164 Amendments of Philip BUSHILL-MATTHEWS
Amendment 29 #
2009/0003(CNS)
Proposal for a recommendation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) Furthermore, Member States and their healthcare institutions should consider the use of link staff to support specialist nurses at clinical level in acute and community facilities;
Amendment 2 #
2008/2330(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
B. whereas the number of European citizens affected by poverty, insecurity and declining living conditions is increasing all the time,
Amendment 6 #
2008/2330(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the large-scale financial crisis and the serious economic and social crisis may add to the crisis affecting the environment and the climate,
Amendment 9 #
2008/2330(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Shares the Commission’s determination to extend the Social Agenda to include new areas; deplores the fact that the environment is too often being considered only from the point of view of climate change;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2330(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 60 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the increasing financial crisis is causing increasing unemployment and insecurity, in which social cohesion across the EU is under substantial strain,
Amendment 66 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the importance of putting job creation and promotion at the top of the social agenda in these difficult times; considers that greater flexibility in the workplace is now more important than ever;
Amendment 71 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that social policy should cover key actions such as a better balance between social rights and freedoms, combating discrimination and promoting equality and strengthen, modernising and reforming the European social models while strengthening their values;
Amendment 80 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasizses the need to find ways to strengthenmodernise and reform the national security systems with a long-term perspective, especially concerning pensions and health care services; stresses that there is potential to enhancestrengthen the financial sustainability of pensions systems as well as the quality and efficiency of health care services through the improvement of their organisation and access, respecting the principles of subsidiarity;
Amendment 127 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. SWhile fully recognising Member States have competence for wage policy, suggests tohat social partners that they couldat national level discuss new methodologies for wage policies which could include higher incorporation of companies' proceeds in employees earnings through the use of schemes that mitigate the impact of inflation; considers that such schemes could allow for channelling employees extra earnings to special capital funds created by companies; calls for a debate regarding incentives for companies to engage in these methodologies, and furthermore calls for a debate regarding a legal framework that regulates the access of employees to those funds in a gradual way over time;
Amendment 153 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considers that the EU could trydo more to influence the international agenda concerning the decent work agenda and compliance with international Labour organisation conventions, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and that this can contribute to achieving world peace and also to the protection of the EU's interests and values;
Amendment 169 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Believes that in social dialogue a cooperation culture should graduallythe culture of cooperation, which has been replaceing the conflict-based culture which has prevailed in some countriesin the labour market, should continue to be encouraged through the promotion of the social dialogue;
Amendment 183 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Stresses the need to make progress and finalise directivesregulation regarding the coordination of social security systems and the directive on portability of pension rights;
Amendment 185 #
2008/2330(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls for an improvement of the law making process at the EU level, by making it clear why actions the EU level are needed, ensuring the quality of the content and delivering a solidstrong and independent impact assessments;
Amendment 19 #
2008/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Amendment 29 #
2008/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. Whereas it is of high importance to the EU to protect its biodiversity, and whereas farming practices that use less chemicals can contribute positively to this,
Amendment 50 #
2008/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. Whereas Member States should work more closely with each other on the issue of GMOs; whereas Member States should address this issue in a practical and rational way rather than in a political way and show greater leadership in pro-actively combating misinformation and ignorance,
Amendment 109 #
2008/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Considers that the potential environmental benefits of lower chemical usage should also be thoroughly evaluated within any such environmental risk assessment;
Amendment 170 #
2008/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Considers that such freedom of choice can be severely constrained if national organic accreditation bodies use unnecessarily restrictive definitions of what may be labelled organic;
Amendment 228 #
2008/2306(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Amendment 7 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas, although subcontracting has many positive aspects and has allowed for increased productive capacity, it is also generating some economic and social imbalances among workers and might foster a race to the bottom in working conditions, which is a matter of concern,
Amendment 9 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas, subcontracting may also be carried out by pure manpower firms that sometimes operate as so-called letterbox companies, which highlights the nature of the construction industry as a sector of rapidly changing, often fixed term employment relationships where the position of workers is often precarious,
