BETA


2019/2111(INI) Employment and social policies of the euro area

Progress: Procedure completed

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead EMPL TOOM Yana (icon: Renew Renew) WALSH Maria (icon: EPP EPP), JONGERIUS Agnes (icon: S&D S&D), REIL Guido (icon: ID ID), PETER-HANSEN Kira Marie (icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE), ZALEWSKA Anna (icon: ECR ECR), PEREIRA Sandra (icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL)
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54

Events

2020/02/03
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2019/10/10
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2019/10/10
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2019/10/10
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 422 votes to 131, with 101 abstentions, a resolution on employment and social policies of the euro area.

The unemployment rate in June 2019 fell to 6.3 % in the EU and 7.5% in the euro area, youth unemployment remains unacceptably high (14.2 %). Great disparities in employment rates persist between Member States, regions and population groups. More than one European in five is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Although some progress has been made towards the poverty target of the Europe 2020 strategy with a 5.6 million reduction since 2008, the target of reducing poverty by at least 20 million by 2020 is still far off, with 113 million people still at risk.

Tackle unemployment and reduce inequalities

Parliament highlighted that it is vital to tackle youth unemployment and the issues faced by young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs). Moreover, it is necessary to improve in terms of long-term unemployment, labour market segmentation and inequalities, inclusion of vulnerable groups, in-work poverty and productivity, especially in the context of a potential global economy slowdown or recession. Members stressed that the Member States and the Commission should ensure the implementation of specific employment policies to address the constraints and difficulties experienced by regions at a demographic disadvantage, such as depopulated or sparsely populated regions, with a special focus on the agricultural sector.

Parliament regretted that real wage growth at Union level remains below what could be expected given the positive labour market and economic performance. The Commission should present a European unemployment benefit reinsurance scheme to protect citizens and reduce the pressure on public finances during external shock.

The Commission is called on to propose a directive on pay transparency in order to quickly close the gender pay gap (16% at present).

European minimum wage against poverty

In 2017, 9.4 % of all employed people in the EU were at risk of poverty and that in-work poverty is increasing in many Member States. Member States are urged to take decisive action to ensure that people can afford a decent life for themselves and their families on their wages. Parliament called on the Commission to put forward a legal instrument to ensure that every worker in the Union has a fair minimum wage, which can be set according to national traditions, or through collective agreements or legal provisions. Stressing the need to eradicate child poverty, the Commission is called on to propose legislation for the implementation of a European Child Guarantee.

Both the Commission and the Member States are urged to make better use of the European Semester to monitor and support progress on housing affordability and homelessness. A European Framework for Social and Affordable housing for the efficient coordination of Member State policies should be proposed by the Commission. Member States are called on to step up their efforts to ensure the accessibility, availability, affordability, quality and cost-effectiveness of their healthcare systems.

Online platform workers

Online platform work in the EU has increased by more than 25 % over the past two years to up to 5 million workers. Platform workers are often not covered by social protection systems. Parliament called for a coordinated EU initiative to ensure that platform workers have access to social protection and are guaranteed all their social and labour rights, regardless of their employment status, and to extend collective agreement coverage to platform workers.

The resolution insisted that a transformation of the education and training systems is necessary in order to make full use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation and the greening of the economy. It considered that skills shortages and mismatches can be major investment obstacles. Therefore, the accessibility of education and training, including vocational training should be improved. Investment in education is crucial for social cohesion. Member States are called on to step up and encourage investments in upskilling and reskilling and in comprehensive training in digital, vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Social and economic objectives on an equal footing

Parliament stressed that the Union’s social and economic goals should have equal priority and secured financial resources within the next budget, and that the European Semester should be enhanced to include a social dimension all throughout its cycle involving the competent bodies of the EU and Member States which deal with social policies. Members urged the Commission to enhance the country-specific recommendations for eurozone members.

Documents
2019/10/10
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2019/10/07
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Yana TOOM (Renew Europe, EE) on employment and social policies of the euro area.

The report noted that labour market conditions in the EU continue to improve, mainly thanks to a lengthy period characterised by a positive international economic environment. The employment rate has continued to increase and reached 73.5 % in the last quarter of 2018, with 240.7 million people in work, a new record level. The employment rate in the euro area has increased from 66.5% in 2017 to 67.4% in 2018.

