European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (COM(2005)0141 - C6-0111/2005 - 2005/0057(CNS))
Date: 2005-05-26
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: EU Member State, EU employment policy, European Employment Strategy, economic and social cohesion, gender equality, job access, sustainable development, vocational training

C 117 E/222

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.5.2006

Thursday 26 May 2005

P6_TA(2005)0203

Employment guidelines of the Member States *

European Parliament legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on guidelines for
the employment policies of the Member States (COM(2005)0141 — C6-0111/2005 — 2005/0057
(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2005)0141) (1),

— having regard to Article 128 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament

(C6-0111/2005),

— having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,

— having regard to the report of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs and the opinion of the

Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (A6-0149/2005),

Approves the Commission proposal as amended;

Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;

Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substan-

1.

2.

3.

4.
tially;

5.

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 1
Recital 1a (new)

(1a) The structure of the integrated guidelines should result
in the better effectiveness of the Lisbon strategy, with due
respect for economic, social and environmental policy.

Amendment 2
Recital 2

(2) The Lisbon European Council in 2000 launched a strategy
aimed at sustainable economic growth with more and better
jobs and greater social cohesion, with long term employment
targets, but five years later the results are mixed;

(2) The Lisbon European Council in 2000 launched a strategy
aimed at sustainable economic growth with more and quali-
tatively better jobs and greater social cohesion and inclusion,
with the objective of full employment in the long term, but
five years later these objectives remain far from being achieved,
it is clear that substantially greater efforts are needed in order
to achieve the employment targets set by 2010;

(1) Not yet published in OJ.

18.5.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117 E/223

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

Thursday 26 May 2005

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 3

Recital 3

(3) The presentation of an integrated package of Employment
Guidelines and Broad Economic Policy Guidelines contributes to
refocusing the Lisbon Strategy on growth and employment. The
European Employment Strategy has the leading role in the
implementation of the employment objectives of the Lisbon
strategy.

(3) The presentation of an integrated package of Employment
Guidelines and Broad Economic Policy Guidelines contributes to
refocusing the Lisbon Strategy on sustainable development and
employment, giving a fresh impetus to the environmental
dimension, thus making it possible to achieve its objectives.
The employment objectives of the Lisbon Strategy, comple-
mented by cohesion and social inclusion objectives, with over-
all gender-equality and the principle of non-discrimination,
form the basis of the European employment strategy.

Amendment 4

Recital 4

(4)
In line with the conclusions of the Spring European Coun-
cil of 22 and 23 March 2005, the objectives of full employ-
ment, job quality, labour productivity and social cohesion must
be reflected in clear priorities:
to attract and retain more
people in employment and modernise social protection sys-
tems; to improve adaptability of workers and enterprises and
the flexibility of labour markets; and to improve investment in
human capital through better education and skills.

(4)
In line with the conclusions of the Spring European Coun-
cil of 22 and 23 March 2005, the objectives of full employ-
job quality, labour security and productivity and social
ment,
cohesion and inclusion must be reflected in clear priorities: to
include more people in the labour market, promoting decisions
that contribute to the reconciliation of family life and work,
to improve the employability of
and equal opportunities;
workers and the organisational adaptability of enterprises,
thus enhancing the flexibility and security of labour markets;
to promote social
inte-
gration of disadvantaged workers, women, young people and
older people, to improve investment in human capital through
better education and skills, paying special attention to inno-
vation and technological development, and to open up new
areas for jobs. All this will form a solid basis for modern-
isation and for ensuring the solidarity and sustainability of
social protection systems.

inclusion through the occupational

Amendment 5

Recital 5

(5) The Employment Guidelines should be fully reviewed only
every three years, while in the intermediate years until 2008
their updating should remain strictly limited.

(5) The Employment Guidelines should be fully reviewed only
every three years; exceptionally, they could be updated during
the intermediate years until 2008.

Amendment 6

Recital 6

(6) The employment recommendations adopted by the Coun-
cil on 14 October 2004 remain valid as background reference.

(6) The employment recommendations adopted by the Coun-
cil on 14 October 2004 remain valid as background reference
and are supplemented by this decision.

C 117 E/224

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.5.2006

Thursday 26 May 2005

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 7

Article 2

All aspects of the guidelines shall be taken into account in the
employment policies of the Member States and be reported
upon in the Lisbon National Programmes submitted annually.

the guidelines, which should be interpreted
All aspects of
widely to include the vital aspects of social and employment
policy, shall be taken into account in the employment policies
of the Member States, which shall submit a report on the
implementation of those policies and their effects in terms of
the rate of employment in general and the rate of employment
of women and older people in particular.

Amendment 8

Annex, Section 1, paragraph preceding Guideline 16

Achieving full employment, and reducing unemployment and
inactivity, by increasing the demand for and supply of labour,
is vital. This goes hand-in-hand with improving the attractive-
ness of jobs, quality at work and labour productivity growth,
and reducing the share of working poor. Synergies between
quality at work, productivity and employment should be fully
exploited. Determined action is needed to strengthen social
inclusion, prevent exclusion from the labour market and sup-
port integration in employment of people at a disadvantage,
and to reduce regional disparities in terms of employment,
unemployment and labour productivity, especially in regions
lagging behind. Equal opportunities, combating discrimination
and gender mainstreaming are essential for progress.

Achieving full employment, and reducing unemployment and
inactivity, by increasing the demand for and supply of labour,
is vital. This goes hand-in-hand with improving the attractive-
ness of jobs, quality at work and labour productivity growth,
thus contributing to the competitiveness of the European
economy. Synergies between quality at work, productivity and
employment
should be fully exploited. Determined action,
is needed to streng-
together with the appropriate decisions,
then social inclusion, prevent exclusion from the labour market
and support integration in employment of people at a disadvan-
tage, women, young people and older people, and to reduce
regional disparities in terms of employment, unemployment
and labour productivity, especially in regions lagging behind.
Equal opportunities, including between legal immigrants and
non-immigrants, combating all kinds of discrimination and
gender mainstreaming are essential
in these
matters.

for progress

Amendment 9

Annex, Section 1, paragraph preceding Guideline 17

Raising employment levels is the most effective means of gen-
erating economic growth and promoting socially inclusive
economies whilst ensuring a safety net
for those unable to
work. Promoting a new lifecycle approach to work and modern-
ising social protection systems to ensure their adequacy, finan-
cial sustainability and responsiveness to changing needs in
society are all
the expected
the more necessary because of
decline in the working-age population. Special attention should
be paid to tackling the persistent employment gaps between
women and men, and the low employment rates of older
workers and young people, as part of new intergenerational
approach. Action is also required to tackle youth unemploy-
ment which is on average double the overall unemployment
rate. The right conditions must be put in place to facilitate pro-

Economic growth makes it possible to raise employment levels
and is the most effective basis for a social economy that pro-
motes social inclusion whilst ensuring a safety net for those
unable to work. Promoting a new lifecycle approach to work
through the possibility of lifelong learning and modernising
social protection systems to ensure their adequacy, financial sus-
tainability and responsiveness to changing needs in society are
all the more necessary because of the new and changing needs
in society, the new forms of marginalisation, particularly
domestic violence, and the expected decline in the working-age
population. Special attention should be paid to, and appropriate
measures should be taken to tackle, the persistent labour and
wage gaps between women and men, and the low employment
rates of older workers and young people, as part of new inter-

18.5.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117 E/225

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

gress in employment, whether it is first time entry, a move back
to employment after a break or the wish to prolong working
lives. The quality of jobs, including pay and benefits, working
conditions,
job security, access to lifelong learning and career
prospects, are crucial, as are support and incentives stemming
the
from social protection systems. The implementation of
European Youth Pact should be a contribution to a lifecycle
approach to work.