Amendment 14 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 16 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas employment relations in thethe externalisation of activities and/or labour forces through sub- construaction sector have been redefined and, at the same time, haveng or employment agencies may reduced the direct social responsibility of the 'principal contractor', as labour has been externalised by the use of subcontractors and employment agencies, making the supply of cheap, often unskilled labour an integral part of lower level subcontractingcompanies, when used extensively,
Amendment 20 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas, the constructionsome sectors hasve been especially vulnerable to abuses in itstheir often complicated subcontracting chains,
Amendment 23 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
Amendment 31 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on public aBelieves that past non-compliance with statuthorities to adopty labour law or furother develop legal provisions which exclude from public procurement undertakings found to have infringed labour law, collective agreements or codes of conducapplicable regulations and legislation should be taken into account as part of the selection process in public procurement;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes note of the Commission's proposal for a Directive providing for sanctions against employers of illegally staying third-country nationals, in which the Commission introduces the idea of joint and several liability into Community legislation;
Amendment 40 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the fact that eight Member States (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain) have respondedtried to solve to the problems connected with the duties of subcontractors as employers by establishing national liability schemes; encourages other Member States to consider similar schemecommends the introduction of voluntary codes of practice developed in some Member States by the relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 44 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Emphasises the particular challenges faced by small businesses, calls on policymakers to develop appropriate tools to raise awareness in this sector;
Amendment 45 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reminds all stakeholders that, in its aforementioned resolution on the posting of workers, Parliament called on the Commission to regulate the joint and several liability of general or principal undertakings, in order to deal withconsider abuses in the subcontracting and outsourcing of cross- border workers, and to set up a transparent and competitive internal market for all companies;
Amendment 47 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates its message by calling on the Commission to establish a clear-cut Community legal instrument introducing joint and several liability at European level whilst respecting the different legal systems in place in the Member States and the principles of subsidiarity and proportionalityCalls on the Commission to report on joint and several liability at European level;
Amendment 51 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is convinced that such an instrumentinformation and exchange of best practices would benefit not only employees, but also Member State authorities, employers and especially SMEs in their fight against the grey economy, as clear, transparent Community rules would drive dubious operators out of the market, thus improving the functioning of the single market;
Amendment 53 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 61 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Warns also against conflicts and overlapping between, and duplication of provisions found in codes of conduct and in labour law, codes of conduct, standards and guidelines adopted by public authorities and collective agreements in force; for this reason, emphasises the need for undertakings to adhere, as a matter of priority, to codes of conduct, standards and guidelines drafted at the level of supranational organisations (OECD, ILO), national, or sector level;
Amendment 64 #
2008/2249(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that the fight against the potential negative social consequences of subcontracting can be tacklstrengthened by enhanced social dialogue between employers' organisations and trade unions, also with the participation of socially active NGOs and civil society organisations.
Amendment 2 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Member States have transposed Directive 2002/14/EC unevenly and in a minimalist manner,
Amendment 7 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
Amendment 9 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Regrets that some Member States have not taken ‘atypical’ employees (part- not taken ‘atypical’ employees (part- time workers, temporary workers, time workers, temporary workers, trainees, apprentices and workers in trainees, apprentices and workers in assisted employment), into account in assisted employment), into account in their measures for the transposition of their measures for the transposition of Directive 2002/14/EC, and calls on Directive 2002/14/EC, and calls on them to do so; them to do so;
Amendment 13 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
Paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Reaffirms the need for the Member States to specify precisely the conditions surrounding, and restrictions on, the employer’s right under Article 6 of Directive 2002/14/EC not to disclose to employees’ representatives certain information which would seriously harm the functioning of the undertaking or establishment or to require them not to disclose such information, and specifically:
Amendment 14 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point (a)
Paragraph 2 – point (a)
(a) the duration of that obligation after the expiry of the mandate of such expiry of the mandate of such employees’ representatives, employees’ representatives,
Amendment 15 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – point (b)
Paragraph 2 – point (b)
(b) the objectively verifiable criteria for the undertaking’s legitimate interest in keeping such information confidential or the risk of harm to the undertaking if such information were disclosed, not leaving this assessment to the sole discretion of the employer,
Amendment 16 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point (a)
Paragraph 3 – point (a)
Amendment 19 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point (b)
Paragraph 3 – point (b)
(b) define precisely the term ‘information’, in such a way that the employer is not in such a way that the employer is not allowed complete freedom to interpret allowed complete freedom to interpret it, and in line with the spirit of it, and in line with the spirit of Directive 2002/14/EC, i.e. by Directive 2002/14/EC, i.e. by permitting employees’ representatives permitting employees’ representatives to examine the subject matter and not to examine the subject matter and not simply to acquaint themselves with it, simply to acquaint themselves with it,
Amendment 20 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point (c)
Paragraph 3 – point (c)
(c) insert, in connection with the content of information, references to the use of Article 4(2)(b) of Directive 2002/14/EC,
Amendment 22 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 – point (e)
Paragraph 3 – point (e)
Amendment 25 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on Member States which do not possess sanctions sufficient to act as a deterrent on employers who fail to respect the right of employees to be informed and consulted, to enact such sanctions;
Amendment 32 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 34 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Regrets that the Commission has no plans to propose a modification to Directive 2002/14/EC and recalls the above-mentioned joint declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on employee representation;
Amendment 35 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 48 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a .Calls on the Commission to submit an evaluation report on the results achieved through the application of Directive 2002/14/EC as regards strengthening the social dialogue, the ability to anticipate, prevention and employability on the labour market, and as regards its ability to prevent administrative, legal and financial difficulties among small and medium- sized undertakings, attaching appropriate proposals where necessary;
Amendment 49 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
Amendment 50 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
Amendment 52 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Chapter III
Chapter III
Gradual harmonisation of the process of informing and consulting employees within the EU;
Amendment 53 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 57 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Urges the Commission to take, as soon as possible, measures to ensure the proper transposition of Directive 2002/14/EC by the Member States;
Amendment 71 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 75 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission where necessary to include in the evaluation study on the results of the application of Directive 2002/14/EC an analysis of the degree of consistency and coordination between directives governing the information and consultation of employees;
Amendment 76 #
2008/2246(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b Calls on the Commission to take initiatives as soon as possible in order to boost an effective culture of cooperation between the social partners in the European Union in the field of the information and consultation of employees, taking account of the nature of the subject matter and the characteristics and size of undertakings;
Amendment 4 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that, despite the clear commitment made in the original Small Business Charter, the voice of SMEs remains muted within the context of the social dialogue; urges that this deficit is formally corrected by appropriate proposals within the context of the Small Business Act;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2237(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Is concerned that the present 'credit crunch' may have a disproportionately negative effect on cashflow for SMEs, as larger customers put pressure on smaller suppliers to grant extended payment terms; urges that the consultation period relating to the impact of the Late Payments Directive is re-activated in early 2009 so that the latest trends can be accurately monitored and assessed.
Amendment 11 #
2008/2208(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission and Member States to provide additional incentives to foster compliance with the regulatory framework, including by strengthening labour inspectorates and other enforcement and professional agencies; also calls on Member States to ensure adequate training for health and safety specialists necessary to prevent known as well as potential exposure to nanomaterials;
Amendment 14 #
2008/2208(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Invites the Commission to consider submitting a proposal for an individual Directive in the frame of Directive 89/391/EEC asto consider an adequate instrument to deal with the exposure of nanoparticles at the workplace, as soon as further research on the ‘knowledge gaps’, in particular with regard to hazards and exposure risks, will lead to improvement of a full understanding of all properties and risks of those materials;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas, following the enlargements of 2004 and 2007 and in the implementation of the Lisbon Strategy, it is important to meet new challenges and whereas it is right that the European Parliament should therefore concentrate particularly on the situation in Eastern and Central European countries,
Amendment 16 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas in these countries income disparities, which had been kept small during the period of State socialism, have grown at an explosive rate; whereas in the new Member States some industrial sectors have collapsed, some regions have seen their prospects of development decline and as a result the Roma1 in particular have been forced to the margins of society through the rapid escalation of poverty,
Amendment 21 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the strategic political offensive to promote equal opportunities for Roma has to contend with an extremely complex social threat, as Europe's largest ethnic minority shares the disadvantages of other groups, and whereas this struggle is only possible with the aid of complex objectives andcan be assisted by a coordinated set of instruments extending to a range of sectoral policies and with the aid of financing for them,
Amendment 49 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
Ja. whereas many Roma communities currently tend to stay immobile, rather than move to areas where greater job opportunities may exist,
Amendment 52 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
Amendment 119 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that the proposal of a comprehensive directive against discrimination is an excellent opportunity to evaluate Directive 2000/43/EC; cConsiders that, in the spirit of the Social Agenda, the Commission should identify specific objectives with the aim of preventing and reducing discrimination against and stigmatisation of the Roma and criminalisation of Roma communities;
Amendment 206 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38 a (new)
Paragraph 38 a (new)
38a. Calls on the Member States to be more proactive in encouraging the transferral of jobs to where the Roma communities are, as well as the encouraging the Roma to move to where the jobs are;
Amendment 207 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Reminds Member States and the Commission that, whilst social welfare has a key role to play in supporting and strengthening disadvantaged communities such as the Roma, the promotion of self- help is also important; considers that a culture of independence, rather than dependence, should be the long-term aid;
Amendment 208 #
2008/2137(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40 a (new)
Paragraph 40 a (new)
40a. Considers that much greater priority should be given to the provision of local jobs and the encouragement of entrepreneurship and local artisans, as well as the development of the basic skills to fulfil them, so that greater wealth as well as greater self-worth may develop;
Amendment 7 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. Whereas the Commission’s report on industrial relations in Europe 2006 shows that highly developed collective bargaining hascan have a positive influence on social inclusion,
Amendment 25 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. Whereas mobility of workers have contributed highly to employment, prosperity and European integration giving citizens new opportunities to develop knowledge and experience as well as living a better life,
Amendment 26 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. Whereas the PWD has given the opportunity to more than a million workers to work abroad under safe and secure conditions without problems or conflicts,
Amendment 28 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. Whereas the European Council has set up principles to create labour market models that have as well as a high level of security as a high level of flexibility, the so called flexicurity model; it is recognised that an important part of a successful flexicurity model can includes strong social partners with a significant scope for collective bargaining,
Amendment 35 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. Whereas the Albany judgement (C- 67/96) in the field of competition law gave substantial and large space for trade unions to regulateregarding labour market issues; in fact, at that time the ECJ rejected the direct horizontal effect for competition rules on collective bargaining,
Amendment 37 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
Amendment 42 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. Whereas member states following the judgement of the court have the duty to secure that labour market legislation and rules for industrial action are compatible with the freedom to take industrial actions as well as the common rules of the internal market, notes that this is the aim of the governments in the actual Member States,
Amendment 43 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
Amendment 48 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
Amendment 56 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
Amendment 65 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O b (new)
Recital O b (new)
Ob. Whereas a large majority of employees throughout the EU have chosen not to join a Trade Union, and whereas individual trade union membership has been steadily declining in most Member States,
Amendment 67 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that the freedom to provide services is a cornerstone of the European project; however, this has to be balanced against fundamental rights and the possibility for governments and trade unionsneed to ensure non-discrimination and equal treatment;
Amendment 88 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the freedom to provide services idoes not superior tocontradict the fundamental right for trade unions to take industrial action; especially, since this is a constitutional right in several Member States; reminds at the same time that freedom of movement is another fundamental right for the citizens of the European Union;
Amendment 112 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that recital 22 in the PWD states that provisions laid down in the PWD should have no effect on the right to take industrial action, in so far as the rules of the internal marked are respected;
Amendment 116 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that how to implement equal treatment, equal pay for equal work as well as Articles 39 and 12 of the EC Treaty form the foundation of EC law which needs to be restoredare the responsibility for the Member States as well as the social partners;
Amendment 132 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. UnderlineConsiders that the intention of the legislator in the PWD and Service Directive is not reflected in the ECJ verdicts, which, instead of protecting workers, is inviting unfair competition between companies; companies that sign and follow collective agreements will have a competitive disadvantage to companies that refuse to do so;
Amendment 143 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. RegretNotes that all conditions imposed on foreign employers above minimum levels are seen as obstacles to free movement, if employees do not already receive more favourable conditions in the country of origin;
Amendment 157 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
Amendment 167 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that the PWD as interpreted by the ECJ would prevent demands for equal pay for work for all workers regardless of does not prevent workers from otheir nationality or that of their employer in the place where the service is provided; this runs counter to the principle of non-discrimination which is established in the Treaty especially with regard to the mobility of workerscounties to receive wages which goes beyond the mandatory rules for minimum protection;
Amendment 197 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Is of the opinion that the limited legal basis of free movement of the PWD has led the ECJ to interpret the PWD in this way, creating an explicit invitation to unfair competition on wages and working conditions driving them downwards, which is in clear contradiction to the stated aim of the PWD (to ensure a climate of fair competition) and the objective of the EU as established in the Treaty (improvement of living and working conditions); therefore, considers that the legal basis of the PWD must be broadened to include a reference to the free movement of workers;
Amendment 205 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises that the current situation could lead to a situation whereposting of workers in hosthas countries will be pressured by low wage combuted to European integration and prospetrition; this, in turn, could lead to xenophobia and counterproductive angy and giving a result of reduced unemployment and better wagainst the EUes;
Amendment 215 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
Amendment 219 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 226 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Recognises that the ECJ rulings make clear that no organisation can operate above the law;
Amendment 228 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on all the Member States to implement the PWD properly; emphasises that labour market legislation and rules for negotiations and collective agreements are the competence of Member States and social partners;
Amendment 232 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
Amendment 243 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
Amendment 256 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Therefore welcomes the Commission's statement from 3 April 2008 which clearly states that they will continue to fight social dumping and that the freedom to provide services is not superior to the fundamental rights ofto strike, and to join a trade unions;
Amendment 261 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Emphasises the equally fundamental rights of workers to choose not to strike, the right to choose not to join a trade union, and the right to work under conditions freely negotiated within the law together with their employer, without having that freedom put at risk by the acts of any external organisation pursuing its own interests;
Amendment 264 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
Amendment 291 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
Amendment 299 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
Amendment 305 #
2008/2085(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission, and the Parliaments of the Member States.
Amendment 5 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas self-employed drivers have been excluded from the scope of Directive 2002/15/EC on a temporary basis untiluntil at least 23 March 2009,
Amendment 7 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas Parliament has pointed on various occasions to the importance of avoiding fragmentation of the industry as a result of theddressing the industry malpractice of classifying of many employees (falsely) as self- employed drivers,
Amendment 8 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
Amendment 13 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
Amendment 15 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
Amendment 17 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
Amendment 19 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
Amendment 21 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
Amendment 23 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P (new)
Recital P (new)
Pa. whereas all workers, including the self-employed, are covered by national health and safety legislation,
Amendment 24 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses concern at the shortcomings and delays in the transposalition and implementation of Directive 2002/15/EC in some Member States; seeks rapid clarification and comment from such Member States as to the reasons for non- implementation, together with an indication of what obstacles may still remain;
Amendment 31 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to give appropriate priority to the social dimension of road safety and the health and safety of drivers ahead of all other considerations, when drawing up its official impact assessment;
Amendment 34 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
Amendment 37 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission, when drawing up its official impact assessment, to take into account the general view within the transport sector that self-employed drivers should be included and the factconsiders that it would be extremely difficult from a legal point of view to identify and pursue ‘bogus’ self-employed workers, not to mention the practical and bureaucratic difficulties that would have to be overcome to prevent this concept from being widely exploited to evade the restrictions on working days;
Amendment 40 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
Amendment 43 #
2008/2062(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that impact assessments are completed with urgency, so that an objective analysis can be concluded without further delay of what changes, if any, should be considered;
Amendment 16 #
2008/2039(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Finds it disturbing that women are continuing to suffer serious discrimination, as reflected in their unemployment rates, the more precariousless secure forms of work in which they are employed, their lower pay, the fact that they are exposed to a higher risk of poverty and industrial accidents, and the greater difficulties that they encounter in terms of career advancement;