However, great disparities in employment rates persist between Member States, regions and population groups. Furthermore, the pace of growth of the employment rate has slowed down.

Members stressed that quality employment is an important factor in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. There is a need to reach all members of society who are furthest from the labour market and at risk of poverty and social exclusion.

The report noted that more than one European in five is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Although some progress has been made towards the poverty target of the Europe 2020 strategy with a 5.6 million reduction since 2008, the target of reducing poverty by at least 20 million by 2020 is still far off, with 113 million people still at risk.

Social dialogue and reducing inequalities

According to Members, a well-functioning social dialogue is a key element of the European social market economy which strengthens social cohesion and reduces conflicts in society, to the common benefit of workers, employers and governments. Social dialogue and collective bargaining are key to designing and implementing policies which can improve working conditions and terms of employment.

Members also noted that while the economic conditions in the EU are currently favourable and overall employment is steadily growing, it remains vital to tackle youth unemployment and the issues faced by young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) swiftly, and there is still an urgent need for improvement in terms of long-term unemployment, labour market segmentation and inequalities, inclusion of vulnerable groups, in-work poverty and productivity, especially in the context of a potential global economy slowdown or recession.

Members strongly regretted that real wage growth at Union level remains below what could be expected given the positive labour market and economic performance and in this respect called on the Commission to present a European unemployment benefit reinsurance scheme to protect citizens and reduce the pressure on public finances during external shocks. They called for a new financial instrument to tackle long-term unemployment, which provides financial support for measures and projects in regions with above-average long-term unemployment.

Country-specific recommendations

The Commission’s 2019 country-specific recommendations (CSRs) were taken into consideration and the stronger focus on investment was welcomed. However, almost one third of the CSRs issued until 2018 have not been implemented. The Commission is urged to put the necessary pressure on Member States, regardless of their membership of the euro area, to implement the recommendations. They considered that the implementation of future-oriented reforms is crucial to strengthening the growth potential of the EU economy, fostering social inclusion and improving social rights and the well-being of all residents in the Union.

Poverty

The report noted that in 2017, 9.4 % of all employed people in the EU were at risk of poverty and that in-work poverty is increasing in many Member States. Member States are urged to take decisive action to ensure that people can afford a decent life for themselves and their families on their wages. Members called on the Commission to put forward a legal instrument to ensure that every worker in the Union has a fair minimum wage, which can be set according to national traditions, or through collective agreements or legal provisions.

Both the Commission and the Member States are urged to make better use of the European Semester to monitor and support progress on housing affordability and homelessness. A European Framework for Social and Affordable housing for the efficient coordination of Member State policies should be proposed by the Commission.

Education and digitalisation

Members stressed that a transformation of the education and training systems is necessary in order to make full use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation and the greening of the economy. They considered that skills shortages and mismatches can be major investment obstacles. Therefore, the accessibility of education and training, including vocational training should be improved. Investment in education is crucial for social cohesion. Member States are called on to step up and encourage investments in upskilling and reskilling and in comprehensive training in digital, vocational and entrepreneurial skills.

Regulatory framework and funding

Members stressed the importance of closely monitoring and, where necessary, reviewing Union funds in order to ensure effective funding in line with EU objectives. They called for the Commission and the Member States to tackle any misuse, fraud and corruption relating to Union funds.

Lastly, Members believed that in order to maintain and increase global competitiveness, the labour market regulatory framework in the Member States needs to be clear, simple and flexible while maintaining high labour standards.

Documents
2019/10/02
   EP - Vote in committee
2019/09/25
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2019/09/19
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2019/09/16
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2019/07/25
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2019/07/24
   EP - TOOM Yana (Renew) appointed as rapporteur in EMPL

Documents

Activities

Votes

A9-0016/2019 - Yana Toom - Am 1 #

2019/10/10 Outcome: -: 509, +: 109, 0: 40
EE LV LU CZ CY MT HR SI SK FI LT IT DK IE BG GB BE SE AT HU EL NL PT PL RO FR ES DE
Total
3
8
5
19
6
6
10
7
12
13
10
65
12
10
13
62
19
19
17
17
17
26
21
40
25
66
46
84
icon: ID ID
63

