23.9.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 365/1
I (Resolutions, recommendations and opinions)
RESOLUTIONS
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 570TH PLENARY SESSION OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE – INTERACTIO, 15.6.2022–16.6.2022
Resolution of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Ukraine from relief to reconstruction proposals by European civil society’ (2022/C 365/01)
Legal basis
Rule 52(4) of the Rules of Procedure
Adopted at plenary
16.6.2022
Plenary session No
570
Outcome of vote (for/against/abstentions)
206/2/2
Key messages 1.
EU Candidate status for Ukraine.
The EESC calls on the European Council to grant Ukraine EU Membership candidate status at its meeting on 23-24 June 2022.
Ukraine's candidate status must be granted without detriment to the ongoing accession process of the Western Balkans.
The EESC is in favour of putting in place a system of gradual integration steps based on the fulfilment of the acquis communautaire.
2.
European civil society stands in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people.
Civil society has reacted promptly and efficiently triggering a unique grassroots mobilisation of citizens.
Humanitarian assistance has to be scaled up and should be disbursed directly supporting civil society organisations (CSOs).
Specialised NGOs, together with CSOs should be genuinely involved in the programming and monitoring of EU and national humanitarian assistance.
3.
Giving refugees a perspective.
The Committee calls for refugees to be granted the same rights as EU citizens when it comes to healthcare and access to the labour market (recognition of qualifications, access to the services of employment agencies, language courses, health and education systems), both of which are key to avoiding escalating poverty among the refugees.
The social partners can through collective bargaining and ad hoc measures help integrate workers and prevent them from becoming subject to exploitation and social dumping.
The Committee lays particular emphasis on the role of CSOs in the protection and re-integration of often forgotten vulnerable groups: unaccompanied minors, separated children and children from institutional care settings, persons with disabilities, Roma minorities and victims of sexual violence.