CELEX: 52012PC0396
Language: en
Date: 2012-07-16
Title: Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (application EGF/2011/015/SE/AstraZeneca from Sweden)

|
			
		
		
		52012PC0396
		
			Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (application EGF/2011/015/SE/AstraZeneca from Sweden) /* COM/2012/0396 final - 2012/ () */
			
				
		
		
			
			   	EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
Point 28 of the Interinstitutional
Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the
Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management[1] allows for the mobilisation of
the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) through a flexibility
mechanism, within the annual ceiling of EUR 500 million over and
above the relevant headings of the financial framework.
The rules applicable to the contributions
from the EGF are laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on establishing the European
Globalisation Adjustment Fund[2].
On 23 December 2011, Sweden submitted
application EGF/2011/015 SE/AstraZeneca for a financial contribution from the
EGF, following redundancies in AstraZeneca in Sweden.
After a thorough examination of this
application, the Commission has concluded in accordance with Article 10 of
Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006 that the conditions for a financial contribution
under this Regulation are met.
SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION AND ANALYSIS
 Key data: ||   
 EGF Reference no. || EGF/2011/015 
 Member State || Sweden 
 Article 2 || (a) 
 Primary enterprise || AstraZeneca 
 Suppliers and downstream producers || None 
 Reference period || 15.06.2011 – 15.10.2011 
 Starting date for the personalised services || 26.10.2010 
 Application date || 23.12.2011 
 Redundancies during the reference period || 543 
 Redundancies before and after the reference period || 444 
 Total eligible redundancies || 987 
 Redundant workers expected to participate in the measures || 700 
 Expenditure for personalised services (EUR) || 6 396 600 
 Expenditure for implementing EGF[3] (EUR) || 258 560 
 Expenditure for implementing EGF (%) || 3,9 
 Total budget (EUR) || 6 655 160 
 EGF contribution (65 %) (EUR) || 4 325 854 
1.           The application was
presented to the Commission on 23 December 2011 and supplemented by additional
information up to 16 April 2012.
2.           The application meets the
conditions for deploying the EGF as set out in Article 2(a) of Regulation (EC)
No 1927/2006, and was submitted within the deadline of 10 weeks referred to in
Article 5 of that Regulation.
Link between the redundancies and
major structural changes in world trade patterns due to globalisation or the
global financial and economic crisis
3.           In order to establish the
link between the redundancies and major structural changes in world trade
patterns due to globalisation, Sweden argues that the pharmaceutical sector is
increasingly affected by globalisation. The pharmaceutical industry is
currently undergoing significant changes in order to retain its competitiveness
in a tough environment. Many companies are in a state of transition;
reorganisation, consolidation, mergers and acquisitions are being considered in
order to maintain growth centres. The industry is increasingly seeking
synergies to hold down the increasing costs of research and development
(R&D) activities. 
4.           Global investments and
biotechnological research are on the increase and new competitors can be found
in China, Brazil and India. Prospects for R&D funding vary by region, with
the US expecting growth, Europe contemplating fiscal austerity that may
restrict investment for several years, and most Asian countries maintaining
strong financial commitments to R&D (share of total global R&D spending
in 2009-2011: US (34,71 %-34,0 %), Asia (33,6 %-35,3 %),
Europe (24,1 %-23,2 %)). During the recession, the Asian R&D
communities increased their R&D investment and stature. Among the global
research communities, the state of R&D in the EU gives rise to most