Czechia ID

2

Finland ID

2

Denmark ID

For (1)

1

Belgium ID

2

Austria ID

2
icon: ECR ECR
49

Latvia ECR

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

2

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Italy ECR

3

Bulgaria ECR

2

Belgium ECR

For (1)

Against (1)

2

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

Abstain (1)

4

Spain ECR

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2
icon: NI NI
44

Croatia NI

1

Slovakia NI

2

Hungary NI

1

Greece NI

Abstain (1)

2

Germany NI

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1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
39

Czechia GUE/NGL

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1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Finland GUE/NGL

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1

Denmark GUE/NGL

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1

Ireland GUE/NGL

4

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

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1

Belgium GUE/NGL

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1

Sweden GUE/NGL

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1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

4
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
67

Latvia Verts/ALE

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1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

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1

Czechia Verts/ALE

3

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2

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2

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1

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2

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3

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1

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2
icon: Renew Renew
96

Estonia Renew

2

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1

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Croatia Renew

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1

Slovenia Renew

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3

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1

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2

Sweden Renew

3

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1

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2
icon: S&D S&D
141

Estonia S&D

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2
3

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3

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Against (1)

1

A9-0016/2019 - Yana Toom - § 1/2 #

2019/10/10 Outcome: +: 364, -: 228, 0: 57
ES PT FR RO IT BE BG HR EL SK PL SI MT GB LU LV LT CY IE DE FI EE AT DK NL HU SE CZ
Total
45
20
66
25
65
19
13
10
19
12
39
6
6
61
5
6
9
6
10
85
12
2
16
12
25
17
19
19
icon: S&D S&D
140

Greece S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

2

Lithuania S&D

2

Cyprus S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Hungary S&D

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
68

Spain Verts/ALE

2

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Ireland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Sweden Verts/ALE

2

Czechia Verts/ALE

3
icon: Renew Renew
94

Bulgaria Renew

2

Croatia Renew

For (1)

1

Slovakia Renew

2

Slovenia Renew

2

Luxembourg Renew

2

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1

Lithuania Renew

Abstain (1)

2

Ireland Renew

For (1)

1

Finland Renew

For (1)

3

Estonia Renew

Against (1)

1

Austria Renew

Against (1)

1

Denmark Renew

4

Hungary Renew

2

Sweden Renew

3
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
39

Portugal GUE/NGL

4

Belgium GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

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1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

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4

Finland GUE/NGL

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1

Denmark GUE/NGL

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1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

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1

Sweden GUE/NGL

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1

Czechia GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1
icon: NI NI
45

Croatia NI

Abstain (1)

1

Slovakia NI

2

Germany NI

1

Hungary NI

1
icon: PPE PPE
153

Bulgaria PPE

Against (1)

Abstain (1)

5

Slovakia PPE

Against (1)

3

Slovenia PPE

3

Malta PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

2

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1

Lithuania PPE

2
2

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3

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1
icon: ECR ECR
48

Spain ECR

2

Italy ECR

3

Belgium ECR

2

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2

Croatia ECR

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1

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1

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2

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3

Latvia ECR

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1

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Abstain (1)

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4
3
icon: ID ID
62

Belgium ID

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2

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2

A9-0016/2019 - Yana Toom - § 1/3 #

2019/10/10 Outcome: -: 317, +: 296, 0: 43
ES PT EL CY AT IE FI IT LV MT LU EE HR SI LT DE BE BG NL SK RO DK PL SE HU CZ GB FR
Total
46
21
17
6
17
10
10
65
8
6
5
3
10
7
10
84
19
13
26
12
26
12
40
19
17
19
62
66
icon: S&D S&D
140

Greece S&D

2

Cyprus S&D

2

Finland S&D

1

Latvia S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Lithuania S&D

2

Belgium S&D

Against (1)

3

Hungary S&D

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
68

Spain Verts/ALE

2

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Ireland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Denmark Verts/ALE

2

Sweden Verts/ALE

2

Czechia Verts/ALE

3
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
36

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Belgium GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Netherlands GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Denmark GUE/NGL

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

1

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1
icon: NI NI
45

Croatia NI

Abstain (1)