Amendment 34 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Member States to consider improving incentives for regular work which may include increasing the tax-free base for income and, as an incentive to employers, reducing the non- wage costs associated with legal employment;
Amendment 36 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
Amendment 89 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on those Member States who have applied transitional arrangements to the free movement of workers in the European Union to open up their employment markets to workers from all the new Member States, given that any restrictions – even partial ones – on access to the labour market, do not only run counter to the European spirit but also risk increasing recourse to undeclared work and creating territorial imbalances;
Amendment 91 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Is of the opinion that simplifying or reducing administrative burdens, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, cwould diminish the use of undeclared labour;
Amendment 107 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Points out that unless it is followed up by specific harmonisation measures among Member States, a policy that is exclusively punitive could concentrate undeclared work in the less structured States and in the less regular economies;
Amendment 120 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for the European Union to play a greater role in promoting better and increased cooperation and coordination between labour inspectorates, by strengthening the economic and technological resources of inspection services and by providing for the possible establishment of some kind of European ‘social hub’;
Amendment 132 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
Amendment 135 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
Amendment 139 #
2008/2035(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Considers that anreform of the labour market accompanied by appropriate training policyies is a first step towards combating undeclared work;
Amendment 65 #
2008/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
Amendment 124 #
2008/2034(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Agrees with the Commission that employment per se is not always a guarantee against poverty and social exclusionhaving a job represents the best chance of avoiding poverty and social exclusion, but that it is not always a guarantee, as according to official statistics 8% of workers in the EU are at risk of poverty;
Amendment 33 #
2008/0267(COD)
Proposal for a regulation – amending act
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Redundancies related to the derogation set out in this Regulation must be directly related to the current economic and financial crisis. They must be of an unforeseen nature and must not be caused by other factors not related to the financial crisis, such as company mergers, takeovers or long-term structural change.
Amendment 54 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Whereas the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies stated in its Opinion (no. 23) on ethical aspects of animal cloning for food supply of 16 January 2008 that it ‘does not see convincing arguments to justify the production of food from clones and their offspring’. Whereas the Scientific Committee of the European Food Safety Authority concluded in its Opinion1 of 15 July 2008 that ‘the health and welfare of a significant proportion of clones … have been found to be adversely affected, often severely and with a fatal outcome’’. 1 The EFSA Journal (2008) 767, 1-49
Amendment 80 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) foods derived from cloned animals and their descendants. Before the date of entry into force of this Regulation referred to in Article 20, the Commission shall present a legislative proposal to prohibit the placing on the market in the Community of foods derived from cloned animals and their descendants. The proposal shall be forwarded to the European Parliament and the Council.
Amendment 130 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(ca) the fact that the novel food may only be placed on the market by the named applicant, unless a subsequent applicant obtains authorisation for the food without reference to the proprietary data of the original applicant.
Amendment 133 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. By way of derogation from the third paragraph of Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No [common procedure], the updating of the Community list with a novel food, shall be decided according to the procedure referred to in [Article 8 a] where: a) the equivalence of the novel food to existing foods, in composition, metabolism and level of undesirable substances, is sufficient to demonstrate that it poses no safety concern to the health of the consumer under the intended consumption conditions; b) the novel food consists of or contains food previously used exclusively as or in food supplements, in compliance with applicable legislation, and where the new intended use can reasonably be expected not to significantly increase the intake of consumers, including vulnerable groups;
Amendment 151 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 a (new)
Article 8 a (new)
Article 8 a 1. A food business operator intending to place on the market a food referred to in Article 7 (5) (new) shall notify the Commission of his intention and the notification shall be accompanied, as appropriate, by relevant data demonstrating that the food meets the conditions established therein. 2. The Commission shall forward the notification including the accompanying data referred to in paragraph 1 without delay to the Member States and the Authority. 3. Within four months from the date on which the notification provided for in paragraph 2 is forwarded to the Commission, the Authority shall deliver an opinion 4. If no reasoned safety objections, based on scientific evidence, have been raised and no information thereof has been communicated to the food business operator, the food may be placed on the market in the Community after 5 months from the date of the notification in accordance with paragraph 1. The Community list will be updated accordingly. 5. Detailed rules for the implementation of this Article, which are designed to amend non-essential elements of this Regulation, inter alia by supplementing it, may be adopted in accordance with the regulatory procedure with scrutiny referred to in Article 14(3).