concern. Trying to recover from recession and forced to cut deficits, can in
turn affect government support for R&D[4].
According to Growth Consulting Company Frost & Sullivan's report of 2010[5], about 70 % of questioned
pharmaceutical companies are likely to outsource manufacturing to Asia. Those
markets also demand that the drugs are tested on the local population, thus the
presence of R&D in Asian markets is growing.
5.           Moreover, the challenge
for the pharmaceutical industry is the increasing presence of generics as
patents expire for major branded products. The generic industry has recently undergone
a major restructuring. Mergers and acquisitions have concentrated a growing
share of the global generic market in the hands of the sector's leading
players. Generic drugs are generally manufactured in low-wage Asian countries
and command around 10 % of the original price once the patent expires. As
a result, many companies are affected and must undergo cutbacks. The big
European manufacturers concentrate on conducting the expensive clinical phases,
as well as the marketing and approval process. Research activities are in a
decline. 
6.           Many non-European
countries are designing strategies for biosciences and industry in areas of
pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical technology. The European companies
must adapt their production to this situation. AstraZeneca (which had three
R&D centres in Sweden) followed the trend and adopted a new R&D
strategy in 2010. This included the necessity to focus on fewer disease areas,
closures of sites (including that in Lund and Umeå) and significantly greater
utilisation of external resources through outsourcing. Following the global
trends, AstraZeneca also increased R&D investments in China and Russia (AZ
China is the largest multinational pharmaceutical company in the prescription
market in China; in 2011 AZ also announced opening a Predictive Science Centre
in St. Petersburg). 
Demonstration of the number of
redundancies and compliance with the criteria of Article 2(a)
7.           Sweden submitted this
application under the intervention criteria of Article 2(a) of Regulation (EC)
No 1927/2006, which requires at least 500 redundancies over a four-month period
in an enterprise in a Member State, including workers made redundant in its suppliers
and downstream producers.
8.           The application cites 543 redundancies
in AstraZeneca during the four-month reference period from 15 June 2011 to 15
October 2011. A further 444 redundancies (987 in total) occurred before and
after the reference period and are related to the same collective redundancy
procedure. The redundancies were calculated in accordance with the second indent
of the second paragraph of Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. 
Explanation of the unforeseen nature
of those redundancies
9.           The Swedish authorities
argue that, in the light of the fact that Sweden had a strong position in
medical research, the collective redundancies in AstraZeneca had not been
expected. While the worsening situation in the pharmaceutical sector due to the
rising dominance of generics had been foreseen, the impact on AstraZeneca was
more severe than anticipated. AstraZeneca was considered to be a stable company
due to its long and successful history, dominating Swedish science industry
with one quarter of those working in life sciences being AstraZeneca employees.
Furthermore, the Swedish government has for a long time promoted the location
of an interdisciplinary research centre in Lund – the European Spallation
Source – and AstraZeneca was expected to devote additional resources to
research in Lund. Taking into consideration the great medical need in the respiratory
tract/inflammation area, the closure of the R&D site in this therapy
category in Lund came as a surprise. 
Identification of the dismissing
enterprises and workers targeted for assistance
10.         The application relates to 987
redundancies, of which 543 occurred during and 444 before and after the
reference period; these are eligible for inclusion in accordance with Article
3a(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. Sweden estimates that 700 redundant
workers will opt to receive assistance from the EGF. The remaining workers are
expected to find employment through their own initiative without requiring
assistance from the EGF or to retire.
11.         The break-down of the
targeted workers is as follows:
 Category || Number || Percent 
 Men || 255 || 36,43 
 Women || 445 || 63,57 
 EU citizens || 689 || 98,43 
 Non EU citizens || 11 || 1,57 
 15-24 years old || 1 || 0,14 
 25-54 years old || 536 || 76,57 
 55-64 years old || 163 || 23,29 
 > 64 years old || 0 || 0 
12.         There are seven workers
with a longstanding health problem or disability within this group. 
13.         In terms of occupational
categories, the break-down is as follows:
 Category || Number || Percent 
 211 Physicists, chemists and related professionals || 132 || 18,86 
 213 Computing professionals || 29 || 4,14 
 221 Life science professionals || 43 || 6,14 
 311 Physical and engineering science technicians || 84 || 12,00 
 343 Administrative associate professionals || 14 || 2,00 
 411Secretaries || 29 || 4,14 
 822 Chemical products machine operators || 51 || 7,29 
 Others || 318 || 45,43 
14.         In accordance with Article
7 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006, Sweden has confirmed that a policy of
equality between women and men as well as non-discrimination has been applied,
and will continue to apply, during the various stages of the implementation of
and, in particular, in access to the EGF.
Description of the territory
concerned and its authorities and stakeholders
15.         The affected enterprises
are located in four of the 290 Swedish municipalities. The majority of the
staff was made redundant in Lund in southern Sweden, but the redundancies also
affect Umeå in northern Sweden, Södertälje in the metropolitan area and to a
lesser extent Mölndal in western Sweden. Skåne County, where Lund is located,
is one of the most dynamic labour markets in Sweden. However, employment in the
industrial sector will remain unchanged and the projected increase will occur
in the private service sector. In Västerbotten County, where Umeå is located,
business structure faces a generational shift problem and companies will need a
skilled labour force. The local labour market in Umeå has suffered a number of
company closures. In Stockholm region (located in Södermanland County), it is the
private service sector that is dominant. There is a high demand for skilled labour.
However, Sodertalje is the municipality that has the highest unemployment rate
in the county and has a problematic socio-economic structure in terms of the
labour market. The labour market in Mölndal (in Västergötland County) depends
on the vicinity of Gothenburg, where industry is export-oriented and the automotive
industry is of national importance. In Mölndal itself, there are several companies
focusing on pharmaceuticals and medical technology. 
16.         The main stakeholders are
the Swedish Public Employment Services in all affected municipalities, as well
as trade unions (Unionen, SACO, IF Metall), conversion bodies (Trygghetsradet) and
the University of Lund. The conversion bodies are owned by the employers and
trade unions. 
Expected impact of the redundancies
as regards local, regional or national employment
17.         The Swedish authorities
argue that the closure of the AstraZeneca site is a heavy burden for Lund and also
affects the entire pharmaceutical sector. This development will probably cause
an imbalance in the labour market in the region. The situation for job-seekers
in the pharmaceutical sector had already worsened during the period 2008-2010.
Unemployment increased in all affected municipalities from January 2009 to
November 2011: in Lund from 2 467 to 3 025, Umeå from 3 725 to 4 539,
Sodertalje from 3 100 to 5 555 and Mölndal from 1 458 to 1 663.

Co-ordinated package of personalised
services to be funded and a breakdown of its estimated costs, including its
complementarity with actions funded by the Structural Funds
18.         Sweden developed a package
of measures in support of the redundant workers of AstraZeneca that would not
be otherwise possible to implement with the support available to the same
extent. Since the redundant workers are mostly highly educated, they would not
be prioritised within the framework of the regular Swedish labour market
policy. 
The package of measures proposed by Sweden for
EGF funding is the following:
- Job-search assistance. This measure
consists of individual meetings of the redundant worker at the local PES in
order to develop a personal action plan and present a complete CV. The worker
can be also supported by a personal coach. It is estimated that all targeted
workers will take up this action.
- Occupational guidance. This activity
is aimed at job seekers who want to change occupation and is composed of
guidance on available jobs, required skills and training, trainee programmes
and mobility grants. It is estimated that 300 targeted workers will take up
this action.
- Training and retraining. This measure
will provide education and training on an individual scale in new skills for
new jobs. Targeted workers will need to change occupations to those in demand.
A wide range of training will be offered. The length of the training courses
differs from one to 24 months with an average of six months. It is estimated
that 350 targeted workers will take up this action.
- Aid for self-employment. This measure
is targeted to workers who wish to start their own businesses. They will
receive special guidance on drawing up business plans and applying for the necessary
funds to get the business started. Those who decide to start a business will
receive training in legislation on tax laws, accountancy, labour law, occupational
health and safety and environmental issues. It is estimated that 70 targeted
workers will take up this action.
- Job-search allowances will be offered
to workers participating in active measures. The allowances are calculated on a
'per day of activity' basis for an average of 6-month participation. It is
estimated that 300 targeted workers will be offered these allowances. 
- Mobility allowances will cover
commuting expenses and will be given in addition to other allowances. It is
estimated that 150 targeted workers will be offered these allowances.
- Measures to stimulate older workers.
These activities will include the establishment of a competence platform for
older workers together with the County Council and University of Lund. Persons
interested in starting a business will receive support in terms of extensive
training and marketing. It is estimated that 100 targeted workers will take up
this action.
19.         The expenditure for
implementing the EGF, which is included in the application in accordance with
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006, covers preparatory, management,
information and publicity and control measures. Sweden plans to produce posters
and other information material and organise a conference informing about the
activities. 
20.         The personalised services
presented by the Swedish authorities are active labour market measures within
the eligible actions defined by Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. The Swedish
authorities estimate the total costs of these services at EUR 6 396 600
and the expenditure for implementing the EGF at EUR 258 560 (3,9 %
of the total amount). The total contribution requested from the EGF is
EUR 4 325 854 (65 % of the total costs).
 Actions || Estimated number of workers targeted || Estimated cost per worker targeted (EUR) || Total costs (EGF and national cofinancing) (EUR) 
 Personalised services (first paragraph of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006) 
 Job-search assistance || 700 || 81 || 56 700 
 Occupational guidance || 300 || 540 || 162 000 
 Training and retraining || 350 || 9 000 || 3 150 000 
 Aid for self-employment || 70 || 7 170 || 501 900 
 Job-search allowances || 300 || 7 170 || 2 151 000 
 Mobility allowances || 150 || 500 || 75 000 
 Measures to stimulate older workers || 100 || 3 000 || 300 000 
 Sub total personalised services ||   || 6 396 600 
 Expenditure for implementing EGF (third paragraph of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006) 
 Preparatory activities ||   || 91 803 
 Management ||   || 91 190 
 Information and publicity ||   || 50 000 
 Control activities ||   || 25 567 
 Sub total expenditure for implementing EGF ||   || 258 560 
 Total estimated costs ||   || 6 655 160 
 EGF contribution (65 % of total costs) ||   || 4 325 854 
21.         Sweden confirms that the
measures described above are complementary with actions funded by the
Structural Funds and that measures are in place to prevent double funding.
Date(s) on which the personalised
services to the affected workers were started or are planned to start
22.         Sweden started the
personalised services to the affected workers included in the co-ordinated
package proposed for co-financing to the EGF on 26 October 2010. This date
therefore represents the beginning of the period of eligibility for any
assistance that might be awarded from the EGF.
Procedures for consulting the social
partners
23.         The Swedish Public
Employment Service (PES) possesses the information on the planned redundancies,
therefore continuous contacts are maintained with the employer, trade unions
and other stakeholders. The organisation Invest in Skåne initiated the
application and was involved in preparation of the project. The PES in Lund had
regular contacts with an entrepreneurial network at AtraZeneca. Three main
trade unions participated in the discussions concerning the application. The
TRR organisation for corporate management and trade unions will participate in
the steering group. 
24.         The Swedish authorities
confirmed that the requirements laid down in national and EU legislation
concerning collective redundancies have been complied with.
Information on actions that are
mandatory by virtue of national law or pursuant to collective agreements
25.         As regards the criteria
