Progress: Procedure completed
Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
---|---|---|---|
Lead | IMCO | CORAZZA BILDT Anna Maria ( PPE), IRIGOYEN PÉREZ María ( S&D), LØKKEGAARD Morten ( ALDE), RÜHLE Heide ( Verts/ALE), HARBOUR Malcolm ( ECR), SALVINI Matteo ( EFD) | |
Committee Opinion | ENVI | ||
Committee Opinion | EMPL | CASA David ( PPE) | |
Committee Opinion | JURI | ||
Committee Opinion | ECON | ||
Committee Opinion | ITRE |
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54
Legal Basis:
RoP 54Subjects
- 2.10 Free movement of goods
- 2.40.01 Right of establishment
- 2.60.01 Trade restrictions, concerted practices, dominant positions
- 3.30.25 International information networks and society, internet
- 3.40.17 Manufactured goods
- 3.45 Enterprise policy, inter-company cooperation
- 4.60.02 Consumer information, advertising, labelling
- 4.60.06 Consumers' economic and legal interests
Events
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the European Retail Action Plan for the benefit of all actors, following the Commission’s communication on the same subject.
The importance of the retail market: Parliament welcomed the Commission’s Action Plan and recalled the importance of the retail market and given that it represented 11% of EU GDP and delivered more than 15 % of all jobs in Europe. It did, however, state that the Action Plan should have paid more attention to the effects of the current economic crisis on retail and, in particular, on smaller, independent shops .
Members called on the Commission and the Member States to give the highest political prominence to the retail sector as a pillar of the Single Market , including the Digital Single Market, and to lift regulatory, administrative and practical obstacles hampering the start-up of businesses.
The retail sector in the current economic crisis: the resolution urged Member States not to take measures in the context of austerity policies which would undermine consumer confidence and directly harm the interests of the retail sector, such as increasing VAT, reclassifying products and product rates or raising charges for shops. It reiterated the importance of improving access to finance, in particular for retail and wholesale trade SMEs.
With the aim of ensuring better governance, it called on the Commission to operate a zero-tolerance policy towards those Member States which fail to properly apply internal market rules and to do so, where appropriate, by means of infringement procedures and by speeding up those procedures using a fast-track approach.
Supporting independent retailers: Parliament encouraged local and regional authorities to promote actions aimed at facilitating equal access and creating a level playing field for the independent retailer, in full respect of free and fair competition, such as:
the encouragement of the ‘adopt-a-shop’ principle by which larger retailers act as ‘mentors’ to smaller shops in the same locality, in particular for new market entrants; the promotion of groups of independent retailers, including co-operatives, which benefit from mutual assistance and certain economies of scale, whilst retaining their full independence and; respect for the right of local and regional authorities to stimulate a climate favourable to small, independent shops , which are typically established in town centres, by lowering energy rates – including for signs illuminated by night – and rents via public-private partnerships, and by introducing business rate discounts on local charges for small businesses and independent retailers.
Parliament recalled that while a concentration of shops outside city centres can be convenient for some consumers, it can also have negative environmental effects and can be a challenge for other consumers, in particular for older people, people with reduced mobility. It therefore called for a balanced approach, taking into account the fact that in many regions the saturation point has already been reached.
Members also stressed the importance of proper enforcement of the Services Directive . They urged Member States to remove barriers to free movement and to open up their markets in order to stimulate competitiveness and promote diversity among shops.
E-commerce: in the context of the rapid development of e-commerce, the resolution encouraged retailers to make the most of innovative technologies and to develop new business models for their on-line customer base. The Commission was called upon to propose a strategy to prevent traders from adopting discriminatory policies in their e-commerce practices, thereby ensuring that all European citizens have unfettered access to cross-border online trade.
Payment systems: Parliament welcomed the Commission proposal on Multi-Lateral Interchange Fees (MIF) and stressed the importance of removing card scheme rules which reinforce the anticompetitive effects of the MIF. They urged the Commission to support Member States that already have transparent, competitive and innovative payment systems and to use them as best practices in further developing a cheaper and fairer payments market in Europe.
Consumers: Parliament welcomed the Commission’s intention to develop instruments to facilitate consumer access to transparent, easily understandable, comparable, and reliable information on the prices, quality and sustainability of goods and services. It encouraged the Commission to set up an easily accessible database containing all EU and national labelling requirements.
Sustainability: Members highlighted the retail sector’s responsibility concerning sustainability. They welcomed the fact that retailers and suppliers have been at the forefront of green responsibility , particularly regarding waste, energy consumption, transport and CO2 reduction. Voluntary initiatives and commitments have been taken by some retailers and suppliers to reduce food waste.
The report also called on the importance of the proper implementation of existing social and labour legislation . It called for equal treatment for commercial operators in the internal market in order to combat undeclared work and tax and social fraud.
Unfair trading practices (UTPs): voluntary initiatives, which already exist in some Member States and are currently also being developed at EU-level by the High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain, were to be welcomed. Parliament should urgently resolve pending issues relating to its participation in the work of the Forum.
As regards the weaker market players , Parliament suggested the possibility of the appointment of an ombudsman or adjudicator who could submit complaints about UTPs on their behalf. They called on the Commission to ensure the right of small suppliers to set up groups of producers without being penalised by national competition authorities, which have assessed the importance of these groups based on national production alone.
Lastly, Members welcomed the Commission’s intention to create a permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness, and underlined its support for the Retail Market Roundtable organised by the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, as the institutional forum aimed at keeping retail high on the EU political agenda.
PURPOSE: to set up a European Retail Action Plan.
BACKGROUND: Retail and wholesale services, also known as distributive trades, represent 11% of the EU’s GDP and account for almost 15% of the EU’s total employment . More than 6 million companies, i.e., 29% of all EU undertakings, are active in this sector. The retail sector is characterised by a very high share of SMEs, particularly micro companies (more than 95%).
The retail and wholesale sectors have an essential role to play in stimulating growth and job creation under the Europe 2020 strategy: they are among the key sectors that can drive the transition to both a more sustainable economy and consumption patterns. Efficiency in this sector has implications for competition, innovation, price trends and competitiveness. However, certain obstacles still prevent the achievement of an efficient and competitive single retail market.
The bottlenecks identified in the retail sector, which often cut across various policy areas, need to be addressed through a coherent plan to enhance the sector's economic, social and environmental performance, and to ensure that it fully contributes to the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
Two major challenges exist in the EU retail sector:
restrictions on establishment and, more generally, lack of competitiveness in the retail sector, in particular in some Member States, and a need to lower barriers and reduce operational restrictions.
This Action Plan aims at addressing these key obstacles by setting out a strategy to improve the competitiveness of the retail sector and enhance the sector’s economic, environmental and social performance.
CONTENT: the main aim of the Action Plan is to propose a strategy for achieving a well-functioning Single Market in Retail , thereby contributing to the EU’s territorial and social cohesion - through improved access to more sustainable and competitive retail services.
Addressing the key bottlenecks in achieving the Single Market in Retail has the potential to
bring benefits to all the actors concerned, and to the environment:
Consumers: improved access to quality retail services and products, more competitive prices and better information on quality and prices, as well as on the environmental characteristics of products, would enhance consumer choice within both ‘bricks and mortar’ and e-commerce retail formats. Businesses: retailers and their suppliers, especially SMEs, would benefit tangibly from the Single Market through the development of a more predictable legal environment, enabling them to deliver even greater value throughout the supply chain. Similarly, by addressing unfairness in the supply chain, upstream and downstream players would enjoy more sustainable relationships and would be encouraged to increase both innovation and investment. Further development of e-commerce will benefit retailers by providing them with more opportunities to find new markets. Employees: the retail sector should benefit from more qualified staff and improved working conditions, leading to higher job satisfaction. Improving employee training would also help provide better job opportunities, especially for the young and less qualified.
The Action Plan comprises 11 concrete actions , forming a coherent, holistic European strategy:
- consumer empowerment: the Commission intends to give consumers more of a vouce by:
developing, through dialogue with stakeholders, good-practice guidelines and/or codes of conduct to facilitate consumer access to transparent and reliable information, making it easier to compare prices, quality and sustainability of goods and services. In particular, the inclusion of cross-border offers by comparison websites is important for consumers to be able to take full advantage of the Single Market; proposing European methodologies for measuring and communicating the overall environmental footprint of products and organisations.
- access to more competitive retail services: the aim is to strengthen freedom of establishment in the retail sector and encourage e-commerce as a means of underpinning the retail sector. In this context:
Member States must remove all remaining instances of non-compliance with unequivocal obligations under the Services Directive concerning access to, and exercise of, retail activities, including eliminating economic needs tests within the meaning of Article 14(5) of the Services Directive. The Commission will apply its zero-tolerance policy through infringement procedures, where appropriate; the Commission will: (a) launch a performance check in the retail sector to explore how commercial and spatial planning rules and plans are applied on the ground by the competent authorities where a potential service provider wishes to set up a small, medium or large retail outlet; (b) through exchange of best practices, provide for greater clarity regarding the proper balance between freedom of establishment, spatial/commercial planning, and environmental and social protection.
- developing a more balanced business-to-business food and non-food supply chain: the aim is to encourage distribution channels and to combat unfair trading practices (UTPs):
the Commission will adopt a Green Paper detailing the common features of UTPs in the B2B food and non-food supply chain and open a consultation the results of which will be available by late spring 2013. The results of the consultation will feed into an impact assessment of the different options identified to address the issue at EU level.
- developing a more sustainable retail supply chain: by reducing food and packaging waste and making the supply chains more sustainable:
the Commission will support retailers to implement actions to reduce food waste without compromising food safety (awareness raising, communication, facilitating of redistribution to food banks, etc.) e.g., through the Retail Agreement on Waste; and work on developing a long-term policy on food waste, including a Communication on Sustainable Food to be adopted in 2013; through dialogue with stakeholders, the Commission will define best practices to make supply chains more environmentally-friendly and sustainable and minimise the energy consumption of retail outlets . The Commission will encourage retailers in the context of existing fora to apply these best practices.
- developing more innovative solutions, in particular with regard to product labelling and electronic payments:
the Commission will launch a retail innovation initiative in 2013 whereby the Commission, with the help of high-level experts, will explore how to ensure that the retail sector can contribute to, and benefit from, innovative products, services and technologies. On that basis, the Commission will design concrete actions focused on boosting retail competitiveness, such as bringing research results to the market faster, integrating the e-commerce and brick-and-mortar environments, new ways of informing consumers about products, the development of innovation-friendly regulations and standards , etc.; the Commission will examine the feasibility of setting up a dedicated database containing all EU and domestic food labelling rules and providing a simple way to identify labelling requirements per product; the Commission will take measures to ensure better market integration for card, internet and mobile payments through: (a) revision of the Payment Services Directive; (b) an enhanced governance model for retail payment services; and, (c) a legislative proposal on multi-lateral interchange fees for payment cards.
- creating a better working environment: the proposed measures aim at the improved utilisation of available skills, in particular in SMEs, given the high share of self-employed in the retail sector:
the Commission will strengthen cooperation with social partners to create conditions that make it possible to match skills with labour market needs in the retail sector, particularly by identifying and anticipating skills needs through an EU Sectoral Skills Council, and by improving retailers' training and reskilling policies .
