ddrg/super_eurlex huggingface dataset:
4.6.

However, in our view, we need indicators that do not just provide another set of data but depict what is important for the EU’s competitiveness. The proposed KPIs overlook important indicators such as the age, the gender or the skills profile of the workforce among the various ecosystems. Those aspects are crucial to anticipate the change ahead and avoid bottlenecks and hurdles while transforming European industry. But they are also key to building an inclusive recovery, given that young people, women and precarious workers have been the hardest hit by the crisis. The EESC recommends complementing the proposed KPIs with indicators measuring the social performance of the Industrial Strategy and its 14 ecosystems, with the aim of ensuring good working and production conditions and quality jobs. It calls for dedicated indicators that measure not only ecosystems, but horizontal issues as well, and for an option to adapt, change or evolve these over time, if necessary. The KPIs should, for example, take into consideration consumer preferences, and especially the shift to sustainable products.
3.13.

Hence, it is necessary for the EU supervisor to implement the green bond standard as pragmatically as possible. Though the Commission will be the main issuer of green bonds with EUR 250 billion over the next three years under NextGenerationEU) with Member States issuing a total of around EUR 80 billion green bonds, the role of the private sector in issuing green bonds cannot be downplayed. Avoiding over prescription and over regulation in the case of corporate issuers would facilitate the adoption of the green bond standard across capital markets in the EU. However, a note of caution is warranted. Under the proposal, green bonds issued by the public sector in Member States would not be subject to external review as envisaged in this proposal. Though public sector issuers would still need to account to bond investors, given the commitments on the part of Member States towards a low carbon transition, applying the EU green bond standard across the board would guarantee that commitment. On the other hand, allowing two types of green bonds (one for public sector and one for corporate issuers) could result in at least two different standards.
4.7.

2 -saving measures, as well as the simplest and the least costly. But even these relatively inexpensive measures are too expensive for many homeowners, despite resulting in lower energy costs. The EESC therefore advocates that national governments introduce a subsidy scheme for these measures as they also have the potential to create jobs. A Renovate Europe study shows that for every EUR 1 million invested in the energy renovation of buildings, an average of 18 jobs are created in the EU As in its opinion on a Renovation Wave for Europe, the Committee emphasises that cavity wall and floor insulation are the most efficient CO-saving measures, as well as the simplest and the least costly. But even these relatively inexpensive measures are too expensive for many homeowners, despite resulting in lower energy costs. The EESC therefore advocates that national governments introduce a subsidy scheme for these measures as they also have the potential to create jobs. A Renovate Europe study shows that for every EUR 1 million invested in the energy renovation of buildings, an average of 18 jobs are created in the EU ( 6 )
3.6.3.

The EESC emphasises that this cooperation mechanism must not increase any division within the EU but, on the contrary, result in a stronger Union. To this end, it is important that all Member States be offered an opportunity to participate in a multi-country project, on the basis of their interests and their financial and non-financial contribution. The EESC calls on the Commission to accelerate and guide the projects in a way that ensures the best possible benefit from the point of view of the whole EU.
4.14.

Knowledge of the beneficial owners of shell companies and their assets and of the real owners of the transactions they carry out is essential in order to unravel the real nature of their activities and to understand the extent of tax evasion or money laundering committed. The hiding of beneficial ownership through chains of shell companies, managed by ‘professional enablers’, is inherent to their criminal purposes. The tools for knowing the beneficial owners are in the anti-money laundering legislation. However, there is no reference to the issue in the proposed Directive under discussion. The EESC considers that this as well as other loopholes in the linking of the two pieces of legislation should be resolved, either by explaining how to do so in this Directive or by urgently promoting a European framework law to address it.
5.2.

The EESC takes note of and shares the Commission’s views and analyses in this domain, particularly the following: (i) further efforts are still needed as regards implementation of protective elements, particularly in relation to access to information, access to justice and recovery of back payments, and the granting of temporary residence (15); (ii) a majority of Member States only provide general information on employees’ rights, not targeted information that is relevant for the specific situation of irregular migrant workers; (iii) the cooperation of public authorities with social partners and non-governmental organisations is key to facilitating complaints, as they often have direct contact with the workers and can raise awareness, inform migrants of their rights, build mutual trust and help the workers identify situations of undeclared work and labour exploitation in order to file a complaint. The role of social partners and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) is also very important to facilitate complaints, expose situations of exploitation and reduce migrants’ fear of being subject to return procedures if detected by migration authorities. In a large majority of Member States the law grants an important role to these stakeholders, notably trade unions, within the national mechanism for facilitating lodging of complaints (16); (iv) irregular migrants who have experienced labour exploitation face challenges in accessing residence permit procedures or in the conditions on granting the permits. Stakeholders report that victims face a lack of access to information and legal advice on the availability of permits and on how to apply or request consideration, on the granting of permits often being linked to criminal charges against particular employers, and on the permit being conditional on victims’ participation in criminal proceedings, although this is not required by the Directive (17); (v) the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) has indicated that, in some Member States, migrants in an irregular situation are not using existing complaint systems. This may be for a number of reasons: a lack of incentives for workers to lodge complaints; limited information on their rights and the available complaint mechanism; economic barriers such as membership fees to trade unions that assist members only; and, mostly, fear of being detected, detained and returned (18); (vi) social partners and NGOs also play a central role in promoting and implementing the protective measures of the Directive and increasing their outreach to irregular migrants. The Commission will strengthen dialogue with the social partners and non-governmental organisations representing undocumented workers and engage with the European Platform tackling undeclared work when developing these activities.
Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2020/1429 as regards the duration of the reference period for the application of temporary measures concerning the levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure’

(COM(2021) 832 final — 2021/0437(COD))

(2022/C 194/16)

Referral European Parliament, 17.1.2022 Council of the European Union, 21.1.2022 Legal basis Article 91 and 304 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union Section responsible Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society Adopted at plenary 19.1.2022 Plenary session No 566 Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions) 229/1/1

Since the Committee unreservedly endorses the content of the proposal and feels that it requires no comment on its part, it decided, at its 566th plenary session of 19 and 20 January 2022 (meeting of 19 January), by 229 votes to 1 with 1 abstention, to issue an opinion endorsing the proposed text.
1.3.

In 2022, while the Commission has again moved rapidly in adopting a temporary framework in relation to the war in Ukraine, it is imperative to ensure that businesses are actually able to benefit from it. The Temporary Crisis Framework must be able to complement the State aid instruments that are already available to the Member States, as well as the existing schemes under the national recovery and resilience plans. The EESC calls upon the Commission to provide guidelines in order to facilitate fast support by Member States’ governments to sectors that are seriously impacted by emergency situations, for instance through national aid measures such as guaranteed trade credit insurance or other financial instruments. The EESC also stresses that the need to ensure that the EU’s businesses can access the temporary measures hinges primarily on having accessible, non-restrictive eligibility conditions for the most impacted businesses.
4.3.

Transparent and common shared data regarding products, recycled and re-used compounds, destruction of goods, chemicals used in the production process, the social and labour impact of the production process and the environmental impact concerning every company in the supply chain are important for the monitoring of these supply chains. Furthermore, creating an open data framework and ensuring free access for consumers, civil society and the social partners is crucial for improving the textile sector's environmental and social situation. The EESC considers that consumers' digital literacy must be taken into account and the data content should target all the stakeholders in the supply chain. The right balance must be struck between the need for transparent data and the protection of industrial property rights.
No C 269/56 Official  Journal  of the European  Communities 13. 11. 78 
Opinion  on the draft  for a Council  Decision  concerning  the activities  of certain  State-trading 
countries  in cargo  liner  shipping 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
At its 159th  plenary  session  held  on 31 May  and  1 June  1978  the Committee,  acting  on a 
proposal  from  the Bureau,  decided  to deliver  an opinion  on the abovementioned  subject  on its 
own initiative. 
B. OPINION  OF THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE 
The Economic  and  Social  Committee  prepared  its opinion  on the above  matter  at its 159th 
plenary  session,  held  in Brussels  on 31 May  and  1 June  1978. 
The full  text  of the opinion  is as follows: 
THE  ECONOMIC  AND  SOCIAL  COMMITTEE, 
Having  regard  to the  draft  for  a Council  Decision 
concerning  the activities  of certain  State-trading  countries 
in cargo  liner  shipping  of 6 April  1978, 
Having  regard  to Article  75 and  Article  84 (2) of the EEC 
Treaty, 
Having  regard  to its Bureau's  decision  of 30 May  1978  to 
deliver  an opinion  on this  draft, 
Having  regard  to Articles  18, 20 (4) and 46 of its Rules  of 
Procedure, 
Having  regard  to its opinions  of 22 June  and  23 
November  1977  on this  matter, 
Having  regard  to the  oral  report  made  by  the 
rapporteur-general,  Mr Hoffmann, 
Done  at Brussels,  31 May  1978. Having  regard  to the  discussions  at its 159th  plenary 
session,  held  on 31 May  and  1 June  1978  (meeting  of 31 
May  1978), 
Whereas  it is necessary  for Member  States  to take  joint 
action  against  the  growing  non-commercially-based 
competition  from  certain  State-trading  countries'  liner 
fleets, 
HAS  ADOPTED  THE  FOLLOWING  OPINION: 
with  no votes  against  and  two  abstentions: 
1. The  Economic  and  Social  Committee  fully  endorses 
the Commission's  proposal. 
2. It  is gratified  to note  that  the Commission  has based 
itself  to a very  great  extent  on  the  Committee's 
preliminary  work  on this  subject. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic  and  Social  Committee 
Basil  de FERRANTI 
Opinion  on part-time  employment:  its effects  in the current  state  of the labour  market 
The opinion  of the Committee  is not based  on any  text. 
A. LEGAL  BASIS  FOR  THE  OPINION 
At its 150th  plenary  session  held  on 22 and  23 June  1977  the Committee,  acting  on a proposal 
from  the Bureau,  decided  to deliver  an opinion  on the abovementioned  subject  on its own 
initiative.
15. 2. 85 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 44/17 
Mr Fuller, Mr Glesener, Mrs Gredal, Mr van Greunsven, Mr Hammond, Mr Hannon, Mrs Heuser, 
Mr Hilkens, Mr Houthuys, Mr Jarvis, Mr Jaschick, Mr Jenkins, Mr Kamizolas, Mr Kenna, Mr Kirschen, 
Mr Low, Mr Marvier, Mr Masucci, Mr Meraviglia, Mr Milne, Mr Monier, Mr Mourgues, Mr Muller, 
Mrs Nielsen M., Mr Nierhaus, Mr Noordwal, Mr de Normann, Mr Ognibene, Mr Paggi, Mrs Patterson, 
Mr Pearson, Mr Pfeiffer, Mr Plank, Mr Poeton, Mr Pronk, Mr Querleux, Mr Rainero, Mr Ramaekers, 
Mr Regaldo, Mr van Rens, Mr Romoli, Mr Roseingrave, Mr Schneider, Mr Schnieders, Mr Schoepges, 
Sir George Sharp, Mr Soulat, Mr Staratzke, Mrs Strobel, Mr Spijkers, Mr Vandenbroucke, Mr Vercellino, 
Mr Wick, Mr Williams, Mr de Wit. 
The following members, present or represented, abstained: 
Mr Arena, Mr Berger, Mr Berns, Mr Binnenbruck, Mr Bos, Mr de Bruyn, Mr Dracos, Mr Eelsen, 
Mr Goris, Mr Margot, Mr Masprone, Mr Pelletier, Mr Storie-Pugh, Mr Swift, Mr Tamlin. 
Own-initiative opinion on the Commission's proposals concerning integrated Mediterranean 
programmes 
(85/C 44/12) 
At its 222nd plenary session held on 12 and 13 December 1984 the Economic and Social 
Committee decided to draw up an own-initiative opinion, under the fourth paragraph of 
Article 20 of the Rules of Procedure, on the abovementioned proposal. 
At the same plenary session it appointed Mr Lauga as rapporteur-general and adopted the 
following opinion on the second day by a very large majority (there being one vote against and 
11 abstentions): 
The Economic and Social Committee notes with concern 
the accumulation of delays in the adoption and 
implementation of the integrated Mediterranean 
programmes, which should have been launched before 
the end of 1984. 
The Committee would point out that as the body 
representing European socio-economic interest groups it 
has twice (x) come out unanimously in favour of this initiative, given that the prime aim is to bring about an 
equitable balance between the various regions of the 
Community in accordance with the objectives of the 
Treaty of Rome. 
The Committee would therefore once more call upon the 
relevant Community authorities to act within their 
respective spheres of competence and take the decisions 
required for rapid implementation of this action. 
Done at Brussels, 13 December 1984. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Gerd MUHR 
(M ESC opinion of 24 November 1983 (OJ No C23, 
30. 1. 1984) and ESC opinion of 24 May 1984 (OJ No 
C206, 6.8. 1984).
3.1.

European islands are sometimes at a disadvantage compared with the European mainland due to their isolation and peripheral nature. However, geography brings great advantages as well as disadvantages, and at the current time, islands are also offering immense potential for growth and development, not only for themselves but also for Europe as a whole. This is why the EESC is calling for smart policies and smart development initiatives at EU, national and regional levels that also cater for the specific characteristics of islands. Nevertheless, responsibility for smart policies in islands should be shared between all the aforementioned levels and not fall exclusively to one category. In view of this shared responsibility, but not exclusively due to this, the EESC calls for an expert group on islands that would oversee policy and its applicability and effect on islands. Furthermore, the EESC recommends that open platform for islands be established, to act as a forum for coordination and action among islands in relation to the Smart islands objectives.
4.10.

