natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
Considers that the freedom to provide social services of general interest and the freedom of establishment of the service providers concerned should entail respect for and contribute to the implementation of the objectives of equal universal access and fair conditions in delivering such services within the general requirements as defined by Member States;
Considers that the freedom to provide social services of general interest and the freedom of establishment of the service providers concerned should entail respect for and contribute to the implementation of the objectives of equal universal access and fair conditions in delivering such services within the general requirements as defined by Member States;
Argues that social services of general interest make it possible to guarantee the exercise of the fundamental rights of EU citizens, as they concern primary services for everyday life; considers, therefore, that they need to be regarded as a specific sector responding mainly to the principles of solidarity, social inclusion, efficiency and financial sustainability; recognises the role of the private sector in this regard;
Argues that social services of general interest make it possible to guarantee the exercise of the fundamental rights of EU citizens, as they concern primary services for everyday life; considers, therefore, that they need to be regarded as a specific sector responding mainly to the principles of solidarity, social inclusion, efficiency and financial sustainability; recognises the role of the private sector in this regard;
Stresses that in evaluating the characteristics in the supply of such services, public authorities should take into account as an overriding consideration the advantages of guaranteeing social cohesion and better social inclusion when users are often directly involved in providing the service by means of non-profit organisations;
Stresses that in evaluating the characteristics in the supply of such services, public authorities should take into account as an overriding consideration the advantages of guaranteeing social cohesion and better social inclusion when users are often directly involved in providing the service by means of non-profit organisations;
Stresses that, in providing for the risks of everyday life, such as those concerning health, work related accidents, etc., particular attention must be given to dependent persons, whether their dependency relates to disability or age;
Stresses that, in providing for the risks of everyday life, such as those concerning health, work related accidents, etc., particular attention must be given to dependent persons, whether their dependency relates to disability or age;
Points out that a European level governance should help to ensure that in the provision of these services, Member States guarantee the following principles:
Points out that a European level governance should help to ensure that in the provision of these services, Member States guarantee the following principles:
• equal universal access;
• equal universal access;
• full territorial coverage, geographical and social access to reliable high-quality service at affordable prices and uniform quality standards;
• full territorial coverage, geographical and social access to reliable high-quality service at affordable prices and uniform quality standards;
• socially acceptable concessionary charges for disabled persons, low-income groups and mechanisms designed to combat social exclusion;
• socially acceptable concessionary charges for disabled persons, low-income groups and mechanisms designed to combat social exclusion;
• measures to avoid regional disparities, ensure legal certainty, transparency and compliance with the framework conditions for the provision of services;
• measures to avoid regional disparities, ensure legal certainty, transparency and compliance with the framework conditions for the provision of services;
Is of the opinion that in accordance with these principles, the competent authorities should be free to set up authorisation schemes governing the access to the organisation of social services, simultaneously respecting the principle of non-discrimination;
Is of the opinion that in accordance with these principles, the competent authorities should be free to set up authorisation schemes governing the access to the organisation of social services, simultaneously respecting the principle of non-discrimination;
Accordingly, calls for further consultation and cooperation between those concerned to establish the framework necessary for the functioning and realisation of the objectives of social services of general interest while respecting their guiding principles and values.
Accordingly, calls for further consultation and cooperation between those concerned to establish the framework necessary for the functioning and realisation of the objectives of social services of general interest while respecting their guiding principles and values.
Roberto Musacchio 14.6.2006
Roberto Musacchio 14.6.2006
Previous draftsman
Previous draftsman
44 1 3
44 1 3
Adamos Adamou, Georgs Andrejevs, Irena Belohorská, Johannes Blokland, Frieda Brepoels, Dorette Corbey, Chris Davies, Avril Doyle, Mojca Drčar Murko, Edite Estrela, Jill Evans, Anne Ferreira, Karl-Heinz Florenz, Alessandro Foglietta, Matthias Groote, Françoise Grossetête, Satu Hassi, Jens Holm, Mary Honeyball, Caroline Jackson, Aldis Kušķis, Peter Liese, Jules Maaten, Roberto Musacchio, Péter Olajos, Adriana Poli Bortone, Vittorio Prodi, Frédérique Ries, Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Guido Sacconi, Kathy Sinnott, Antonios Trakatellis, Evangelia Tzampazi, Thomas Ulmer, Marcello Vernola, Anja Weisgerber, Åsa Westlund, Anders Wijkman
Adamos Adamou, Georgs Andrejevs, Irena Belohorská, Johannes Blokland, Frieda Brepoels, Dorette Corbey, Chris Davies, Avril Doyle, Mojca Drčar Murko, Edite Estrela, Jill Evans, Anne Ferreira, Karl-Heinz Florenz, Alessandro Foglietta, Matthias Groote, Françoise Grossetête, Satu Hassi, Jens Holm, Mary Honeyball, Caroline Jackson, Aldis Kušķis, Peter Liese, Jules Maaten, Roberto Musacchio, Péter Olajos, Adriana Poli Bortone, Vittorio Prodi, Frédérique Ries, Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Guido Sacconi, Kathy Sinnott, Antonios Trakatellis, Evangelia Tzampazi, Thomas Ulmer, Marcello Vernola, Anja Weisgerber, Åsa Westlund, Anders Wijkman
Bairbre de Brún, Christofer Fjellner, Milan Gaľa, Vasco Graça Moura, Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Pál Schmitt, Renate Sommer, Bart Staes, Andres Tarand
Bairbre de Brún, Christofer Fjellner, Milan Gaľa, Vasco Graça Moura, Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Pál Schmitt, Renate Sommer, Bart Staes, Andres Tarand
The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
A. whereas social services of general interest are not subject to any special provisions in the Treaties, although they constitute one of the most significant areas of general interest services,
A. whereas social services of general interest are not subject to any special provisions in the Treaties, although they constitute one of the most significant areas of general interest services,
B. whereas, however, SSGIs contribute to the performance of the Community's tasks as defined in Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty, including a high level of employment and of social protection, the raising of the standard of living, the attainment of a high level of health protection, equality between men and women and the strengthening of economic and social cohesion,
B. whereas, however, SSGIs contribute to the performance of the Community's tasks as defined in Articles 2 and 3 of the Treaty, including a high level of employment and of social protection, the raising of the standard of living, the attainment of a high level of health protection, equality between men and women and the strengthening of economic and social cohesion,
C. whereas in this case the principle of subsidiarity is fully applicable, and allows Member States to define their respective social services, the tasks and organisation thereof and the way in which they are funded, including universal access to these essential, vital services,
C. whereas in this case the principle of subsidiarity is fully applicable, and allows Member States to define their respective social services, the tasks and organisation thereof and the way in which they are funded, including universal access to these essential, vital services,
D. whereas, following the adoption by Parliament at second reading of the amended directive on services in the internal market, non-economic services of general interest as defined by the Member States have been excluded from the scope of the directive, as have social services such as social housing services, childcare services and family services,
D. whereas, following the adoption by Parliament at second reading of the amended directive on services in the internal market, non-economic services of general interest as defined by the Member States have been excluded from the scope of the directive, as have social services such as social housing services, childcare services and family services,
E. whereas, because of their special characteristics, social services can have a direct impact on the internal market in services, and also have a direct, but differentiated, impact on the public, both male and female, depending in addition on the social groups to which they belong; whereas changes in society, including demographic changes, mean that there is a need for more action by public authorities to ensure that the main burden of care is not left to families, and hence to women,
E. whereas, because of their special characteristics, social services can have a direct impact on the internal market in services, and also have a direct, but differentiated, impact on the public, both male and female, depending in addition on the social groups to which they belong; whereas changes in society, including demographic changes, mean that there is a need for more action by public authorities to ensure that the main burden of care is not left to families, and hence to women,
F. whereas the internal market in services and the competition rules may have an impact on the provision of SSGIs, which fulfil a vital role in terms of solidarity and protection of the social fabric throughout the European Union,
F. whereas the internal market in services and the competition rules may have an impact on the provision of SSGIs, which fulfil a vital role in terms of solidarity and protection of the social fabric throughout the European Union,
Welcomes the publication of the Commission communication entitled 'Implementing the Community Lisbon programme: Social services of general interest in the European Union' ( COM(2006)0177 ), which had already been signalled in the White Paper on services of general interest ( COM(2004)0374 ), and which arises from the exclusion of social services from the scope of the amended proposal for a directive on services in the internal market, in connection with which the Council’s common position was approved at second reading by the European Parliament; welcomes the Commission's endeavours to conduct a consultation process with the Member States and with all the sectors involved, aiming to find a balance between the special characteristics of these services, which sometimes make them difficult to define in general terms, and the application of the principles of transparency, free competition and non-discrimination, which have mandatory force in the EU, and of Community law on the award of public contracts and concessions;
Welcomes the publication of the Commission communication entitled 'Implementing the Community Lisbon programme: Social services of general interest in the European Union' ( COM(2006)0177 ), which had already been signalled in the White Paper on services of general interest ( COM(2004)0374 ), and which arises from the exclusion of social services from the scope of the amended proposal for a directive on services in the internal market, in connection with which the Council’s common position was approved at second reading by the European Parliament; welcomes the Commission's endeavours to conduct a consultation process with the Member States and with all the sectors involved, aiming to find a balance between the special characteristics of these services, which sometimes make them difficult to define in general terms, and the application of the principles of transparency, free competition and non-discrimination, which have mandatory force in the EU, and of Community law on the award of public contracts and concessions;
Approves the Commission’s action in recognising that social services are inherently of a character of general interest; stresses that these essential and vital services fulfil a particular role of social protection and solidarity directly provided by local and regional groups or that they are entrusted to specific agents; considers that the different public administrations have to be the guarantors of the provision of these services, with regard to the objectives that they have been assigned in social matters;
Approves the Commission’s action in recognising that social services are inherently of a character of general interest; stresses that these essential and vital services fulfil a particular role of social protection and solidarity directly provided by local and regional groups or that they are entrusted to specific agents; considers that the different public administrations have to be the guarantors of the provision of these services, with regard to the objectives that they have been assigned in social matters;
Considers that they must satisfactorily fulfil their role as defined in Article 16 and Article 86(2) of the Treaty;
Considers that they must satisfactorily fulfil their role as defined in Article 16 and Article 86(2) of the Treaty;
Points out the need for consistency between the Union's position with regard to its rules applicable to SSGIs and the position that it will adopt in the context of the WTO negotiations, especially in connection with the field of social and health services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS);
Points out the need for consistency between the Union's position with regard to its rules applicable to SSGIs and the position that it will adopt in the context of the WTO negotiations, especially in connection with the field of social and health services under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS);
Notes that at present the Member States have various different models of social service design, provision and funding, since although the public authorities are responsible for provision of social services to their citizens, they are not always the direct providers;
Notes that at present the Member States have various different models of social service design, provision and funding, since although the public authorities are responsible for provision of social services to their citizens, they are not always the direct providers;
Considers that in application of the subsidiarity principle, the Member States have the right to define in each case, in accordance with their uses and customs, the characteristics and tasks of social services that constitute the heart of the European social model; believes, however, that in addition to the traditional criteria of universality, transparency and accessibility, there should be a definition of the way in which social services are structured and organised;
Considers that in application of the subsidiarity principle, the Member States have the right to define in each case, in accordance with their uses and customs, the characteristics and tasks of social services that constitute the heart of the European social model; believes, however, that in addition to the traditional criteria of universality, transparency and accessibility, there should be a definition of the way in which social services are structured and organised;
Considers that the right of Member States to define their own social services should be made compatible with the required legal certainty capable of protecting the public authorities which are the guarantors of social services, social service providers and users and the public as a whole throughout the territory of the EU;
Considers that the right of Member States to define their own social services should be made compatible with the required legal certainty capable of protecting the public authorities which are the guarantors of social services, social service providers and users and the public as a whole throughout the territory of the EU;
Considers that the non-profit status of some providers of such services should be considered compatible with the freedom of establishment enshrined in the Treaties; similarly considers that given the specific nature of such services, the payment of any compensation by the administrations responsible for social service provision to the actual providers should also be considered compatible; considers that such compensation should not be deemed to be State aid since the principle of compensation is fulfilled;
Considers that the non-profit status of some providers of such services should be considered compatible with the freedom of establishment enshrined in the Treaties; similarly considers that given the specific nature of such services, the payment of any compensation by the administrations responsible for social service provision to the actual providers should also be considered compatible; considers that such compensation should not be deemed to be State aid since the principle of compensation is fulfilled;
Considers that the extension of these services, attributable to increasing needs, and the creation of new services have the potential for creating employment which will have a very positive impact on achieving the Lisbon Strategy objectives, especially with regard to female workers, since on the one hand social services are predominantly staffed by women, and on the other hand the expansion of such services enables women, in particular, to continue to be employed and remain on the labour market;
Considers that the extension of these services, attributable to increasing needs, and the creation of new services have the potential for creating employment which will have a very positive impact on achieving the Lisbon Strategy objectives, especially with regard to female workers, since on the one hand social services are predominantly staffed by women, and on the other hand the expansion of such services enables women, in particular, to continue to be employed and remain on the labour market;
Notes that previous experience in some Member States shows that openness to competition with appropriate safeguards for the social services sectors is a positive factor for economic growth and employment creation, and for improving the quality of the services supplied;
Notes that previous experience in some Member States shows that openness to competition with appropriate safeguards for the social services sectors is a positive factor for economic growth and employment creation, and for improving the quality of the services supplied;
Welcomes the possibility that the Commission may take initiatives intended to clarify the Community rules applicable to these services and to define the division of responsibilities between the EU and the Member States in the event of obstacles and difficulties arising in connection with the free provision of services in the internal market.
Welcomes the possibility that the Commission may take initiatives intended to clarify the Community rules applicable to these services and to define the division of responsibilities between the EU and the Member States in the event of obstacles and difficulties arising in connection with the free provision of services in the internal market.
Social Service of General Interest in the EU
Social Service of General Interest in the EU
Charlotte Cederschiöld, Mia De Vits, Janelly Fourtou, Małgorzata Handzlik, Malcolm Harbour, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Anna Hedh, Edit Herczog, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Pierre Jonckheer, Alexander Lambsdorff, Kurt Lechner, Arlene McCarthy, Manuel Medina Ortega, Zita Pleštinská, Guido Podestà, Luisa Fernanda Rudi Ubeda, Heide Rühle, Leopold Józef Rutowicz, Christel Schaldemose, Andreas Schwab, Eva-Britt Svensson, József Szájer, Marianne Thyssen, Jacques Toubon, Bernadette Vergnaud
Charlotte Cederschiöld, Mia De Vits, Janelly Fourtou, Małgorzata Handzlik, Malcolm Harbour, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Anna Hedh, Edit Herczog, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Pierre Jonckheer, Alexander Lambsdorff, Kurt Lechner, Arlene McCarthy, Manuel Medina Ortega, Zita Pleštinská, Guido Podestà, Luisa Fernanda Rudi Ubeda, Heide Rühle, Leopold Józef Rutowicz, Christel Schaldemose, Andreas Schwab, Eva-Britt Svensson, József Szájer, Marianne Thyssen, Jacques Toubon, Bernadette Vergnaud
Jean-Claude Fruteau, Benoît Hamon, Konstantinos Hatzidakis, Othmar Karas, Maria Matsouka, Joseph Muscat, Olle Schmidt, Anja Weisgerber
Jean-Claude Fruteau, Benoît Hamon, Konstantinos Hatzidakis, Othmar Karas, Maria Matsouka, Joseph Muscat, Olle Schmidt, Anja Weisgerber
Marie-Line Reynaud
Marie-Line Reynaud
The Committee on Legal Affairs calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
The Committee on Legal Affairs calls on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
Has considerable doubts as to whether EU rules on social services of general interest can bring about an actual improvement for the public and an improvement in the effectiveness of such services;
Has considerable doubts as to whether EU rules on social services of general interest can bring about an actual improvement for the public and an improvement in the effectiveness of such services;
Calls on the Commission, therefore, to use the results of the study referred to in its communication to set out its position in detail, supported by facts and figures, on the question of the actual need for such rules at EU level and also on the raison d'être of such rules;
Calls on the Commission, therefore, to use the results of the study referred to in its communication to set out its position in detail, supported by facts and figures, on the question of the actual need for such rules at EU level and also on the raison d'être of such rules;
Calls on the Commission to indicate the legal basis that it intends to use for any legal provisions that it might be considering; points out at this juncture that Article 16 of the EC Treaty cannot provide that legal basis;
Calls on the Commission to indicate the legal basis that it intends to use for any legal provisions that it might be considering; points out at this juncture that Article 16 of the EC Treaty cannot provide that legal basis;
Stresses the need, in connection with any rules being considered by the Commission, to observe and to apply the subsidiarity principle laid down in Article 5 of the EC Treaty in connection with social services ;
Stresses the need, in connection with any rules being considered by the Commission, to observe and to apply the subsidiarity principle laid down in Article 5 of the EC Treaty in connection with social services ;
Stresses expressly that, on the basis of their powers and of the subsidiarity principle, it is for the Member States alone to determine what constitutes social services;
Stresses expressly that, on the basis of their powers and of the subsidiarity principle, it is for the Member States alone to determine what constitutes social services;