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Brussels, May 2004 We hope
that the following report will give you an overview of the European
social policy between 1999 and 2004 and show you that in this area too
the European People's Party is highly competent and actively helping
to shape policy. |
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| Elmar
Brok MEP President of the European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) |
Bartho
Pronk MEP President of the workers group of the Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (EPP-ED) in the European Parliament |
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COMMITTEE
ON EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS 5th parliamentary term 1999-2004
By 2010, the EU should be the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economic area in the world. The committee rendered these general demands more specific, called for measures to eliminate gender-based differences as regards pay and access to the labour market, improved cooperation between all those concerned in the labour market whilst at the same time preventing the termination of the Stability Pact in favour of measures to promote employment, the additional taxation of enterprises and the concentration of employment policy measures on only a few priority points so that the guidelines are now grouped as follows: (1) improvement of employment capacity, (2) development of entrepreneurship, (3) promotion of the adaptability of undertakings and of their workforce, (4) strengthened measures to promote equal opportunities. The discussion on the reform of social security systems also played an important role in relation to the implementation of the decisions taken at Lisbon. In this connection, the demands which, as far as the EPP was concerned went too far, for a harmonisation of social provisions in all Member States, a minimum salary and a minimum pension for all, as well as a shortening of the working time, were rejected. Moreover, it was possible to ensure that the modernisation of social security schemes took account of the following guiding principles: work must be made worthwhile again, incomes must be consolidated, pensions must be assured on the basis of a pension system that is financially viable in the long term, social inclusion must be promoted, and affordable high-quality health care must be guaranteed. Supplementary old age pensions are proposed as a complement with specific regulations at European level on the supervision of pension funds, the elimination of obstacles to the freedom of movement of workers and on adjustments to take account of demographic developments. Encouraged by the decisions of the Lisbon Summit, the committee also focused its attention on the quality and long-term viability of jobs and of the work on offer. This is not merely a matter of high-quality equipment at the workplace but also of working conditions, notably how to better reconcile the demands of work and family life, and how to make it easier for older workers to remain on the labour market. Particular attention was paid to improving the working time directive and the integration of professions which have not hitherto been covered by the scope of this directive, through the regulation on working time in road transport and with the conditions for temporary workers. In this connection also, efforts have been made to improve health and safety at the workplace. Directives were adopted concerning: protection against exposure to asbestos at the workplace, protection against vibrations and noise and minimum requirements for the use of work equipment and to prevent falls whilst working in high places. The effort to improve the quality of work on offer centred essentially on the areas of education and training. In order to achieve the objective of a knowledge-based economy, the committee demands that education and training systems be rendered more effective and the shortcomings in quality as regards information and communication technology be remedied. In view of the rapid technological change and the intensive global competition, this necessitates a lifelong learning programme requiring financial incentives. In order to achieve a significant improvement in the living conditions of the poorest households, which often include single parents, and to promote social integration, an action programme was adopted with a budget of EUR 75 million to promote cooperation between the Member States in combating social exclusion. Further efforts were also made to eradicate discrimination based on race or ethnic origin. The
committee would like action to be taken against
discrimination not only in the areas of education, employment,
social protection and healthcare with a concomitant right to compensation
for victims of discrimination, with the burden of proof falling on the
accused to demonstrate that they did not behave in a discriminatory
manner, but also against discrimination on the basis of age, religion
or philosophical belief, handicap or sexual orientation. Particular
attention should be paid to guaranteeing unhindered access to work and
vocational training and equal treatment as regards working conditions,
notably pay and redundancies. The following are seen as suitable means for achieving these objectives: coordination of national policy (open coordination), appropriate legal provisions, the use of structural funds and social dialogue. Analyses, research projects and mainstreaming should also be used as accompanying measures according to best practice. The committee also dealt intensively with the consolidation of Regulation 1408/71 on social security schemes. In this regard, it was able to extend the scope to cover all persons migrating within the Community and to simplify existing legal provisions, definitions and concepts and ensure that medical care can also be obtained by pensioners in the Member State in which they worked. It was also possible to avoid an EU-wide recognition of same-sex partnerships and the extension of the concept of family as well as the granting of EU citizens' rights to third-country nationals.
The
European Union of Christian Democratic Workers (EUCDW) consists of 23
workers' organisations from 15 countries and is an association of the
European People's Party (EPP).
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