Conclusion: the 11 concrete actions set out in this Action Plan should be implemented by 2014 in order to achieve a Single Market in Retail. It is essential that this Action Plan be executed in parallel with other initiatives, in particular those concerning the full implementation of the Services Directive, the E-Commerce Action Plan, and the on-going initiatives in the payments field.
The Commission will monitor developments and report on the progress in implementing this Action Plan by issuing a report in 2015. This monitoring will be done on the basis of the ongoing discussions within the EU institutions, with Member States, and with representatives of the retail sector and other relevant stakeholders through the Group on Retail Competitiveness.
PURPOSE: to set up a European Retail Action Plan.
BACKGROUND: Retail and wholesale services, also known as distributive trades, represent 11% of the EU’s GDP and account for almost 15% of the EU’s total employment . More than 6 million companies, i.e., 29% of all EU undertakings, are active in this sector. The retail sector is characterised by a very high share of SMEs, particularly micro companies (more than 95%).
The retail and wholesale sectors have an essential role to play in stimulating growth and job creation under the Europe 2020 strategy: they are among the key sectors that can drive the transition to both a more sustainable economy and consumption patterns. Efficiency in this sector has implications for competition, innovation, price trends and competitiveness. However, certain obstacles still prevent the achievement of an efficient and competitive single retail market.
The bottlenecks identified in the retail sector, which often cut across various policy areas, need to be addressed through a coherent plan to enhance the sector's economic, social and environmental performance, and to ensure that it fully contributes to the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
Two major challenges exist in the EU retail sector:
restrictions on establishment and, more generally, lack of competitiveness in the retail sector, in particular in some Member States, and a need to lower barriers and reduce operational restrictions.
This Action Plan aims at addressing these key obstacles by setting out a strategy to improve the competitiveness of the retail sector and enhance the sector’s economic, environmental and social performance.
CONTENT: the main aim of the Action Plan is to propose a strategy for achieving a well-functioning Single Market in Retail , thereby contributing to the EU’s territorial and social cohesion - through improved access to more sustainable and competitive retail services.
Addressing the key bottlenecks in achieving the Single Market in Retail has the potential to
bring benefits to all the actors concerned, and to the environment:
Consumers: improved access to quality retail services and products, more competitive prices and better information on quality and prices, as well as on the environmental characteristics of products, would enhance consumer choice within both ‘bricks and mortar’ and e-commerce retail formats. Businesses: retailers and their suppliers, especially SMEs, would benefit tangibly from the Single Market through the development of a more predictable legal environment, enabling them to deliver even greater value throughout the supply chain. Similarly, by addressing unfairness in the supply chain, upstream and downstream players would enjoy more sustainable relationships and would be encouraged to increase both innovation and investment. Further development of e-commerce will benefit retailers by providing them with more opportunities to find new markets. Employees: the retail sector should benefit from more qualified staff and improved working conditions, leading to higher job satisfaction. Improving employee training would also help provide better job opportunities, especially for the young and less qualified.
The Action Plan comprises 11 concrete actions , forming a coherent, holistic European strategy:
- consumer empowerment: the Commission intends to give consumers more of a vouce by:
developing, through dialogue with stakeholders, good-practice guidelines and/or codes of conduct to facilitate consumer access to transparent and reliable information, making it easier to compare prices, quality and sustainability of goods and services. In particular, the inclusion of cross-border offers by comparison websites is important for consumers to be able to take full advantage of the Single Market; proposing European methodologies for measuring and communicating the overall environmental footprint of products and organisations.
- access to more competitive retail services: the aim is to strengthen freedom of establishment in the retail sector and encourage e-commerce as a means of underpinning the retail sector. In this context:
Member States must remove all remaining instances of non-compliance with unequivocal obligations under the Services Directive concerning access to, and exercise of, retail activities, including eliminating economic needs tests within the meaning of Article 14(5) of the Services Directive. The Commission will apply its zero-tolerance policy through infringement procedures, where appropriate; the Commission will: (a) launch a performance check in the retail sector to explore how commercial and spatial planning rules and plans are applied on the ground by the competent authorities where a potential service provider wishes to set up a small, medium or large retail outlet; (b) through exchange of best practices, provide for greater clarity regarding the proper balance between freedom of establishment, spatial/commercial planning, and environmental and social protection.
- developing a more balanced business-to-business food and non-food supply chain: the aim is to encourage distribution channels and to combat unfair trading practices (UTPs):
the Commission will adopt a Green Paper detailing the common features of UTPs in the B2B food and non-food supply chain and open a consultation the results of which will be available by late spring 2013. The results of the consultation will feed into an impact assessment of the different options identified to address the issue at EU level.
- developing a more sustainable retail supply chain: by reducing food and packaging waste and making the supply chains more sustainable:
the Commission will support retailers to implement actions to reduce food waste without compromising food safety (awareness raising, communication, facilitating of redistribution to food banks, etc.) e.g., through the Retail Agreement on Waste; and work on developing a long-term policy on food waste, including a Communication on Sustainable Food to be adopted in 2013; through dialogue with stakeholders, the Commission will define best practices to make supply chains more environmentally-friendly and sustainable and minimise the energy consumption of retail outlets . The Commission will encourage retailers in the context of existing fora to apply these best practices.
- developing more innovative solutions, in particular with regard to product labelling and electronic payments:
the Commission will launch a retail innovation initiative in 2013 whereby the Commission, with the help of high-level experts, will explore how to ensure that the retail sector can contribute to, and benefit from, innovative products, services and technologies. On that basis, the Commission will design concrete actions focused on boosting retail competitiveness, such as bringing research results to the market faster, integrating the e-commerce and brick-and-mortar environments, new ways of informing consumers about products, the development of innovation-friendly regulations and standards , etc.; the Commission will examine the feasibility of setting up a dedicated database containing all EU and domestic food labelling rules and providing a simple way to identify labelling requirements per product; the Commission will take measures to ensure better market integration for card, internet and mobile payments through: (a) revision of the Payment Services Directive; (b) an enhanced governance model for retail payment services; and, (c) a legislative proposal on multi-lateral interchange fees for payment cards.
- creating a better working environment: the proposed measures aim at the improved utilisation of available skills, in particular in SMEs, given the high share of self-employed in the retail sector:
the Commission will strengthen cooperation with social partners to create conditions that make it possible to match skills with labour market needs in the retail sector, particularly by identifying and anticipating skills needs through an EU Sectoral Skills Council, and by improving retailers' training and reskilling policies .
Conclusion: the 11 concrete actions set out in this Action Plan should be implemented by 2014 in order to achieve a Single Market in Retail. It is essential that this Action Plan be executed in parallel with other initiatives, in particular those concerning the full implementation of the Services Directive, the E-Commerce Action Plan, and the on-going initiatives in the payments field.
The Commission will monitor developments and report on the progress in implementing this Action Plan by issuing a report in 2015. This monitoring will be done on the basis of the ongoing discussions within the EU institutions, with Member States, and with representatives of the retail sector and other relevant stakeholders through the Group on Retail Competitiveness.
Documents
- Commission response to text adopted in plenary: SP(2014)260
- Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament: T7-0580/2013
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A7-0374/2013
- Committee report tabled for plenary: A7-0374/2013
- Committee opinion: PE516.719
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE519.470
- Committee draft report: PE516.620
- Contribution: COM(2013)0036
- Non-legislative basic document: COM(2013)0036
- Non-legislative basic document: EUR-Lex
- Non-legislative basic document published: COM(2013)0036
- Non-legislative basic document published: EUR-Lex
- Non-legislative basic document: COM(2013)0036 EUR-Lex
- Committee draft report: PE516.620
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE519.470
- Committee opinion: PE516.719
- Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A7-0374/2013
- Commission response to text adopted in plenary: SP(2014)260
- Contribution: COM(2013)0036
Amendments | Dossier |
123 |
2013/2093(INI)
2013/09/11
EMPL
123 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes the importance of the retail sector, which accounts for almost 15 % of the EU’s total employment, skilled as well as unskilled, and in particular its importance for young people; acknowledges the Commission’s approach based on the belief that facilitating mobility could assist the growth of the sector, but stresses that crossborder job placement must not be regarded as a way out of the crisis; notes as well that 29 % of all EU enterprises, including a very high share of SMEs, are engaged in this sector;
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 13 a (new) – having regard to its declaration of 19 February 2008 on investigating and remedying abuse of power by large supermarkets operating in the European Union1,
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2α. With this in mind and in order to combat effectively the problem of mismatched skills in the retail industry, it is necessary to establish clearly the requirements of this sector in terms of quality and quantity, with the active involvement of all stakeholders, including the social partners and the corporate sector;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas unfair trading practices (UTPs) continue to exist and negatively affect, in particular, farmers
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Considers that wages are generally lower in the retail trade than, on average, in other sectors and that this results in skills shortages, as the low wages discourage highly skilled workers from remaining in the trade and regarding it as a sector where it is possible to make a career; recommends therefore that Member States and businesses adopt wage rates in the sector that provide employees with a decent living, which should always be done in agreement with the social partners;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D a (new) Da. whereas farmers often lack sufficient bargaining power in order to guarantee a fair price for their products; whereas most profits within the agriculture and food chain are concentrated within the intermediary companies like distributors and processors;
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 b (new) 2b. Deplores the fact that the sector employs a high proportion of young staff, which is combined with a rapid staff turnover, the tendency being to recruit young people at low cost, on flexible contracts, and then replace them as soon as they are a little older, as well as to replace staff who have more permanent and expensive contracts; calls on Member States to adopt plans providing for incentives for training and retraining of older workers; considers there to be an urgent need to support this sector in order to provide lasting and decent employment;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D b (new) Db. whereas at this moment it is not possible for consumers to get reliable, detailed information on the cost structure of the various products;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Underlines the need to make greater use of existing and planned instruments at EU level in support of structured partnerships between skill providers and businesses, including the Sector Skills Alliances, under the Erasmus for All Programme, and the European Youth Guarantee; encourages the development of school-business partnerships such as dual training systems for apprenticeships supported by the European Alliance for Apprenticeships;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. States that the Action Plan should have paid more attention to the effects of the current economic crisis on retail and, in particular, on smaller, independent shops and small retail chains, as well as on the enhancing the empowerment of consumers, in particular the most vulnerable;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Considers the sector to be characterised by considerable flexibility, with fixed-term contracts or the use of temporary agency workers even to perform ordinary work and entailing work on public holidays and Sundays, as well as night and evening work, which has a serious impact on workers' health and social life; calls on Member States to adopt strict legislation on Sunday opening and evening working hours in the retail sector in order to improve the work-life balance of workers and ensure that SMEs in the sector can survive; calls, alternatively, on Member States and the social partners to regard Sunday work as always being voluntary, adequately paid, balanced by compensatory time off and limited in the course of the year, with exceptions having to be sufficiently justified;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Welcomes the Commission's intention to create a permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness, but emphasises the importance of balanced representation
