related fatal and non-fatal diseases;
Amendment 109 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes there is a need to study the link between suffering at work and the organisation of work and working time, rather than concentrating on statistical factors and detecting individual fragilities;
Amendment 126 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. BPoints out that about 50 % of workers in the EU still have no access to preventive services, especially as regards SMEs and subcontracting chains; highlights that most existing services are not fully multidisciplinary and many do not properly reflect the hierarchy of preventive measures laid down in the Framework Directive; believes that all workers, including those in the public sector, should be covered by risk- prevention arrangements; calls on the Commission to examine the state of Member States’ preventive systems in greater detail and to come forward with proposals, in cooperation with the competent national authorities, for framing coherent national prevention policies based on an overall EU strategy;
Amendment 216 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Is most concerned about the results of a recent study by the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) and the European Brain Council (EBC) according to which more than one in three Europeans (164.8 million) suffers from a mental disorder which has thus become the leading cause of illness; calls on the Commission, through more in- depth studies, to examine more closely links with the workload, working schedules and working arrangements and, where appropriate, propose a list of measures to be taken;
Amendment 219 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Hopes that the future legislative proposal on musculoskeletal disorders will cover all workers; criticises, however, that the Commission proposes a narrow approach of a 'recast procedure' merging the provisions of Directives 90/269/EEC and 90/270/EEC into a single legislative instrument; calls on the Commission to propose a new Directive, based on the principles of prevention as described in Framework Directive 89/391/EEC on health and safety at work and designed to cover all work situations in a holistic approach to rule out MSD risk factors right from the outset; points out that not only biomechanical constraints, but also work content, work organisation, the physical and psychosocial environment, sensory and emotional constraints must be addressed, including the 'gender dimension', as women and men are differently affected by MSD risks;
Amendment 235 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Stresses that the scope of Directive 2004/37 needs to be extended to take into account new risk factors and reprotoxins, that the level of protection and prevention needs to be thoroughly improved by making exposure limit values (OELVs) for benzene, vinyl chloride monomer and hard wood dust more restrictive and by defining (OELVs) for a much bigger number of carcinogens than stipulated by the current Directive, in particular for cristalline silica;
Amendment 240 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Considers that the new Community strategy for occupational health and safety at work 2013 - 2020 should focus on using the potentials of REACH for improving workers’ protection from chemical hazards, a renewed effort for preventing work-related illnesses and improving workers’ quality of life at work, strengthening the monitoring and enforcement responsibilities of labour inspectorates and workers' participation in designing, monitoring and implementing prevention policies, improving the recognition of occupational diseases and addressing flexibility, insecurity, sub-contracting etc. as obstacles to proper risk prevention;
Amendment 241 #
2011/2147(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 b (new)
Paragraph 36 b (new)
Amendment 29 #
2011/2116(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recognises that cooperative companies operate in a capitalist free market and therefore through competition with privately owned and other profit maximising companies come under competitive pressures to cut the pay and conditions of its workforce; therefore calls on full trade union rights for workers in cooperative companies so they can organise to defend their pay and conditions;
Amendment 46 #
2011/2116(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on the revision of the Directive to guarantee the right of all workers working in cooperatives, or in subsidiaries of cooperatives, to organise in trade unions; furthermore calls on the revision of the Directive to fully guarantee the rights of workers to collective bargaining including the right of workers to have their trade unions recognised by company management and the right to take industrial action;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU has exclusive competence over trade and investment policy, which allows the EU to provide an effective response to the upheavals and to contribute to economic and social progress in Southern Mediterranean countries (SMCs);
Amendment 6 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the EU and its Member States have failed the majority of the people in North Africa and the Middle East through their political support and economic ties with the dictatorships in countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya; whereas this has contributed towards prolonging the suffering of the majority of the people in this region;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, thus far, the economies of SMCs have been run by undemocratic leaders to the benefit of the few; whereas the fact that many dictators have now been deposed opens up new opportunities to open up the economies of the region and create a true market economyfor the political, social and economic development of the region; underlines that the revolutionary process is not yet completed; points out that there is a real danger that the new political leaders will thwart the justified aspirations of the masses and continue to ignore the interests of the majority of the populations;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas the Arab Spring has uncovered the structural and systemic commercial and fiscal weaknesses of the region, in particular a susceptibility to spikes in commodity markets, and whereas any new trade strategy for the Mediterranean must tackle these shortcomings, foster food sovereignty and food security and end the financial speculation on food commodities if it hopes to fulfil the aspirations of the citizens;
Amendment 12 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
K a. whereas the total foreign debt of Egypt stands at USD 34.7 billion, that of Tunisia at USD 18.76 billion and that of Libya at USD 6.38 billion;
Amendment 16 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Believes that the Arab Spring is an unparalleled historical event instigated by the peoples' aspirations for freedom, democratic rights and an improvement of their living standards; expresses its profound sadness at the loss of life during the struggle to overthrow corrupt dictatorships;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Takes the view that the revolutionary process in the region is not complete and that a renewed and decisive intervention by the masses in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East is needed to take full control of shaping the political and economic future of their countries;
Amendment 20 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Is of the opinion that the EU and its Member States have been complicit in legitimising the former dictatorial regimes in North Africa and the Middle East through maintaining political relations and economic ties that benefited EU companies in general and the EU-based arms industry in particular;
Amendment 21 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Considers the public external debt of the countries in North Africa and the Middle East to be odious debt considering that the debt was built by the dictatorial regimes, mostly through the personal enrichment of the political and economic elite and the purchasing of arms, often used to oppress their own populations; therefore calls for the cancellation of this debt;
Amendment 27 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that the EU is the biggest consumer market in the world, to which access should only be granted if partner countries are serious abe vulnerability and fragility of the economies of the Southern Mediterranean countries and insists that those asymmetries need to be taken into account when engaging in the bilateral openrade relations with those countries ing of markets, ifrder for the benefits of economic reforms ar, political, social and environmental commitments to be enjoyed by the whole population of the partner country and if the appropriate political, social and environmental commitments a; is therefore convinced that a DCFTA and a fully fledged Southern Mediterranean Free Trade Area are not the right tools to advance regional integration and the social and economic development of the re given and fulfilled; on;
Amendment 32 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Is of the opinion that trade can play an important role in developing the countries of the Southern Mediterranean if the needs and interests of the majority of the people in the SMCs take priority over commercial interests; is therefore convinced that the main objectives of stimulating trade relations with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean must be the creation of well paid jobs, full respect for trade union rights, a guarantee of food security and food sovereignty and the diversification of the economies;
