WRITTEN QUESTION E-2457/01

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(11 September 2001)

Subject: Unemployment and destitution in the European Union

When Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulos submitted the 2001 employment guidelines a few months ago, she claimed that the European Union's main objective was to prevent the emergence of a new class of poor workers, and that the Commission was proposing to ensure the creation of high quality jobs. However, there can be no denying the economic phenomenon, in both rich and European less developed countries, of the co-existence of an increasing demand for highly qualified workers and structural unemployment which affects young people seeking their first job, women in general, people over a certain age and immigrants. The long-term unemployment affecting these groups of people in particular accounts for 45 % of Europe's total unemployment. This is giving rise to growing destitution and structural poverty. What Union policies and budgetary provisions are dedicated to combating and solving the grave problem of human destitution which is dividing European society?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2001)

The Community supports Member States' efforts to combat poverty caused by long term unemployment and exclusion from the labour market essentially through the following three policy instruments:

- The European Employment Strategy and guidelines which stress the need to develop an inclusive labour market through policies which promote employability and are tailored to special needs, which support the creation of appropriate employment opportunities for those who are least able to access the mainstream labour market and which seek to better reconcile work and family responsibilities;

- The European Social Fund and the Community Initiative EQUAL;

- The European Social Fund (ESF) along with the other Structural Funds aim to promote greater economic and social cohesion across the Union. A key concern for policy action is the disparity in income and employment opportunities between regions and groups of individuals. The ESF programmes for 2000-2006 will make an investment in people of around 60 000 million as part of the modernisation and reform of European labour markets.

The ESF Regulation(1) outlines the five policy fields through which ESF will support the development of the labour market and human resources. One of those policy fields aims to promote equal opportunities for all in accessing the labour market which gives particular attention to integrating marginalised groups into the economy and society. Support comprises actions to widen access to learning and employment opportunities including clear commitments to tackle the digital divide. Over 9 000 million of ESF money will be allocated to this policy field over the period 2000-2006. In Portugal, roughly 16 % of the total ESF budget, equivalent to 700 million, is used to help combat and prevent social exclusion.

The Community Initiative EQUAL is also part of the Community's strategy for more and better jobs and for ensuring that no-one is denied access to them. EQUAL will test new ways of tackling discrimination and inequality experienced by those in work and those looking for a job. The Community's contribution amounts to 2 847 million over the 2000-2006 period.

The Open Method of Co-ordination on Social Inclusion which has resulted in two-year action plans against poverty and social exclusion (NAPs/incl) in all Member States from 2001 onwards, in combination with a process of exchange of experience and mutual learning at Community level. The process involves the development of comparable indicators and will be facilitated by a five-year, 75 million Commission programme which will start in January 2002. The NAPs/incl provide a framework in each Member State to develop more integrated policy making to combat poverty and social exclusion, in order to meet the common objectives which have been set in this field by the Nice European Council (7-9 December 200). The NAPs/incl also support Member States to further enhance the impact of ESF and EQUAL actions aimed at fostering social inclusion and integration in the labour market.

(1) Regulation (EC) No 1784/1999 of the Parliament and of the Council of 12 July 1999 on the European Social Fund, OJ L 213, 13.8.1999.