1

Germany NI

1

Slovakia NI

2

Hungary NI

1
icon: ECR ECR
49

Spain ECR

2

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Italy ECR

3

Latvia ECR

2

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Belgium ECR

2

Bulgaria ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

4

Slovakia ECR

2
3

United Kingdom ECR

Abstain (1)

3
icon: ID ID
61

Austria ID

2

Belgium ID

2

Denmark ID

Against (1)

1

Czechia ID

Against (2)

2
icon: Renew Renew
98

Austria Renew

Against (1)

1

Ireland Renew

For (1)

1

Finland Renew

For (1)

3

Latvia Renew

Against (1)

1

Luxembourg Renew

2

Estonia Renew

For (1)

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2

Croatia Renew

Against (1)

1

Slovenia Renew

2

Lithuania Renew

2

Bulgaria Renew

2

Slovakia Renew

Against (1)

2

Sweden Renew

3

Hungary Renew

2
icon: PPE PPE
159
2

Finland PPE

3

Latvia PPE

For (1)

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2

Malta PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

2

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For (1)

4

Slovenia PPE

4

Belgium PPE

4

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3

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1

A9-0016/2019 - Yana Toom - Proposition de résolution #

2019/10/10 Outcome: +: 422, -: 131, 0: 101
ES DE GB RO PL FR PT AT BG NL HR BE LT SK SI MT LV HU LU FI SE EL EE CY IE DK IT CZ
Total
46
84
62
26
39
66
21
17
13
25
10
19
10
12
7
6
8
17
4
13
19
18
3
6
10
11
64
18
icon: S&D S&D
140

Lithuania S&D

2

Slovenia S&D

For (1)

1

Latvia S&D

2

Hungary S&D

2

Greece S&D

2

Estonia S&D

For (1)

1

Cyprus S&D

2
icon: PPE PPE
158

Malta PPE

2

Latvia PPE

2

Luxembourg PPE

2
2

Denmark PPE

Against (1)

1
icon: Renew Renew
96

Austria Renew

For (1)

1

Bulgaria Renew

2

Croatia Renew

For (1)

1

Lithuania Renew

2

Slovakia Renew

2

Slovenia Renew

2

Latvia Renew

For (1)

1

Hungary Renew

2

Luxembourg Renew

For (1)

1

Finland Renew

For (1)

3

Sweden Renew

For (1)

3

Estonia Renew

2

Ireland Renew

For (1)

1

Denmark Renew

Against (1)

3
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
67

Spain Verts/ALE

2

Portugal Verts/ALE

1

Austria Verts/ALE

2

Netherlands Verts/ALE

3

Belgium Verts/ALE

3

Lithuania Verts/ALE

2

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Finland Verts/ALE

2

Sweden Verts/ALE

2

Ireland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Denmark Verts/ALE

2

Czechia Verts/ALE

3
icon: NI NI
45

Germany NI

Against (1)

1

Croatia NI

1

Slovakia NI

2

Hungary NI

1
icon: ECR ECR
46

Spain ECR

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Bulgaria ECR

2

Netherlands ECR

Abstain (1)

3

Croatia ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Belgium ECR

2

Lithuania ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

2

Latvia ECR

2
3

Greece ECR

Abstain (1)

1

Italy ECR

3
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
39

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

4

Netherlands GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Belgium GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

Abstain (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Ireland GUE/NGL

4

Denmark GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1

Czechia GUE/NGL

Against (1)

1
icon: ID ID
63

Austria ID

2

Belgium ID

2

Finland ID

2

Denmark ID

Against (1)

1

Czechia ID

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2

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Employment and Social Affairs
committee
EMPL
associated
False
rapporteur
name: TOOM Yana date: 2019-07-24T00:00:00 group: Renew Europe group abbr: Renew
shadows
committees/0
type
Responsible Committee
body
EP
committee_full
Employment and Social Affairs
committee
EMPL
associated
False
rapporteur
name: TOOM Yana date: 2019-07-24T00:00:00 group: Renew Europe group abbr: Renew
shadows
docs/0/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE639.822
New
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/EMPL-PR-639822_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE639.999
New
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docs/3
date
2020-02-03T00:00:00
docs
url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=40268&j=0&l=en title: SP(2019)669
type
Commission response to text adopted in plenary
body
EC
events/0/type
Old
Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
New
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events/1/type
Old
Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
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events/2
date
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type
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EP
docs
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summary
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Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading
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EP
docs
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summary
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Debate in Parliament
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  • The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted the own-initiative report by Yana TOOM (Renew Europe, EE) on employment and social policies of the euro area.
  • The report noted that labour market conditions in the EU continue to improve, mainly thanks to a lengthy period characterised by a positive international economic environment. The employment rate has continued to increase and reached 73.5 % in the last quarter of 2018, with 240.7 million people in work, a new record level. The employment rate in the euro area has increased from 66.5% in 2017 to 67.4% in 2018.
  • However, great disparities in employment rates persist between Member States, regions and population groups. Furthermore, the pace of growth of the employment rate has slowed down.
  • Members stressed that quality employment is an important factor in the fight against poverty and social exclusion. There is a need to reach all members of society who are furthest from the labour market and at risk of poverty and social exclusion.
  • The report noted that more than one European in five is at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Although some progress has been made towards the poverty target of the Europe 2020 strategy with a 5.6 million reduction since 2008, the target of reducing poverty by at least 20 million by 2020 is still far off, with 113 million people still at risk.
  • Social dialogue and reducing inequalities
  • According to Members, a well-functioning social dialogue is a key element of the European social market economy which strengthens social cohesion and reduces conflicts in society, to the common benefit of workers, employers and governments. Social dialogue and collective bargaining are key to designing and implementing policies which can improve working conditions and terms of employment.
  • Members also noted that while the economic conditions in the EU are currently favourable and overall employment is steadily growing, it remains vital to tackle youth unemployment and the issues faced by young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) swiftly, and there is still an urgent need for improvement in terms of long-term unemployment, labour market segmentation and inequalities, inclusion of vulnerable groups, in-work poverty and productivity, especially in the context of a potential global economy slowdown or recession.
  • Members strongly regretted that real wage growth at Union level remains below what could be expected given the positive labour market and economic performance and in this respect called on the Commission to present a European unemployment benefit reinsurance scheme to protect citizens and reduce the pressure on public finances during external shocks. They called for a new financial instrument to tackle long-term unemployment, which provides financial support for measures and projects in regions with above-average long-term unemployment.
  • Country-specific recommendations
  • The Commission’s 2019 country-specific recommendations (CSRs) were taken into consideration and the stronger focus on investment was welcomed. However, almost one third of the CSRs issued until 2018 have not been implemented. The Commission is urged to put the necessary pressure on Member States, regardless of their membership of the euro area, to implement the recommendations. They considered that the implementation of future-oriented reforms is crucial to strengthening the growth potential of the EU economy, fostering social inclusion and improving social rights and the well-being of all residents in the Union.
  • Poverty
  • The report noted that in 2017, 9.4 % of all employed people in the EU were at risk of poverty and that in-work poverty is increasing in many Member States. Member States are urged to take decisive action to ensure that people can afford a decent life for themselves and their families on their wages. Members called on the Commission to put forward a legal instrument to ensure that every worker in the Union has a fair minimum wage, which can be set according to national traditions, or through collective agreements or legal provisions.
  • Both the Commission and the Member States are urged to make better use of the European Semester to monitor and support progress on housing affordability and homelessness. A European Framework for Social and Affordable housing for the efficient coordination of Member State policies should be proposed by the Commission.
  • Education and digitalisation
  • Members stressed that a transformation of the education and training systems is necessary in order to make full use of the opportunities offered by digitalisation and the greening of the economy. They considered that skills shortages and mismatches can be major investment obstacles. Therefore, the accessibility of education and training, including vocational training should be improved. Investment in education is crucial for social cohesion. Member States are called on to step up and encourage investments in upskilling and reskilling and in comprehensive training in digital, vocational and entrepreneurial skills.
  • Regulatory framework and funding
  • Members stressed the importance of closely monitoring and, where necessary, reviewing Union funds in order to ensure effective funding in line with EU objectives. They called for the Commission and the Member States to tackle any misuse, fraud and corruption relating to Union funds.
  • Lastly, Members believed that in order to maintain and increase global competitiveness, the labour market regulatory framework in the Member States needs to be clear, simple and flexible while maintaining high labour standards.
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