Thursday 26 May 2005

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

generational approach. The right conditions must be put in
place to facilitate progress in employment, whether it is first
time entry, a move back to employment after a break or the
wish to prolong working lives. The quality of jobs,
including
pay and benefits, working conditions, health and safety at
work, job security, access to lifelong learning and career pros-
pects, are crucial, as are support and incentives stemming from
taxation and social protection systems. The implementation of
the European Youth Pact and the coordination of the initiatives
it provides for should be an effective contribution to the inte-
gration into working life and society of young people, to soli-
darity between the generations and to strengthening the com-
petitiveness of
the European economy based on skills,
knowledge and respect for the lifecycle.

Amendment 10

Annex, Section 1, Guideline 17

Guideline. Promote a lifecycle approach to work through: a
renewed endeavour to build employment pathways for young
people and reduce the youth unemployment; resolute action to
eliminate gender gaps in employment, unemployment and pay;
better reconciliation of work and private life,
including the
provision of accessible and affordable childcare facilities and
care for other dependants; modern pension and healthcare sys-
tems, ensuring their adequacy,
sustainability and
responsiveness to changing needs, so as to support participation
in employment and longer working lives, including appropriate
incentives to work and discourage early retirement; support for
working conditions conducive to active ageing (Integrated
guideline No 17). See also integrated guideline ‘To safeguard
economic sustainability’ (No 2).

financial

Guideline. Adapt work to the different stages of people's lives
through: a renewed endeavour to build employment pathways
for young people and reduce the youth unemployment, provid-
ing young people with high quality and individually appropri-
ate education and vocational training; resolute action to com-
bat workplace discrimination, eliminating gender gaps
in
employment, unemployment, pay and promotion, and facilitat-
ing employment for female victims of domestic violence; better
reconciliation of work and private life, encouraging the equal
sharing of family responsibilities, support for single-parent
families, and recourse to flexible working models for both
women and men, parental leave, and, in particular, the provi-
sion of accessible and affordable childcare facilities and care for
other dependants in line with the targets set by the 2002
Barcelona European Council; modern and better pension and
healthcare systems, ensuring their adequacy, financial sustain-
ability and responsiveness to changing needs, so as to support
participation in employment and, on a voluntary basis, longer
working lives, including appropriate incentives to work and dis-
courage early retirement; support for working conditions con-
ducive to active ageing, especially gradual and flexible retire-
ment (Integrated guideline No 17). See also integrated guideline
‘To safeguard economic sustainability’ (No 2).

Amendment 11

Annex, Section 1, paragraph preceding Guideline 18

Facilitating access to employment for job seekers, preventing
unemployment and ensuring that those who become unem-
ployed remain closely attached to the labour market and
to increase partici-
increase their employability are essential
pation and combat social exclusion. This requires breaking
down barriers to the labour market by assisting with effective
job searching, facilitating access to training and other active
labour market measures and ensuring that work pays, as
well as removing unemployment, poverty and inactivity traps.

Facilitating access to employment for job seekers, preventing
unemployment and ensuring that those who become unem-
ployed remain closely attached to the labour market and
to increase partici-
increase their employability are essential
pation of society in the labour market and combat social exclu-
sion. This requires breaking down barriers to the labour market
by assisting with effective job searching, facilitating access to
training and other active labour market measures and ensuring
that work pays, as well as removing unemployment, poverty

C 117 E/226

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.5.2006

Thursday 26 May 2005

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

Special attention should be paid to promoting the inclusion of
disadvantaged people in the labour market, including through
the expansion of social services and the social economy. The
unemployment gaps for people at a disadvantage, as well as
between non-EU and EU nationals, remain too high and should
be substantially reduced in line with any national targets. Com-
bating discrimination, promoting access to employment for dis-
abled people and integrating migrants and minorities are par-
ticularly essential.

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

and inactivity traps. Special attention should be paid to promot-
ing the inclusion of disadvantaged people in the labour market,
including through the expansion of social services and the social
economy. The unemployment gaps for people at a disadvantage,
women, young people and older people, as well as between
non-EU and EU nationals, remain too high and should be sub-
stantially reduced in line with any national targets. Combating
discrimination in working life, in particular as regards access
to employment, vocational training and promotion, and work-
ing conditions, promoting access to employment for disabled
people and integrating immigrants and minorities are particu-
larly essential.

Amendment 12

Annex, Section 1, Guideline 18

Guideline. Ensure inclusive labour markets for job-seekers and
disadvantaged people through: active and preventive labour
market measures including early identification of needs,
job
search assistance, guidance and training as part of personalised
action plans, provision of social services necessary to support
the labour market inclusion of disadvantaged people and con-
tribute to social and territorial cohesion and to the eradication
of poverty; and continuous review of tax and benefit systems,
including the management and conditionality of benefits and
reduction of high marginal effective tax rates, with a view to
making work pay and to ensuring adequate levels of social pro-
tection (Integrated guideline No 18).

Guideline. Ensure open labour markets for job-seekers and dis-
advantaged people, women, young people and older people,
through: active employment measures and preventive measures
including early identification of
to combat unemployment,
needs, action to create new sources of employment in such
areas as social services and healthcare, the environment and
new technologies, job search assistance, guidance, training and
retraining as part of personalised action plans, provision of
social services necessary to support the labour market inclusion
of disadvantaged people and contribute to social and territorial
cohesion and to the eradication of poverty; promoting the
development of the cooperative and voluntary sectors and con-
tinuous review of tax and benefit systems, including the criteria
applied and their management, and reduction of high marginal
effective tax rates, with a view to making work pay and to
ensuring and sustaining adequate levels of social protection.
A special effort must be made for those with any kind of dis-
ability, developing policies to encourage their employment and
the creation of an accessible environment. Action must also be
taken to promote the full integration of immigrants in society
and the workplace and to eradicate racism, all forms of dis-
crimination and harassment in the workplace and society.
(Integrated guideline No 18).

Amendment 13

Annex, Section 1, Guideline 19

Guideline. Improve matching of labour market needs through:
the modernisation and strengthening of labour market institu-
tions, notably employment services; greater transparency of
employment and training opportunities at national and Euro-
pean level to facilitate mobility across Europe; better antici-
pation of skill needs, labour market shortages and bottlenecks;
appropriate management of economic migration (Integrated
guideline No 19).

Guideline. Improve the management of employment through:
the modernisation and strengthening of labour market institu-
tions, notably employment services; greater transparency and
accessibility of employment and training and retraining oppor-
tunities at national and European level so as to reduce the time
spent in the transition between jobs; development of language
teaching to facilitate mobility and exchange of knowledge
across Europe; better anticipation of skill needs, labour market
shortages and bottlenecks; appropriate and rapid management
of migration movements in the spirit of the Tampere Agenda.
(Integrated guideline No 19).

18.5.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117 E/227

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

Thursday 26 May 2005

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 14

Annex, Section 1, Guideline 19a (new)

Guideline. Prevent diseases so as to reduce the cost of labour
and deficits in state health services with a view to reducing
the incidence of early retirement due to permanent invalidity
and the number of pensions resulting from industrial acci-
dents or occupational disease (Integrated guideline No 19a).

Improve adaptability of workers and enterprises and the flexibil-
ity of labour markets

Improve adaptability of workers and enterprises and the flexibil-
ity and security of labour markets

Amendment 15
Annex, Section 2, Title

Amendment 16

Annex, Section 2, paragraph 1

Europe needs to improve its capacity to anticipate, trigger and
absorb economic and social change. This requires employment-
friendly labour costs, modern forms of work organisation and
well-functioning labour markets allowing more flexibility com-
bined with employment security to meet the needs of com-
panies and workers. This should also contribute to preventing
the emergence of segmented labour markets and reducing unde-
clared work.

Europe needs to improve its capacity to anticipate, trigger and
absorb economic and social change. This requires employment-
friendly labour costs, modern forms of work organisation, more
lifelong learning and well-functioning labour markets allowing
more flexibility combined with employment security, and more
opportunity to combine work and private life, to meet the
needs of companies and workers. This should also contribute
to preventing the emergence of segmented labour markets and
reducing unauthorised work.

Amendment 17

Annex, Section 2, paragraph 2

In today's increasingly global economy with market opening
and the continual introduction of new technologies, both enter-
prises and workers are confronted with the need, and indeed the
opportunity, to adapt. While this process of structural changes
is overall beneficial to growth and employment, it also brings
about transformations which are disruptive to some workers
and enterprises. Enterprises must become more flexible to
respond to sudden changes in demand for their goods and ser-
vices, adapt to new technologies and be in a position to inno-
vate constantly in order to remain competitive. They must also
respond to the increasing demand for job quality which is
related to workers' personal preferences and family changes,
and they will have to cope with an ageing workforce and fewer
young recruits. For workers, working life is becoming more
complex as working patterns become more diverse and irregu-
lar and an increasing number of transitions need to be man-
aged successfully throughout the lifecycle. With rapidly chang-
ing economies and attendant restructuring, they must cope with
including enhanced exploitation of
new ways of working,
Information and Communication Technologies
and
changes in their working status, and be prepared for lifelong
learning. Geographical mobility is also needed to access job
opportunities more widely and in the EU at large.

(ICT)

In today's increasingly global economy with market opening
and the continual introduction of new technologies, both enter-
prises and workers are confronted with the need, and indeed the
opportunity, to adapt. While this process of structural changes
is overall beneficial to growth and employment, it also brings
about transformations which are disruptive to some workers
and enterprises. Enterprises must be put
in a position in
which they can respond more flexibly to changes in demand
for their goods and services, adapt to new technologies and
show themselves capable of innovation in order to remain
competitive. They should also be able to satisfy the increasing
demand for higher job quality which is related to workers' per-
sonal preferences and family changes, and they will have to
cope with an ageing workforce and fewer young recruits. For
workers, working life is becoming more complex as working
patterns become more diverse and they are required to carry
out multiple types of work. With rapidly changing economies
and attendant restructuring, they must be equipped to cope
with new ways of working, including enhanced exploitation of
Information and Communication Technologies
and
changes in their working status, and be prepared for lifelong
learning. Geographical mobility is also needed to access job
opportunities more widely and in the EU at large.

(ICT)

C 117 E/228

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.5.2006

Thursday 26 May 2005

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 18

Annex, Section 2, Guideline 20

Guideline. Promote flexibility combined with employment
security and reduce labour market segmentation through: the
adaptation of employment legislation, reviewing where necess-
ary the level of flexibility provided by permanent and non-per-
manent contracts; better anticipation and positive management
of change,
including economic restructuring, notably changes
linked to trade opening, so as to minimise their social costs
and facilitate adaptation; support for transitions in occupational
status,
including training, self-employment, business creation
and geographic mobility; the promotion and dissemination of
innovative and adaptable forms of work organisation; including
better health and safety and diversity of contractual and work-
ing time arrangements, with a view to improving quality and
productivity at work; adaptation to new technologies in the
workplace, determined action to transform undeclared work
into regular employment (Integrated guideline No 20). See also
integrated guideline ‘To promote greater coherence between macroecon-
omic and structural policies’ (No 4).

and

and

unions

representative

Guideline. Promote and increase flexibility combined with
employment security and reduce labour market segmentation,
and promote good industrial relations on the basis of indepen-
dent
improved
trade
information and consultation of workers through: the adap-
tation and streamlining of employment legislation, reviewing
where necessary the level of flexibility and security provided
by permanent and non-permanent contracts; better anticipation
and positive management of change,
including economic
restructuring, notably changes linked to trade opening, so as to
minimise their social costs and facilitate adaptation to new real-
including
ities; support for transitions in occupational status,
training, self-employment, business creation and geographic
mobility; the promotion and dissemination of innovative and
adaptable forms of work organisation; effective measures to
reduce workplace accidents by means of improved prevention
of workplace risks, especially through agreements at European
level, and by diversity of contractual arrangements together
with flexible working hours, with a view to improving quality
of employment, productivity at work and the reconciliation of
family life and work, adaptation to new technologies in the
workplace, determined action to transform unauthorised work
into regular employment and combat the grey economy (Inte-
grated guideline No 20). See also integrated guideline ‘To promote
coherence between macroeconomic and structural policies’
greater
(No 4)