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Calls on the social partners to take as a model the many intra-company agreements which have promoted self- managed work schedules so that staff can plan overtime or additional working hours a week in advance rather than being called upon to perform such work at short notice and to make it possible to choose to work at sales outlets other than those where they usually work, for personal reasons;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Welcomes the Commission’s intention
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Calls for increased support for and
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to create a permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness, but emphasises the importance of balanced representation, including of both big and small retailers, producers, suppliers, co-operatives and consumer, environmental and social interests;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Calls for increased support for and encouragement of SMEs, in particular innovative
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Welcomes the Commission's intention to create a permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness, but emphasises the importance of balanced representation, including of both big and small retailers, co-operatives, suppliers and consumer, environmental and social interests;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Calls for increased support for and encouragement of innovative SMEs, especially those of the social economy, that address new market needs, rising social needs and promote environmentally friendly activities;
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Welcomes the Commission's intention to create a permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness, but emphasises the importance of balanced representation, including of both big and small retailers, co-operatives and supplier, consumer, environmental and social interests;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Calls for increased support for and encouragement of innovative SMEs and cooperatives that address new market needs and promote environmentally friendly and socially responsible activities;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Welcomes the Commission's establishment of the High Level Expert Group on Retail Sector Innovation and calls of the Commission to swiftly review the forthcoming recommendations of the group, in order to further promote entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation and create jobs and growth in Europe;
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes the importance of the retail sector, which accounts for almost 15 % of the EU’s total employment, skilled as well as unskilled, and in particular its importance for young people; notes as well that 29 % of all EU enterprises, including a very high share of SMEs, are engaged in this sector; considers, therefore, that measures of a more practical nature are needed to bolster and promote quality employment in the sector;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 13 a (new) – having regard to its declaration of 19 February 2008 on investigating and remedying abuse of power by large supermarkets operating in the European Union1,
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5. Notes important new trends that enhance efficiency in the provision of retail services and encourages the support of such developments, including in the framework of the Digital Single Market particularly its cross-border development; calls for additional support for smaller retailers as they are generally less able to keep up with changing technologies;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Supports the Retail Market Roundtable, organised by its Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee, as the institutional forum to keep the retail high on the EU political agenda, to review progress in the implementation of relevant aspects of the Retail Action Plan, to report on the work of the permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness and to update on progress made in other existing platforms and informal dialogue mechanisms; asks the permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness to work closely with the European Parliament to prepare the yearly Retail Market Roundtable;
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Points out that large retailers have reaped the greater part of the benefits, at the expense of small and micro enterprises, thanks to their ability to exploit economies of scale, increase productivity and offer lower prices; observes that this is grounds for concern with regard to social and local cohesion, with the disappearance of small shops from city centres, from smaller settlements and from rural areas, and their transference to out-of-town shopping centres, which makes it difficult, particularly for older and disabled people, to gain access to basic necessities; observes that, as a result of this, many jobs have been lost with small retailers; calls on the Commission and Member States to provide investment and incentives to support SMEs in the sector and to adopt strict legislation on opening hours in order to ensure fair competition;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Urges Member States not to take discriminatory measures in the context of austerity policies that undermine consumer confidence and directly harm the interests of the retail sector, such as increasing VAT or raising charges for shops; is concerned in particular about certain national trade and tax laws, affecting certain sectors or business models and distorting competition, which de facto have a discriminatory effect against foreign EU retailers; calls on the Commission to act more firmly to ensure full implementation of internal market legislation and competition law, including through speeding up infringement procedures with a fast-track approach;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that undeclared work represents an important issue in the retail sector, entailing high social risks and low income for workers, who are excluded from health coverage and social benefits, a
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Urges Member States not to take measures in the context of austerity policies that undermine consumer confidence and directly harm the interests of the retail sector, such as increasing VAT
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that undeclared work represents an important issue in the retail sector, entailing high social risks and low income for workers, who are excluded from health coverage and social benefits, and calls for a proper implementation of existing social and labour legislation; welcomes the Commission’s initiative to engage in dialogue with stakeholders in the retail sector, under the European Platform to fight undeclared work, to assess the impact of the informal economy on working conditions and to identify an EU approach to combat it; considers that it would be desirable for employers’ associations to expel employers who use undeclared employees.
