kfajdsl/voxpopuli huggingface dataset:
once this patient safety recommendation is adopted in the council it will signal an unprecedented political commitment from member state governments to prioritise patient safety in their health care policies.
the purpose of our proposal is to help member states to put in place the proper and adequate strategies to reduce or avoid adverse events in health care including health care associated infections by pooling the best available evidence and expertise in the eu
for the most part the commission welcomes the proposed amendments for example we welcome the proposal for member states to designate competent authorities for patient safety at the various levels of state and local government administration.
we also agree that the scale and cost of data collection should not be disproportionate to the expected benefits.
mr president today's debate illustrates parliament's high level of interest and concern regarding patient safety.
we also support the highlighting of the morbidity and mortality burden of health care associated infections and the need to recruit more infection control nurses.
some suggested that member states should provide the means necessary to bring about a twenty reduction in the number of persons affected by adverse events including an overall reduction in the eu of nine hundred zero cases each year.
the commission does not think it is appropriate to set such targets at eu level as member states are at different stages and it would be very difficult to set suitable realistic and achievable targets that would be appropriate for them all.
this reflects the fact that some member states have devolved systems of health care.
in relation to proposed amendments specific to health care associated infections we welcome the provision for adequate protection for health care staff.
and lending commission support to achieving economies of scale in this area.
as mr trakatellis said the figures that the commissioner spoke about on adverse reactions to medical care and on health care associated infections are quite shocking.
nobody should go into hospital and come out more ill than they were in the first place and many of us will know people who have had this problem.
it is a problem right across the european union and that is why it is extremely important that your initiative on health care associated infections should go ahead.
i think that we have a lot to learn from each other and we can certainly avoid a lot of problems for our citizens if we work together to tackle this issue and bring the best heads in europe together.
the second point i want to talk about is one mentioned very briefly in our parliamentary report and that is needle stick injuries.
i know the commission has been looking at this issue for a long time now and there is a cooperation between employers and trade unions on this issue but we still have a situation where an estimated one million workers in the health services across europe are affected by needle stick injuries.
would you consider recommending on a union wide basis increasing or being more flexible with the retirement age and having gradual retirement rather than permanent retirement which seems to happen for most people now?
thank you president in office malmstrm for your considered reply. according to the communication from the commission in two thousand and eight the right conditions have to be put in place in terms of resources training and support for carers. i absolutely agree that this is so and i also understand that this is a national competence.
one of them is in the whole area of the cross border dimension.
i just wanted to know your opinion on the setting up of a formal structure for exchange of information with regard to health professionals in this case care givers who cross borders.
the council pays special attention to the principles of democracy human rights and fundamental freedoms in the two thousand and nine annual evaluation of the common position.
some prisoners are in very bad health according to their families and do not have access to adequate medical care.
as stated in the last council conclusions human rights should always be addressed on these high level visits and when appropriate meetings with the peaceful pro democracy opposition will be part of these visits.
the council particularly urged the cuban government to release unconditionally all political prisoners including those who were detained in two thousand and three and we expressed our concerns for the prisoners and their health condition.
regarding the particular situation of one of the prisoners mentioned by the honourable member the european union has made a manifestation of solidarity initiated by the swedish presidency in havana in august.
still however there are no reports of prison guards or police being prosecuted for abuse.
prison conditions according to human rights defenders and testimonies of political prisoners and their families are far below the united nations' standard minimum rules for treatment of prisoners.
the council remains seriously concerned about the human rights situation in cuba in particular the lack of progress for civil and political rights.
the people of cuba do not enjoy freedom of speech and assembly.
there are currently two hundred and eight political prisoners in cuba.
this dialogue in accordance with eu policies not only includes the cuban authorities but also civil society and the democratic opposition.
the cuban government denies the existence of political prisoners and regrettably continues to reject international scrutiny of human rights from independent human rights organisations.
the council decided to pursue the dialogue with cuba because it provides an opportunity to discuss open issues of mutual interest and concern including the human rights situation but we remain seriously concerned about the situation in cuba and we will continue to follow individual cases particularly prisoners with serious health conditions.
the manifestation was held to show the family of the arrested dr darsi ferrer that the union is concerned that national criminal procedural law is not being observed by the cuban authorities.
since the initiation of the political dialogue with cuba last year the eu side has brought up the issue of political prisoners at each and every meeting.
furthermore the council called upon the cuban authorities to facilitate immediate access of international humanitarian organisations to cuban prisons.
in the conclusions from june this year we made clear that these issues will remain one of the eu's key priorities in the relationship with cuba.
there have been a number of reports of cruel and degrading retreatment including beatings of prisoners denial of appropriate health care and psychological pressure.
i wanted to take this opportunity to ask the minister whether there is any discussion in the council over the issue of minimum pricing of alcohol products.
many states have already applied those recommendations and there are a lot of awareness raising activities going on to discuss this issue.
the european union has also said that we are willing to enter into a closer cooperation with cuba including trade depending on their progress on human rights.
it is up to the cuban authorities to show whether they want this relation with us to show concrete progress.
i think in all legislation it is important in particular that we have a great concern.
we know that there is pressure from our citizens to look at the well being of the animals but of course doing this in an appropriate way and evaluating what has been done. are the provisions sufficient?
is there additional need?
do we need implementation?
thank you for your comprehensive answer.
i share the concerns about animal welfare but i want realistic regulation that also allows trade in animals which is legitimate and properly policed and i would suggest that we do not need additional regulation. we need absolutely proper implementation of existing regulations and i think your comments about navigation etc.
i would ask you to concentrate perhaps on horse transport.
that is a particular problem and there the regulations are not being implemented.
perhaps you would have a comment on that.
however the council cannot take a view on the internal organisation of the next commission which in line with the treaty is a matter for the president of the commission. i agree that sport and health go hand in hand.
it is my belief that a free and independent sports movement also has a responsibility in societal matters such as public health and safeguarding democratic values.
the swedish presidency regards sports policy first and foremost as a national issue.
one also has to be cautious with new suggestions and programmes which expand policies at eu level in a way which could damage already well functioning systems such as the ones civic society has built up over the years.
look at the memorandum of understanding being negotiated by the imf a massive increase in gas prices;
the minimum wage has been frozen;
this is not solidarity it is economic blackmail.
a brutal imposition of austerity; declining currency involving inflation for ordinary households;
this is all covered here with words of solidarity but look at the reality.
it is a fight between those for spheres of influence for economic influence and political influence.
the dcfta together with the political provisions constitute one single instrument.
should the commitments under article two of the association agreement not be respected at any point the commission will take appropriate action. the european union and its member states are committed to signing the remainder of the association agreement including the provisions on a deep and comprehensive free trade area
in this context the european union is pursuing further efforts with the international community to assist ukraine.
on twenty one march the european union and ukraine signed the political provisions of the association agreement. the political parts and in particular article two of the association agreement include provisions on the respect for democratic principles human rights and fundamental freedoms which constitute an essential element of the agreement.
these measures provide for an advanced implementation by the eu of the liberalisation of goods from ukraine as we have foreseen doing under the dcfta.
unfortunately we cannot afford a trilogue due to these time constraints and i trust that those of you that have a legitimate interest in the human rights angle will be satisfied by the assurances given with respect to the political provisions that are already signed.
given the current political and economic context in ukraine i do not think i have to convince anyone that time is of the essence here.
let me be clear these preferences are not meant to be a substitute for the dcfta.
however in order for these autonomous measures to be effective and timely as emergency support measures by the eu for the ukrainian economy it is important that this proposed regulation is adopted tomorrow by yourselves and then still this month by the council so that the tariff reductions can be in place in may.
ukraine has been the victim of naked aggression and let us not forget the thousands of russian troops on its eastern borders still very capable of launching an invasion if putin so desires it. we should therefore do everything we can in the eu to help ukraine.
the signing of parts of the association agreement was a good first step but we now need urgently to ratify and implement the dcfta provisions in a temporary and asymmetric form to help ukraine's economy.
ukraine needs to know that it can depend immediately on europe to offer a stable and receptive free market for its exports of goods in the face of constant russian intimidation.
to that end while russia continues its aggression the initial sanctions must only be the beginning.
what putin wants more than anything is to be respected and feared on the world's stage.
we in the free world will do neither.
on the other hand the dcfta is part of the association agreement so together with the political provisions the so called association agreement this makes one single instrument.
so there is very clearly a link between the chapters that have already been signed and those that will have to be signed once the elections have taken place and a new government is being constituted.
there is very clearly a political link;
so this is a completely new situation.
article twenty one of the charter of fundamental rights prohibits any discrimination based on membership of a national minority but there are ethnic minority communities living in the union which are still victims of discrimination social exclusion and segregation.
are we saying that eu fundamental rights do not apply to all people living in the eu? the principle of gender equality is also one of the key principles of the charter but sometimes it feels as if this fact is forgotten especially in the case of women from ethnic minorities.
in my report i use the term ethnic minority' to act as an umbrella definition to refer to those groups including for example the roma population who do not benefit from eu fundamental rights.
i believe that measures to overcome the exclusion of women belonging to all ethnic minority groups need to be set within the wider framework of european equality inclusion and growth policies.
the agency together with national equality bodies must include the transversal gender equality and women's rights perspective in all aspects of their multiannual frameworks and subsequent activities.
in order to ensure the development of a democratic open minded society which transmits the values of tolerance and equality i would like to point out the crucial role of the fundamental rights agency.
towards the roma population are actually a good example of how we are not looking at problems from the right perspective and how we are not addressing the issue properly.
in the majority of cases these women are more vulnerable to social exclusion poverty and extreme human rights violations such as trafficking in human beings and courses of sterilisation.
i tried to produce a report which evaluated the issues surrounding the social integration policies in the eu particularly for women belonging to ethnic minority groups and to highlight what works where there are problems and to help identify solutions.
in my view implementing the ilo domestic workers' convention well matches the core values and fundamental rights of the european union as well as our social gender equality and anti discrimination policies. we also consider
yet most domestic workers too often remain in the informal sphere and are excluded from labour rights social security and sometimes even fundamental rights.
with decent conditions domestic work is able to provide job opportunities and potentially better life conditions for women low skilled and migrant workers.
eu law is more protective and detailed in some areas and the convention in others. the purpose of the draft council decision submitted to the consent of parliament is to remove any legal impediment to ratifying the ilo domestic workers convention no.
several of them have expressed their intention to do so.
the implementation of the ilo domestic workers convention is in line with the eu commitment to decent work and the eu strategy to combat trafficking in human beings.
the decision to ratify the convention will however remain in the hands of the member states.
one hundred and eighty nine it will authorise member states to ratify the convention should they so wish for the parts of the convention falling under union competence.
mr president the domestic workers convention of the international labour organization which recently entered into force comes at an opportune time both to improve working conditions for workers amongst the most vulnerable and to contribute to an inclusive economy.
overall the convention and eu legislation share the same approach.
on the side of the users it helps provide quality care personal and household services and a better balance between family life and work.
states ratifying the ilo domestic workers convention are required to take measures to ensure fair and decent working conditions prevent abuse ensure equal treatment protect against discrimination offer decent living conditions and provide easy access to complaint mechanisms.
two six million domestic workers in the eu eighty nine are women and over half are migrants. domestic work is socially and economically important but it is often precarious undervalued and undeclared work. a survey carried out by the domestic workers action group in ireland in two thousand and ten revealed a litany of abuses of domestic workers including being paid below the minimum wage being asked to work for long hours being obliged work six to seven days per week working without a written contract non receipt of payslips and no prsi or tax paid.
convention no one hundred and eighty nine covers areas such as the abolition of child labour protection against harassment and abuse the right to collective bargaining the right to information and fair terms and conditions in relation to employment regulation of working time minimum pay health and safety social security protection of migrant workers and indeed putting in place dispute resolutions and complaint mechanisms.
there can be no excuse for any further delay.
i am calling on the member states to ratify the convention without delay;
the convention presents an opportunity to start transforming what is too often a relationship of exploitation into a legal relationship that supports decent work.
if we want to achieve the employment potential of the domestic work sector then we have to transform precarious domestic jobs into decent sustainable jobs.
workers with permits were threatened by employers that their permits would be revoked and that they would be returned home.
yet domestic workers perform a very valuable social role as they can allow parents mostly women with the skills and qualifications needed for our economic recovery to remain in or re enter the workforce.
for too long domestic work has been undervalued and invisible a little bit like the work of carers.
i suppose it is mainly for historic reasons because this work was carried out mainly by women and girls and in most cases behind the closed doors of private homes.