Amendment 71 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 77 #
2011/2113(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Is opposed to the Commission's proposal for the EU's new GSP scheme; is convinced that the asymmetries in trade relations with the countries of the Southern Mediterranean need to be taken into account;
Amendment 2 #
2011/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. WelcomNotes the results of the evaluation and the future plans outlined by the Commission, and urges that the rema; highlights that the Commission's approach of 'continuing regulatory barriers such as reserve of activities, insurance obligation, legal form and capital ownership requirements be tackled; calls on the Commission to concentrate its actions on unjustified or disproportionate requirements which should be removed in order to guarantee the smooth functioning of the Single Marketto develop the internal market in services on the basis of the mutual evaluation process set out in the in the Services Directive' will most likely trigger further deregulation, as such 'mutual evaluation' mainly focuses on abolishing existing requirements on service providers, while social impacts of the transposition of the Directive receive no attention in this process;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that the proposals related to the evaluation process need first and foremost a proper assessment of possible social impacts and consequences;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Urges the Commission to tackle issues such as the lowering of working conditions, pay and the quality of services which has arisen from deregulation and increased competition;
Amendment 11 #
2011/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. NotWelcomes that certain services have been excluded from the Services Directive because of their specific nature and that there is a potentialno need for sectoral EU legislation aiming at further liberalisation of the Single Market; opposes the Commission's plans for a further liberalisation of business services (e.g. logistics, installation management, marketing and advertising) and on services concessions to complete the Internal Market for Services;
Amendment 13 #
2011/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to launch a serious investigation, involving representatives from the trade union movement and civil society organisations, into the effects of increased competition in the services sector, with special attention to working conditions and the quality of service provision;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that, for the purpose of implementing the EU 2020 Strategy and the Single Market Act, there is a need, in addition to the services directive, to tackle complementary issues related to mobility of service providers and workers; calls therefore for complementary labour market policies andthat will provide for more legal certainty, in particular with regard to the improved portability of pension rights, posting of workers and certain social security and labour law provisions, while at all times protecting the pension rights and entitlements of workers as well as trade union rights and working conditions for all workers and not contribute to a 'race to the bottom' in workers pay and conditions;
Amendment 21 #
2011/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 4 #
2011/2068(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regards the efficient use of resources as a key element of the European Union's external relations and believes that trade in environmental goods and services canmust be an instrument of sustainable economic development, to the benefit of both trade in the interest of human and social development and the environment;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2068(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Considers the capitalist way of production with at its heart the stimulation of competition and profit maximisation not to be resource-efficient, in this regard points out that "planned obsolescence" is an integral part of this way of production with unnecessary waste of resources as a result, is therefore of the opinion that a fundamental change in the way of production on an international scale needs to take place if the objectives of the Commission´s flagship initiative are to be achieved;
Amendment 19 #
2011/2068(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Points out that the upcoming Rio +20 Earth Summit could be an important forum to discuss the issues of resource efficiency and sustainable development, believes that a new set of sustainable development goals (SDGs) could fill the MDG gaps and could become a powerful successor global project that recognises the inextricable links between the environment and every dimension of development, urges the EU and its Member States to play a decisive and positive role at this conference in order to meet the challenges of establishing an inclusive and green economy on a global scale;
Amendment 21 #
2011/2068(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Believes that in the context and run up to the Rio +20 conference, a new and enforced debate that involves all UN Member States, civil society and trade unions in particular on the effectiveness of the voluntary character of Corporate Social Responsibility is needed;
Amendment 22 #
2011/2068(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 28 #
2011/2068(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Is of the strong opinion that all current and future bilateral European agreements must include an ambitious chapter on social and environmental sustainability;
Amendment 4 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Reaffirms its support for the Madrid Declaration of the EU - Latin America Summit 2010, which explicitly recognises the principle of the sovereign right of States to manage and regulate their natural resources, while stressing that due attention should be paid to sustainability criteria;
Amendment 6 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Stresses that trade based on principles of respecting the rights of workers, indigenous peoples and the environment can play an important role in contributing towards the social and economic development of developing and LDC´s;
Amendment 7 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Recognises the right of countries to restrict access to their raw materials for environmental purposes or to address critical shortages of supply when necessary;
Amendment 8 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Recognises the limitations of export taxes for development purposes; insists however that export taxes can be an important policy tool in fostering the social and economic development of developing and least developed countries; therefore calls on the Commission to step back from insisting on the lifting of export taxes in international trade agreements;
Amendment 9 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 f (new)
Paragraph 1 f (new)
1f. Calls on the Commission to refrain from incorporating any temporary withdrawal provisions for beneficiary countries in its reform of the GSP mechanism that would infringe on a country’s legitimate right to implement certain export restrictions on its raw materials;
Amendment 10 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 g (new)
Paragraph 1 g (new)
1g. Rejects the inclusion of explicit guarantees on market access to raw materials in EU trade agreements and rejects calls for making this access a prerequisite for membership of the WTO;
Amendment 16 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the importance of trade in raw materials for sustainable economic growth and calls for an integrated raw materials diplomacy to be developed by the EU, based on its industrial policy agenda and in line with its development and environment policy;
Amendment 18 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Renews its call on the Commission and the Council to promote Fair Trade in Raw Material , as well as other independently monitored trading initiatives contributing to raising social and environmental standards in supporting small and marginalised producers in developing countries, encourages public authorities in the European Union to integrate Fair Trade and sustainability criteria into their public tenders and purchasing policies;
Amendment 23 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to ensure access to raw materials and rare earths through fair trade agreements and strategic trade partnerships that will allow developing countries to diversify and industrialise their economies; calls on the Commission in this context to incorporate compliance with ILO standards and international environmental standards into every trade agreements;
Amendment 29 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for an international agreement on regulatory standards on sustainable extraction of raw materials and an efficient use of resources and recycling, aiming at the prevention of commodity speculation, the protection of ecologically sensitive areas and to minimize environmental impacts and social consequences as well as binding all parties to the respect of common environmental, social, labour and human rights standards and good governance; reiterates its support for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI);
Amendment 38 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to draw up rules on the social responsibility of European undertakings involved in the mining of raw materials in source countries; insists that those rules must be binding and legally enforceable and relate to all stages of the exploitation of raw materials, including the corporation's accountability for adverse effects on the environment and livelihoods of indigenous communities;