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Urges Member States not to take measures in the context of austerity policies that undermine consumer confidence and directly harm the interests of the retail sector, such as increasing VAT or raising charges for shops; considers on the contrary that VAT should be harmonised on an EU-wide basis;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 – point 1 (new) (1) Welcomes the call for safety at work in the Commission communication by means of the development of intelligent warehouses which reduce the risk of accidents arising from the moving of heavy loads in one of the most dangerous sectors with reference, in particular, to work-related stress and musculoskeletal disorders due to poor postures; with regard to the latter aspect, calls on the Commission to take action by once again taking up the proposal for a directive which was abandoned some time ago;
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Is concerned that restrictive national rules, divergent interpretations and inadequate enforcement of internal market rules impede free movement of goods and services in the EU; stresses that requirements for extra tests and registrations, non-recognition of certificates and standards, territorial supply constraints and similar measures create extra costs for consumers and retailers, in particular SMEs, thus depriving European citizens of the full benefits of the single market;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 – point 2 (new) (2) Deplores the fact that, while it considers franchising to be a useful tool for generating growth in the sector and creating jobs, in some cases the corporate contracts in force at the franchisor company have not been applied to employees of the franchisee company;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Calls for strong enforcement measures to maintain pressure on Member States that have not successfully implemented the Services Directive;
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 – point 3 (new) (3) Considers that social dialogue in the retail sector has attained satisfactory levels and therefore welcomes the Commission’s decision to set up a permanent Group on Retail Competitiveness involving EU Member States and relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Calls for the internal market scoreboard to be extended to cover the implementation of the Services Directive;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 – point 4 (new) (4) Deplores the omission from the Commission’s communication of any reference to the social dumping phenomena which exist in the sector and which induce some multinationals to invest in countries where freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are thwarted;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Calls on the Commission and Member States to give the highest political prominence to the retail sector as a pillar of the Single Market, including the Digital Single Market, and to lift regulatory and practical obstacles making it difficult for retailers to fully benefit from the internal market; also calls on the Commission, with the aim of ensuring better governance, to operate a zero-tolerance policy towards those Member States which fail properly to apply internal market rules and to do so, where appropriate, by means of infringement proceedings;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Considers that retail market legislation should be more thoroughly evidence based, particularly as regards the need to adequately examine and understand the impact of legislation on small businesses;
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Calls on the Commission and Member States to give the highest political prominence to the retail sector as a pillar of the Single Market, including the Digital Single Market, and to lift practical obstacles making it difficult for retailers to fully benefit from the internal market; considers that retail market legislation should be more thoroughly evidence- based, particularly as regards the need to adequately examine and understand its impact on small businesses;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 b (new) 6b. Calls for actions- at EU and national level- to remove any unnecessary regulatory restrictions and administrative barriers that may limit growth, innovation and job creation in these sectors;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Calls on the Commission and Member States to give the highest political prominence to the retail sector as a pillar of the Single Market, including the Digital Single Market, and to lift practical obstacles, particularly administrative and bureaucratic ones, that hamper business start-up, development and continuity, making it difficult for retailers and entrepreneurs to fully benefit from the internal market;
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Highlights that retailers are offering diverse and modern ways of purchasing and selling goods and services which contribute to wider consumer choice and flexible employment opportunities, in particular for youth and long term unemployed;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas the retail market is strategically important as it fosters competitive and balanced growth, generates employment, and supports the economy in towns and cities, as well as helping to strengthen the single market and win back the European public s confidence in the internal market;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Whereas 8.7% of the European population were unable to access appropriate quantities and quality of food in 2010; underlines the importance of EU policy supporting access to food retail outlets that supply good quality, affordable food, particularly in disadvantaged areas, as well as supporting decent employment;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Asks Member States to transpose internal market rules in a coherent and consistent way and to ensure effective mutual recognition of goods and services, remove overlaps and reduce administrative burdens and regulatory barriers that may limit growth and job creation; urges Member States to fully and correctly implement the internal market rules and legislation, notably the Goods Package, the Services Directive, the Late Payments Directive, the E- Commerce Directive, the Small Business Act and the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Stresses the significance of small and medium-sized retailers for the reinvigoration, diversity and liveliness of town and village centres, for the provision of shopping outlets within vicinity for example for the elderly, and for employment in rural areas.
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 b (new) 5b. Encourages business federations and consumer associations to provide more information, training and legal advice to stakeholders on their rights and the problem-solving instruments at their disposal, such as SOLVIT, and to support the exchange of best practice among themselves;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Welcomes the Commission's intention to develop instruments to facilitate consumer access to transparent and reliable information on the prices, quality and sustainability of goods and services; encourages the Commission to set up an easily accessible database containing all EU and national labelling requirements; at the same time warns against the multiplication of labels and labelling requirements and calls for simplification,
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Welcomes the Commission's intention to develop instruments to facilitate consumer access to transparent, comparable, and reliable information on the prices, quality and sustainability of goods and services; encourages the Commission to set up an easily accessible database containing all EU and national labelling requirements; at the same time warns against the multiplication of labels and labelling requirements and calls for simplification,
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Welcomes the Commission’s intention to develop instruments to facilitate consumer access to transparent, easily understandable and reliable information on the prices, quality and sustainability of goods and services; encourages the Commission to set up an easily accessible database containing all EU and national labelling requirements; at the same time warns against the multiplication of labels and labelling requirements and calls for simplification, preferably bringing together various aspects of social and environmental sustainability in one label, while reducing differences in national mandatory labelling requirements;
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7.
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7.
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Asks the Commission to supplement its Action Plan with a set of actions aimed at supporting the independent retailer, such as: the encouragement of the ‘adopt-a- shop’ principle by which
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Asks the Commission to supplement its Action Plan with a set of actions aimed at supporting the independent retailer, such as: the encouragement of the ‘adopt-a- shop’ principle by which bigger retailers act as ‘mentors’ to smaller shops in their immediate vicinity; the promotion of groups of independent retailers, including co-operatives, which benefit from mutual assistance and certain economies of scale, whilst retaining their full independence; respect for the right of local and regional authorities to stimulate in certain shopping areas (e.g. the ‘high streets’) a climate favourable to small, independent shops by lowering energy rates and rents via public- private partnerships, by introducing business rate discounts on local charges for small businesses and independent retailers and by promoting co-operation between the various shops in that area; supports the idea of a dematerialised shopping arcade grouping together independent retailers from the same customer catchment area which can be accessed remotely by customers via a secure internet link and may offer a home delivery service; supports street trading in rural areas;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Asks the Commission to supplement its Action Plan with a set of actions aimed at supporting the independent retailer, such as: the encouragement of the 'adopt-a-shop' principle by which bigger retailers act as 'mentors' to smaller shops in their immediate vicinity; the promotion of groups of independent retailers, including co-operatives, which benefit from mutual assistance and certain economies of scale, whilst retaining their full independence; respect for the right of local and regional authorities to stimulate in certain shopping areas (e.g. the 'high streets') a climate favourable to small, independent shops by lowering energy rates – including for night-time illuminated signs – and rents via public-
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Stresses the need for a single coherent plan of action - effectively coordinating different policy areas – with a view to enhancing the performance of the retail sector in economic, social and environmental terms equally, in line with the Europe 2020 strategy objectives, focusing on the preservation and creation of high-quality and sustainable employment;
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas the dignity of the retail sector has to be fully recognised as a driver for growth, competitiveness and innovation;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Calls on the Commission to set in motion, as part of the Action Plan, actions to support innovation, specialisation and competitiveness in the retail trade; to promote municipal markets and shopping tourism; to encourage entrepreneurs and the transfer of businesses from one generation to another; to create safe surroundings for trade;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8.