Villages and small towns are an important part of the culture of Europe. They often maintain their local customs and traditions. These rural settlements are usually ‘historic’ and their architecture reflects their local building materials and the styles over many centuries. Small town centres have usually retained more local businesses and have not been overwhelmed by the standard facades demanded by chain stores as have the larger town centres. Small rural settlements are also closely linked to the landscapes they are set in and this setting is very much part of the ambience of the village and small town reflecting their very diverse origins — hill top defence positions, river crossing points, spring lines, lakeside, islands or coast etc. The cultural values to be found in villages and small towns should be given a prominent place in the publicity for, and initiatives during, European Cultural Heritage Year 2018. Older residents can play an important role in promoting traditions and culture and the conditions should be created for them to actively carry out such work.
4.3.

By reducing the costs of accessing products or services, the functional economy can be an advantage for people on the lowest incomes, offering adaptable and flexible access to services and products. However, at the same time it can make these least well-off people more vulnerable if they are no longer able to pay to access, use or subscribe to a service. From this perspective, and in the current context of increasing economic insecurity in many European countries, ownership may seem preferable and safer for people with little material security. In addition, as regards access to certain goods and services, unequal access cannot be attributed solely to economic capital (i.e. financial resources): cultural and educational capital (social background, training) also come into play.
5.1.

all the measures that need to be implemented in order to achieve better integration into the labour market for each sub-group of economically inactive people The Commission and Member-States should focus onthat need to be implemented in order to achieve better integration into the labour market for each sub-group of economically inactive people ( 17 ) , not only those related to training and skills. These could include: a) the development of adequate, high-quality public social welfare services to meet care needs (especially for children and the elderly) in order to free up those who want to work (mainly women) so that they can do so without worrying - something which is currently not possible due to their family obligations (18); b) effective monitoring and evaluation of the impact of public policies to put the economically inactive population back in work, for example: 1. effective evidence (identifying barriers and mapping how they relate to existing policies), 2. implementation (addressing implementation challenges, facilitating coordination and cooperation among stakeholders), 3. monitoring and evaluation policy (estimating short-term and long-term effects; analysing results beyond the likelihood of employment and including aspects relating to job quality; identifying what works and for whom); c) increasing inclusive growth and well-being through the following dimensions of labour market performance: more and better jobs; inclusivity; resilience and adaptability; d) The Commission and Member-States should adopt the ‘3Ps’ (policy principles): 1. promote an environment in which quality jobs can thrive, 2. prevent exclusion in the labour market and protect individuals against risks involved in that market, 3. prepare for future risks and opportunities that may emerge in the labour market; e) creating jobs in municipalities that are appropriate to the qualifications of economically inactive workers residing in those municipalities, i.e. creating jobs in line with the skills of economically inactive people and improving their performance through appropriate training courses; f) creating an environment conducive to strengthening social dialogue (with social partners) at all appropriate levels, while respecting the autonomy of the social partners and collective bargaining, as well as the dialogue with other relevant civil society organisations (19).
5.19.

The huge potential of the new digital technologies and the high cost of the investment required also expose blockchain technology to the risk of concentration as regards the devices capable of making it work. As a result, alongside the potential to democratise the network, there is also the risk of the data and technological networks being subject to speculation and hoarding in the hands of the few players or countries able to make large investments. It is therefore important that there are public interventions to support the development of these technologies in a participatory and accessible way.
3.10.

The directives do not include any specific mandatory rules on emissions or circular economy, but they enable public authorities: — to use strategic procurement, which is a relevant and powerful way to respond to societal, environmental and economic challenges to shape the way in which both the public and private sector behave in the market; — to address common societal goals in the procurement process based on social considerations in the awarding of contracts with a focus on promoting gender equality, employment opportunities and combating discrimination (9). One possibility is to consider to replace the present system, which leaves the decision to use strategic procurement largely to Member States, with EU minimum criteria in some areas such as sustainability and the Life Cycle Cost. Such a policy may at the same time encourage an R & D framework to create circular solutions.
1.8.

The EESC underlines the pivotal role of the SME Envoy network, EEN and SME organisations to publicise and spread information on all support measures to the widest possible audience of SMEs and calls for them to develop their structures and working methods so as to better meet these needs. The EESC suggests that relations between SME organisations at EU and national level and the SME Envoy network should be further strengthened, with a view of achieving a more interactive model, where there is a constant, direct link and consistent, close and comprehensive connection with SMEs and their representative organisations and a better understanding and recognition of the role of the SME Envoy. It is the SME Envoys who will translate and tailor EU policies in concrete measures and support schemes in their relevant Member States and arrange the practical measures to deal with the particular situation of each and every SME, so that no one is left behind. The EESC looks forward to soon seeing the appointment of an EU SME Envoy to really lead this process.