Amendment 19

Annex, Section 2, paragraph preceding Guideline 21

To maximise job creation, preserve competitiveness and con-
tribute to the general economic framework, overall wage devel-
opments should be in line with productivity growth over the
economic cycle and should reflect the labour market situation.
Efforts to reduce non-wage labour costs and to review the tax
wedge may also be needed to facilitate job creation, especially
for low-wage employment.

To maximise job creation, preserve competitiveness and con-
tribute to the general economic framework, overall wage devel-
opments should be in line with productivity growth over the
economic cycle and should reflect the labour market situation.
Efforts to reduce non-wage labour costs and to review the tax
wedge are also advisable to facilitate job creation.

Amendment 20

Annex, Section 2, Guideline 21

Guideline. Ensure employment-friendly wage and other labour
cost developments by encouraging the right
framework for
wage-bargaining systems, while fully respecting the role of the
social partners, to reflect differences in productivity and labour
market trends at sectoral and regional
level; and monitoring
and, where appropriate, reviewing the structure and level of
non-wage labour costs and their impact on employment, espe-
cially for the low-paid and those entering for the first time the
labour market (Integrated guideline No 21). See also integrated
guideline ‘To ensure that wage developments contribute to macroecon-
omic stability and growth’ (No 5).

Guideline. Ensure employment-friendly wage and other labour
cost developments by sustaining and encouraging the right
framework for wage-bargaining systems, particularly collective
bargaining, while fully respecting the role of the social partners,
to reflect differences in productivity and labour market trends at
national, sectoral and regional level, respecting the autonomy
of social partners, monitoring and, where appropriate, review-
ing, in collaboration with social agents, the structure and level
of non-wage labour costs, especially social security contribu-
tions, supervising their impact on employment, especially for
the low-skilled, young people entering the labour market for

18.5.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 117 E/229

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

Thursday 26 May 2005

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

the first time, older people wishing to go on working, and
people with disabilities, taking specific action to tackle the
gender pay gap including more effective implementation of
gender equality legislation in relation to equal pay, devel-
opment of clear up-to-date statistics and follow-up to equality
plans. (Integrated guideline No 21). See also integrated guideline
‘To ensure that wage developments contribute to macroeconomic stabil-
ity and growth’ (No 5).

Amendment 21

Annex, Section 3, Guideline 22

Guideline. Expand and improve investment in human capital
through: the establishment of efficient lifelong learning stra-
tegies, according to European commitments, including appropri-
ate incentives and cost-sharing mechanisms for enterprises, pub-
in particular to significantly
lic authorities and individuals,
reduce the number of pupils leaving school early;
increased
access to initial vocational, secondary and higher education,
including apprenticeships and entrepreneurship training; and
enhanced participation in continuous and workplace training
throughout
the low-skilled and
older workers (Integrated guideline No 22). See also integrated
guideline ‘To increase and improve investment in R & D’ (No 12).

the life-cycle, especially for

Guideline. Expand and improve investment in human capital
through: the establishment of efficient lifelong learning stra-
tegies, in cooperation with the social partners, according to
European commitments,
including appropriate incentives and
cost-sharing mechanisms for enterprises, the public sector and
individuals, identification and programming of the measures
needed to significantly reduce the number of pupils leaving
school early;
increased access to initial vocational, secondary
and higher education, non-university vocational training; the
promotion of entrepreneurship in all levels of education and
the use of the information society and the new technologies;
enhanced participation in continuous and workplace training
throughout the life-cycle, especially for the low-skilled, older
workers, women, especially those returning to work, and SME
for
employees; and encouragement of exchange
schemes
level
teachers and students between enterprises at national
and between Member States (Integrated guideline No 22). See
also integrated guideline ‘To increase and improve investment in R & D’
(No 12).

