ANNEX

The following amendments, which received at least a quarter of the votes cast, were rejected in the course of the debate (Rule 59(3) of the Rules of Procedure):

1. Point 1.12

Amend as follows:

The EESC recommends that the results of the benchmarking process should be closely monitored and evaluated. If there is insufficient progress towards the desired outcomes, a binding legally binding instrument framework should be considered introduced to support and complement Member States’ efforts to modernise their unemployment insurance systems. In addition to a Council Recommendation to guide Member States, the EESC recommends considering introducing a directive binding legal framework pursuant to Article 153 TFEU laying down legally binding minimum standards for the Member States’ unemployment insurance systems. This legal framework directive should include EU-wide minimum standards for unemployment benefits in terms of net replacement rate , entitlement period and coverage rate . The EESC is also in favour of EU-wide minimum standards for training and activation in the context of unemployment insurance.

Outcome of the vote:

In favour: 64 Against: 119 Abstentions: 19

2. Point 2.10

If, over time, and after close monitoring and evaluation of the outcomes, there is insufficient progress towards the desired outcomes, the EESC recommends introducing considering a binding legal framework directive pursuant to Article 153 TFEU laying down legally binding minimum standards for the Member States’ unemployment insurance systems. This legal framework directive should include EU-wide minimum standards for unemployment benefits in terms of net replacement rate , entitlement period and coverage rate . The EESC is also in favour of EU-wide minimum standards for training and activation in the context of unemployment insurance. Minimum requirements should not prevent Member States from establishing more ambitious social standards (see point 16 of the preamble to the European Pillar of Social Rights). Existing standards in the Member States should not be reduced. The EESC recommends setting minimum requirements for Member States’ unemployment insurance systems in conjunction with an appropriate application of a non-regression clause (a prohibition on using the introduction of minimum standards as an excuse to reduce standards). This will accommodate the EU’s objective of improving living and working conditions in the interests of upward convergence between the Member States (Article 151 TFEU).

Outcome of the vote:

In favour: 63 Against: 122 Abstentions: 18

3. Point 4.9

Should targets set in connection with the European Semester, after close monitoring and evaluation, prove insufficiently effective, the EESC recommends, with regard to the social dimension of Europe after 2020, introducing considering a directive binding legal framework pursuant to Article 153 TFEU laying down legally binding minimum standards for the Member States’ unemployment insurance systems. This legal framework directive should include EU-wide minimum standards for unemployment benefits in terms of net replacement rate , entitlement period and coverage rate . The EESC is also in favour of EU-wide minimum standards for training and activation in the context of unemployment insurance.

Outcome of the vote: