Activities of Jean LAMBERT related to 2015/2321(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Refugees: social inclusion and integration into the labour market (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on refugees: social inclusion and integration into the labour market PDF (477 KB) DOC (199 KB)
Amendments (31)
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 35 a (new)
Citation 35 a (new)
- having regard to the experience gained via the Equal programme and the lessons learned,
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 35 b (new)
Citation 35 b (new)
- having regard to the Common Basic Principles for Immigrant Integration Policy in the EU, 2004, particularly principles 3, 5, 7,
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 35 c (new)
Citation 35 c (new)
- having regard to its report on the integration of migrants, its effects on the labour market and the external dimension of social security coordination,
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the refugee crisis is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis, but one with long-term impacts and thus requiring long-term responses to guarantee social cohesion at local level and the successful integration of newcomers in our societies;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses the need for the EU to base its immediate response to the situation on solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility, as stated in Article 80 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and on a holistic approach that takes into account the need to improve safe and legal migration channels and full respect for fundamental rights and values;
Amendment 89 #
2. Takes note of the high degree of heterogeneity in the use of the term refugee in public and political discourse; stresses the importance of clearly identifying refugees in accordance with the legal definition enshrined in the Geneva Convention of 28 July 1951, as amended by the New York Protocol of 31 January 1967, and in EU legislation, in particular the Qualifications Directive7 ; as defined by article 2. (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and the Reception Directive as defined by article 2. (a), (b) and (c); _________________ 7 http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32011 L0095&from=EN.
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that significant differences exist in the times and modalities of processing requests for international protection within Member States; highlights that slow and excessively bureaucratic procedures may hinder refugees’ access to the labour market, as well as the activation of EU programmes and the effective use of funds in this field and increase the refugees' vulnerability to undeclared work and precarious working conditions; recognizes that the length of residence permit granted (especially to those with subsidiary protection) acts as a barrier to labour market integration if it is only of relatively short duration;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the European Commission to monitor the legal frameworks and policies of Member States to ensure that equal treatment and good working conditions are guaranteed to all refugees and asylum seekers in order to avoid asymmetric access conditions to the labour market for these vulnerable groups;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the fact that in order to facilitate the social inclusion and integration of refugees into the labour market, it is necessary to address serious and multi-faceted issues such as discrimination, linguistic barriers, diverse socio-economic, education and cultural backgrounds, housing, health needs, including psychosocial and post-trauma support, family reunification and the significant share of disadvantaged groups among refugees, in particular worrying numbers of children, including unaccompanied children, people with disabilities, the elderly and women8 ; _________________ 8 http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset- Management/oecd/social-issues-migration- health/making-integration-work- humanitarian-migrants_9789264251236-en
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates the importance of recognising the gender dimension of refugee status determination9 [1], the needs of women who apply for international protection and the specific social inclusion and labour market integration challenges that women face; calls for gender to be fully mainstreamed into all policies and procedures relating to asylum and migration; _________________ 9 EP Draft Report: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDo c.do?pubRef=- %2F%2FEP%2F%2FNONSGML%2BCO MPARL%2BPE- 571.702%2B01%2BDOC%2BPDF%2BV0 %2F%2FENrecalls that quality and affordable childcare provision and flexible working arrangements are crucial examples of how to improve access to labour markets for parents;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Believes that granting refugees access to the labour market and making labour markets inclusive at local and national level is important to restoring their human dignity and self-worth and is also cost- efficient, as it would allow them to be self- sufficient and to gain economic independence, which is an essential step for their inclusion into society, and a responsible approach towards public finances, easing the cost borne by Member States and local authorities while also enabling them to live their life in dignity and to become active fiscal contributors, which is generally considered beneficial for their individual growth, development and self- esteem, while at the same time bearing in mind that not all refugees arriving in the EU are able to work due to health, age or other issues; Recalls that the Qualifications Directive and the Reception Conditions Directive provide for the right to access to the labour market and vocational training, both for asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that administrative obstacles to access the labour market can constitute a significant barrier in some Member States;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that early and continuous intervention is crucial to allow for successful social inclusion and integration of refugees into the labour market; Reminds that early intervention measures could include early participation through volunteering, internships, mentoring and community engagement;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Acknowledges the importance of the work of civil society and volunteer organisations providing support for empowerment, integration and self- resilience to all asylum seekers and refugees before and during their participation into the labour market; notes the importance of the establishment and building of social and community networks among and with refugee and migrant communities in order to facilitate access to the labour market;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the