Awaiting committee decision
2013/2277(INI) Enquiry report on the role and operations of the Troika (ECB, Commission and IMF) with regard to the euro area programme countries
Next event: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading 2014/02/24 more...
Lead committee dossier: ECON/7/14607
Legal Basis RoP 048
Next event: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading 2014/02/24 more...
- Vote in plenary scheduled 2014/03/13
- Debate in plenary scheduled 2014/03/12
Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
---|---|---|---|
Opinion | AFCO | SCHOLZ Helmut (GUE/NGL) | |
Opinion | CONT | THEURER Michael (ALDE) | |
Lead | ECON | KARAS Othmar (EPP), HOANG NGOC Liem (S&D) | GOULARD Sylvie (ALDE), TORVALDS Nils (ALDE), LAMBERTS Philippe (Verts/ALE), EPPINK Derk Jan (ECR), KLUTE Jürgen (GUE/NGL) |
Opinion | EMPL |
Legal Basis RoP 048
Subjects
Activites
-
2014/03/13
Vote in plenary scheduled
-
2014/03/12
Debate in plenary scheduled
-
2014/02/24
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
-
2013/11/21
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
Documents
Amendments | Dossier |
244 |
2013/2277(INI)
2014/01/17
EMPL
244 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion Citation 1 a (new) 1a. having regard to its resolution of 11 June 2013 on “Social housing in the European Union” (2012/2293(INI)),
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas the so-called economic and financial assistance programmes are intended to achieve the three avowed main aims of reducing budgetary imbalances, improving competitiveness, and supporting the banks, but whereas the measures implemented have in practice resulted in a direct transfer of workers’ income to financial and economic monopolies; whereas, in Portugal, the fiscal consolidation policy has led to recession and a heavier tax burden for workers, and whereas, supposedly in the interests of competitiveness, employment has been deregulated, swingeing cuts have been made in workers’ pay, and the people and the country have to a large extent been made poorer;
Amendment 100 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Warns that, if not remedied, these huge divergences, especially in the case of the younger generation, will result in structural
Amendment 101 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Warns that, if not remedied, these huge divergences, especially in the case of the younger generation, will result in structural damage to the labour market of the four countries, limit their capacity for recovery,
Amendment 102 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Warns that, if not remedied, these huge divergences, especially in the case of the younger generation, will in the long run, result in structural damage to the labour market of the four countries, limit their capacity for recovery,
Amendment 103 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Is deeply concerned about the fact that, together with the job loss, there is an outstanding lack of job quality through precarisation and the deterioration of basic labour standards, notes that there is an increase of part time and temporary contracts, payless internships and apprenticeships, bogus self-employment as well as the activities of the black economy, notes furthermore that there is also a worrying degradation of working conditions with measures such as the increase of the working time or the reduction of health and safety conditions in the work place;
Amendment 104 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 a (new) 7a. Regrets the fact that in all 4 countries the adjustment programmes included direct interventions in wage developments, despite the fact that the setting or harmonising of minimum wages is not included in the competences of the European Union; notes that especially in Greece, the adjustment programme imposed cuts to the minimum wage by 22% and by 32% for young workers below 25;
Amendment 105 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 c (new) 7c. Warns that the crisis and the austerity policies might make themselves felt in terms of the brain drain and the exodus of highly skilled labour from the countries undergoing adjustment1; 1 In Portugal, in 2012, there was a nearly threefold increase, to 28 769, in the number of permanent emigrants in the more highly educated 20-24, 25-29, and 30-34 age groups.
Amendment 106 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 d (new) 7d. Expresses its disquiet at the forecasts that emigration will continue to increase; points out that the worsening phenomenon of enforced emigration has been such that in the years 2012 and 2013, in Portugal’s case alone, the numbers emigrating totalled more than 250 000;
Amendment 107 #
Draft opinion 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 #
Draft opinion 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; observes that the decline in industrial employment was already a problem long before the economic crisis and recalls that in the last four years job losses have reached 2 million in the four countries, which is 15% of existing jobs;
Amendment 109 #
Draft opinion 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;
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas fiscal and budgetary consolidation policies are the response to the economic and social situation facing Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus, and not the cause;
Amendment 110 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 8. Recalls that the Europe 2020 strategy accurately states that the
Amendment 111 #
Draft opinion 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 and that it is not properly recognised that the fall in the unemployment rate is due essentially to the considerable increase in emigration and to the fact that the long- term unemployed give up looking for work; recalls that in the last four years job losses have reached 2 million in the four countries, which is 15% of existing jobs;
Amendment 112 #
Draft opinion 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 113 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Points to the important role the Structural Funds and especially the ESF need to play in regard to assisting job creation;
Amendment 114 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 a (new) 8a. Regrets that the important role of wages in creating or stabilising domestic demand has been neglected; is deeply concerned about the impact of the programmes on the minimum wages in the 4 countries, where Ireland was force to a decrease of nearly 12%, even though it was later changed, and where a radical cut of the minimum wage of 22% was decreed in Greece.
Amendment 115 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 b (new) 8b. Notes that the economic adjustment programmes have imposed on the 4 countries pay cuts or freezes in the public sector and the non-renewal of the public employment offer which have been justified by the need for modernisation and efficiency improvement of public administrations but have in fact resulted in unacceptably high levels of unemployment; reminds that strong public administrations set a good framework for growth, competitiveness and social protection;
Amendment 116 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 b (new) 8b. Expresses concern at the fact that, in Portugal, not only is private sector employment in decline, but it is proving difficult to place unemployed workers in other sectors, more and more people are becoming discouraged, and long-term unemployment is rising;
Amendment 117 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 8 c (new) 8c. Notes that the phenomena of emigration, early school-leaving, and more limited access to welfare benefits are broadening the spectrum of poverty; points out that in the countries undergoing adjustment, the fall in GDP, the slump in public and private investment, and the drop in R & D investment are serving to reduce potential GDP and inevitably create long-term poverty;
Amendment 118 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is concerned that, among the conditions for financial assistance, the programmes include recommendations for specific cuts in fundamental areas of the fight against poverty
Amendment 119 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is
Amendment 12 #
Draft opinion Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas regressive budgetary measures are having a disproportionate impact on low-income groups leading to higher levels of poverty, deprivation and health inequalities due to the fact that low income groups are especially dependant on public health systems
Amendment 120 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is concerned 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;
Amendment 121 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is concerned 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
Amendment 122 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is concerned 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;
Amendment 123 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is concerned 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
Amendment 124 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is concerned that, among the conditions for financial assistance, the programmes include recommendations for specific cuts in
Amendment 125 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 9. Is concerned 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
Amendment 127 #
Draft opinion 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 128 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Expresses its concern that, during the preparation and implementation of the economic adjustment plans, insufficient attention was given to the impact of economic policy on employment or its social implications and that, in the case of Greece, the working hypothesis turned out to be based on a mistaken assumption regarding the economic multiplier effect, resulting in failure to act in time to protect the most vulnerable against poverty, in-work poverty and social exclusion; calls on the Commission to take account of social indicators also for the purpose of renegotiating the economic adjustment programmes and replacing the measures recommended for each Member State, with a view to ensuring the necessary conditions for growth and full compliance with the EU's basic social principles and values;
Amendment 129 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. In Portugal, the vulnerable groups have been particularly targeted by Active Labour Market Policies aimed at facilitating their access to the labour market and a Social Emergency Programme was launched in October 2011, open to new measures and solutions or even to customised solutions, in order to protect the most vulnerable parts of the population from the effects of the economic adjustment;
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion Recital A b (new) Ab. whereas the economic adjustment programmes were implemented owing to the extremely difficult situation of their economies, which were even at risk of bankruptcy;
Amendment 130 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Restates that fighting child poverty shall continue to be an objective to be achieved by Member States and that fiscal and budgetary consolidation policies shall not undermine this;
Amendment 131 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Notes that despite the fact that the European Commission in its "EU Employment and Social Situation" Quarterly Review of October 2013 emphasizes the importance of Social Protection expenditure as a safeguard against social risks, Greece, Ireland and Portugal had the largest decreases in social spending after 2010 in EU;
Amendment 132 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Calls on the Commission to draw lessons from the fact that labour market reforms in the programme countries have not succeeded in combatting labour market duality but instead led to a larger gap between insiders and outsiders
Amendment 133 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Notes that the measures are causing serious problems to low income households, putting them under the poverty threshold, increasing inequality levels and undermining social cohesion, especially with the recommendations to place minimum pensions and salaries under the poverty levels, reminds that these measures have been condemned by the Council of Europe as a violation of the European Social Charter, and have also been subject to strong criticism by the ILO for the violation of Convention 102. Furthermore, reminds that the ILO pointed out its serious concerns about the cumulative effects of austerity measures on workers income levels, living standards and wage protection;
Amendment 134 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Expresses concern that the (micro and macro) social and economic situation in these countries is aggravating regional and territorial disparities, thereby undermining the stated EUobjective of strengthening its internal regional cohesion;
Amendment 135 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 b (new) 9b. Highlights that new forms of poverty touching the middle and working class are arising in the 4 countries where the problems to pay mortgages and the high energy prices are creating energy poverty and increasing evictions and foreclosures;
Amendment 136 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 c (new) 9c. Is deeply concerned by evidence that levels of homelessness and housing exclusion are increasing in the programme countries; recalls that this represents a violation of fundamental rights and has enormous negative consequences for society and for the individuals affected, stresses that organisations working with homeless people estimate an increase in the 4 programme countries, in particular in Greece where the homeless population has risen by 25% between 2009 and 2011 to reach 20,000, stresses furthermore that, in the 4 countries, there is a big increase of people going to eat at soup kitchens, as well as of children eating at school because their families can´t guarantee them breakfast or lunch;
Amendment 137 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 9 d (new) 9d. Notes that international and social organizations have warned about a gender gap impact of the new pay-scale, grading and dismissals system in the public sector, notes that the ILO has expressed concern over the disproportionate impact of new flexible forms of employment on women's pay, furthermore notes that the ILO asked the governments to monitor the impact of austerity on remuneration of men and women in the private sector, stresses that, according to the Council of Europe, Ireland was not on conformity with the revised Charter for the too low level of maternity benefits;
Amendment 138 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Notes that Eurostat and Commission figures and various studies show that between 2008 and 2012 income distribution inequality grew in
Amendment 139 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Notes that Commission figures and various studies show that between 2008
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion 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 140 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Notes that Commission figures and various studies show that between 2008 and 2012 income distribution inequality grew in the four countries, and that the cuts in social and unemployment benefits resulting from austerity measures, as well as the wage reductions due to structural reforms, are raising poverty levels; notes, furthermore, that the Commission report found relatively high levels of in-work poverty due to low minimum wages being cut or frozen as a result of the austerity measures; the decrease of income allows fewer people to afford private healthcare services which leads to an increased utilization of public health services whilst government policies see a shift of support from public to private healthcare services;
Amendment 141 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 10. Notes that Commission figures and various studies show that between 2008 and 2012 income distribution inequality grew in the four countries, and that the cuts in social and unemployment benefits resulting from
Amendment 142 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Notes that people receiving retirement and other pensions are among the social groups most affected by poverty; notes that in Portugal 75.9% of people living on pensions receive pensions under EUR 419.22, and their living conditions have fallen even further as public services have been closed, hospital fees have risen, and they face increases in the cost of transport, electricity and rent, among other things; whereas it is these same people who are increasingly having to support their children, who are battling the problems of unemployment, precarious employment and low wages;
Amendment 143 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11. Deplores the fact that the level of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion has increased in the four countries; points out that during the last three years alone, figures show that the proportion of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion has risen to 26% in
Amendment 144 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 11 11.
