PSEEvents
PURPOSE: to maintain the guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States in 2009.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2009/536/EC on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.
CONTENT: the examination of the Member States’ National Reform Programmes contained in the Joint Employment Report shows that Member States should continue to make every effort to address the following priority areas:
attracting and retaining more people in employment, increasing labour supply and modernising social protection systems; improving adaptability of workers and enterprises; increasing investment in human capital through better education and skills.
In view of the current economic crisis, the guidelines should also serve as a tool for meeting the immediate challenges of increasing unemployment and social exclusion . Policies in the immediate term include integrated flexicurity policies to facilitate the transition to work, matching the unemployed with available jobs, and skills upgrading.
In light of the Commission’s examination of the National Reform Programmes, the focus should be on their effective and timely implementation, paying special attention to the agreed targets and benchmarks and the involvement of social partners.
The Employment Guidelines were adopted in 2008 with a validity of three years, during which time their updating should be strictly limited. When implementing these guidelines, Member States should explore the use of the European Social Fund . Moreover, in view of the integrated nature of the guideline package, Member States should fully implement the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines.
Therefore, the guidelines for Member States’ employment policies as set out in the Annex to Council Decision 2008/618/EC on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States are maintained for 2009 and shall be taken into account by the Member States in their employment policies.
The European Parliament adopted by 609 votes to 60 with 27 abstentions, a legislative resolution approving unamended, under the consultation procedure, the proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.
In doing so, Parliament reiterates its longstanding call on the Commission and the Council to ensure that the Parliament is given the necessary time, and in any event no less than five months , to fulfil its consultative role, as defined in Article 128(2) of the Treaty, during the full revision of the Employment Guidelines, which is scheduled to take place at the end of 2010.
The Council agreed to a general approach on a decision maintaining the current Guidelines for the Employment Policies of the Member States unchanged in 2009 and to transmit the document to the Spring European Council. Following receipt of the opinions of the European Parliament and of the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, the
Employment and Social Affairs Council is expected to reach political agreement on the Employment Guidelines at its June 2009 session.
To recall, in 2008, the Council decided that the Integrated Guidelines for 2008-2010 should be valid for three years, and that their updating in the intermediate years should remain strictly limited. The Guidelines for the Employment Policies of the Member State form together with the broad Guidelines for the economic policies the Integrated Guidelines for growth and jobs.
The Titles of the Employment Guidelines are the following:
(17) Implement employment policies aiming at achieving full employment, improving quality and productivity at work, and strengthening social and territorial cohesion.
(18) Promote a life-cycle approach to work.
(19) Ensure inclusive labour markets, enhance work attractiveness, and make work pay for job-seekers, including disadvantaged people, and the inactive.
(20) Improve matching of labour market needs.
(21) Promote flexibility combined with employment security and reduce labour market segmentation, having due regard to the role of the social partners.
(22) Ensure employment-friendly labour cost developments and wage-setting mechanisms.
(23) Expand and improve investment in human capital.
(24) Adapt education and training systems in response to new competence requirements.
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted the report drafted by Jan ANDERSSON (PES, SE) on the proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.
MEPs reiterate their longstanding call on the Commission and the Council to ensure that the Parliament is given the necessary time, and in any event no less than five months, to fulfil its consultative role, as defined in Article 128(2) of the Treaty, during the full revision of the Employment Guidelines, which is scheduled to take place at the end of 2010.
PURPOSE: to present the 2009 guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
BACKGROUND: o n the basis of the integrated guidelines which were adopted as part of the second 3-year cycle of the renewed Lisbon Strategy in 2008 and which remain valid until 2010, Member States drew up their National Reform Programmes (NRP) that set out their strategies to deliver growth and jobs. The Commission assessment of the implementation of the employment challenges in the NRPs is set out in the draft Joint Employment Report and in the proposal for country specific recommendations. The assessment shows that structural reforms are ongoing in the Member States, and this contributed to a decrease in unemployment and an increase in employment in the EU in 2007. However the economic outlook has changed dramatically over the second half of 2008, owing to the financial, bank and credit crises. Forecasts indicate decreased or even negative employment growth and increased unemployment in the EU for 2009.