Amendment 171 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12
Article 12
On request by the applicant, supported by appropriate and verifiable information included in the application dossier, newly developed scientific evidence and proprietary scientific data provided to support the applications, may not be used for the benefit of another application during a period of five years from the date of the inclusion of the novel food in the Community list without the agreement of the applicant. unless the subsequent applicant has agreed with the prior applicant that such data and information may be used, where: (a) the scientific data and other information has been designated as proprietary by the prior applicant at the time the prior application was made; and (b) the prior applicant had exclusive right of reference to the proprietary data at the time the prior application was made; and (c) the novel food could not have been authorized without the submission of the proprietary data by the prior applicant.
Amendment 180 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a Aligned data protection Notwithstanding the authorisation of a novel food according to the provisions of Articles 7 and 14 of Regulation (EC) No [common procedure] and the authorisation of a health claim according to the provisions of Articles 17, 18 and 25 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006/EC, where it is intended to seek authorisation of a novel food and of a health claim or claims to be made on that food, and where data protection is justified under the provisions of both Regulations and if requested by the applicant, the dates of authorisation and/or publication of the authorisation in the Official Journal shall coincide and the periods of data protection shall run concurrently.
Amendment 181 #
2008/0002(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 b (new)
Article 12 b (new)
Article 12 b Where the newly developed scientific evidence and proprietary scientific data protected under article 12 are the results of tests on vertebrate animals or clinical study in human beings and repetition of the tests on vertebrate animals or clinical studies in human beings should be avoided from an ethical perspective as being scientifically unnecessary, a second or subsequent applicant may request that the first applicant gives access to the protected data. The first applicant should consent to such request, with effect from the end of the first year of the data protection period defined in article 12, provided that the second applicant reimburses the first applicant for the costs of these studies. In the same way, such consent should also be given to any subsequent applicants, in which case the second and subsequent applicants shall use their best efforts to reach fair agreement on sharing of the costs.
Amendment 15 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. Whereas obesity and overweight related diseases are thought to take up 6% of government health care expenditure throughout Europe; whereas the indirect costs of these conditions, through reduced productivity and sick leave for example, are considerably higher,
Amendment 57 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. considering the worsening situation in the marketing sector and the fact that food advertising accounts for around half of all advertising broadcast during children’s TV viewing times and that three quarters of it promotes high-calorie and low-nutrient foods; noting with concern the use of new forms of marketing using all technological means and in particular the so-called ‘advergames’ including cell phones, instant messaging, video games and interactive games on the Internet,
Amendment 66 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas malnutrition, affecting particularly older people, costs European healthcare systems similar amounts as obesity and overweight,
Amendment 85 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises the substantial role and effectiveness of self-regulation; congratulates the EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health on its wide-reaching commitments to product reformulation, reductions in advertising to children and the promotion of a balanced diet through the use of labelling as well as other tools; considers that membership of the platform should be extended to include the manufacturers of computer games and consoles as well as Internet providers;
Amendment 102 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the lack of stringent initiatives in the White Paper in order to significantly reduce obesity growth rates in the next four or five years as requested by the WHOPoints out that how much we eat and how active we are is derived from a complex interaction of physical, psychological and environmental drivers; highlights the need to urgently redesign the built environment to encourage physical activity in what is now recognised as an obesogenic society;
Amendment 107 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on Member States, regions and local entities to be more proactive in developing ‘activity-friendly communities’, especially in the context of urban planning: this can be achieved by mixing commercial and residential development, by organisingpromoting more local schools, public means of transport, and accessible sports facilities and by providing biking trails and crosswalks, while at the same time avoiding ‘environmental risk factors’ such as concentration of fast-food outlets, barriers to physical activity, and the absence of sidewalks, parks and recreational facilities; acknowledges the fact that crime reduction is also an important tool for promoting outdoor physical activity, especially among children and elderly people; invites municipalities to promote a network of ‘Towns for a healthy lifestyle’ providing common actions to fight obesity;
Amendment 116 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Encourages Member States to adopt the notion of active commuting both by schoolchildren and employees; encourages local authorities to consider this notion as a priority when assessing urban transport and planning;
Amendment 122 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses the fact that the European Union should take a leading role in formulating a common approach and promoting coordination betweenbest practice among Member States; is convinced that an important European added value can be provided in fields such as consumer information, nutritional education, media advertising, agricultural production and food labelling;
Amendment 148 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Urges the Commission and Member States to set guidelines drawn up by experts on how to improve physical activity as early as the pre-school period and to promote nutritional education already at this early stage;
Amendment 158 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Further, asks Member States, local entities and school authorities to monitor and to improve the quality and nutritional standards of school meals and to review portion sizes; asks for a total banrestrictions on the sale of foods and beverages high in fat, salt or sugar in schools; advocates instead making fresh fruit and vegetables more available in vending machines; invites the Member States to ensure that more hours of school timetables are devoted to physical activities and to provide plans for the construction of new public sports facilities and the safeguarding of existing sports facilities in schools;
Amendment 175 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Calls on Member States’ local authorities to promote the availability and affordability of leisure facilities and to promote the creation of opportunities in the local environment that motivate people to engage in leisure time physical activity;
Amendment 180 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers it essential that every kind ofBelieves that Member States should consider banning sponsorship and advertising ofor so- called HSSF products (high in sugar, salt, fat) should be banned in schools; asks for a voluntary commitment by all sports organisations and teams in order to promote balanced nutrition and physical activity and urges them to avoid sponsorship and promotion of food of poor nutritional value;
Amendment 198 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the reform of the COM allowing the production of more fruit and vegetables to be served in schools, provided that the quality and chemical safety of these products is controlled; calls for more support for organic production;
Amendment 215 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for a ban on non-natural trans- fatty acids and urges EU Member States to follow good practices in controlling the content of substances in food (e.g. salt content); nevertheless points out that special exemptions with regard to food labelling regulations should be provided for PDO (protected designation of origin) and PGI (protected geographical indication) and traditional productshigh quality, natural, traditional products by taking their total composition and nutritional value into consideration in order to preserve original recipes;
Amendment 230 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Invites Member States to consider promoteing the distribution of coupons for fresh fruit and vegetables for low-income people, especially the elderly and women with children, to be used only at approved local food markets to guarantee the nutritional quality of products;
Amendment 241 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on industry to review single- serving portion sizes, providing a broader range of smaller portion options; calls on supermarkets, restaurants and fast-food operators to promote the availability of organic products at a reasonable price;
Amendment 266 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Is aware ofRecalls the importance of the media in informing, educating and persuading in connection with a healthy and balanced diet; nevertheless considers the voluntary approach adopted in the proposal for a directive on ‘Audiovisual media, as well as their role in the creation of stervices without frontiers’1 1 insufficient;eotypes of body image; COM(2005)0646 and COM(2007)0170 – 2005/0260(COD).
Amendment 275 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Welcomes the voluntary but firm commitments made by private companies representing more than 50% of the food and drink advertising in the EU to ban all advertising of products to children under 12 years, except for products which fulfil specific nutritional criteria based on accepted scientific evidence and/or applicable national and international dietary guidelines; considers that sufficient time should be allowed to monitor the impact of these commitments in practice;
Amendment 280 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Asks for protected times and for restrictions on commercials for unhealthy food specifically targeted at children; is convincedconsiders that the problem of hidden placement of products of poor nutritional value in films and cartoons should also be addressed at European level;
Amendment 287 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
Amendment 299 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Acknowledges that general practithealth professionerals should be made aware of their essential role in the early identification of people at risk of overweight and the factconsiders that they should be the mainmajor actors in the fight against the obesity epidemic;
Amendment 336 #
2007/2285(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Highlights estimates that show that 40% of patients in hospitals and between 40 and 80% of people in elderly care homes are malnourished; calls on Member States to improve the quantity and quality of food in hospitals and elderly care homes which will lead to a reduction in the time spent in hospitals;
Amendment 112 #
2007/2124(REG)
Parliament's Rules of Procedure
Rule 65 a (new) (to be introduced under Chapter 6: Conclusion of the Legislative Procedure)
Rule 65 a (new) (to be introduced under Chapter 6: Conclusion of the Legislative Procedure)