Amendment 145 #
Draft opinion 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 #
Draft opinion 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 #
Draft opinion 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 148 #
Draft opinion 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 for the entire EU to meet the Europe 2020 targets;
Amendment 149 #
Draft opinion 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 15 #
Draft opinion Recital A c (new) Ac. whereas once the economic and budgetary sustainability of these four countries can be guaranteed, efforts should be focused upon social aspects, paying special attention to job creation;
Amendment 150 #
Draft opinion 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, which have a significant impact on the quality and universal accessibility of social services, especially in health and social care, despite the fact that Article 168(7) TFEU prohibits such intervention;
Amendment 151 #
Draft opinion 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,
Amendment 152 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Regrets the lack of a targeted approach to find inefficiencies in health systems and the decision to make across- the-board cuts to health budgets. Warns that implementing co-payments could cause patients to delay seeking care and placing the financial burden on households. Cautions that the salary reductions for healthcare professionals could have a negative effect on patient safety and cause migration of healthcare professionals;
Amendment 153 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Is deeply concerned about the cuts on health and pharmaceutical benefits of the public systems, which in some countries have radically changed the universal nature of the system to the benefit of other more insurable or commercial methods, stresses furthermore that many studies and research show that in discriminatory co-payments, sometimes even on basic services such as health urgencies or access to medicine for people with chronic diseases, is preventing de facto many citizens from receiving basic social and health care needs; notes that the measures have also deeply affected those working in the caring professions. Therefore, there has been a deprivation of basic human rights through economic barriers.
Amendment 154 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 a (new) 13a. Deplores the fact the cuts to education services for children with special needs is having a hugely detrimental effect on their life chances and that such negative impacts at an early age can never be reversed;
Amendment 155 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 13 b (new) 13b. Reiterates that International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) Article 12 provides for the right of everyone to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Notes that all four countries are signatories to the Covenant and thus have recognised the right to health for everyone. Notes that in Greece and Portugal the Constitution recognises the right to health; is concerned that according to EU-SILC all four countries have seen an increase in unmet medical need from 2008-2011. Regrets the decision of Portugal and Ireland to reduce the scope of statutory benefit packages and services provided;
Amendment 156 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 14 a (new) 14a. Deplores that cuts to resources for independent living for persons with disabilities;
Amendment 157 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Highlights that the increasing social poverty in the 4 countries is producing also an increase in solidarity among the most vulnerable groups thanks to private efforts, family networks and aid organisations; stresses that this type of intervention should not become the structural solution to the problem, even if it's alleviating the situation of the most deprived and showing the qualities of the European citizenship;
Amendment 158 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Regrets that the Troika put a heavy pressure on national authorities in order to end the moratorium on evictions for inhabitants victims, while those people were severely hit by the crisis and by austerity measures, therefore unable to bear the costs of their mortgage credit; recommends to Member states and their local authorities to set up neutral housing policies favouring social and affordable housing, to tackle the issue of housing vacancy and to implement effective prevention policies to reduce the number of evictions.
Amendment 159 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 15 c (new) 15c. Notes with concern the steady rise in the Gini coefficient [1] in Greece, Spain, Ireland and Portugal, against the general downward trend in the Eurozone, which means that there has been a significant increase in wealth distribution inequalities in the adjustment countries; [1] According to Eurostat data, there has been a steady rise in the Gini coefficient in Portugal, from 33.7 in 2009 to 34.2 in 2011 and 34.5 in 2012.
Amendment 16 #
Draft opinion Recital B B. whereas Article 9 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU)
Amendment 160 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 16 16. Welcomes the fact that the levels of early school-leavers are falling in the four countries; notes, however, that this
Amendment 161 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 16 16. Welcomes the fact that the levels of early school-leavers are falling in the four countries; notes, however, that this is partially explained by the difficult
Amendment 162 #
Draft opinion 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 163 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 17 17. Welcomes the fact that tertiary education attainment levels have been rising in all four countries; notes, however, that this
Amendment 164 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 17 17. Welcomes the fact that tertiary education attainment levels have been rising in
Amendment 165 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 17 17. Welcomes the fact that tertiary education attainment levels have been rising in all four countries; notes
Amendment 166 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Regrets that the quality of the education systems is not following this positive path because the 4 programme countries are under the EU average as regards the quality of their systems; recalls the urgent need to recover quality vocational training systems with a high level of social legitimacy, since this is one of the best ways to improve young peoples' employability.
Amendment 167 #
Draft opinion 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 168 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 17 a (new) 17α. Expresses great concern, however, that the continuation or aggravation of the social and economic situation might further exacerbate the NEET problem and that of growing educational inequalities;
Amendment 169 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Regrets the negative impacts of mass emigration of young people in particular the social and economic consequences thereof;
Amendment 17 #
Draft opinion Recital C a (new) Ca. whereas Article 36 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union commits the Union to recognising and respecting "access to services of general economic interest as provided for in national laws and practices, in accordance with the Treaties, in order to promote the social and territorial cohesion of the Union"; whereas article 14 (TFEU) establishes that "given the place occupied by services of general economic interest in the shared values of the Union as well as their role in promoting social and territorial cohesion, the Union and the Member States, each within their respective powers and with the scope of application of the Treaties, shall take care that such services operate on the basis of principles and condition, particularly economic and financial conditions, which enable them to fulfil their missions"; whereas article 345 of the TFEU provides that the Treaties "shall in no way prejudice the rules in Member States governing the system of property ownership"; and whereas Protocol No.26 on services of general interest which elaborates on the shared values of the Union with respect to services of general economic interest.
Amendment 170 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 17 b (new) 17a. Notes with concern the downward trend in the number of pupils and students enrolled in the education system since the start of the crisis and the fact that Portugal, for example, has one of the highest percentages of young people who wish to continue their studies but cannot afford to do so (38%)[1]; [1] Education to Employment: Getting Europe's Youth into Work, McKinsey Center for Government, 2013
Amendment 171 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 18. Re
Amendment 172 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 18. Regrets the fact that the programmes imposed on the four countries allow firms to opt out of collective bargaining agreements and to review sectoral wage agreements directly affecting the structure and values of collective bargaining arrangements set out in the respective
Amendment 173 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 18. Regrets the fact that the programmes imposed on the four countries allow firms to opt out of collective bargaining agreements and to review sectoral wage agreements directly affecting the structure and values of collective bargaining arrangements set out in the respective national constitutions; notes that this resulted in a request by the ILO Expert Committee, in the case of Greece, to re- establish social dialogue, and, in the case of Portugal, for the Constitutional Court to annul certain legislative measures;
Amendment 174 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 18. Regrets the fact that the programmes imposed on the four countries allow firms to opt out of collective bargaining agreements and to review sectoral wage agreements directly affecting the structure and values of collective bargaining arrangements set out in the respective national constitutions; notes that this resulted in a request by the ILO Expert Committee, in the case of Greece, to re- establish social dialogue
Amendment 175 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 18. Regrets that the social partners at national level were not consulted or involved in the initial design of programmes and that the Troika proved unwilling to engage in a meaningful way with national social partners; regrets the fact that the programmes imposed on the four countries allow firms to opt out of collective bargaining agreements and to review sectoral wage agreements directly affecting the structure and values of collective bargaining arrangements set out in the respective national constitutions; notes that this resulted in a request by the ILO Expert Committee, in the case of Greece, to re-
Amendment 176 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Denounces that the Troika has completely ignored article 153 (5) of TFUE which rules out any EU intervention on issues such as pay, the right of association, the right to strike and the right to impose lock-outs and article 152 of the TFUE which states "the Union recognises and promotes the role of Social Partners at its level, taking into account the diversity of national systems. It shall facilitate dialogue between social partners, respecting their autonomy", stresses that, on the contrary, the Troika has pushed for essential changes in the national wage-setting systems aiming at a radical decentralisation of collective bargaining and a sharp restriction of the criteria for the extension of collective agreements.
Amendment 177 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Stresses that revitalised collective bargaining provides a fundamental guarantee for balanced labour relations and underpins the working of democracy itself;
Amendment 178 #
Draft opinion 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 179 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Notes that the recasting of industrial relations dictated by the logic of internal devaluation in line with the economic adjustment programmes has failed to produce the anticipated results, labour market reforms having proved most successful when drawn up and implemented in consultation with the social partners, particularly through social dialogue and consistently in line with national traditions, this being the only way to avoid labour market fragmentation and achieve the much- desired objective of harmonious industrial relations; accepts as clearly legitimate the demand for labour market reforms and cutbacks, given the constantly fluctuating social and economic conditions, while stressing the undeniable need to safeguard fundamental labour rights that have been established at national and European level in a bid to boost employment, prevent job losses and ensure full compliance with the core principles governing decent working conditions;
Amendment 18 #
Draft opinion Recital E E. whereas the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union provides for, inter alia, the right of collective bargaining and action (Article 28), protection in the event of unjustified dismissal (Article 30), fair and just working conditions (Article 31), recognition of and respect for the entitlement to social security benefits and social services and, in order to ‘combat
Amendment 180 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Notes that the conditionality within the financial assistance has imposed the dismantling of existing wage-setting arrangements either by completely abolishing institutions of cross-sectorial wage setting, as in Ireland, or by continuously hollowing out existing systems of sectorial collective bargaining. These measures include: the abolition or termination of national collective agreements; facilitating the derogation of firm-level agreements from sectorial agreements or legislative provisions, for instance through opening or hardship clauses or by generally giving firm-levels agreements priority over (cross-) sectorial agreements; suspension of the favourability principle, the introduction of more restrictive criteria for the extension of collective agreements; the reduction of the after-effect of expired collective agreements and the extension of the possibility of non-union employee representatives to conclude collective agreements at company level.
Amendment 181 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Notes that a social concertation agreement "Commitment for growth, competitiveness and employment" was signed in Portugal, in January of 2012, by all main Social Partners and Government;
Amendment 182 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Points out that there is no single solution that can be applied across all the Member States;
Amendment 183 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 b (new) 18b. Is deeply concerned about the weakening of social dialogue which has implied a massive loss of workers covered by collective agreements, in some countries this loss represents more than 70% on the available figures before the Troika recommendations.
Amendment 184 #
Draft opinion 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 185 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 b (new) 18b. Takes the view that the measures put forward by the troika to restrict collective bargaining and cut wages are not an effective way of combating inequalities or promoting economic growth; takes the view that the approach based on wage cuts with the aim of bringing about an increase in exports has led to a decline in domestic consumption and has also affected economic growth;
Amendment 186 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 18 c (new) 18c. Summarizes that the EU 2020 Strategy goals on employment and fight against poverty and social exclusion are further than ever from being achieved not only due to the economic situation, but also because of the harsh cuts imposed by the Troika programmes; highlights that the IMF has recently considered that the austerity policies might have gone too far (since they have obviously depressed economic growth and sharpened the increase of unemployment) and that the Chair of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural rights argues that austerity is a disincentive to economic growth and as such hampers the realisation of economic and social rights;
Amendment 187 #
Draft opinion 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 188 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 19. Calls on the Commission to carry out a detailed study of the social and economic consequences of the
Amendment 189 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 19. Calls on the Commission to carry out a detailed study of the social and economic consequences of the adjustment programmes in the four countries in order to provide a precise understanding of both the short-term and long-term damage to the employment and social protection systems, with particular regard to the fight against poverty, the maintaining of good social dialogue and the balance between flexibility and security in labour relations; calls on the Commission to use its consultative bodies when drafting this study, as well as the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee; suggests that the EESC be asked to draft a specific report;
Amendment 19 #
Draft opinion Recital F a (new) Fa. whereas, according to "EU Employment and Social Situation" Quarterly Review of October 2013,the severe fall in the GDP of Greece, Portugal and Ireland was mostly translated in employment decline;
Amendment 190 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 19. Calls on the Commission to carry out a detailed study of the social and economic consequences of the adjustment programmes in the four countries in order to provide a precise understanding
Amendment 191 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 19. Calls on the Commission to carry out a detailed study of the social and economic consequences of the adjustment programmes in the four countries in order to provide a precise understanding of both the short-term and long-term
Amendment 192 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 – point 1 (new) (1) Calls on the European Commission to draw up a detailed report of the breaches made against the spirit and the principles of the European Social Aquis in the programme countries, with a view to proposing measures to restore the Social Aquis. Insists that national and European social partners, through the European Social Dialogue should be closely involved in this.
Amendment 193 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Urges Member States, in particular those under the Memorandum of Understanding, to boost wages and social benefits, restoring stolen wages, incomes and social rights to their former level so as to resolve serious social problems, enhance domestic demand, revitalise economic activity and create more and better jobs; urges Member States to apply a policy of protecting and restoring public services, particularly as regards the social functions of the State, boosting their human and material resources in keeping with their key role in enabling citizens to realise their rights;
Amendment 194 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 a (new) 19a. Stresses that Greece has done an enormous amount, involving unprecedented sacrifices on the part of the Greek people; urges the EU to help ensure that society and the real economy in Greece benefit accordingly from initial economic achievements;
Amendment 195 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 b (new) 19b. Stresses that it is important for the Member States to consider ways of renegotiating public debts – deadlines, interest rates and the sums to be paid – that might offer states relief from the burden of servicing debts and channel resources to promoting productive investment and creating jobs;
Amendment 196 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 c (new) 19c. Highlights the importance of political convergence between countries with similar problems with the aim of halting the spiral of speculation;
Amendment 197 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 19 d (new) 19d. Stresses the importance of applying budgetary policies designed to combat extravagant spending, based on a fiscal component involving increased taxes on dividends and profits and a reduced burden for workers and small and medium-sized enterprises, guaranteeing the appropriations necessary for States to function effectively;
Amendment 198 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Commission to ask the ILO and the Council of Europe to draft reports on possible corrective measures and incentives, their funding and the sustainability of public finances, to ensure full compliance with the European Social Charter and the Protocol thereto and with the ILO Core
Amendment 199 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Commission to ask the ILO and the Council of Europe to draft reports on possible corrective measures and incentives to ensure full compliance with the European Social Charter and the Protocol thereto and with the ILO Core Conventions
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion Citation 1 b (new) 1b. having regard to its resolution of 4 July 2013 entitled “Impact of the crisis on access to care for vulnerable groups” (2013/2044(INI)),
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion Recital G G. whereas in its resolution of 21 November 2013, Parliament welcomed the Commission communication of 2 October 2013 entitled ‘Strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union’ and
Amendment 200 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Commission to ask the ILO and the Council of Europe to draft reports on possible corrective measures and incentives needed to ensure full compliance with
Amendment 201 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 20. Calls on the Commission to ask the ILO and the Council of Europe to draft reports on possible corrective measures and incentives to ensure full compliance with the European Social Charter and the Protocol thereto and with the ILO Core Conventions, since the obligations deriving from them have been affected by the budgetary adjustment measures and the structural reforms requested by the Troika including with regard to ILO Conventions 87 on Freedom of association, Convention 94 on Inclusion of labour clauses in public contracts or Convention 98 on Right to organise;
Amendment 202 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 20.
Amendment 203 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the national authorities , to provide additional assistance to countries implementing economic adjustment programmes, thereby ensuring that they make optimum use of the opportunities offered by the EU structural funds to improve public administration and education, boost employment, and combat poverty, unemployment and social exclusion for the public benefit;
Amendment 204 #
Draft opinion 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 205 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 a (new) 20a. Calls on the relevant EU institutions to insist that adequate financial resources are dedicated to educations services in particular those services targeting children with special needs and persons with disabilities and furthermore to insist that the resources necessary for independent living are restored;
Amendment 206 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 20 b (new) 20b. Calls on the Commission to take measures, such as facilitating access to funding, to promote SMEs, which form the backbone of the European economy as well as playing a central economic role at national level in the countries concerned; calls on the Commission in this connection to examine the possibility of introducing a 'growth clause' in economic adjustment programmes, given that illiquidity, high taxation and prolonged recession in countries implementing economic adjustment programmes have seriously undermined entrepreneurship, particularly in small and medium enterprises, resulting in business closures or relocations, leading in turn to widespread job losses;
Amendment 207 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 21 21. Calls on the EU to provide support, after the assessment, including through financial resources where appropriate, for the recovery of social protection standards and of the fight against poverty reduction and the renewal of social dialogue through a social recovery plan; calls on the Commission to propose measures and address the severe problems that children face in Greece, Cyprus and even in other countries, in order to prevent worsening of the existing situation and support and protect the social cohesion and the children and students' rights; calls on the Commission, the ECB and the Eurogroup to phase out the exceptional measures that have been put in place;
Amendment 208 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 21 21. Calls on the EU to provide support
Amendment 209 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 21 21. Calls on the EU to provide support, after the assessment, in
Amendment 21 #
Draft opinion Recital G G. whereas in its resolution of 21 November 2013, Parliament welcomed the Commission communication of 2 October 2013 entitled ‘Strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union’ and its proposal to establish a scoreboard of key employment and social indicators to be included in the Macroeconomic Imbalances Procedure (MIP) and the Joint Employment Report (JER) as a first step towards building a social dimension of EMU, but regretted the fact that those indicators were insufficient to ensure comprehensive coverage of the Member States’ employment and social situations and the interdependence between them; whereas Parliament’s resolution stressed the need to ensure that this monitoring aims to reduce social divergences between Member States and to promote upward social convergence and social progress;
Amendment 210 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 21 21. Calls on the EU to provide support, after the assessment, including through financial resources where appropriate, for the recovery of social protection standards and of the fight against poverty reduction and the renewal of social dialogue through a social recovery plan aimed at ensuring a threshold of decency in welfare, in pensions and in wages and aimed at upward social convergence and social progress; calls on the Commission, the ECB and the Eurogroup to work towards this by phas
Amendment 211 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 21 21. Calls on the EU to provide support, after the assessment, including through financial resources where appropriate, for the
Amendment 212 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 21 21. Calls on the EU to provide support, after the assessment, including through sufficient financial resources
Amendment 213 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 21 a (new) 21a. Asks the Commission and the Member States, once the sustainability of public finances is assured, to focus their efforts on job creation, paying special attention to youth and the long-term unemployed;
Amendment 214 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 22 22. Calls for compliance with the above- mentioned legal obligations laid down in the Treaties and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as failure to comply constitutes an infringement of EU primary law; calls on the fundamental rights agency to thoroughly assess the impact of the measures on human rights and issue recommendations in case of breaches of the Charter;
Amendment 215 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 22 a (new) 22a. Calls on the ECB, the European Commission and the Eurogroup to consider the targets of "EUROPE 2020" strategy at the same level as the realisation of fiscal and economic adjustment targets for the evaluation of the programmes;
Amendment 216 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 23 Amendment 217 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 23 23. Calls on the EU not to apply such institutional and financial solutions
Amendment 218 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 23 23. Calls on the EU not to apply
Amendment 219 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 23 23. Calls on the EU
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion Recital G G. whereas in its resolution of 21 November 2013, Parliament welcomed the Commission communication of 2 October 2013 entitled ‘Strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union’ and its proposal to establish a scoreboard of key employment and social indicators
Amendment 220 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 23 23. Calls on the EU not to apply such institutional and financial
Amendment 221 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 23 23. Calls on the EU
Amendment 222 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 24. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give
Amendment 223 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 24. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give the same 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 so as to place the public finances of the Member States on a sustainable footing and put an end to their living on credit;
Amendment 224 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 24. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give the same 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
Amendment 225 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 24. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give
Amendment 226 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Calls on the Commission and the European Council to stop marginalising the role of the European Parliament and to put forward political and even institutional procedures and reforms so that no decision can be taken in the future about such issues and crises unless the voice of the European Parliament is heard and its position is taken into consideration.
Amendment 227 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Calls for an immediate end to austerity policies;
Amendment 228 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Recommends to the Commission and to the Member States to consider public health and education spending not as a spending exposed to cuts, but as a public investment in the future of the country which should be respected and increased so as to improve the economic and social recovery;
Amendment 229 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Stresses the need, in this context, to implement virtuous austerity measures that are concerned to ensure social justice and enable a balance to be reached between economic growth and employment, the implementation of structural reforms and budget consolidation in bailed-out Member States, and that are based on the values of the European Union;
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion Recital H H. whereas the available data show that in four countries the progress made towards achieving the Europe 2020 targets is rapidly declining (see Annex 1); whereas for Portugal, the situation is not the same in all indicators, the progress towards achievement of the Europe 2020 targets is mixed, while the trend is positive regarding the targets related to education, the trend in employment is more challenging;
Amendment 230 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Calls on the EU institutions to prioritise employment creation and entrepreneurship support;
Amendment 231 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 a (new) 24a. Considers that only genuinely democratically accountable institutions should steer the political process of designing and implementing the adjustment programmes for countries in severe financial difficulties; Commission, should have the political steering role : calls for the ECB, IMF role to be limited to technical assistance furthermore calls for the ILO to be involved in an advisory capacity; calls for an increased transparency and political and societal ownership in the design and implementation of the adjustment programmes;
Amendment 232 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 b (new) 24b. Recommends that once the hardest moment of the financial crisis has passed, the EU Institutions, together with the Member States put in place the job recovery plan that should have been implemented years ago, since this is the only way to consolidate the macroeconomic adjustment and to equilibrate the unbalances of the public sector such as the debt and the deficit. For this to happen, an Employment Strategy must be put in place which takes into account the need to quickly repair the credit system, notably for SMEs, a real employment policy with active labour market policies, quality and European public employment services, an upward wage policy, a European youth employment guarantee and a programme for jobless households and finally a more careful fiscal management;
Amendment 233 #
Draft opinion 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 234 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 b (new) 24b. Calls on the Commission and the Council to give the same 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 and ensure full coherence with those of the ECOFIN and the Eurogroup;
Amendment 235 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 c (new) 24c. Calls on the Commission to present a progress report on the EU2020 with specific attention to the lack of progress in programme countries and come forward with proposals to put these countries on a credible path towards all EU 2020 targets;
Amendment 236 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 c (new) 24c. Recommends that future labour reforms not only point to the flexibilisation of the Labour Market, but also to its securisation through the boost of companies competitiveness taking into account other elements such as energy costs, unfair competition, social dumping, a fair and efficient financial system, fiscal policies in favour of growth and employment, and in general, everything which helps real economy and entrepreneurship to develop.
Amendment 237 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 d (new) 24d. Calls for urgent measures to prevent the increase of homelessness in programme countries and on the European Commission to support this through policy analysis and promotion of good practices.
Amendment 238 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 d (new) 24d. Calls on the Commission to carry out social impact assessments prior to imposing major reforms in the programme countries and to consider the spill-over effects of these measures such as the effect on poverty, social exclusion, crime rates and xenophobia;
Amendment 239 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 d (new) 24d. Calls on the Council to consider creating a structure similar to the Eurogroup in which the Eurozone countries can coordinate common policies in the social sphere, with the aim of providing practical responses to social problems; takes the view that the creation of a 'social Eurogroup' could help raise the profile of social issues and promote a fairer economy that is more founded on solidarity and inclusiveness;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion Recital H H. whereas the available data show that in the four countries the progress made towards achieving the Europe 2020 targets is rapidly declining, with the exception of targets related to early leavers from education and training and tertiary education attainment (see Annex 1);
Amendment 240 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 e (new) 24e. Considers that the burden of adjustment should not only come from programme countries which are member states with current account deficits, but that member states with a current account surpluses should also contribute to a rebalancing of the eurozone economy; calls on the Commission to issue recommendations on macroeconomic policies to non-programme countries with this aim;
Amendment 241 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 e (new) 24e. Urges the EU to establish a programme to combat youth unemployment funded by the revenue accruing from the tax on financial transactions and 40% of the Community funds not used in the current Community framework;
Amendment 242 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 e (new) 24e. Invites the Commission and Member States to consult with civil society, patient organisations and professional bodies for future measures related to health in adjustment programmes and to make use of the Social Protection Committee, so as to ensure that the reforms increase the efficiency of the systems and the resources without endangering the most vulnerable groups and the most important social protection, including the acquisition and the use of medicines, the most basic needs and the consideration of the health staff;
Amendment 243 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 f (new) 24f. Calls on the EU to set an 11% limit on the unemployment rate by 2020 and to include this limit in the Fiscal Compact, whilst at the same time creating the necessary conditions for the mutualisation of mechanisms for social support and the payment of unemployment benefit in Member States exceeding this limit;
Amendment 244 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 24 f (new) 24f. Notes that according to Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 472/2013 the Commission shall issue a report to the Parliament before 1 January 2014 on the application of this regulation; calls on the Commission to present this report without delay and to include the implications of this regulation for the economic adjustment programmes in place;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion Recital H H. whereas the available data show that in four countries the progress made towards achieving the Europe 2020 targets
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion 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 27 #
Draft opinion Recital H a (new) Ha. whereas long-term economic prospects in these countries are improving; whereas this should begin to aid the creation of new jobs in these economies and reverse the trend of declining employment;
Amendment 28 #
Draft opinion Recital H a (new) Ha. whereas the policies conditional to financial assistance not only largely failed to achieve the Commission's primary aim of achieving fiscal sustainability, financial stability and restoring competitiveness, but also caused significant harm to pre-crisis progress made in policy areas such as environmental protection and health care.
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion 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 3 #
Draft opinion Citation 1 a (new) 1a. having regard to the public hearing held by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament on January 9th 2014, on "the employment and social aspects of the role and operations of the Troika with regard to euro area programme countries",
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion 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 #
Draft opinion 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 32 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes that, quite clearly, without the economic adjustment programmes the social impact of the crisis would have been far worse than it is at present and that the EU institutions (the ECB, the Commission and the Eurogroup) are fully co-responsible for the conditions imposed under the economic adjustment programmes, and therefore for their social consequences in comparison with the consequences without economic adjustment programmes;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes that the EU institutions (the ECB, the Commission and the Eurogroup) are fully
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes that the EU institutions (the ECB, the Commission and the Eurogroup) are fully co-responsible for the conditions imposed under the economic adjustment programmes
Amendment 35 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes that the
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 1. Notes that the EU institutions (the ECB, the Commission and the Eurogroup) are fully co-responsible for the conditions imposed under the economic adjustment programmes
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 1 a (new) 1a. Notes that despite the need to guarantee the sustainability of public finances, the European Union has to fight to ensure its citizens have proper social protection;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion 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 39 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Deplores the fact that
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion Citation 1 b (new) 1b. having regard to the 4 draft policy notes on "Evaluation of the Social and Employment Aspects and Challenges" in Greece, Portugal, Ireland and Cyprus prepared for the DG Internal policies of the Union Directorate A "Economic and Scientific Policies Economic Governance Support Unit" in January 2014,
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Deplores the fact that Parliament has been completely marginalised during all phases of the pro
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 2 2. Deplores the fact that Parliament has
Amendment 42 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Regrets the fact that those programmes were designed without
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 3. Regrets the fact that those programmes were designed without any assessment of the consequences by means of impact studies or coordination with the Employment Committee, the Social Protection Committee, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) or the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs; regrets, too, that the ILO were not consulted and the fact that, despite the important social implications, the consultative bodies established by Treaty, in particular the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the
Amendment 45 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 – point 1 (new) (1) Condemns the fact that many of the provisions and measures taken in the troika policy programs are not in line with the principles of the Treaty quoted in recitals B to E, is particularly concerned about the interventions in the field of wages and the systems of collective bargaining themselves. deplores the fact that the Commission has failed in this respect to function as the guardian of the Treaty;
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 – point 2 (new) (2) Condemns the fact that the policy implemented under the troika went much further in those cases where social partners reached a joint agreement, thereby not respecting the balance reached by social partners in terms of wage measures and/or on labour market reform;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Points out that since 2008 the EU has been going through an unprecedented economic and financial crisis;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 a (new) 3a. Deplores that a fair distributional impact of the measures was not among the key objectives of the adjustment programmes;
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion Recital A A. whereas the economic crisis and the economic adjustment programme measures adopted in response to it in Greece (May 2010 and March 2012), Ireland (December 2010), Portugal (May 2011) and Cyprus (June 2013) have had a direct and indirect impact on employment levels and dire consequences for the social situation; whereas, although all the programmes were formally signed by the Commission, they were designed, and their conditionality determined, jointly by the IMF, the
Amendment 50 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Regrets that the programmes have only focused on labour market reforms and austerity measures, aiming to regain competitiveness through minimum wage cuts, decentralisation of collective bargaining, social benefit cuts, lighter employment regulations and limited action in surplus countries, not taking into account the importance of innovation and investment and without properly foreseen the dire effects that these measures will have on the employment rate;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Notes that the EU was ill-prepared and ill-equipped to deal with the problems that arose, not least the immense sovereign debt crisis within the Economic and Monetary Union;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 c (new) 3c. Notes that the absence of European Institutions as well as of European financial mechanisms has forced to improvise them, leading to financial and institutional agreements outside the community method as well as to problems of coherence and conflict of interests, but condemns the fact that the Commission has acted as a mere lender and has forgotten its main role as Guardian of the Treaties. In the same way, the European Central Bank has clearly taken decisions falling outside of its mandate;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 b (new) 3b. Deplores the fact that, in spite of the Commission’s appeals, the EU funds left over from the 2007-2013 framework have not been put promptly to use to tackle the crisis or limit its economic and social effects;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 c (new) 3c. Notes that the global economic and financial crisis has highlighted and exacerbated the fragility of public finances in the four countries;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 c (new) 3c. Points out that the fiscal consolidation provided for in the Treaty should be a means of supporting economic growth and employment and not an end in itself; deplores the fact that the agenda for growth and jobs has not been incorporated in the fiscal compact in the way required to make growth and employment central goals ranking equally with fiscal consolidation and public debt management;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 d (new) 3d. Points out that the situation was such as to demand an immediate response, given that failure to act would have had serious consequences, and to leave the four countries with no alternative but to seek financial assistance in order to avert bankruptcy;
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 e (new) 3e. Points out that the short time allowed to implement the adjustment programmes and the failure to produce an accurate picture of the economies of the bailout Member States have been the main causes of the deterioration in the social situation in those countries;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 3 f (new) 3f. Deplores the fact that the worsening economic and social situation in the four countries was not noticed in time, bearing in mind that, had that happened, measures could have been taken to mitigate the social consequences;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the adjustment policies and structural reforms in the four countries have led to dramatic unemployment rates, historically high rates of job losses and worsening working conditions and therefore the relevant policies of the EU and the four countries should be reviewed and adapted in order to respond to the needs of the society and ensure social cohesion; 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
Amendment 6 #
Draft opinion Recital A A. whereas the e
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the
Amendment 61 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the economic crisis and the adjustment policies and structural reforms deemed necessary to remedy it in the four countries have led to dramatic unemployment rates, historically high rates of job losses and worsening working conditions; points out
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the adjustment policies
Amendment 63 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the adjustment policies and structural reforms in the four countries