CONTENT: the overall objectives and priorities expressed in the current Employment Guidelines remain valid in view of the current crisis as well as the relevance of policies and the reform agenda. Their validity for 2009 needs to be confirmed by a Council decision, following consultation of the European Parliament. The Employment Guidelines present a framework that provides policy guidance. Member States can within the guidelines focus on their specific needs that may differ between countries and change with the economic cycle.
The mid-term priorities in the Guidelines remain thus valid:
attracting and retaining more people in employment and increase labour supply and modernise social protection systems; improve adaptability of workers and enterprises; increase investment in human capital through better education and skills.
Two policy priorities should be highlighted for immediate action: (i) improving employability through flexicurity, including for the most vulnerable; (ii) and improving the skills levels and their match with labour market needs. The policy responses can be found in the current Employment Guidelines.
Flexicurity is an integrated policy approach that seeks to facilitate adaptability of workers and enterprises and to ensure that the EU can exploit the benefits from globalisation. Some aspects of flexicurity are even more essential in the short run: reinforce activation schemes in particular for the low-skilled; enhanced job subsidies and short training courses for vulnerable groups and those most at risk of long-term unemployment; providing (re)training and new skills needed in less hit sectors; adequate social protection that provides income security, incentives to work and preserving purchasing power; harmonised labour contracts that reduce segmentation while avoiding the temptation to create 'flexible' contracts. At the same time, social dialogue is also crucial under the present economic circumstances.
A massive effort of skills upgrading at all levels of qualifications will be essential to confront demographic and technological change and to benefit from the transition to a low-carbon economy, but also to set the EU back on the road to recovery in times of crisis. Public Employment Services, social partners and universities have an important role to play both in anticipating skills needs and in improving matching and ensuring that individuals have the right skills. The initiative on New Skills for New Jobs will contribute to this.
The link between the Employment Guidelines and the European Social Fund (ESF) needs to be further strengthened. The ESF can finance immediate actions taken by Member States in view of flexicurity and skills including targeted support for the most vulnerable groups in response to the economic crisis. The European Globalisation Fund will further help Member States to support redundant workers and to keep skilled workers in employment needed when the economy starts to recover.
PURPOSE: to present the 2009 guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
BACKGROUND: o n the basis of the integrated guidelines which were adopted as part of the second 3-year cycle of the renewed Lisbon Strategy in 2008 and which remain valid until 2010, Member States drew up their National Reform Programmes (NRP) that set out their strategies to deliver growth and jobs. The Commission assessment of the implementation of the employment challenges in the NRPs is set out in the draft Joint Employment Report and in the proposal for country specific recommendations. The assessment shows that structural reforms are ongoing in the Member States, and this contributed to a decrease in unemployment and an increase in employment in the EU in 2007. However the economic outlook has changed dramatically over the second half of 2008, owing to the financial, bank and credit crises. Forecasts indicate decreased or even negative employment growth and increased unemployment in the EU for 2009.
CONTENT: the overall objectives and priorities expressed in the current Employment Guidelines remain valid in view of the current crisis as well as the relevance of policies and the reform agenda. Their validity for 2009 needs to be confirmed by a Council decision, following consultation of the European Parliament. The Employment Guidelines present a framework that provides policy guidance. Member States can within the guidelines focus on their specific needs that may differ between countries and change with the economic cycle.
The mid-term priorities in the Guidelines remain thus valid:
attracting and retaining more people in employment and increase labour supply and modernise social protection systems; improve adaptability of workers and enterprises; increase investment in human capital through better education and skills.
Two policy priorities should be highlighted for immediate action: (i) improving employability through flexicurity, including for the most vulnerable; (ii) and improving the skills levels and their match with labour market needs. The policy responses can be found in the current Employment Guidelines.
Flexicurity is an integrated policy approach that seeks to facilitate adaptability of workers and enterprises and to ensure that the EU can exploit the benefits from globalisation. Some aspects of flexicurity are even more essential in the short run: reinforce activation schemes in particular for the low-skilled; enhanced job subsidies and short training courses for vulnerable groups and those most at risk of long-term unemployment; providing (re)training and new skills needed in less hit sectors; adequate social protection that provides income security, incentives to work and preserving purchasing power; harmonised labour contracts that reduce segmentation while avoiding the temptation to create 'flexible' contracts. At the same time, social dialogue is also crucial under the present economic circumstances.
A massive effort of skills upgrading at all levels of qualifications will be essential to confront demographic and technological change and to benefit from the transition to a low-carbon economy, but also to set the EU back on the road to recovery in times of crisis. Public Employment Services, social partners and universities have an important role to play both in anticipating skills needs and in improving matching and ensuring that individuals have the right skills. The initiative on New Skills for New Jobs will contribute to this.
The link between the Employment Guidelines and the European Social Fund (ESF) needs to be further strengthened. The ESF can finance immediate actions taken by Member States in view of flexicurity and skills including targeted support for the most vulnerable groups in response to the economic crisis. The European Globalisation Fund will further help Member States to support redundant workers and to keep skilled workers in employment needed when the economy starts to recover.
Documents
- Final act published in Official Journal: Decision 2009/536
- Final act published in Official Journal: OJ L 180 11.07.2009, p. 0016
- Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report: CES0883/2009
- Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament: T6-0115/2009
- Debate in Council: 2930
- Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A6-0052/2009
- Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A6-0052/2009
- Legislative proposal: COM(2008)0869
- Legislative proposal: EUR-Lex
- Committee draft report: PE419.882
- Legislative proposal published: COM(2008)0869
- Legislative proposal published: EUR-Lex
- Legislative proposal: COM(2008)0869 EUR-Lex
- Committee draft report: PE419.882
- Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A6-0052/2009
- Economic and Social Committee: opinion, report: CES0883/2009
Activities
- Jan ANDERSSON
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- Elisa FERREIRA
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- Evgeni KIRILOV
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- Klaus-Heiner LEHNE
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- Hans-Gert PÖTTERING
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- Martin SCHULZ
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- 2016/11/22 Preparation of the European Council (19-20 March 2008) - European Economic Recovery Plan - Guidelines for the Member States’ employment policies - Cohesion Policy: investing in the real economy (debate)
- Emmanouil ANGELAKAS
- John ATTARD-MONTALTO
- Enrique BARÓN CRESPO
- Rolf BEREND
- Pervenche BERÈS
- Jana BOBOŠÍKOVÁ
- Johannes BLOKLAND
- Sebastian Valentin BODU
- Costas BOTOPOULOS
- Danutė BUDREIKAITĖ
- Daniel DĂIANU
- Dragoș Florin DAVID
- Joseph DAUL
- Viorica DĂNCILĂ
- Bairbre de BRÚN
- Harlem DÉSIR
- Avril DOYLE
- Ilda FIGUEIREDO
- Salvador GARRIGA POLLEDO
- Jean-Paul GAUZÈS
- Adam GIEREK
- Dariusz Maciej GRABOWSKI
- Genowefa GRABOWSKA
- Bruno GOLLNISCH
- Louis GRECH
- Pedro GUERREIRO
- Gábor HARANGOZÓ
- Rebecca HARMS
- Edit HERCZOG
- Gunnar HÖKMARK
- Filiz HYUSMENOVA
- Mieczysław Edmund JANOWSKI
- Rumiana JELEVA
- Tunne KELAM
- Magda KÓSÁNÉ KOVÁCS
- Sergej KOZLÍK
- Guntars KRASTS
- Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU
- Nils LUNDGREN
- Jules MAATEN
- Jiří MAŠTÁLKA
- Iosif MATULA
- Elisabeth MORIN-CHARTIER
- Cristiana MUSCARDINI
- Alexandru NAZARE
- Rareș-Lucian NICULESCU
- Lambert van NISTELROOIJ
- Péter OLAJOS
- Csaba ŐRY
- Atanas PAPARIZOV
- Mirosław PIOTROWSKI
- Zita PLEŠTINSKÁ
- Gianni PITTELLA
- Ona RAINYTÉ-BODARD
- Poul Nyrup RASMUSSEN
- Libor ROUČEK
- Guido SACCONI
- Katrin SAKS
- Elisabeth SCHROEDTER
- Brian SIMPSON
- Theodor Dumitru STOLOJAN
- Margie SUDRE
- Csaba Sándor TABAJDI
- Silvia-Adriana ȚICĂU
- Claude TURMES
- Cornelis VISSER
- Sahra WAGENKNECHT
- Sir Graham WATSON
- Andrzej Tomasz ZAPAŁOWSKI
Votes
Rapport ANDERSSON A6-0052/2009 - projet de résolution #
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