contained in Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006, the Swedish authorities
in their application:
·      confirmed that the financial contribution from the EGF does not
replace measures which are the responsibility of companies by virtue of
national law or collective agreements;
·      demonstrated that the actions provide support for individual workers
and are not to be used for restructuring companies or sectors;
·      confirmed that the eligible actions referred to above do not receive
assistance from other EU financial instruments.
Management and control systems 
26.         Sweden has notified the
Commission that the financial contribution will be managed by the Swedish
Public Employment Service (PES) which has been appointed as the management and
payment authority. The project accounts will be examined by the Internal Audit
Unit which is a separate body attached to the board of PES. 
Financing
27.         On the basis of the
application from Sweden, the proposed contribution from the EGF to the
coordinated package of personalised services (including
expenditure to implement EGF) is EUR 4 325 854
representing 65 % of the total cost. The Commission's proposed allocation
under the Fund is based on the information made available by Sweden.
28.         Considering the maximum
possible amount of a financial contribution from the EGF under Article 10(1) of
Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006, as well as the scope for reallocating
appropriations, the Commission proposes to mobilise the EGF for the total
amount referred to above, to be allocated under heading 1a of the financial
framework.
29.         The proposed amount of
financial contribution will leave more than 25 % of the maximum annual
amount earmarked for the EGF available for allocations during the last four
months of the year, as required by Article 12(6) of Regulation (EC) No
1927/2006.
30.         By presenting this proposal
to mobilise the EGF, the Commission initiates the simplified trialogue
procedure, as required by Point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17
May 2006, with a view to securing the agreement of the two arms of the
budgetary authority on the need to use the EGF and the amount required. The
Commission invites the first of the two arms of the budgetary authority that
reaches agreement on the draft mobilisation proposal, at appropriate political
level, to inform the other arm and the Commission of its intentions. In case of
disagreement by either of the two arms of the budgetary authority, a formal
trialogue meeting will be convened.
31.         The Commission presents separately
a transfer request in order to enter in the 2012 budget specific commitment
appropriations, as required in Point 28 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of
17 May 2006.
Source of payment appropriations 
32.         Appropriations from the EGF
budget line will be used to cover the amount of EUR 4 325 854
needed for the present application.
Proposal for a
DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
AND OF THE COUNCIL
on the mobilisation of the European
Globalisation Adjustment Fund in accordance with point 28 of the Interinstitutional
Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the
Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management (application
EGF/2011/015/SE/AstraZeneca from Sweden)
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to the Interinstitutional
Agreement of 17 May 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the
Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management[6], and in particular point 28
thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No
1927/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006
establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund[7], and in particular Article 12(3)
thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European
Commission[8],
Whereas:
(1)       The European Globalisation
Adjustment Fund (EGF) was established to provide additional support for workers
made redundant as a result of major structural changes in world trade patterns
due to globalisation and to assist them with their reintegration into the
labour market.
(2)       The scope of the EGF was
broadened for applications submitted from 1 May 2009 to 30 December 2011 to
include support for workers made redundant as a direct result of the global
financial and economic crisis.
(3)       The Interinstitutional
Agreement of 17 May 2006 allows the mobilisation of the EGF within the annual
ceiling of EUR 500 million.
(4)       Sweden submitted an
application to mobilise the EGF, in respect of redundancies in the enterprise AstraZeneca,
on 23 December 2011 and supplemented it by additional information up to 16
April 2012. This application complies with the requirements for determining the
financial contributions as laid down in Article 10 of
Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006. The Commission, therefore,
proposes to mobilise an amount of EUR 4 325 854.
(5)       The EGF should, therefore,
be mobilised in order to provide a financial contribution for the application
submitted by Sweden,
HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
For the general budget of the European
Union for the financial year 2012, the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund
(EGF) shall be mobilised to provide the sum of EUR 4 325 854 in
commitment and payment appropriations.
Article 2
This Decision shall be published in the Official
Journal of the European Union.
Done at Brussels,
For the European Parliament                       For
the Council
The President                                                 The
President
[1]               OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
[2]               OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
[3]               In accordance with the third paragraph of Article 3
of Regulation (EC) No 1927/2006.
[4]               2011 Global R&D Funding Forecast, www.rdmag.com
[5]               "Dynamics in the Pharma and Biotech
Industry", Frost & Sullivan, 2010, www.frost.com

[6]               OJ C 139, 14.6.2006, p. 1.
[7]               OJ L 406, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
[8]               OJ C […], […], p. […].