Amendment 39 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. points out that competition for access to raw materials has often been a root cause of conflicts and wars, leading to the killing of millions of people for example in Central Africa and other regions of the world;
Amendment 40 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Takes note of the fact that the EU is a major consumer of conflict mineral based products; calls for the introduction of global standards that ensure a clean trade system based on the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas;
Amendment 48 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. This is of particular importance when it comes to the sourcing of so-called conflict minerals - such as cassiserite, coltan and wolfranite, which are mined in the DRC and widely used in mobile phones and laptops; refers to the Dodd Frank Act that was introduced in the US on April 1 as a possible model;
Amendment 56 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to take the necessary measures to ensure there is transparency on commodity markets and to act decisively against commodities speculation;
Amendment 58 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Regrets that many developing countries and in particular LDCs have been locked into the production and export of raw materials and commodities whose volatile prices constitute a serious impediment to the alleviation of poverty as well as the realisation of the MDGs but recognises that increasing commodity prices have contributed to a significant rise in the external accounts of some developing countries, dependent on primary commodities; notes however that in most cases this has not led to a more equal wealth distribution; underlines the opportunities for the producer countries which lay in the own exploration and management of raw material deposits when fundamental rules of transparency are respected;
Amendment 59 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Supports current efforts in developing countries and in particular in LDCs to diversify their economies and develop economic activities at more advanced stages of the production process, to also include processing and marketing and to enhance the quality, productivity and production of products with a higher degree of value added; urges the Commission to support national commodity development and diversification strategies with support from the European Development Fund when necessary;
Amendment 60 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Is concerned about the one dimensional character of the trade relations of most resource reach countries; considers the strengthening of regional economic frameworks and increased regional cooperation among developing countries to be of the utmost importance for the sustainable economic development of those countries; underlines in this respect the importance of south-south trade for the economic development of those countries;
Amendment 61 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 d (new)
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. calls on the Commission to support in the spirit of true partnership fragile states and governments of developing countries in the building up of an efficient management system for their raw materials, including advice on best practice in licensing issues, the negotiation of contracts providing for a just share in the profits for the population and for the society, the establishment of raw material processing industries as well as in the prevention of ecological damages; underlines the need to guarantee the full and equal participation of civil society organisations and the trade union movement in this process;
Amendment 62 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 e (new)
Paragraph 6 e (new)
6e. Recognises that liberalisation of trade in agricultural food products and agricultural primary commodities has exposed small scale farmers in developing countries and in particular in LDCs to many new challenges. As small scale farmers are largely comprised of women, this can have a disproportionately negative effect on them if they are not able to cope with external competition;
Amendment 63 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 f (new)
Paragraph 6 f (new)
6f. Supports developing countries in their endeavours to secure access to food for the local populations; believes that viable policy space must be further strengthened to enable national rules and measures for the development of this sector, as well as support women who carry the main responsibility for feeding their families and the local communities;
Amendment 64 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 g (new)
Paragraph 6 g (new)
6g. Reiterates the volatility on the commodity markets and of food in particular; underlines that the right to food is recognized in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), therefore insists that efficient mechanisms to introduce fixed price regulations for food and staple goods internationally are a matter of utmost importance;
Amendment 65 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 h (new)
Paragraph 6 h (new)
6h. Takes note of the increased scepticism regarding the economic and environmental benefits of agro fuel production; is alarmed by the growing conflict between agro fuel production and need to use agricultural land in the interest of food security and food sovereignty ; stresses the need to increase public research into alternative energy sources;
Amendment 66 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 i (new)
Paragraph 6 i (new)
6i. Notes the increase in leasing and buying off of farmland by emerging and developed economies - commonly referred to as land grabbing- in Africa in particular; notes that these practises largely occur as a result of unsustainable agricultural production internationally ; urges the Commission to not retreat to those new kind of colonialism in its trade and market access negotiations;
Amendment 67 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 82 #
2011/2056(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Encourages the Commission and EU companies to promote and invest in the transfer of environmentally friendly technologies;
Amendment 5 #
2011/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Is very concerned that the EU´s economic interests, particularly its interest in the Central Asian oil and gas reserves continue to take priority over addressing and publicly denouncing the consistent and severe breaches of human- and workers' rights in most of the countries of Central Asia;
Amendment 9 #
2011/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Insists on continuation of theing efforts towards modernisation of the education sector, including business educationa public, modern education sector that is free of charge and accessible to all;
Amendment 22 #
2011/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes structuralIs very critical of the reform towards a market economy and the development of a sound legal framework for foreign investment are not only vital for the economic development of the region but also will facilitate integration in the world economy and the accession to the WTO; Callsin Central Asia, points out that often it has led to an economy that is predominantly in the hands of oligarchs, foreign capital and the entourage onf the Central Asian statofficial power structures, to follow the lead of the Kyrgyz republic and do all the necessary reforms to be able to accede to the WTOhat legislation is often used to keep these power structures in place as is the case in Kazakhstan in relation to the "Leader of the Nation" law;
Amendment 32 #
2011/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that cooperation and trade in rare earth should become a priority issue in EU-Central Asia relations; insists however that prior to any agreement on trade in rare earth, a public and independent impact assessment on the environmental and social consequences of extracting rare earth needs to be conducted and its findings taken duly into account;
Amendment 36 #
2011/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Insists on strongly worded and binding human rights and environmental clauses to be integrated into all EU trade and cooperation agreements;
Amendment 38 #
2011/2008(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Is concerned about the adverse effects on the environment and public health caused by large scale mining activities; insists therefore that Corporate Social Responsibility must be a binding instrument if it is to have positive results;
Amendment 1 #
Amendment 23 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Directive 2005/36/EC only applies to professionals who want to pursue the same profession in another Member State. There are cases where the activities concerned are part of a profession with a larger scope of activities in the host Member State. If the differences between the fields of activity are so large that in reality a full programme of education and training is required from the professional to compensate for shortcomings and if the professional so requests, a host Member State should under these particular circumstances grant partial access. However, in case of overriding reasons of general interest, such as in the case of a doctor of medicine or other health professionals, a Member State should be able to refuse partial accessa Member State should be able to refuse partial access. Partial access should not be granted for professions providing health services or otherwise related to public health.
Amendment 43 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Whilst the Directive already provides for detailed obligations for Member States to exchange information, such obligations should be reinforced. Member States should not only react to request for information but also alert other Member States in a proactive manner. Such alert system should be similar to that of Directive 2006/123/EC. A specific alert mechanism is however necessary for health professionals benefiting from automatic recognitionregulated under Directive 2005/36/EC. This should also apply to veterinary surgeons unless the Member States have already triggered the alert mechanism provided for in Directive 2006/123/EC. All Member States should be alerted if a professional, due to a disciplinary action or criminal conviction related to the exercise of his or her profession, is no longer entitled to move to another Member State, or if a professional is temporarily or permanently removed from the right to practice in their home or host Member State. This alert should be activated through the IMI regardless of whether the professional has exercised any of the rights under Directive 2005/36/EC or of whether he has applied for recognition of his professional qualifications through the issuance of a European Professional Card or through any other method provided for by that Directive. The alert procedure should comply with Union law on the protection of personal data and other fundamental rights.
Amendment 48 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) In order to supplement or amend certain non-essential elements of Directive 2005/36/EC, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of updating of Annex I, setting the criteria for the calculation of fees related to the European Professional Card, establishing the details of the documentation necessary for the European Professional Card, the adaptations of the list of activities set out in Annex IV, the adaptations of points 5.1.1 to 5.1.4, 5.2.2, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.4.2, 5.5.2, 5.6.2 and 5.7.1 of Annex V, clarifying the knowledge and skills for medical doctors, nurses responsible for general care, dental practitioners, veterinary surgeons, midwives, pharmacists and architects, adapting the minimum periods of training for specialist medical trainings and specialist dental training, the inclusion in point 5.1.3 of Annex V of new medical specialities, the amendments to the list set out in points 5.2.1, 5.3.1, 5.4.1, 5.5.1 and 5.6.1 of Annex V, inclusion in point 5.3.3 of Annex V of new dental specialities, specifying the conditions of application of common training frameworks, and specifying the conditions of application of common training tests. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate representation and consultations during its preparatory work, including at experts at both European and national level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely, transparent and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 67 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 4a – paragraph 6
Article 4a – paragraph 6
6. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts specifying European Professional Cards for specific professions, following the request of the European sectoral social partners and professional associations representing the sectoral professions to establish a card for a specific profession, establishing the format of the European Professional Card, the translations necessary to support any application for issuing a European Professional Card and details for the assessment of applications, taking into account the particularities of each profession concerned. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 58. The Commission shall consult competent authorities and European and national level social partners and professional associations representing the sectoral professions of the related professions on the precise technicalities of the cards of specific professions.
Amendment 68 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 4a – paragraph 7
Article 4a – paragraph 7
7. Any fees which applicants may incur in relation toThe administrative procedures to issue a European Professional Card shall be reasonable, proportionate and commensurate with the costs incurred by the home and host Member States and shall not act as a disincentive to apply for a European Professional Card. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 58a concerning the setting of criteria for the calculation and distribution of feesnot represent any additional cost for the individual professional.
Amendment 70 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 4b – paragraph 3
Article 4b – paragraph 3
1. TIn sectors others than health and social care, the competent authority of the home Member State shall verify the application, create and validate a European Professional Card within two weeks from the date it receives a complete application. It shall inform the applicant and the Member State in which the applicant envisages to provide services, of the validation of the European Professional Card. The transmission of the validation informThe competent authority of the host Member State shall ensure the prior check of the complete application of the professional for temporary provision of service whether his or her qualifications are in conjunction with the national requirements of the host country on qualifications to the host Member States concerned shall constitute the declaration provided for in Article 7provide the same service. Member States shall provide a list to the Commission on certain professions where working with the temporary mobility card and under the prior declaration regime must require a prior check of application. The host Member State may not require a further declaration under Article 7 for the following two years, unless overriding concerns are expressed.
Amendment 75 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 4d – paragraph 1
Article 4d – paragraph 1
1. UIn sectors other than health and social care, upon receipt of a complete application for a European Professional Card, the competent authority of the home Member State shall, within two weeks, verify and confirm the authenticity and validity of the submitted supporting documents, create the European Professional Card, transmit it for validation to the competent authority of the host Member State and inform that authority on the corresponding IMI file. The applicant shall be informed by the home Member State of the state of the procedure.
Amendment 89 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 4f – paragraph 2
Article 4f – paragraph 2
2. The concept of partial access shall not apply to the sectoral professions falling under the regime of automatically recognised professions and for health professions in general. Partial access may be rejected if such rejection is justified by an overriding reason of general interest, such as public health, it would secure the attainment of the objective pursued and it would not go beyond what is strictly necessary.
Amendment 130 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 17
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 22
Article 22
For the purposes of point (b) of the first paragraph, as from [insert date - the day after the date set out in first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of Article 3] and every five years thereafter, the competent authorities in Member States shall submit publicly available reports to the Commission and to the other Member States on their continuing education and training procedures related to doctors of medicine, medical specialists, nurses responsible for general care, dental practitioners, specialised dental practitioners, veterinary surgeons, midwives and pharmacists. Member States must have systems in place to ensure that health professionals can regularly update their skills trough continuous professional development. The onus shall be on employers to ensure that sufficient supports, practical, financial and other, are in place to allow employees to fully engage and comply with continuous professional development requirements.
Amendment 156 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 38
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 38
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 53 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 53 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
A Member State shall ensure that any controls of the knowledge of a language are carried out by a competent authority free of charge for the applicant after the decisions referred to in Articles 4d, 7(4) and 51(3) have been taken and if there is a serious and concrete doubt about the professional's sufficient language knowledge in respect of the professional activities this person intends to pursue.
Amendment 171 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 56a – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 56a – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The competent authorities of a Member State shall inform the competent authorities of all other Member States and the Commission about the identity of a professional who has been prohibited by national authorities or courts from pursuing, even temporarily, on the territory of thatemporarily or permanently removed from the right to practice in their home or host Member State the following professional activities:
Amendment 173 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 42
Directive 2005/36/EC
Article 56a – paragraph 1 – point ca (new)
Article 56a – paragraph 1 – point ca (new)
(c a) nurses recognised under the scope of Article 10;
Amendment 180 #
2011/0435(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 46
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 46
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee on the recognition of professional qualifications, ensuring appropriate representation and consultation at both European and national expert level. That Committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.
Amendment 7 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) Conflicts and crisis situations, including natural and man-made disasters are often the result of failed economic, trade, social and environmental policies on all levels of decision making, including at Union level. Reversing those failed policies must therefore be the first priority of the EU in its commitment to preserve peace and prevent conflict. International trade policy can be a powerful tool in achieving these commitments, providing it is used in the interest of sustainable, human, economic development, the environment and solidarity and applies the highest possible environmental and social standards.