Amendment 22

Annex, Section 3, Guideline 23

Guideline. Adapt education and training systems in response to
new competence requirements through: better identification of
occupational needs and key competences, and anticipation of
future skill requirements; broadening the supply of education
and training tools; developing frameworks to support the trans-
parency of qualifications, their effective recognition and the vali-
dation of non-formal and informal
learning; ensuring the
attractiveness, openness and high quality standards of education
and training systems (Integrated guideline No 23).

for

skill

close

support

requirements;

Guideline. Adapt education and training systems in response to
new competence requirements through: better identification of
occupational needs and key competences, and anticipation of
future
co-operation
between industry and educational and research centres in
order to provide the best climate for innovation among Euro-
pean enterprises; broadening the supply of education and train-
ing tools; developing frameworks to support the transparency of
equivalent qualifications, their effective recognition and the vali-
dation of non-formal and informal
learning; ensuring the
attractiveness, openness and high quality standards of education
and training systems, including systems meeting the specific
needs of people at a disadvantage on the labour market, par-
ticularly women, young people and older people; making spe-
cial efforts to attract students and scientists from third coun-
tries (Integrated guideline No 23).

C 117 E/230

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

18.5.2006

Thursday 26 May 2005

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 23
Annex, Section 3, paragraph following Guideline 23

In taking action, Member States should pay special attention to
ensuring good governance of employment policies. They should
establish a broad partnership for change by involving parlia-
mentary bodies and stakeholders, including those at regional
and local levels. European and national social partners should
play a central role. Member States should define commitments
and targets in line with the EU Guidelines and Recommen-
dations. Good governance also requires transparency in the allo-
cation of administrative and financial resources. In agreement
with the Commission, Member States
the
resources of the Structural Funds,
in particular the European
Social Fund, on the implementation of the European Employ-
ment Strategy and report on the action taken. Particular atten-
tion should be paid to strengthening institutional and adminis-
trative capacity in the Member States.

should target

In taking action, Member States should pay special attention to
ensuring good governance of employment policies. They should
establish a broad partnership for change by involving parlia-
mentary bodies and all stakeholders, at European, national,
regional and local
levels. Member States, regional and local
actors should define commitments and verifiable targets in
line with the EU Guidelines and Recommendations and specific
regional and local needs. Good governance also requires trans-
parency in the allocation of administrative and financial
resources. In agreement with the Commission, Member States
and regions should target the resources of the Structural Funds,
in particular the European Social Fund, on the implementation
of the European Employment Strategy and report on the action
taken. Particular attention should be paid to strengthening insti-
tutional and administrative capacity in the Member States and
regions.

P6_TA(2005)0204

Small arms (UN prepcom)

European Parliament resolution on small arms and light weapons

The European Parliament,

— having regard to its resolutions of 15 March 2001 (1), 15 November 2001 (2) and 19 June 2003 (3) on

combating the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons,

— having regard to Rule 103(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the UN Member States will meet in June 2005 for the third substantive session of the UN

Open-Ended Working Group on Tracing Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons,

B. whereas the UN Member States will meet in July 2005 for the Second Biennial Meeting of States to
consider the implementation of the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and
Light Weapons, and in June/July 2006 for the UN Review Conference on the Programme of Action,

C.

D.

reaffirming its concern about the continuing proliferation of small arms and light weapons, which
exacerbates armed conflict and instability, facilitates terrorism, undermines sustainable development
and the rule of law, and contributes to grave violations of human rights and international humanitarian
law,

affirming its intention to further engage the EU and its Member States in a constructive, regular dia-
logue on contents and priorities for EU policies in international and regional initiatives and negotiations
on small arms and light weapons control,

(1) OJ C 343, 5.12.2001, p. 311.
(2) OJ C 140 E, 13.6.2002, p. 587.
(3) OJ C 69 E, 19.3.2004, p. 136.