fact that labour market conditions within host countries are a determining factor for the successful and durable integration of refugees; stresses that unemployment in the EU, in particular youth unemployment, is still at alarming levels in some countries and regions, and that the Commission and the Member States should continue to prioritise policies and investments aimed at quality job creation and economic growth; recalls that actions to create quality jobs, active labour markets and tackle unemployment must make sense in the local context, otherwise they will not be effective;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need for an early, fair, transparent and free-of-charge assessment of refugees and asylum seekers’ formal and non-formal skills, as well as recognition and validation of their qualifications, in order to develop tailored measures allowing them to make full use of their potential, and to match labour supply and demand in the host countries;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recognises that adequate provisions, through tailored programs where necessary, for education for older children is essential in order to address possible gaps in learning;
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights that the main EU funds available for social inclusion and integration into the labour market, in particular the European Social Fund (ESF), as well as the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Fund for Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), have differing focuses, target groups and management modes at Member State level; Recalls the importance of using integration funds for real integration measures and reminds Member States to the importance of the partnership principle in order to ensure the effective use of these funds;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the fact that the principles of equal treatment, non-discrimination and equal opportunities should always be ensured when designing and implementing social inclusion and integration policies and measures;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Points out that a lengthy processing of international protection applications, and a failed registration of refugees at their arrival, not only impedes timely and legal access of refugees and asylum seekers to the labour market but also generates the conditions for the development of undeclared work practices and forms of severe labour exploitation and other forms of exploitation;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that access to justice and protection should be ensured to all victims of exploitation; highlights the crucial work done by trade unions and local authorities, civil society and volunteer organisations in reaching out to these workers and in providing them with the information and support they need;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that access to justice and protection should be ensured to all victims of exploitation and discrimination; highlights the crucial work done by trade unions, civil society and volunteer organisations in reaching out to these workers and in providing them with the information and support they need;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Calls on the EU to improve investment in adequate provision of quality healthcare, social services and education which are essential for social inclusion and integration of refugees and asylum seekers;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Encourages the Member States to shorten the processing time of applications for international protection without compromising on quality of the decision making and to extend early intervention measures such as language training, skills assessment and civic integration courses in particular to those asylum seekers who have good prospects of being granted international protection;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Member States to ensure early and easyqual access to quality training, including internquality internships and apprenticeships, in order to ensure full integration into our societies and the labour market, taking into consideration the refugees’ existing skills and competences, talents and know-how;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls on the Commission to put forward a revision of the Blue Card Directive, byproposal to takinge into account the extraordinary conditions with which refugees and asylum seekers are faced, as well as the needs of the EU labour market, in particular by looking at the scope and the rules on intra- EU mobility of the directive;
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1
Stresses the need for the Commission and the Member States to step up their efforts in fighting all forms of discrimination, xenophobia and racism, including by raising awareness of anti-discrimination laws and by supporting civil society organisations, social partners and National Equality Bodies in their work; encourages Member States to use funding from the Equality, Rights and Citizenship Programme for training on diversity and to educate and inform refugees and migrants entering the labour market of their legal rights as workers to avoid them falling victim to exploitative practices or employers
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Calls on the Member States to learn from and facilitate the sharing of the experience and practices accumulated at city level to promote inclusive labour markets for all residents including beneficiaries of international protection and to involve cities and local authorities in the design and implementation of social and economic inclusion policies. More effective partnership is needed between the different levels of government. EU and national initiatives must complement and strengthen city actions, targeting the real needs of our citizens. Member state good practice in effective coordination and involving cities should be acknowledged and given visibility;
Amendment 367 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 b (new)
Calls on the Commission to financially support transnational schemes ensuring transferability and adaptability of good practices and their effective implementation on the grounds as different stakeholders at EU level have designed and implemented such peer-to- peer mentoring and coaching projects involving all levels of governance and multiple stakeholders;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 c (new)
28c. Stresses that multiple discrimination should be addressed holistically throughout all migration and integration policies;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 28 – subparagraph 1 d (new)
28e. Calls on Member States to ensure that refugees and asylum seekers have access to justice and are supported if they face discrimination in the labour market in line with the principles and safeguards in the Employment Equality Directive and Racial Equality Directive;