more and more of this work is now being carried out by migrants and of course those who have fewer opportunities and many of these workers find themselves in very vulnerable positions.
that is why this resolution is so important. we need to ensure that domestic workers have access to information on their conditions of employment and where possible a possible written contract.
we need to ensure weekly rest periods.
we do so for lorry drivers to ensure health and safety on our roads.
ms zuber raises an important issue that of trafficking.
the full implementation of this convention would help to counteract the practice of modern day slavery.
it is also worth noting that opportunities in the care sector will increase in forthcoming years as the population ages and there is a greater need for personal care.
finally commissioner andor said that the implementation of this convention is in line with the eu commitment to decent work and it is in line with the eu commitment to combating trafficking.
while it is up to member states to ratify i believe a strong message from this parliament would help in that process.
the convention itself is an efficient tool in fighting human trafficking under the guise of employment. by ratifying the ilo convention domestic workers will be granted vital legal and economic recognition.
domestic workers are usually less knowledgeable about contractual rights and obligations deriving from their work.
this is how many of them become easy prey for those trying to push them into illegal activities. i believe that this report is very important for our workers.
he said we do not want a two quality europe and definitely this is emerging regarding some food products.
we have been given examples of biscuits and fish where this is not the case fish fingers and probably many more.
this has to stop;
has a very strong position concerning personal data protection.
it has also forgotten about it security provisions for these.
you would be aware of the one thousand nine hundred and fifty one convention on refugees that says that a refugee should claim asylum in the first safe country but you disregard that.
let us take a critical look at the schengen agreement and what that has actually meant for europe it has allowed criminals people traffickers and drug dealers to travel across thousands of miles unaided; it has allowed camps such as sangatte and the jungle to develop on the other side of the english channel with people living in deplorable conditions.
it has had enough of being ruled by you. i leave you with this warning the british people are a just tolerant and trusting people but when you push us too far we fight back.
come on pull the other one this place is a joke!
and when we fight back we win.
the people of the united kingdom want to control its own borders;
i hope you are proud of yourself.
data protection has also not always been subject to on site evaluations.
so i entirely support the conclusions of carlos coelho that we need to bring all this together to have a consolidation of the procedures by which this evaluation is done to consolidate the task between the first and the third pillar and i hope that soon the phrase third pillar' will be consigned to history and i never have to say it again
we are told in the commission proposal for the regulation that as evaluation before putting into effect is fundamental for member states in order to gain mutual trust it seems reasonable for this to remain the responsibility of member states'. but we do not leave it to member states to evaluate the balkan countries for which this evening the committee on civil liberties justice and home affairs will vote on their fitness for visa waiver for visa free travel it is the commission which does the assessment and evaluation so there is no consistency at all
it begs the whole question of the way peer review is done in this european union of the twenty seven member states.
in saying that it should be in the hands of the member states to judge other states.
as i say that bears looking at including in the human rights area because we do not seem to have any clear principles and structures and simply adopt different things in different areas.
it certainly makes no sense to me that fitness to join the schengen zone should lie exclusively in the hands of the member states in any case irrespective of any arcane split between pre and post schengen accession.
certainly it appears that the member states do not do a very good job because we learn from the proposal for a decision that in recent years member states have not seen the need to carry out evaluations on the spot concerning judicial cooperation in criminal matters and drugs.
the commission when it works at its best is the one to do it.
to have one simple effective efficient and transparent evaluation and to ensure that the transparency includes accountability to the european parliament. it is most strange that at this juncture on the eve of what i am now convinced will be the ratification of the lisbon treaty and i did my bit in the uk house of lords last year by the way
it would have helped if he had been at the vote last year when his colleagues opposed a ban on the use of these body scanners without a fundamental review of human rights.
' i think there are many people not only in this house but beyond who would think that issues to do with criminal cooperation drugs tackling drug smuggling and protection of privacy are rather important matters to have on the spot inspections about.
after the lisbon treaty comes into force the first and third of the so called three pillars of different policy areas will be consolidated into one.
the implementation of lisbon will no doubt see attempts to use it as a tool to apply the schengen acquis across all the member states including those currently exempted which includes the united kingdom.
you will notice that i said when the lisbon treaty is implemented' and not if'.