EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 4/58

Thursday 25 March 2010

Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: Lithuania/Manufacture of furniture

P7_TA(2010)0070

European Parliament resolution of 25 March 2010 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund, in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (COM(2010)0058 – C7-0041/2010 – 2010/2035(BUD))

2011/C 4 E/10

The European Parliament,

having regard to the Commission proposal to the European Parliament and the Council (COM(2010)0058 – C7-0041/2010),

having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (1) (IIA of 17 May 2006), and in particular point 28 thereof,

having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2) (EGF Regulation),

having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgets and the opinion of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (A7-0047/2010),

A. whereas the European Union has set up the appropriate legislative and budgetary instruments to provide additional support to workers who suffer from the consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns and to assist their reintegration into the labour market,

B. whereas the Union's financial assistance to workers made redundant should be dynamic and made available as quickly and efficiently as possible, in accordance with the Joint Declaration of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission adopted during the conciliation meeting on 17 July 2008, and having due regard for the IIA of 17 May 2006 in respect of the adoption of decisions to mobilise the EGF,

C. whereas Lithuania has requested assistance in respect of cases concerning redundancies in 49 enterprises, all operating in the furniture manufacturing sector (3),

D. whereas the application fulfils the eligibility criteria set up by the EGF Regulation,

1. Requests the institutions involved to make the necessary efforts to accelerate the mobilisation of the EGF;

2. Recalls the institutions’ commitment to ensure a smooth and rapid procedure for the adoption of the decisions on the mobilisation of the EGF, providing one-off, time-limited individual support geared to helping workers who have suffered redundancies as a result of globalisation;

3. Underlines that the increasing number of applications for a contribution from the EGF requires that further improvements to the procedure be introduced. Therefore calls on the Commission to evaluate how the period between Member States’ application and the payment of the financial contribution could be reduced and to report back to Parliament as soon as possible;

4. Stresses that the European Union should use all its means to face the consequences of the global economic and financial crisis; emphasises the role that the EGF can play in the reintegration of the workers made redundant into the labour market;

5. Stresses that, in accordance with Article 6 of the EGF Regulation, it should be ensured that the EGF supports the reintegration of the individual redundant workers into employment; reiterates that assistance from the EGF shall not replace actions which are the responsibility of companies by virtue of national law or collective agreements, nor measures restructuring companies or sectors;

6. Calls on the Commission to include, in proposals for the mobilisation of the EGF, as well as in its annual reports, precise information on the complementary funding received from the European Social Fund (ESF) and other Structural Funds;

7. Reminds the Commission, in the context of mobilising the EGF, not to systematically transfer payment appropriations from the ESF, since the EGF was created as a separate specific instrument with its own objectives and deadlines;

8. Stresses that the functioning and the added value of the EGF should be evaluated in the context of the general assessment of the programmes and other various instruments created by the IIA of 17 May 2006, within the process of the 2007-2013 multiannual financial framework mid-term review;

9. Notes that the new Commission's proposals for a decision on the mobilisation of the EGF refer to a sole Member State's application, which is in line with Parliament's requests;

10. Approves the decision annexed to this resolution;

11. Instructs its President to sign the decision with the President of the Council and arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution, including its annex, to the Council and the Commission.

(1) OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1.

(3) EGF/2009/016 LT/Manufacture of furniture.