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Warns against the tendency of some local and regional authorities to continue to develop or approve large-scale projects, such as shopping malls and plazas outside the city centres, given that in many regions, especially in view of the economic crisis, the saturation point has already been reached; notes that rents in such shopping centres are normally too high for smaller, independent shops and calls on the Commission, in co-operation with the Member States, to draw up a survey of their economic, social and environmental effects;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9.
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recognises the right of local authorities not to allow the establishment of new shopping centres and hypermarkets, wherever this will have negative social or environmental consequences
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Recognises the right of local authorities not to allow the establishment of new shopping centres and hypermarkets, wherever this will have negative social or environmental consequences, and encourages Member States to introduce specific rules to improve the possibilities for market access for retailers and guarantee a diversity of shops,
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises the important role of public-private partnerships in ensuring clean, safe and accessible shopping areas in town and city centres, inter alia, by addressing the negative effects of vacant buildings in shopping areas, e.g. by making these places available to start-up businesses at a lower rent than usual, in compliance with applicable EU State Aid and Public Procurement rules;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that with the increasing importance of e-commerce, shops are facing new challenges making multichannel retail strategies ever more important; e
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Considers that, due to the economic recession, there has been a significant loss of employment in the sector, including among large retailers, and that it has had to resort more than previously to compelling employees to work shorter hours; observes that some multinationals, while maintaining positive levels of profitability, have used the crisis as a pretext for reducing staffing levels, increasing workloads, using wage subsidy schemes and reducing working hours;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas in a society increasingly marked by virtual contacts through the internet, shops are still the place where people meet other people and in particular high streets and town centres as well as direct selling by producers can provide a setting for shared experiences, and be a focal point of local identity, community
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Welcomes the Commission's intention to encourage e-commerce; regrets however the absence of the objective to make online services and goods accessible for consumers from all countries in the EU; calls on the Commission to propose a strategy to prevent traders from adopting discriminatory policies in their e- commerce practices, thus ensuring that all European citizens can have unfettered access to cross-border online trade;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Emphasises that e-commerce is important to ensure consumer choice and access to goods and services, in particular in remote areas; stresses that appropriate action must be taken to develop its full potential, including improving access to the Internet in the European Union's most remote areas; supports the measures called for in the Commission's communication on e-commerce from 2012 to enhance confidence, simplify registration of domains across borders, improve secure online payments and delivery services, facilitate cross-border debt recovery and improve information to consumers on their rights, particularly concerning withdrawals and opportunities to appeal;
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Reiterates the importance of removing barriers (linguistic, administrative, lack of information) that restrict the business potential of online cross-border trade and undermine consumers’ confidence in the single market;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11a. Calls on the Commission to resolve the Multi-Lateral Interchange Fee (MIF) issue and to remove card scheme rules which reinforce the anticompetitive effects of the MIF; urges the Commission to support Member States who already have transparent, competitive and innovative payment systems and to use them as best practices in further developing a cheaper and fairer payments market in Europe;
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Welcomes in particular the voluntary initiatives and commitments taken by retailers and suppliers to reduce food waste;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Points to the importance of preserving and protecting retailing in stalls and markets, a sector made up chiefly of thousands of family-run micro- enterprises and which is also a distinguishing feature of the European economy;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12a. Recognises and strongly supports the important role of retail as an employer in providing both low and high skilled jobs; stresses that competition between retailers must not lead to competition on labour standards or remuneration;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Recalls the importance of the proper implementation of existing social and labour legislation;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Recalls the importance of the proper implementation of existing social and labour legislation; regrets the existence of a high degree of undeclared work, which involves a high level of tax evasion and prevents the establishment of a level playing field between traders in the internal market; warns against the working conditions and abuses that can occur in the retail trade and which affect women, low-skilled workers and immigrants in particular;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Points out the importance of improving business and professional skills in order to raise employment rates in the sector, and calls on Member States and the Commission to encourage the hiring of people from those groups in society that find it harder to obtain jobs;
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Highlights the importance of addressing the mismatch between labour force skills and the requirements of the retail sector, with special emphasis on countries with high levels of youth unemployment rate; so as to enhance employability, especially of young people, the long-term unemployed, older workers and the disabled, as well as to consider the need to update skills frequently in order to allow employees to take on new tasks resulting from innovation and better respond to labour market needs;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the current economic crisis is taking a heavy toll on
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14.