Amendment 8 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to adapt the scope of this Regulation to the rapidly evolving reality, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the detailed areas of technical and financial assistance provided in the Annexes to this Regulation, and to adopt additional procedures for exchanging information and cooperation. It is of particular importance that the Commission should carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, shouldmust further ensure timely transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and Council in order for those institutions to be in a position to exercise their full powers, including their right to veto a delegated act or revoke the delegation.
Amendment 10 #
2011/0413(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) to addressurgently address climate change as a specific global and trans- regional threats having a destabilising effect, including climate change.
Amendment 12 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) A European State which has applied to join the Union can become a member only when it has been confirmed that it meets the membership criteria agreed at the Copenhagen European Council in June 1993 and provided that the accession does not overstretch the capacity of the Union to integrate the new member. These criteria relate to the stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, respect of human rightsdemocratic and human rights, the fight against poverty and respect for, and protection of, minorities, the development of the economy that must be sufficient to withstand the competitive pressure in the internal market, in particular when it comes to maintaining and improving wage levels, workers' and trade union rights, public services, including health, education and pensions, the protection of the environment and the ability to assume not only the rights but also the obligations under the Treaties.
Amendment 16 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Assistance under this Regulation should be provided in accordance with the enlargement policy framework defined by the Union for each beneficiary country reflected in the annual enlargement package of the Commission, which includes the Progress Reports and the Enlargement Strategy, in the Stabilisation and Association agreements and in the European or Accession Partnerships. Assistance should mainly focus on a limited number of policy areas that will help beneficiary countries strengthen democratic institutions and the rule of law, reformstrengthen the democratic reform and accountability of the judiciary and public administration, promote and respect fundamental rights and promote gender equality and non- discrimination, democratic, human and workers´ rights and promote and mainstream gender equality, the effective implementation of the principles of non discrimination on the grounds of sex, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation; enhance the rights of the child and combat violence and harassment against women, children, minorities and other vulnerable persons. It should also enhance their economic and social development, underpinning a smart, sustainable and inclusive growth agenda; it should in particular increase its support for the fights against social exclusion and poverty in line with the Europe 2020 strategy and to align progressively with the Copenhagen criteria. The coherence between the financial assistance and the overall progress made in the implementation of the pre-accession strategy should be strengthened.
Amendment 18 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) It is in the Union's interest to, if they so wish, assist beneficiary countries in their efforts to reform their systems in order to align them to those of the Union. Since the objective of this Regulation cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States and can be better achieved at Union's level, the Union may adopt measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve this objective.
Amendment 19 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) With regard to these delegated acts, it is of particular importance that the Commission should carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing up delegated acts, shouldmust further ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and Council. in order for those institutions to be in a position to exercise their full powers, including their right to veto a delegated act or revoke the delegation;
Amendment 20 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) strengthening of democratic institutions and the rule of law, including its implementation; involve trade unions and other civil society organisations, local and regional authorities in the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation;
Amendment 22 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) promotion and protection of humandemocratic, human and workers´ rights and fundamental freedoms, enhanced respect for minority rights, promotion of gender equality, non-discrimination andincluding the right to self determination, promotion and mainstreaming of gender equality, the effective implementation of the principles of non-discrimination on the grounds of sex, ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation, including equality between women and men and the rights of all persons, including persons with disabilities and of the elderly, to guarantee data protection, enhance the rights of the child, combat violence and harassment against women, children, minorities and other vulnerable persons; promotion and protection of the freedom of the press, and promotion of good neighbourly relations;
Amendment 26 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) economic reforms necessary to cope with competitive pressure and market forces withdemocratising the Unioneconomy, while pursuing economic,substantially increasing social and environmental goals;
Amendment 29 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) fostering employment and developing human capitaljob creation and public investment in education;
Amendment 30 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) social and economic inclusion, in particular of minorities and vulnerable groups; full respect for trade union rights;
Amendment 32 #
2011/0404(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – indent 2
– Progress in democratic economic reforms; the soundness and effectiveness of social and economic development strategies, progress towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth, including through public investments supported by IPA;
Amendment 22 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was established by Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund19 for the duration of the Financial Framework from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013 to enable the Union to show solidarity towardscushion the negative consequences for workers made redundant as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation and to provide support for their rapid reintegration into employmentstemming from the neoliberal policies the EU, amongst others, is pursuing. While increasing profitability of big business, these policies stimulate competition between workers and thus lead not only to the driving down of wages and conditions but also to massive job losses as a result of downsizing and relocation. This initial objective of the EGF remains valid.
Amendment 23 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) Whereas the EGF does not provide a solution to growing unemployment and the undermining of working conditions across the EU. If the EU and national governments are serious about fighting unemployment they should introduce measures, including the nationalisation of the main sectors of the economy and of those companies threatened with relocation and job losses in order to stop the race to the bottom of workers´ wages and conditions;
Amendment 26 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
Amendment 28 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In order to maintain the European nature of the EGF, an application for support should be triggered when the number of redundancies reaches a minimum threshold. In small labour markets, such as small Member States or remote regions, and in exceptional circumstances, applications may be submitted for a lower number of redundancies. As regards farmers, the necessary criteria should be determined by the Commission in relation to the consequences of each trade agreement.
Amendment 30 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Redundant workers should have equal access to the EGF independently of their type of employment contract or employment relationship. Therefore, workers with fixed term contracts and temporary agency workers made redundant as well as owner-managers of micro, and small and medium-sized enterprises and self- employed workers who cease their activities and farmers who change or adjust their activities to a new market situation following trade agreements, should be regarded as redundant workers for the purposes of this Regulation.
Amendment 32 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
Amendment 34 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Financial contributions from the EGF should be primarily directed at active labour market measures aimed at reintegrating redundant workers rapidly into employment, either within or outside their initial sector of activity,; including the agricultural sector. The inclusion of pecuniary allowances in a coordinated package of personalised services should therefore be restricted.t is vital that employment is defined as decent and full time employment with due respect to working conditions, wages and full trade union rights; considers this essential in halting the race to the bottom;
Amendment 38 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) When drawing up the coordinated package of active labour market policy measures, Member States should favour measures that will significantly contribute to the employability of the redundant workers. Member States should strive towards the reintegration into employment or new activities of at least 50 %all of the targeted workers within 12 months of the date of application.
Amendment 40 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Special provisions should be included for information and communication activities on EGF cases and outcomes. In addition, to bring about greater efficiency in communication to the public at large and stronger synergies between the communication activities undertaken at the initiative of the Commission, the resources allocated to communication actions under this Regulation should also contribute to covering the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union provided that these are related to the general objectives of this Regulation.
