Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2008-09-02-Speech-2-005"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20080902.4.2-005"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:translated text |
". −
Mr Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen, two months ago the Commission adopted a renewed social agenda. It is designed to help the Union to solve the social problems which Europe will have to tackle in the 21st century. It contains an ambitious and cohesive set of measures in the field of social policy, enabling Europeans to grasp the opportunities open to them.
I should like to emphasise that tackling all the reasons for discrimination in the same way does not mean that uniform rules have to apply in all areas. In insurance and banking, for example, it will be possible to apply different approaches on the basis of age or disability. However, such differences will have to be supported by convincing grounds and reliable statistical data. Elderly people will still be able to enjoy preferential rates on public transport and at cultural events, and it will still be possible to restrict access to certain goods in order to protect people’s health, for example the sale of alcohol to underage youths.
The directive covers the supply of all goods and services and relates to both business and private individuals, but only insofar as the commercial supply of goods and services is involved.
The directive will also be proportionate with regard to the burden it imposes in accordance with the concept of proportionality embedded in both the existing anti-discrimination directives and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been signed by Member States and the European Community.
The draft directive prohibits discrimination, but at the same time respects the other fundamental rights and freedoms, including the protection of private and family life and acts undertaken in this context and also the freedom of religion and the freedom of association.
Another problem to which I should like to draw attention is discrimination against the Roma, which the Commission has repeatedly condemned as incompatible with the principles of the EU. The package contains a declaration of our renewed undertaking to ensure equal opportunities and to fight against discrimination and also a Commission Staff Working Document on Community Instruments and Policies for Roma Inclusion.
It is a response to the request from the European Council in December 2007 that the Commission should review existing policies and instruments and submit to the Council a report on the progress achieved.
According to the Commission Staff Working Document, the necessary legislative, financial and coordinating instruments are in place and are being used, but not yet to a sufficient extent. The renewed social agenda includes several initiatives intended to improve the Union’s ability to react more effectively to changes. We are convinced that European social dialogue and the European Works Councils have a special part to play in this context. The European Works Councils Directive has been crying out for updating for some time.
At the present time, there are 820 European Works Councils in the Union, representing 15 million workers. However, recent cases show that they are not quite doing their job and employees are often not kept well informed or consulted with regard to company restructuring. The initiative therefore aims to strengthen the role of social dialogue within companies at the supranational level.
It is a balanced draft which should guarantee that employees’ representatives are kept adequately informed and consulted prior to decisions relating to circumstances affecting them and should also allow businesses to adapt to globalisation.
The Commission would of course prefer to give priority to a solution first discussed by representatives of workers and employers, but the fact that we did not manage to persuade them to come to the table for discussions last June forced the Commission to submit a draft on its own initiative.
As has been said already, the renewed social agenda was discussed by Ministers for Labour and Social Affairs at an informal meeting of the Social Council held in early July at Chantilly.
We nonetheless value the joint letter which representatives of workers and employers sent to the Council and Parliament in August. We appreciate the efforts made by both sides to reach agreement on this complex topic and I am also pleased that they decided to accept the Commission’s draft as a basis for further work. I really hope that Parliament will bear in mind the practical proposals made by representatives of workers and employers when they come to the first reading. I believe that we shall achieve a rapid resolution. As far as it is able, the Commission will try to smooth the path as much as possible.
Now I must say a few words about the impacts of globalisation. Company restructuring is sometimes unavoidable, but the impacts on employees and their families may be very painful. The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund exists to help in such situations. So far the Fund has helped 7 250 employees to find new jobs. We can be pleased about this, but it must be ensured that the Fund is accessible to all those who might benefit from it.
The report contained in the social agenda package states that, of the EUR 500 million available annually, just 4% was used in 2007. Thought must therefore be given as to how to improve the results of the Fund’s activities.
As regards workforce mobility, I should like to say that the 1996 Directive concerning the posting of workers supports the free movement of services and also offers protection against the abuse of workers and guarantees them observance of fundamental rights in the Member States to which they are posted. Recent rulings by the Court of Justice on this matter have thrown up a whole series of questions. The reactions to them are quite legitimate and we must together find an answer to them. I am convening a forum to discuss this topic on 9 October, when this complex problem will be discussed with political bodies, representatives of workers and employers, representatives of European institutions and experts in the fields of law and the economy.
The Commission will of course continue to listen to all comments, but we do not as yet see any need to amend the Directive. In any case, however, we shall ensure that there is no conflict between the fundamental freedoms embedded in the Treaty and citizens’ fundamental rights.
Ladies and gentlemen, this new social agenda affirms the undertaking of the European Union to promote a strong and real social dimension for Europe, a social Europe, which will meet the expectations of our fellow citizens. Of course, this is impossible without including an educational dimension, which is very important. In this context, I should like to mention the following three documents:
1. Council Recommendation on mobility of young volunteers across Europe;
2. Communication entitled ‘Improving competences for the 21st Century: an Agenda for European Cooperation on Schools’;
3. Green Paper: Migration & mobility: challenges and opportunities for EU education systems.
It is our joint wish to strengthen and deepen the social dimension of Europe. The 18 measures contained in the package represent the first step in our efforts in this direction. I know that I can rely on you, whose job it is to represent the voice of the people, to consider these proposals and political documents in depth and with care. It is of fundamental importance for their future.
I was pleased to receive a report on the very positive welcome of the renewed social agenda by Member States and I await with interest the conclusions which the Council should receive by the end of this year. I have already had the opportunity to present this package to the Conference of Presidents and the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. A suitable time has also arisen for an in-depth debate here in Parliament. I am convinced that today’s exchange of views will help us to reach a consensus on the question as to what kind of social Europe we wish to build for European citizens.
I should like to remind you of developments up to now. This complex package is the result of two years of joint efforts. The Commission has been working with all interested parties, including representatives of workers and employers, civil society, Member States and regional and local bodies. The package forms a cohesive whole, emphasising links to other areas, such as education, health, environment, the information society and the economy, and it clearly shows that economic and social objectives are two sides of the same coin and must operate in close cooperation for the benefit of the people. It is an ambitious package, attempting to offer practical responses to the concerns of the people and to improve their living conditions. It is also a very comprehensive package – the largest that the Commission has ever adopted in one go – with 18 initiatives presented together with the report. In excess of another 20 relating to a wide range of topics are also under discussion.
Today we are looking at two measures: at a proposed directive to combat discrimination and at a revised directive on the establishment of European Works Councils. First of all, however, I should like to say a few words about the basic principles of this package.
The renewed social agenda is based on three main principles: opportunities, access and solidarity. We Europeans value the worth of individuals and want everyone to have an equal opportunity to achieve their potential. This means removing the obstacles which people have to overcome and creating the conditions to allow everyone to grasp the opportunities offered while still respecting European diversity and avoiding discord.
Europeans’ faith in equality gives rise to a shared belief in social solidarity: solidarity between generations, between regions, between those at the top and those at the bottom, between wealthy and less wealthy Member States, and also with our neighbours and friends in other parts of the world, since solidarity is an integral part of the functioning of the European Community and of our relations with other countries throughout the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, as you know, the extent of legal protection against discrimination differs at present in the EU depending on the reasons for the discrimination. Discrimination is not, however, restricted to one area. This is why we have proposed, as part of the package, a horizontal directive prohibiting discrimination on the basis of age, sexual orientation, religious belief and disability outside the employment field. A horizontal directive will provide Member States, economic entities and citizens with the greatest degree of clarity and legal certainty.
This draft is a response to repeated calls from Parliament and meets the political undertaking which the Commission made upon taking office. It is a flexible instrument based on principles already adopted in Member States and embedded in existing regulations."@en1
|
| lpv:videoURI |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples