2020/0105(COD) | [ParlTrack]

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3

(3) Member States have been affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in an unprecedented manner. The crisis has led to severe economic and social consequences dramatically worsening the situation of people experiencing or at risk of poverty and social exclusion, and endangering the life of persons affected by deep poverty and material deprivation. This has created an exceptional situation which needs to be addressed with specific measures in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Amendment 11 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3

(3) Member States have been affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in an unprecedented manner. The crisis has led to severe economic and social consequences aggravating the already very difficult situation of more than 100 million people living in poverty and social exclusion and putting at risk many more citizens and households. This has created an exceptional situation which needs to be urgently addressed with specific measures in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights and a European Anti-Poverty Strategy.

Amendment 12 #

Brando BENIFEI

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3

(3) Member States have been affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in an unprecedented manner. The crisis has led to severe economic and social consequences, and has exacerbated the situation of people experiencing or at risk of poverty, deepened social cleavages and increased job losses, unemployment rates and inequalities, especially in disadvantaged groups. This has created an exceptional situation which needs to be addressed with specific measures in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Amendment 13 #

Anne SANDER

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3

(3) Member States have been affected by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis in an unprecedented manner. The crisis has led to severe economic and social consequences. Job losses, companies going bankrupt, short- time working and financial difficulties mean that more people are falling into severe poverty and insecurity. This has created an exceptional situation which needs to be addressed with specific measures in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Amendment 14 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4

(4) This has a particular impact on the FEAD. Considering that thacross all the Union a considerable number of people were already suffering from food and material deprivation ~~has been~~(13 million people were receiving support from FEAD annually, including approximately 4 million children), figures that are increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic ~~and that~~, with the most deprived abeing more exposed to particular risks and further hardships during this crisis, Member States are facing additional funding needs in the delivery of support by the Fund.

Amendment 15 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4

(4) This has a particular impact on the FEAD. Considering that poverty and social exclusion have been exacerbating and that the number of people suffering from food and material deprivation has been radically increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that the most deprived are exposed to particular risks and further hardships during this crisis, Member States are facing additional funding needs in the delivery of support by the Fund.

Amendment 16 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5

(5) In order to redress huge shocks to the society and the economy and serious impacts on the functioning of the European Social Model and the Single Market due to exceptional restrictions put in place by Member States to contain the COVID-19 spreading, the European Council endorsed on 23 April 2020 the “Roadmap for recovery” with a strong investment component, called for the establishment of the [European Recovery Instrument ] and mandated the Commission to analyse the needs so that the resources are targeted towards the sectors and geographical parts of Europe most affected, while clarifying also the link with the MFF.

Amendment 17 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6

(6) The Commission issued a proposal for a Regulation11 amending Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/201312 on 27 May 2020 and unlocked additional resources to support Member States in crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing the social, resilient and sustainable recovery of the economy. As part of this package, an additional exceptional amount of EUR 58 272 800 000 for budgetary commitment from the Structural Funds under the Investment for growth and jobs goal, for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 is made available for this purpose, with a view to deploying them quickly for the real economy through the existing structures for the 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes. The Commission should set out the breakdown of the additional resources for each Member State on the basis of an allocation method based on the latest available objective statistical data, including equality data, concerning Member States’ relative prosperity and the nature and the extent of the effect of the current crisis on their economies and their society, especially on the most deprived, including homeless people and people living in institutions, who are traditionally not reached by Member State statistical offices. For this reason, NGOs and local authorities working in the field of poverty and social exclusion and in the provision of services to the most deprived should be involved in the collection of relevant data. In order to reflect the evolving nature of the effects of the crisis, the breakdown should be revised in 2021 on the basis of the same allocation method using the latest statistical data available by 19 October 2021. In order to provide for an effective response to the social impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the most deprived, it is appropriate that the additional resources may be allocated by Member States to the FEAD, in accordance with their needs. In doing so, Member States should pay due attention to the increases in the number of the most deprived since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it is necessary to establish ceilings concerning the allocation of the increased resources to technical assistance of the Member State. Taking account of the expected quick spending of the additional resources, the commitments linked to these additional resources should also be decommitted at the closure of the programmes. Possibilities for financial transfers under the Investment for Growth and Jobs goal ~~between~~from the ERDF, to the ESF and the FEAD are also introduced for the additional resources. Taking into account the vital role of the ESF in eradicating poverty and fighting social exclusion, the ESF share should not be decreased below the current legal obligation of 23,1%. __________________ 11 COM(2020) 446. 12 Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014- 2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).

Amendment 18 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6

(6) The Commission issued a proposal for a Regulation11 amending Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/201312 on 27 May 2020 and unlocked additional resources to support Member States in crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing the ~~recovery of the econom~~socio-economic recovery. As part of this package, an additional exceptional amount of EUR 58 272 800 000 for budgetary commitment from the Structural Funds under the Investment for growth and jobs goal, for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 is made available for this purpose, with a view to deploying them quickly for supporting people and the real economy through the existing structures for the 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes. The Commission should set out the breakdown of the additional resources for each Member State on the basis of an allocation method based on the latest available objective statistical data concerning Member States’ relative prosperity and the extent of the socio- economic effects of the current crisis ~~on their economies~~. Non- governmental organisations working in the field of poverty and social exclusion should be involved in order to enhance the overall approach aimed at correctly reach and include in statistical data the situation of all the most deprived people. In order to reflect the evolving nature of the socio-economic effects of the crisis, the breakdown should be revised in 2021 on the basis of the same allocation method using the latest statistical data available by 19 October 2021. In order to provide for an effective response to the social impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the most deprived, it is appropriate that the additional resources may be allocated by Member States to the FEAD, in accordance with their needs. In doing so, Member States should pay due attention to the increases in the number of the most deprived since the COVID-19 pandemic, making sure that operations comply with the horizontal principle of gender equality. In addition, it is necessary to establish ceilings concerning the allocation of the increased resources to technical assistance of the Member State. Taking account of the expected quick spending of the additional resources, the commitments linked to these additional resources should also be decommitted at the closure of the programmes. Possibilities for financial transfers under the Investment for Growth and Jobs goal between the ERDF, the ESF and the FEAD are also introduced for the additional resources. __________________ 11 COM(2020) 446. 12 Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014- 2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).

Amendment 19 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6

(6) The Commission issued a proposal for a Regulation11 amending Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/201312 on 27 May 2020 and unlocked additional resources to support Member States in crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing the social recover~~y of the econom~~y. As part of this package, an additional exceptional amount of EUR 58 272 800 000 for budgetary commitment from the Structural Funds under the Investment for growth and jobs goal, for the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 is made available for this purpose, with a view to deploying them quickly for the real economy through the existing structures for the 2014-2020 cohesion policy programmes. The Commission should set out the breakdown of the additional resources for each Member State on the basis of an allocation method based on the latest available objective statistical data concerning Member States’ ~~relative prosperity~~poverty and social exclusion and the extent of the effect of the current crisis on their economies, particularly on the most deprived people, paying specific attention to those usually invisible to statistics, such as homeless people, Roma, prisoners and other persons living in institutions. This data should count with the direct participation of people experiencing poverty and the organisations representing them. In order to reflect the evolving nature of the effects of the crisis, the breakdown should be revised in 2021 on the basis of the same allocation method using the latest statistical data available by 19 October 2021. In order to provide for an effective response to the social impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the most deprived, it is appropriate that the additional resources may be allocated by Member States to the FEAD, in accordance with their needs. In doing so, Member States should pay due attention to the increases in the number of the most deprived since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, it is necessary to establish ceilings concerning the allocation of the increased resources to technical assistance of the Member State. Taking account of the expected quick spending of the additional resources, the commitments linked to these additional resources should also be decommitted at the closure of the programmes. Possibilities for financial transfers under the Investment for Growth and Jobs goal between the ERDF, the ESF and the FEAD are also introduced for the additional resources. __________________ 11 COM(2020) 446. 12 Council Regulation (EU, EURATOM) No 1311/2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014- 2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).