Amendment 41 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) To facilitate the implementation of this Regulation, expenditure should be eligible either from the date on which a Member State incurs administrative expenditure for implementing the EGF or from the date on which a Member State starts to provide personalised services or, in the case of farmers, from the date set in a Commission act in accordance with Article 4(3).
Amendment 45 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) Farmers are adversely affected by market liberalisation in agricultural products and FTAs concluded by the EU; supports the necessity for farmers to have access to financial compensation and assistance in reorganising their activities in a financially and ecologically sustainable way; is of the opinion that their needs are best addressed in the context of the reform of the CAP and that the EGF should be maintained as a fund for workers affected by globalisation and the economic crisis;
Amendment 47 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
The aim of the EGF shall be to contribute to economic growth and employment in the Union by enabling the Union to show solidarity towards workers made redundant as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation, trade agreements affecting agriculture, or an unexpected crisis, and to provide financial support for their rapid reintegration into employment, or for changing or adjusting their agricultural activities.
Amendment 52 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 54 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) ‘a worker’ means owner-managers of micro, small and medium and small-sized enterprises and, self- employed workers (including farmers) and all members of the household active in the business, provided that, if farmers, they were already producing the output affected by the relevant trade agreement before the measures concerning the specific sector were implemented.
Amendment 58 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Amendment 60 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. Where owner-managers of micro, small and medium and small-sized enterprises and self- employed workers change or, in the case of farmers, adjust their previous activities, such situations shall be considered as redundancies for the purposes of this Regulation.
Amendment 62 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) For owner-managers of micro, and small and medium-sized enterprises and self- employed workers (including farmers), the redundancy shall be counted either from the date of cessation of the activities caused by any of the conditions set out in Article 2, and determined in accordance with national law or administrative provisions, or from the date specified by the Commission in the delegated act adopted in accordance with the Article 4(3).
Amendment 64 #
2011/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 1 #
2011/0177(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that, even if actions designed to enhance the EU’s trade and economic relations are provided for in various instruments, in the proposal for the MFF 2014-2020, under heading 4 (Global Europe), proper account must be taken in individual subheadings of the EU’s trade policy objectives of achieving the promotion of open marfair and sustainable trade, poverty eradication, a bold and determined approach towards combating climate change, food speculation and subsequent food shortages and hikets in order to creatfood prices and to contribute towards creating sustainable economic growth and full employment;
Amendment 3 #
2011/0177(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Believes that the economic and trade components of the partnership instruments, while remaining within the overall existing budget, should only receive a larger share of its allocation, in order to ensure that the EU’s main channels for economic cooperation wif there is a fundamental review of the EU´s trade policy that reflects the failures of aggressive trade liberalisation in the commercial interest of EU based corporations and puts the its major trade partners are not neglected in the final MFF negotiationsnterests of the majority of the world's population and the environment at the heart of the EU´s trade policy;
Amendment 4 #
2011/0177(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the Commission’s proposal to expand commitments under heading 4, but that appropriations are unlikely to grow at inflation rate over the full term of the MFF; notes that it is claimed by some that the budge; insists that the proposed budget increase for the Southern and Eastern Neighbourhood Policy must be used to contribute substantially towards fulfilling the social as well as economic aspirations of the masses of those regions and that increased for ‘neighbourhood policy’ might not cover some of the stated objectives in this policy area, including that of substantially increasing economic and commercial ties with countries in the regionunding will take place on the condition of promoting sustainable economic development, deepened regional co-operation, a decrease in unemployment and a rise in living standards for the whole population, as opposed to being a tool for the economic and political interests of big business in Europe;
Amendment 5 #
2011/0177(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges, in view of the macro-economic environment and the challenges that must be faced in a changing world and in order to ensure better and more efficient use of existing EU funds, that the MFF 2014- 2020 be allowed greater flexibility to appropriately address changing circumstances and priorities while respecting agreed payment appropriation level; stresses that these priorities must relate to trade measures supporting sustainable and fair trade which will contribute towards achieving the MDGs , food security and food sovereignty, the development of sustainable energy resources and technology, closer regional integration and towards sustainable social and economic development of LDCs and developing countries;
Amendment 5 #
2011/0177(APP)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. ConsenRejects to the draft Council regulation laying down the Mmultiannual Ffinancial Fframework for the years 2014-2020;
Amendment 6 #
2011/0177(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Asks for consistency with regard to the instruments under heading 4 and the budget allocations envisaged for the latter under heading 5; stresses that successful implementation of heading 4 instruments will be ensured through procedural and spending-level checks that can be best carried out, especially inheading 4 instruments, provided they are in line with their policy objective of fair and economically, ecologically and socially sustainable trade, need to be matched with appropriate funding under heading 5 if theird countries, if sufficient resources are implementation is to be successful;
Amendment 8 #
2011/0177(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a (new) Notes the Commission’s proposal to change the scope of the EGF and to decrease its funding as well as to set up a new Special Reserve for crises in the agricultural sector outside the MFF, insists that where claims of payments from these instruments stem from the adverse consequences of bilateral, plurilateral or multilateral free trade agreements between the EU and third countries for workers and small farmers, the EU should draw the conclusion to refrain from concluding such agreements; underlines in this regard the importance of proper funding for ex-ante social impact assessments by independent and publicly funded research institutes;
Amendment 9 #
2011/0177(APP)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b (new) Notes the EU’s ambition to allocate at least 20% of its budget to contribute to a low-carbon and climate- resilient society and to mainstream action on climate and biodiversity throughout its external instruments; underlines the priority of the objective and states that the allocation of 20% must be seen as the bare minimum; insists that this objective must find its expression in the EU´s trade policy reflected through the external instruments.
Amendment 55 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The European Union is a major provider ofs economic, financial and technical assistance to third countries. Union macro-financial assistance (hereinafter ‘macro-financial assistance’) has proved an efficient instrument for economic stabilisation and a driver for structural reforms in the beneficiary countries. In accordance with its overall policy vis-à-vis candidate, potential candidate, and neighbourhood countries, the Union should be in a position to provide macro-financial assistance to those countries with the aim of developing a zone of shared stability, security, and prosperityliving standards, sustainable and decent jobs as well as health and education facilities.
Amendment 56 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) A framework for delivering macro- financial assistance to third countries with which the Union has important political, economic and commercial ties should make the assistance more effective. In particular, it should be possible to provide macro-financial assistance to third countries to encourage them to adopt economic policy measures likely to solve a balance of payments crisis.