Amendment 65 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the economic crisis and the adjustment policies and structural reforms in the four countries
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes th
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 4. Notes that the adjustment policies and
Amendment 68 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Notes that the crisis has highlighted and exacerbated macroeconomic imbalances in certain Member States and that it is therefore clearly necessary to initiate structural changes and reforms on a case-by-case basis, giving special attention to vulnerable sections of society with a view to achieving growth, accompanied by social cohesion and employment;
Amendment 69 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Notes that, according to Eurostat data, the unemployment rate in Portugal fell in November 2013, for the ninth month running, to 15.5%;
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion Recital A A. whereas
Amendment 70 #
Draft opinion 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 71 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Points out that although new jobs are the final stage of the benefits of fiscal and budgetary consolidation, the four countries have to make an effort to create the favourable conditions needed for companies, and SMEs in particular, to be able to develop their business sustainably in the long term;
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Notes that the expectations of a return to growth and job creation through internal devaluation in order to regain competitiveness haven't been fulfilled, highlights that this unfulfillment is caused by the underestimation of the structural character of the crisis as well as of the importance of the maintenance of domestic demand, investment and the support with credit to the real economy; stresses that the procyclical character of the austerity measures and the fact that they haven't been accompanied by a parallel concern on growth and job creation has led to a notorious contraction of growth and employment;
Amendment 73 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Notes that the labour market reforms have aroused a strong negative public response caused by the lack of social dialogue as well as of technical and political legitimacy in the different parts of the reform, and the total absence of a coherent European holistic vision, which would have incorporated medium and long-term concerns to the programmes;
Amendment 74 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Stresses that, on the one hand, the adoption of the same solution for all Member States without taking individual circumstances into account and, on the other, the very brief period allowed for the implementation of economic adjustment programmes has made it difficult for both society and the business sector to adapt, thereby undermining social cohesion, employment and the real economy;
Amendment 75 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 b (new) 4b. Notes with concern that the gender pay gap has ceased to narrow in the countries undergoing adjustment, where the disparities are wider than the EU average; maintains that wage inequalities and the falling female employment rate need to receive greater attention in the Member States undergoing adjustment;
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 c (new) 4c. Notes that high rates of unemployment and underemployment, combined with public and private sector pay cuts - in accordance with economic adjustment programmes - are undermining the sustainability and adequacy of pension systems as a result of diminishing insurance contributions and social security funding shortfalls;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 c (new) 4c. Notes that the massive destruction of SMEs is one of the main causes of job losses and the biggest threat to future recovery, because the possible improvement of exportations will not compensate the loss of assets as well as of future employment. Notes that the adjustment policies did not take into account strategic sectors which should have been protected in order to preserve future growth and social cohesion. This has led to a significant job losses in strategic sectors such as, industry or R+D+I, with dramatic consequences to basic public sectors such as health, education and social services;
Amendment 78 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 4 d (new) 4d. Notes with concern the lack of effective action in those Member States that are implementing economic adjustment programmes to combat tax evasion, contribution evasion and the underground economy, resulting in the excessive taxation of earnings, undermining social security systems and aggravating social inequalities;
Amendment 79 #
Draft opinion 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%, or in Cyprus where it is about 26.4%, 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;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion Recital A A. whereas the
Amendment 80 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion 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; notes the increasing degree of employment mismatch and the resulting loss of the innovatory and expert resources affecting production and hence growth; 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;
Amendment 82 #
Draft opinion 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
Amendment 83 #
Draft opinion 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 84 #
Draft opinion 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
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion 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 in Ireland, where it
Amendment 86 #
Draft opinion 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
Amendment 87 #
Draft opinion 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 88 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Notes that the plans being implemented in Portugal, including the active employment policies, are proving effective and that the youth unemployment rate has been falling;
Amendment 89 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Expresses its concern at the fact that high rates of unemployment and long- term unemployment have resulted in loss of health coverage for a large part of the unemployed population and their dependents and an increase in the number of households forced to survive on meagre incomes or with no income at all, thereby increasing the risk of extreme poverty and social exclusion, as reflected by the growing number of destitute and homeless people and the lack of access to basic goods and services, particularly in the wake of the massive welfare restrictions introduced under the economic adjustment programmes;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion Recital A A. whereas the economic crisis and the adjustment programme measures in Greece (May 2010 and March 2012), Ireland (December 2010), Portugal (May 2011) and Cyprus (June 2013) have had a direct and indirect impact on employment levels and
Amendment 90 #
Draft opinion 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 91 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 5 a (new) 5a. Notes that the increase of income inequality is not only bad for society but also for the economy and can hinder economic recovery and therefore needs to be addressed by bigger focus on redistribution, especially through taxation and welfare systems; low pay and the worrying rise in precarious employment need to be tackled;
Amendment 92 #
Draft opinion 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 93 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the most vulnerable groups – the long-term unemployed, women, migrant workers and the disabled – have
Amendment 94 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the most vulnerable groups – the long-term unemployed, carers, women, migrant workers and the disabled – have
Amendment 95 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 6 a (new) 6a. Notes the severe rise in the long-term unemployment rate of women and senior workers and the additional difficulties these workers will face to get back to the labour market when the economy will eventually recover. Warns that these workers are not receiving the attention they deserve.
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Warns that, if not remedied, these huge divergences, especially in the case of the younger generation, will result in structural damage to the labour market of the four countries, limit their capacity for recovery, provoke massive forced migration with tremendous brain-drain effects and increase the persistent divergences between Member States supplying employment and those supplying a low-cost workforce; highlights that the long-term impact of brain drain jeopardises future development and is particularly harmful for the sustainability of social protection and pensions systems;
Amendment 97 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Warns that,
Amendment 98 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Warns that, if not remedied, these huge divergences, especially in the case of the younger generation, will result in structural damage to the labour market of the four countries, limit their capacity for recovery,
Amendment 99 #
Draft opinion Paragraph 7 7. Warns that, if not remedied, these huge divergences, especially in the case of the younger generation,
source: PE-526.372
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