Amendment 20 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)

(7a) Due to the feminisation of poverty resulting in a higher incidence and more severe poverty of women than men, the gender aspects should be taken into account during the preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FEAD.

Amendment 21 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)

(7b) Due to the inextricable link between discrimination and poverty, and in accordance with Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation is prohibited in the implementation of FEAD.

Amendment 22 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8

(8) In order to ensure that Member States have sufficient extra financial means to swiftly implement crisis repair actions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic ~~and prepare the recovery of the econom~~facing its impact on poverty and social exclusion and prepare a resilient social and economic recovery, it is necessary to provide a higher level of pre-financing payment for the quick implementation of actions supported by the additional resources. The magnitude of the pre- financing should ensure that Member States have the means to arrange for advance payments to beneficiaries where necessary and to reimburse beneficiaries quickly following the submission of payment claims.

Amendment 23 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8

(8) In order to ensure that Member States have sufficient financial means to swiftly implement crisis repair actions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare the social, resilient and sustainable recovery of the economy and the society, it is necessary to provide a higher level of pre-financing payment as early as possible for the quick implementation of actions supported by the additional resources. The magnitude of the pre-financing should ensure that Member States have the means to arrange for advance payments to beneficiaries where necessary and to reimburse beneficiaries quickly following the submission of payment claims. In order to ensure an immediate relief for beneficiaries, Member States should commit to taking all necessary steps to launch the advance payments as fast as possible.

Amendment 24 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8

(8) In order to ensure that Member States have sufficient financial means to swiftly implement crisis repair actions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and prepare the ~~recovery of the econom~~socio-economic recovery, it is necessary to provide a higher level of pre-financing payment for the quick implementation of actions supported by the additional resources. The magnitude of the pre-financing should ensure that Member States have the means to arrange for advance payments to beneficiaries where necessary and to reimburse beneficiaries quickly following the submission of payment claims.

Amendment 25 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9

(9) With a view to alleviating the burden on public budgets regarding crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing ~~the recovery of the econom~~a resilient social and economic recovery, it is appropriate that the additional resources are not subject to co- financing.

Amendment 26 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9

(9) With a view to alleviating the burden on public budgets regarding crisis repair in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing the ~~recovery of the econom~~socio- economic recovery, it is appropriate that the additional resources are not subject to co- financing.

Amendment 27 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11

(11) Since the objective of this Regulation, namely to respond to the impact of the public health and the socio- economic crisis on the most deprived, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States alone and can therefore, by reason of the scale and effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve this objective.

Amendment 28 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14

(14) In view of the COVID-19 pandemic and the urgency to address the associated public health and socio-economic crisis, it is considered necessary to use the exception to the eight- week period referred to in Article 4 of Protocol No 1 on the role of national Parliaments in the European Union, annexed to the Treaty on European Union, to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community,

Amendment 29 #

Dragoş PÎSLARU

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 223/2014
Article 6a – title

~~Voluntary i~~Increase of resources in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Amendment 30 #

Dragoş PÎSLARU

Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2

Regulation (EU) No 223/2014
Article 6a – paragraph 1

1. The resources referred to in Article 6 ~~may~~shall be increased by Member States ~~on a voluntary basis~~ in response to the COVID- 19 pandemic with a minimum share amounting to at least 3% of the additional resources, in accordance with the seventh subparagraph of point 5 of Article 92b of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013. The increase may affect the budgetary commitments for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Amendment 8 #

Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2

(2) On 17 November 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights was jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission as a response to social challenges in Europe. The twenty key principles of the pillar are structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market; fair working conditions; social protection and inclusion. The twenty principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights should guide the actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to ensure a socially fair and resilient recovery.

Amendment 9 #