Amendment 58 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In its conclusions of 8 October 2002, the Council established criteria (the so- called Genval criteria) to guide the EU's macro-financial assistance operations. It is appropriate to formalisereview these criteria, in a legal act endorsed by both the Parliament and the Council while updating and clarifying themparticular those on complementarity, conditionality and financial discipline.
Amendment 59 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
Amendment 60 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Macro-financial assistance should support the beneficiary countries' commitments to common values with the Union, includingfirst and foremost, democracy, the rule of law, good governance, respect for human rights, sustainable development and poverty reduction, as well as to the principles of open, rules-based and fair trade.
Amendment 61 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The specific objectives of individual macro-financial assistance operations should include the strengthening of efficiency, transparency and accountability of public finance management in the beneficiary countries. The fulfilment of these objectives should be regularly monitored by the Commission, public sector trade unions and representatives of civil society in the beneficiary country.
Amendment 62 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
Amendment 63 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to ensure efficient protection of the Union's financial interests linked to macro-financial assistancethe use of macro- financial assistance in the interest of the majority of the population in the beneficiary country, it is necessary to provide for appropriate measures by the beneficiary countries related to the prevention of, and the fight against, fraud, corruption and any other irregularities linked to this assistance, as well as for controls by the Commission and audits by the Court of Auditors.
Amendment 64 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementationdemocratic oversight of this Regulation, as regards the approval and management of macro- financial assistance operations in beneficiary countries, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission's exercise of implementing powersthe ordinary legislative procedure outlined in Article 294 of the TFEU should be followed in relation to each proposal to grant MFA to a third country.
Amendment 65 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
Amendment 66 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
Amendment 67 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. Macro-financial assistance shall be an exceptional financial instrument of untied and undesignated balance-of-payments support to eligible third countries and territories. It shall aim at restoring a sustainable external finance situation for countries facing external financing difficulties. It shall underpin the implementation of strong adjustment and structural reform measures designed to remedy balance of payments difficulties.
Amendment 68 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Amendment 70 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) Other third countries in exceptional and duly justified circumstances. Such countries must be politically, economically and geographically close to the European Union.
Amendment 73 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. Where macro-financial assistance takes the form of a loan, the Commission shall be empowered on behalf of the Union to borrow the necessary funds on the capital markets or from financial institutions and on-lend them to the beneficiary country, at an interest rate not to exceed the rate which the Commission has incurred.
Amendment 74 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. At the request of the beneficiary country, and where circumstances permit an improvement of the interest rate of the loan, the Commission may refinance all or part of its initial borrowings or restructure the corresponding financial conditions. Refinancing and restructuring operations shall be carried out in accordance with the conditions laid down in paragraph 4 and shall not have the effect of extending the average maturity of the borrowing concerned or increasing the amount of capital outstanding at the date of the refinancing or restructuring.
Amendment 75 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. The amount of the assistance shall be based on the residual external financing needs of the beneficiary country. These shall be established by the Commission in cooperation with international financial institutions, based on a comprehensive and well documented quantitative assessment. In particular, the Commission will draw on the latest balance of payments projections for the country in question produced by the IMF and take into account the expected financial contributions from multilateral donors.
Amendment 76 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Amendment 78 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 79 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Amendment 80 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. With a view to protecting the Union's financial interests and reinforcing beneficiary countries' governance, the Memorandum of Understanding shall include measures aiming at strengthening the efficiency, transparency and accountability of public finance management systems in the interest of the majority of the population.
Amendment 81 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 5
Article 6 – paragraph 5
Amendment 82 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Amendment 85 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. Following the approval of the decision granting macro-financial assistance, the Commission, acting in accordance with Article 14(3), shall agree the policy measures referred to in Article 6(3), (4), (5) and (64) with the beneficiary country.
Amendment 86 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. The Commission shall inform the European Parliament and the Council of developments in country-specific assistance and provide them with the relevant documents in due time.
Amendment 87 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Amendment 88 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Amendment 89 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Amendment 90 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Amendment 91 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 5
Article 11 – paragraph 5
5. Where it has been established that, in relation to the management of assistance under this Regulation, a beneficiary country has engaged in any act of fraud or corruption or any other illegal activity detrimental to the financial interests of the Union, the Commission shall be entitled to the full repayment of the grant and/or the early repayment of the loan.
Amendment 92 #
2011/0176(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
Article 13 – paragraph 2
2. The annual report shall assess the economic situation and prospects of the beneficiary countries, as well as the progress made with the implementation of the policy measures referred to in Article 6(3).
Amendment 20 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Directive 2004/40/EC should be repealed and more appropriate and proportionate measures protecting workers from the risks associated with electromagnetic fields should be introduced. However, presently it does not address the long-term effects, including possible carcinogenic effects of exposure to time- varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields, for which there is currently no conclusive scientific evidence establishing a causal relationship. The present measures should be intended not only to ensure the health and safety of each worker on an individual basis, but also to create a minimum basis of protection for all Union workers, while reducing possible distortions of competition. The Commission and the Member States should step up research and the collection of data on the long-term effects of exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields. The Commission should assess the scientific evidence for long-term effects within 5 years after publication of this Directive in the Official Journal of the European Union and present a proposal for its review in order to include the protection of workers health and safety against such long-term effects.
Amendment 28 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) A system including exposure limit values, orientation values and action values, wherever applicable, should be seen as a means to facilitate the provision of a high level of protection against the established adverse health effects that may result from exposure to electromagnetic fields. But such a system may conflict with specific conditions in certain activities, such as medical procedures using magnetic resonance techniques or military operations where interoperability is required and where internationally accepted standards providing an equivalent protection of workers subject to specific exposure situations are already in place. It is therefore necessary to take these particular conditions into account.
Amendment 34 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Amendment 70 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Amendment 81 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. By way of derogation, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to the armed forces in Member States where an equivalent and more specific protection system such as NATO standard STANAG 2345 is already in place and implemented. However, Member States shall ensure that health surveillance in accordance with Article 14 of Directive 89/391/EEC and Article 8 of this Directive is effectively implemented. Member States shall inform the Commission of the existence and effective implementation of such protection systems when notifying the transposition of the provisions of this Directive into national legislation in accordance with Article 14.
Amendment 86 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 6
Article 3 – paragraph 6
6. Without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5, workers may not be exposed above the exposure limit values for health effects. For specific situations where these values may temporarily be exceeded, Member States may put in place a system authorising work under controlled conditions and on the basis of a comprehensive risk assessment setting out the actual exposure levels and their likelihood and comparing them to the exposure limit values defined in Annexes II and III. Such specific situations shall be reported to the Commission in the report referred to in Article 17a of Directive 89/391/EEC.
Amendment 101 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Amendment 149 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. In any event, workers shall not be exposed above the exposure limit values for health effects unless the conditions under Article 3(6) are fulfilled. If, despite the measures taken by the employer to comply with this Directive, the exposure limit values for health effects are exceeded, the employer shall take immediate action to reduce exposure below these exposure limit values. The employer shall identify the reasons why the exposure limit values for health effects have been exceeded, and shall amend the protection and prevention measures accordingly in order to prevent them being exceeded again.
Amendment 185 #
2011/0152(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14
Article 14
The report to be established in accordance to Article 17(a) of Directive 89/391/EEC shall notably report on the effectiveness of the Directive in reducing exposure to electromagnetic fields and the percentage of workplaces that required corrective action. The Commission shall assess the scientific evidence for long-term effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields within 5 years after the publication of this Directive in the Official Journal of the European Union and submit a proposal for its review in order to include the protection of workers health and safety against such long-term effects.
Amendment 8 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the competition between different social systems resulting from the opening up of the world market; notes a rise in the level of informal work in urban areas as well as violations of the principles of decent work despite the existence of a legislative framework governing employment conditions; notes better access to the employment market and a fall in rural unemployment as a result of the opening up of the Chinese economythat the opening up of the Chinese economy to international capitalism has seen a huge shift in wealth from labour to capital; notes that from 1983 to 2005 the share of GDP going to wages has shifted from 57% to 37% despite increases in labour productivity of close to 10% per annum;
Amendment 18 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the impact which China, as the biggest exporting country, has on the world economy and the responsibility which this entails to comply with minimum social standards; welcomnotes the efforts madeintroduction of legislation by Chinese central and local government in this area; however, also notes the widespread lack of compliance with these regulations and the relaxed enforcement of these regulations by the authorities; emphasises the importance of a comprehensive law on social protection and health care and strict monitoring of compliance with legislation on employment conditions by genuinely independent and democratic trade unions; underlines the importance of compliance with International Labour Organisation rules and respect for the right to freely form trade unions; calls upon EU-based companies operating in China to fully comply with minimum social standards and to allow genuinely independent and democratic trade unions operate and be given full bargaining rights in their companies;
Amendment 47 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the Chinese population is getting older and that the seemingly endless growth in the available workforce, in particular lower-skilled workers, appears to be drying up; notesregime and large multinational corporations based in China are using the threat a shift in trade from China to other South-East Asian countries is taking place as a result of potential cost advantages; calls, therefore, on the Commission to introduce an integrated European policy for the South-East Asia regionof relocation to other countries in an attempt to keep Chinese workers’ wages low; notes that in 2009 14.4% of workers experience unpaid wages;
Amendment 50 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that European direct foreign -based big businvestment in China is not having any measurably negative impact on employment in Europe, but, on the contrary, is having a positive effect on employment in the European branches of the companies concerned.s attempts to use the existence of low wages in China to drive down pay and conditions for European based workers in a ‘race to the bottom’; calls for international solidarity and action by the international trade union movement to cut across this tactic and to fight for decent pay and conditions for all workers;
Amendment 59 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Expresses full support to Chinese workers in their struggle for decent pay and working conditions as well as the right to found grassroots independent trade unions democratically founded and controlled from below by workers;
Amendment 60 #
2010/2301(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Notes the increased clampdown on democratic rights by the Chinese regime in recent months including the jailing and persecution of trade unionists.
Amendment 2 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Uzbekistan inherited and kept largely unreformed a state-run agricultural system, whereas other countries in the same region, such as Kazakhstan and to a lesser extent Tajikistan, are modernising their agriculture and addressing many of the problemsich is largely run by the undemocratic state bureaucracy,
Amendment 7 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. whereas, on the basis of the principles and objectives of the Union’s external action, the EU has the moral responsibility to use its leverage, as one of the main trading partners and a major importer of cotton from Uzbekistan, to stop the use of forced child labour in this country, whereas, therefore, the protocol cannot be treated as a purely technical agreement, as long as human rights concerns, such as forced child labour, are raised precisely with regards to cotton harvest,
Amendment 9 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas fair international trade requires competition on a level playing- field and the economic factors determining the pricing of products exported to the EU should not be distorted by practices contrary to the basic principles of Human Rights and the rights of the child,
Amendment 11 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U a (new)
Recital U a (new)
Ua. whereas the Uzbek government liquidated the registration of the NGO ‘Human Rights Watch’ and continuously obstructs the activities of other non- governmental organisations active in the fields of human rights, labour rights and environmental protection,
Amendment 12 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U b (new)
Recital U b (new)
Ub. whereas the Uzbek government acts in contradiction to the outcome of the European Union - Central Asia Ministerial meeting in Tashkent on April 7, 2011, in which ‘the sides recalled that the development of a strong civil society constitutes an integral part of democracy development’,
Amendment 13 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Recital U c (new)
Recital U c (new)
Uc. whereas the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Brussels has repeatedly been invited to engage in an exchange of views with the European Parliament Committee on International Trade ‘on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of a Protocol to the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement establishing a partnership between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Uzbekistan, of the other part, amending the Agreement in order to extend the provisions of the Agreement to bilateral trade in textiles, taking account of the expiry of the bilateral textiles Agreement’ but unfortunately has failed to do so,
Amendment 18 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (iv)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (iv)
(iv) Contribute through policy dialogue and assistance programmes to market- oriented reforms of Uzbekistan’so reforms of Uzbekistan’s economy and agricultural sector that serve the interests and needs of the Uzbek population such as introducing high level labour- , social – and ecological standards in the agricultural sector and beyond;
Amendment 23 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (vi)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (vi)
(vi) Develop an effective and binding tracing mechanism for the products being produced trough the worst forms of child labour and child labour generally;
Amendment 29 #
2010/0323(NLE)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (ix) a (new)
Paragraph 1 subparagraph (ix) a (new)
(ix) a. Calls on the Council and on High Representative Ashton to set a deadline for the end of the ongoing human rights violations which represent a breach of Article 2 of the EU-Uzbekistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, or otherwise suspend the Agreement in order to prevent this ‘partnership’ from turning into complicity;
Amendment 2 #
2008/0251(NLE)
Proposal for a recommendation
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. CDeclines to consents to conclusion of the Agreement;