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Expresses its concern about the erosion of the rights of franchisees versus the franchising company and calls for transparent and fair contracts; in particular, draws the attention of the Commission and Member States to problems faced by franchisees who want to sell their business or change their business formula, whilst remaining active in the same sector; requests the Commission to examine the ban on price-fixing mechanisms in franchise systems and the effects of long- term competition clauses, purchase options and the prohibition of multi-franchising and to reconsider in this respect the current exemption from competition rules for contracting parties having a market share of less than 30%;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Is concerned about the rapid development of private labels; emphasises that private labels should be developed in such a way as to deliver improved consumer choice, notably in terms of transparency, quality of information and diversity, and to provide clear opportunities for SMEs to innovate and expand;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Supports the work of the High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain and its Experts Platform on B2B contractual practices; considers that the Parliament should urgently resolve pending issues relating to its participation in the Forum's work; stresses that UTPs also occur in the non-food supply chain
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Supports the work of the High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain and its Experts Platform on B2B contractual practices; considers that the Parliament should urgently resolve pending issues relating to its participation in the Forum's work; emphasises that negative developments in the food supply chain, in particular, should continue to be monitored by the Commission with a view to taking further action; stresses that UTPs also occur in the non-food supply chain and asks the Commission and the business federations to explore the possibilities for creating a new, open-ended forum focusing on retail as a whole;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Supports the work of the High Level Forum for a Better Functioning Food Supply Chain and its Experts Platform on B2B contractual practices; considers that the Parliament should urgently resolve pending issues relating to its participation in the Forum's work; stresses that UTPs impact negatively on third county businesses, farmers and workers and also occur in the non-food supply chain and asks the Commission and the business federations to explore the possibilities for creating a new, open-ended forum focusing on retail as a whole;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Welcomes the principles of good practice and the list of examples of unfair and fair practices in vertical trading relationships in the food supply chain
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Welcomes the principles of good practice and the list of examples of unfair
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Welcomes the principles of good practice and the list of examples of unfair and fair practices in vertical trading relationships in the food supply chain, as well as the framework for the implementation and enforcement of these principles; stresses however that this is a first step and questions the effectiveness of a voluntary undertaking; emphasises that, if these are to have a practical effect, it is important that all actors in the food supply chain participate, including farmers' organisations as well as the manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Highlights the importance of addressing the mismatch between labour force skills and the requirements of the retail sector,
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas the current economic crisis is taking a heavy toll on retail and itinerant trade, affecting in particular smaller, independent shops, what is more at a time when more and more shopping centres are being opened;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Welcomes the principles of good practice and the list of examples of unfair and fair practices in vertical trading relationships in the food supply chain, as well as the framework for the implementation and enforcement of these principles as a first step; emphasises that, if these are to have a practical effect, it is important that all actors in the food supply chain participate, including farmers’ organisations as well as the manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Welcomes the principles of good practice and the list of examples of unfair and fair practices in vertical trading relationships in the food supply chain, as well as the framework for the implementation and enforcement of these principles; urges all parties concerned to swiftly put them in practice and show results fast; emphasises that, if these are to have a practical effect, it is important that all actors in the food supply chain participate, including farmers' organisations as well as the manufacturing and wholesale distribution industries; requests the Commission to regularly review the effects of the voluntary initiative
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Notes that issues about vertical trading relations also arise in connection with selective and exclusive distribution arrangements in branded goods retailing; calls therefore on the Commission and Member States to safeguard the rights of retailers and store owners with more limited bargaining power;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. In addition, reminds the Commission of the likely limits to the impact of this approach, as it cannot overcome certain basic problems of the oligopsonistic market structure, which is here characterised by the small number of very large food retailers engaged in purchasing as against the large number of small suppliers engaged in selling, and therefore welcomes the proposal of various trade associations to establish an implementation mechanism;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 b (new) 16b. Calls on the Commission to take account of the basic problem of market structure and market power in the food retail supply chain and of the fears of suppliers, and to supplement voluntary initiatives with a legally-binding implementation mechanism;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Considers that it is often difficult for weaker market parties to complain about UTPs and
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Considers that it is often difficult for weaker market parties to complain about UTPs and
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Considers that
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Considers that it is often difficult for weaker market parties, particularly farmers and suppliers, to complain about UTPs and emphasises the important role of associations
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Highlights the importance of addressing the mismatch between labour force skills and the requirements of the retail sector, so as to enhance employability, especially of young people, the long-term unemployed, older workers and the disabled, as well as to consider the need to update skills frequently in order to allow employees to take on new tasks resulting from innovation; stresses in this connection also the responsibility of employers to regularly prepare employees for changes and innovations in the sector;
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas unfair trading practices (UTPs)
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Considers, in view of the buyer power of large food retailers, that it is often difficult for weaker market parties to complain about UTPs and emphasises the important role of associations of enterprises and other organisations which should be able to submit such complaints on their behalf, anonymously or while ensuring confidentiality, to an ombudsman or adjudicator who should
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Considers that it is often difficult for weaker market parties to complain about UTPs and emphasises the important role of associations of enterprises which should be able to submit such complaints on their behalf, while ensuring confidentiality
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Considers that it is often difficult for weaker individual market parties to complain about UTPs and emphasises the important role of
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18.
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Calls on the Commission to propose EU legislation aimed at prohibiting below- cost selling in the food sector and to pro
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Calls on the Commission to propose EU legislation aimed at prohibiting below- cost selling in the food sector and to pro
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Calls on the Commission to propose EU legislation aimed at prohibiting below- cost selling in the food sector and to provide a definition of ‘economic dependency’ and other circumstances which force businesses to maintain excessive buyer power, which should make both Member States and the business community more vigilant in respect of the development of such dominant market positions, which often facilitate UTPs;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Calls on the Commission to propose EU legislation aimed at prohibiting below- cost selling in the
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Commission to
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Highlights the importance of addressing the mismatch between labour force skills and the requirements of the retail sector, so as to enhance employability, especially of young people, the long-term unemployed, older workers and the disabled, as well as to consider the need to update skills frequently in order both to allow employees to take on new tasks resulting from innovation and to enable them to work in traditional trades, practitioners of which are in short supply;
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas unfair trading practices (UTPs) continue to exist and negatively affect
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Commission to combat territorial supply constraints imposed by
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Deplores the fact that some Member States are discriminating foreign businesses by creating new barriers making it difficult for them to establish in a given Member State, which is a clear breach of internal market principles;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Calls on the Commission to give support to chambers of commerce and commercial organisations sector by sector in order to maintain the dialogue with the retail sector;
source: PE-519.453
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