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Commission proposal ‘Guidelines for Member States’ Employment Policies 2000’ (COM(1999) 441
wdash C5-0147/1999 wdash 1999/0816(CNS))
TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT
(Amendment 3)
Annex, introduction to Guidelines 1 and 2
In order to influence the trend in youth and long-term unem-
ployment the Member States will intensify their efforts todevelop preventive and employability-oriented strategies, build-ing on the early identification of individual needs; within aperiod to be determined by each Member State which maynot exceed three years and which may be longer in Member
States with particularly high unemployment, Member Stateswill ensure that:In order to influence the trend in youth and long-term unem-
ployment the Member States will intensify their efforts todevelop preventive and employability-oriented strategies, build-ing on the early identification of individual needs; within aperiod to be determined by each Member State which maynot exceed three years , although an extension of two years
will be possible in Member States with particularly high
unemployment, Member States will ensure that:
(Amendment 4)
Annex, Guideline 1
1. every unemployed young person is offered a new start
before reaching six months of unemployment, in the form of
training, retraining, work practice, a job or other employability
measure with a view to effective integration into the labourmarket;1. every unemployed young person is offered a new start
before reaching six months of unemployment, in the form of
training, retraining, work practice, a job or other employability
measure with a view to effective and lasting integration into
the labour market;
(Amendment 5)
Annex, Guideline 2
2. unemployed adults are also offered a fresh start before
reaching 12 months of unemployment by one of the afore-mentioned means or, more generally, by accompanying indi-vidual vocational guidance with a view to effective integrationinto the labour market;2. unemployed adults are also offered a fresh start before
reaching 12 months of unemployment by one of the afore-mentioned means or, more generally, by accompanying indi-vidual vocational guidance with a view to effective and lasting
integration into the labour market;
(Amendment 6)
Annex, sentence after Guideline 2
These preventive and employability measures should be com-
bined with measures to promote the re-employment of the
long-term unemployed.These preventive and employability measures for both target
groups who should be supported in equal measure should
be combined with measures to promote the re-employment of
the long-term unemployed.
(Amendment 7)
Annex, Guideline 3
3. will endeavour to increase significantly the number of
persons benefiting from active measures to improve theiremployability. In order to increase the numbers of unemployedwho are offered training or any similar measure, it will in par-ticular fix a target, in the light of its starting situation, of gra-dually achieving the average of the three most successful Mem-ber States, and at least 20%;3. will endeavour to increase significantly the number of
persons benefiting from active measures to improve theiremployability. In order to increase the numbers of unemployedwho are offered training or any similar measure, it will in par-ticular fix a target, in the light of its starting situation, of gra-dually achieving the average of the three most successful Mem-ber States, and at least 25%. Concurrently, targets thatC 158/36 EN 7.6.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
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measure the inclusion of women in training programmes
will be set, based on the average of the three most suc-cessful Member States in this respect;
(Amendment 8)
Annex, Guideline 4, 2nd indent
4dash to develop a policy for active ageing, encompassing appro-
priate measures such as maintaining working capacity, life-long learning and other flexible working arrangements, so
thatolder workers are also able to remain and participate
actively in working life.4dash to develop a policy for active ageing, encompassing appro-
priate measures such as maintaining working capacity, life-long learning and other flexible working arrangements, in
order to enable older workers to remain and participate
actively in working life for longer if they so wish,
e.g. also on a part-time basis.
(Amendment 9)
Annex, Guideline 5
5. the social partners are urged, at their various levels of
responsibility and action, to conclude as soon as possibleagreements with a view to increasing the possibilities for train-ing, work experience, traineeships or other measures likely to
promote employability of the young and adult unemployed
and to promote entry into the labour market.5. the social partners are urged, at their various levels of
responsibility and action, to conclude as soon as possibleagreements with a view to increasing the possibilities for train-ing, work experience, traineeships or other measures likely to
promote employability of the young and adult unemployed
and to promote entry into the labour market. In this context,
Member States shall create the preconditions and, as soonas possible, establish the conditions to enable such agree-ments to be applied and implemented.
(Amendment 10)
Annex, Guideline 6
6. in order to reinforce the development of a skilled and
adaptable workforce, both Member States and the social part-ners will endeavour to develop possibilities for lifelong learn-ing, particularly in the fields of information and communica-tion technologies, and each Member State will set a targetaccording to national circumstances for participants benefitingfrom such measures. Easy access for older workers will be par-ticularly important.6. in order to reinforce the development of a skilled and
adaptable workforce, both Member States and the social part-ners will endeavour to develop possibilities for lifelong learn-ing, particularly in the fields of information and communica-tion technologies, and each Member State will set a targetaccording to national circumstances for participants benefitingfrom such measures. Easy access for thoseolder workers who
are interested, and for women, will be particularly impor-
tant.
(Amendment 11)
Annex, Guideline 7
7. improve the quality of their school systems in order to
reduce substantially the number of young people who dropout of the school system early. Particular attention should alsobe given to young people with learning difficulties.7. improve the quality of their school systems in order to
reduce substantially the number of young people who dropout of the school system early and to create the basis for
training in jobs with a future . Particular attention should
also be given to young people with learning difficulties so
that once again they have access to educational and train-ing systems .7.6.2000 EN C 158/37 Official Journal of the European Communities
Thursday 4 November 1999
TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT
(Amendment 12)
Annex, Guideline 8
8. make sure they equip young people with greater ability
to adapt to technological and economic changes and with skillsrelevant to the labour market .Particular attention should be
given to the development and modernisation of apprenticeshipsystems, to developing appropriate training for the acquisitionof computer literacy and skills by students and teachers as wellas to equipping schools with computer equipment and facilitat-ing student access to the Internet by the end of 2002.8. make sure they equip young people with greater ability
to adapt to technological and economic changes and with skillsrelevant to the labour market .Particular attention should be
givenin cooperation with the two sides of industry to the
development and modernisation of apprenticeship systems, todeveloping appropriate training for the acquisition of computerliteracy and skills by students and teachers as well as to equip-ping schools with computer equipment and facilitating studentaccess to the Internet by the end of 2002. Special attention
will be given to female students in this regard.
(Amendment 13)
Annex, Guideline 9
9. give special attention to the needs of the disabled, ethnic
minorities and other groups and individuals who may be dis-advantaged, and develop appropriate forms of preventive andactive policies to promote their integration into the labourmarket.9. give special attention to the needs of the disabled
(including those sick or injured because of work-relatedaccidents or disease) wdash taking account of their aptitudes,ethnicminorities and other groups and individuals who may bedisadvantaged, undertake to improve effectively the
employment prospects of those groups through compar-able targets and develop appropriate forms of preventive and
active policies to promote in a holistic manner their integra-
tion into the labour market.
(Amendment 14)
Annex, introduction to Guidelines 10 and 11
The development of new enterprises, and the growth of small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is essential for job crea-tion and for the expansion of training opportunities for young
people. This process must be promoted by encouraging greater
entrepreneurial awareness across society and in educationalcurricula, by providing a clear, stable and predictable set ofrules, by improving the conditions for the development of riskcapital markets and access to the stock market. The MemberStatesshould also reduce and simplify the administrative and
tax burdens on SMEs. Thesepolicies will support Member
States’ attempts to tackle undeclared work. To that end theMember States will:The development of new enterprises, and the growth of small
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is essential for job crea-tion and for the expansion of training opportunities for young
people. This process must be promoted by encouraging greater
entrepreneurial awareness and ability across society and in
educational curricula, by providing a clear, stable and predict-able set of rules, by substantially improving the conditions for
the development of risk capital markets and access to the capi-
tal and stock markets and by improving the equity capitali-
sation of businesses through voluntary equity participa-tion models for employees . The Member States must reduce
and simplify the administrative burden in setting up busi-
nesses and the administrative and tax burdens on SMEs.
Appropriate preventive and punitive policies will support
Member States’ attempts to tackle undeclared work. To thatend the Member States will:
(Amendments 15 and 32)
Annex, Guideline 10
10. give particular attention to reducing significantly the
overhead costs and administrative burdens for businesses ,and
especially SMEs, in particular when an enterprise is being set up
and when hiring additional workers;10. give particular attention to reducing significantly the
overhead costs and administrative burdens for businesses in
general and SMEs , cooperatives, social-economy enter-
prises and new business, in particular, especially when anC 158/38 EN 7.6.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
Thursday 4 November 1999
TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT
enterprise is being set up and when hiring additional workers ,
and will inform each other of this through a system ofbenchmarking. They will make information on their pro-
gress regularly and widely available ;
(Amendment 16)
Annex, Guideline 11
11. encourage the development of self-employment by
examining, with the aim of reducing, any obstacles whichmay exist, especially those within tax and social securityregimes, to moving to self-employment and the setting up ofsmall businesses as well as by promoting training for entrepre-neurship and targeted support services for entrepreneurs andwould-be entrepreneurs.11. encourage the development of self-employment by
examining, with the aim of reducing, any obstacles whichmay exist, especially those within tax and social securityregimes, to moving to self-employment and the setting up ofsmall businesses as well as by promoting training for entrepre-neurship and targeted support services for entrepreneurs andwould-be entrepreneurs. The development of self-employ-
ment will take into account gender-specific barriers.
(Amendment 17)
Annex, Guideline 12
12. promote measures to exploit fully the possibilities
offered by job creation at local level and in the social economy,especially in new activities linked to needs not yet satisfied by
the market, and examine, with the aim of reducing, any obsta-
cles in the way of such measures. In this respect, the specialrole and responsibility of partners at the regional and locallevels, as well as the social partners, needs to be more fullyrecognised and supported. In addition, the role of the publicemployment services in identifying local employment opportu-nities and improving the functioning of local labour markets,should be exploited.12. promote measures to exploit fully the possibilities
offered by job creation at local level and in the social economy,especially in new activities linked to needs not yet satisfied by
the market, and examine, with the aim of reducing, any obsta-
cles in the way of such measures. In this respect, the specialrole and responsibility of local and regional authorities,
otherpartners at the regional and local levels, as well as the
social partners, needs to be more fully recognised and sup-ported. In addition, the role of the publicemployment servic esin identifying local employment opportunities and improvingthe functioning of local labour markets, should be exploited.
(Amendment 18)
Annex, Guideline 13
13. develop framework conditions to fully exploit the
employment potential of the services sector and industry-related services, inter alia by tapping the employment potentialof the information society and the environmental sector, to cre-ate more and better jobs.13. develop framework conditions to fully exploit the
employment potential of the services sector and industry-related services, which is still underutilised in comparison
with other industrialised countries , inter alia by tapping
the employment potential of the information society and theenvironmental sector, to create more and better jobs.
(Amendment 44)
Annex, Guideline 14
14. set atarget,if necessary and taking account of its present
level, for gradually reducing the overall tax burden and, whereappropriate, a target for gradually reducing the fiscal pressureon labour and non-wage labour costs, in particular on relatively
unskilled and low-paid labour, without jeopardising the recovery
of public finances or the financial equilibrium of social securityschemes. It will examine, if appropriate, the desirability of introdu-
cinga tax on energy or on pollutant emissions or any other tax
measure.14. set target quotas, taking account of its present level, for
gradually reducing the overall tax burden and, where appropri-ate, a target for gradually reducing the fiscal pressure on labourand non-wage labour costs, without jeopardising the recoveryof public finances or the financial equilibrium of social securityschemes. It will consider , if appropriate, whether the intro-
duction of a tax on energy or on pollutant emissions or any
other tax measure is likely permanently to maintain the
financial balance of the social insurance systems .7.6.2000 EN C 158/39 Official Journal of the European Communities
Thursday 4 November 1999
TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT
(Amendment 19)
Annex, introduction to Guidelines 16 and 17
In order to promote the modernisation of work organisation
and forms of work, a strong partnership should be developed at
all appropriate levels (European, national, sectoral, local and
enterprise levels):In order to promote the modernisation of work organisation
and forms of work, a strong partnership is required at all
appropriate levels (European, national, sectoral, local and enter-
prise levels):
(Amendment 20)
Annex, Guideline 16
16. The social partners are urged to agree and implement a
process in order to modernise the organisation of work, includ-ing flexible working arrangements, with the aim of makingundertakings productive and competitive and achieving therequired balance between flexibility and security. Subjects tobe covered may, for example, include training and re-training,the introduction of new technologies, new forms of work andworking time issues such as the expression of working time asan annual figure, the reduction of working hours, the reductionof overtime, the development of part-time working, and accessto training and career breaks.16. The social partners are urged to agree in the context of
their collective bargaining and implement a process in order
to modernise the organisation of work, including flexible work-ing arrangements, with the aim of making undertakings pro-ductive and competitive and achieving the required balancebetween flexibility and socialsecurity, including minimum
standards of informing and consulting employees . Subjects
to be covered may, for example, include training and re-train-ing, the introduction of new technologies, new forms of workand working time issues such as the expression of workingtime as an annual figure, the reduction of working hours, thereduction of overtime, the development of part-time working,and access to training and career breaks.
(Amendment 45)
Annex, Guideline 17
17.examine the possibility of incorporating in its law more
adaptable types of contract, taking into account the fact thatforms of employment are increasingly diverse. Those workingunder contracts of this kind should at the same time enjoy ade-
quate security and higher occupational status, compatible with
the needs of business.17.adaptits lawto allow for more adaptable types of con-
tract, taking into account the fact that forms of employmentare increasingly diverse. Those working under contracts of thiskind should at the same time enjoy adequate security com-
pared to full-time employees and higher occupational status,
compatible with the needs of business.
(Amendment 21)
Annex, Guideline 18
18.re-examine the obstacles, in particular tax obstacles, to
investment in human resources and possibly provide for taxor other incentives for the development of in-house training;they will also examine new regulations and review the existingregulatory framework to make sure they will contribute toreducing barriers to employment and helping the labour mar-ket adapt to structural change in the economy.18.remove the obstacles, in particular tax obstacles, to
investment in human resources and possibly provide for taxor other incentives for the development of in-house training;they will also examine new regulations and review the existingregulatory framework to make sure they will contribute toreducing barriers to employment and helping the labour mar-ket adapt to structural change in the economy.
(Amendment 22)
Annex, introduction to Guideline 19
Women still have particular problems in gaining access to the
employment market, in career advancement, in earnings and inreconciling professional and family life. It is therefore impor-tant, inter alia:Women still have particular problems in gaining access to the
employment market, in career advancement, in earnings and inreconciling professional and family life. The Member States
and the EU must make a combined effort to decrease theC 158/40 EN 7.6.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
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TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT
current EU gender gap in each Member State by 50%
within five years. It is therefore important, inter alia:
4dash to ensure that active labour market policies are made avail-
able for women in proportion to their share of unemploy-
ment;4dash to ensure that active labour market policies are made avail-
able for women in proportion to their share of unemploy-
ment;
4dash to reduce tax-benefit disincentives, wherever identified,
because of their negative effects on the female labour sup-
ply;4dash to reduce tax-benefit disincentives, wherever identified,
because of their negative effects on the female labour sup-
ply;
4dash to give particular attention to obstacles which hinder
womenwhowish to set up new businesses or become
self-employed;4dash to give particular attention to obstacles which hinder
womenon the labour market or in access to the labour
market or when they wish to set up new businesses or
become self-employed;
4dash to ensure that women are able to benefit positively from
flexible forms of work organisation.4dash to ensure that women are able to benefit positively from
flexible forms of work organisation on a voluntary basis .
(Amendment 23)
Annex, Guideline 19
19. adopt a gender-mainstreaming approach in implement-
ing the Guidelines of all four pillars. In order meaningfully toevaluate progress on this approach, Member States will need toprovide for adequate data collection systems and procedures.19. adopt a gender-mainstreaming approach in implement-
ing the Guidelines of all four pillars. In order meaningfully toevaluate progress on this approach, Member States will need toprovide for adequate data collection systems and procedures.All employment statistics should be desegregated by gen-der and within one year Member States will develop a set
of benchmarks and criteria for the implementation and
evaluation of gender mainstreaming.
(Amendment 24)
Annex, Guideline 20
20. attempt to reduce the gap in unemployment rates
between women and men by actively supporting the increasedemployment of women and will take action to bring about abalanced representation of women and men in all sectors andoccupations. They will initiate positive steps to promote equalpay for equal work or work of equal value and to diminish dif-
ferentials in incomes between women and men. In order toreduce gender gaps, Member States will also consider anincreased use of measures for the advancement of women.20. attempt to reduce the gap in unemployment rates
between women and men by actively supporting the increasedemployment of women and will take action to bring about abalanced representation of women and men in all sectors andoccupations. They will initiate positive steps to promote equalpay for equal work or work of equal value , with the aim of
eliminating differentials in incomes between women and men.
In order to reduce gender gaps, Member States will also con-sider an increased use of measures for the advancement of
women.
(Amendment 25)
Annex, introduction to Guideline 21
Policies on career breaks, parental leave and part-time work, as
well as flexible working arrangements which serve the interestsof both employers and employees, are of particular importanceto women and men. Implementation of the various Directivesand social-partner agreements in this area should be acceleratedPolicies on career breaks, parental leave and part-time work, as
well as flexible working arrangements which serve the interestsof both employers and employees, are of particular importanceto women and men. Implementation of the various Directivesand social-partner agreements in this area should be accelerated7.6.2000 EN C 158/41 Official Journal of the European Communities
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BY THE COMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT
and monitored regularly. There must be an adequate provision
of good quality care for children and other dependants in orderto support women’s and men’s entry and continued participa-
tion in the labour market. An equal sharing of family responsi-
bilities is crucial in this respect. In order to strengthen equalopportunities, Member States and the social partners will:and monitored regularly. There must be an adequate provision,
in the form of comparable targets for the Member States,of good quality care for children and other dependants in order
to support women’s and men’s entry and continued participa-
tion in the labour market. Member States will increase the
number of child care places and institutions for the care ofolder persons and other persons in need of care. An equal
sharing of family responsibilities is crucial in this respect. Inorder to strengthen equal opportunities, Member States andthe social partners will:
(Amendment 26)
Annex, Guideline 21
21. design, implement and promote family-friendly policies,
including affordable, accessible and high quality care servicesfor children and other dependants, as well as parental andother leave schemes.21. design, implement and promote family-friendly policies,
including affordable, accessible and high quality care servicesfor children and other dependants, as well as parental andother leave schemes. Member States, in consultation with
their social partners, will provide legal remedies forwomen and men who are discriminated against for takingparental and care leave.
European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal from the Commission, ‘Guidelines for
Member States’ Employment Policies 2000’ (COM(1999) 441 wdash C5-0147/1999 wdash 1999/0816(CNS))
(Consultation procedure)
The European Parliament,
4dash having regard to the Commission proposal (COM(1999) 441 4dash 1999/0816(CNS)),
4dash having been consulted by the Council (C5-0147/1999),
4dash having regard to Rule 67 of its Rules of Procedure,
4dash having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the opinions of
the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Committee on Women’s Rights and EqualOpportunities (A5-0045/1999),
1. Approves the Commission proposal as amended;
2. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parlia-
ment;
3. Asks to be consulted again if the Council intends to amend its draft decision substantially;
4. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.C 158/42 EN 7.6.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities
Thursday 4 November 1999
TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSIONAMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT