unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Salvatore De Meo
Political group: PPE
Country: Czechia
Language: IT

Signor Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, ogni anno tra le 70 000 e le 90 000 persone muoiono nell'Unione europea per precedente esposizione all'amianto: un vero bollettino di guerra. Due anni fa quest'Aula ha votato una risoluzione in cui 675 membri hanno confermato la necessità di rafforzare l'azione europea in materia di protezione dei lavoratori dall'esposizione all'amianto. Tuttavia, la proposta della Commissione europea che abbiamo visto non ha confermato l'ambizione da noi richiesta. Tralasciando il fatto che questo tema conferma la necessità che il Parlamento europeo, eletto direttamente dai cittadini, svolga un ruolo maggiore nel proporre e promuovere politiche europee, soprattutto per il benessere dei nostri cittadini, entrando nel merito dobbiamo ricordare che la principale fonte di esposizione all'amianto è rappresentata dagli edifici vecchi che, come è stato detto, divengono ovviamente oggetto di un processo di ristrutturazione generale per garantire la loro efficienza energetica o il loro miglioramento sismico. Per questo è fondamentale che quest'Aula voti a favore dell'attuale relazione per confermare la necessità di abbassare i limiti di esposizione professionale rispetto a una proposta della Commissione che è dieci volte più alta rispetto alla nostra richiesta. Ovviamente, per raggiungere gli obiettivi richiesti è necessario avere un approccio globale, a partire dalla mappatura dell'amianto negli edifici, una mappatura che deve avvenire in sicurezza e con l'ausilio delle nuove tecnologie, dalle ricerche di metodi alternativi allo smaltimento in discarica, ma anche dalla semplificazione delle pratiche e dal sostegno economico per la rilevazione e l'eventuale smaltimento. C'è bisogno, infatti, di una strategia complessiva che coinvolga aziende, professionisti e cittadini e preveda in maniera straordinaria un piano finanziario a favore dei proprietari di edifici per lo
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Agnes Jongerius
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: NL

Voorzitter, mijnheer de commissaris, we hebben het hier al meermaals benadrukt: er bestaat niet zoiets als een veilige blootstelling aan asbest. Elke dag sterven er 250 Europeanen aan asbestgerelateerde kanker. Deze richtlijn is gelukkig een goede stap om dat aantal naar nul te krijgen. Maar we zijn met deze richtlijn nog niet klaar, want Europa staat aan de vooravond van een grote renovatiegolf. Meer dan 200 miljoen gebouwen zullen in de komende dertig jaar gerenoveerd moeten worden en vele van die gebouwen bevatten nog steeds asbest. De Commissie moet daarom zo snel mogelijk komen met de beloofde nieuwe voorstellen voor screening en registratie van asbest in gebouwen om ervoor te zorgen dat alle werknemers die onze gebouwen toekomstbestendig moeten maken, ook beschermd worden tegen asbest. We willen niet dat mensen overlijden op of door het werk. Het is daarom aan de Commissie om door te pakken zodat we de doelen van een asbestvrij Europa en een asbestvrije wereld kunnen halen.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Marie Toussaint
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Hungary
Language: FR

Monsieur le Président, l'amiante est un tueur invisible qui a causé bien des souffrances et abrégé bien trop de vies. Des vies volées par l'indifférence à la souffrance ouvrière, des vies empoisonnées par la loi du profit placé au-dessus de la protection des travailleurs et des travailleuses. Pourtant, leurs vies comptent. Rien qu'à Dunkerque, en France, plus de deux mille victimes de l'amiante, comme Pierre Pluta, ont encore été récemment déboutées. Plus d'un quart de siècle de lutte contre ceux qui les ont sciemment exposés à l'empoisonnement. En vain.  Je tiens donc à remercier ceux et surtout celles qui ont permis à cette directive d'être plus ambitieuse. Mais le texte que nous adoptons ne fait malheureusement aucune place au régime de responsabilité que nous souhaitions établir, pas plus d'ailleurs qu'à la prise en compte de l'exposition à l'amiante dans les régimes de protection sociale. Des centaines de milliers de travailleurs souhaitent aujourd'hui être protégés, être enfin correctement reconnus et que les responsables soient sanctionnés. La situation est aussi terrible dans nos écoles pour nos enfants.  Le texte que nous adoptons aujourd'hui n'est donc qu'une étape. Nous avons urgemment besoin d'une directive visant la détection obligatoire de l'amiante, avec des techniques efficaces comme les prélèvements surfaciques, des moyens et l'établissement d'une véritable justice.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Elżbieta Rafalska
Political group: ECR
Country: Germany
Language: PL

Panie Przewodniczący! Panie Komisarzu! Koleżanki, koledzy! Nowotwory pochodzenia zawodowego są główną przyczyną zgonów związaną z pracą w Unii Europejskiej, a ponad trzy czwarte wszystkich nowotworów pochodzenia zawodowego jest związanych z azbestem. Mimo zakazu wszystkich rodzajów azbestu w Unii Europejskiej od 2005 roku azbest pozostaje ogromnym zagrożeniem dla zdrowia i życia, powodując choroby takie jak pylica azbestowa, międzybłoniak opłucnej czy rak płuc. Materiałów zawierających azbest jest wiele. Były one stosowane właściwie w każdej dziedzinie życia, począwszy od izolacji dachu, różnego rodzaju pokrycia dachowe, płytki podłogowe po sprzęt przeciwpożarowy. Konieczne jest zarówno zapewnienie bezpiecznego miejsca zamieszkania dla wielu europejskich rodzin poprzez usunięcie azbestu do 2030 r., jak i ochrona pracowników zajmujących się usuwaniem azbestu z niezliczonych ilości budynków.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Ilan De Basso
Political group: S-D
Country: France
Language: SV

Fru talman! Grundregeln i EU ska vara att asbest aldrig får hanteras utan fullständiga tillstånd, nödvändig kunskap och tillräckliga skyddsåtgärder. Vi tar nu flera viktiga steg för att säkerställa att sämre arbetsmiljö aldrig får utgöra ett konkurrensmedel på den europeiska arbetsmarknaden.  Trots att vi har ett förbud mot asbest i hela Europa är asbest fortfarande den enskilt största arbetsrelaterade dödsorsaken både i Sverige och i resten av Europa. Fru talman, det finns inga säkra gränsvärden för asbestexponering. EU står inför en helt nödvändig renoveringsvåg. Hanteringen av asbest och därmed behovet av säker asbestsanering kommer därför att öka. Vi kan aldrig acceptera att människor ska behöva utsätta sig för livsfara med sanering och hantering av asbest.  Detta ögonblick är historiskt, fru talman. Det här är också viktigt för alla Europas löntagare.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Rosa D'Amato
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Czechia
Language: IT

Signora Presidente, onorevoli colleghi, signor Commissario, quasi ormai vent'anni fa l'amianto fu vietato nell'Unione europea, eppure continua a essere un'emergenza in tutto il continente. Solo in Italia ci sono 40 milioni di tonnellate che ancora oggi non sono state bonificate. E queste mancate bonifiche comportano gravissimi rischi per i cittadini e per i lavoratori che vengono a contatto con l’amianto. Penso ai nostri vigili del fuoco in primis. Di recente lo IARC ha confermato tra i vigili del fuoco un livello allarmante di incidenza del mesotelioma maligno, causato proprio dall'esposizione alle fibre di amianto. Si stima che il 78 % dei tumori riconosciuti come professionali in tutta l'Unione siano connessi all'amianto e negli ultimi anni il tasso di mortalità è addirittura aumentato, causando ben 90 000 decessi all'anno. Grazie al lavoro del Parlamento, con la nuova direttiva siamo riusciti ad abbassare il valore limite di esposizione professionale di dieci volte rispetto al limite attuale. La rimozione dell'amianto dovrà avere la priorità rispetto ad altre forme di manipolazione, come incapsulare o sigillare. Si agisce quindi alla radice. Vi sarà l'obbligo di  Infine, colleghi, approvare questa direttiva è il modo migliore per ricordare la nostra relatrice Véronique. Votiamo quindi tutti quanti a favore.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Beata Mazurek
Political group: ECR
Country: Malta
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Mam pełną świadomość tego, że azbest to nadal czołowa przyczyna nowotworów i zgonów pochodzenia zawodowego, a jego skutki zdrowotne dają o sobie znać nawet lata po narażeniu. Jestem za poprawą standardów ochrony pracowników przed azbestem poprzez udoskonalenie systemu powiadomień, eliminację luk prawnych i wprowadzenie nowych narzędzi służących do walki z zagrożeniami związanymi z azbestem.  Wzmocnienie zapisów dyrektywy pomoże lepiej identyfikować azbest w istniejących konstrukcjach, a więc i zapobiegać poważnym problemom zdrowotnym europejskich pracowników. Obniżenie limitu narażenia zawodowego jest jednym z potężniejszych narzędzi w walce z azbestem. Choć wprowadzenie go w życie będzie dużym wyzwaniem, to trzeba się na to rozwiązanie zdecydować, bo zdrowie i życie pracowników jest bezcenne.  Eliminowanie czynników ryzyka, zapobieganie i prewencja są skuteczniejsze w walce niż leczenie ciężkich, potencjalnie śmiertelnych chorób azbestopochodnych. I na tej prewencji nam wszystkim powinno zależeć.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Clare Daly
Political group: The Left
Country: France
Language: EN

Madam President, I think it is really good that we are talking about this rather than not talking about it. But I think we have to be very clear in examining the reality.  Asbestos was banned at European level almost 20 years ago, and yet it still remains present in 35 million buildings, killing, as colleagues have said, about 90 000 people in the EU every year. It’s a mini war, a major war against workers, construction workers in particular. And now that so many of our buildings need renovation, we are putting more and more workers potentially at risk of further exposure. So it’s really important that we’re addressing this issue now.  And against that backdrop, it is incredibly welcome that the maximum level of exposure of asbestos is agreed at 50 times lower than the current exposure limit. But we have to be clear: the long implementation period means that Member States can weasel out of it. So our job has to be to deliver this in reality, not just on paper, to struggle side by side with the workers and the unions who are in the forefront of the construction industry.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Mick Wallace
Political group: The Left
Country: Germany
Language: EN

Madam President, the new occupational exposure limit for asbestos across the EU will now be 50 times lower than the current exposure limit, and that’s certainly to be welcomed. The scope of the directive will extend to all workers potentially exposed to asbestos.  Now it’s good that new minimum training requirements and new protection measures for workers have been adopted and that asbestos removal companies will have to be certified and obtain permits. However, the implementation period is far too long, especially given the renovation wave that’s scheduled at the moment. A lot of the renovation wave will already be finished before the lower, safer limit comes into effect.  With 90 000 people dying due to asbestos-related cancer every year in the EU, it is crucial now that Member States be as ambitious as possible and as soon as possible and don’t just adhere to the implementation deadlines in the directive.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Nicolas Schmit
Language: EN

This is in line with the vision zero approach to eliminate work-related deaths that we have adopted with our EU strategic framework on health and safety at work. For the first time, this EU strategic framework on health and safety at work includes this vision zero approach to work-related tasks. And in November 2022, the tripartite Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work adopted concrete recommendations for this vision. By paving the way to an asbestos-free future, addressing the health risks of asbestos, with the new agreement we get as close as possible to reaching this goal.  Et encore une fois, merci, Véronique Trillet-Lenoir, vous ne serez jamais oubliée!
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Dragoş Pîslaru
Country: Spain
Language: EN

The next steps will be in the hands of Member States to bring tangible change on the ground. I am sure that all parties involved will work hard for the speedy implementation of all the provisions of this directive.  Mr Commissioner, dear Nicolas, we count on you, as usual, for the commitment of the Commission to deliver the guidelines that were announced. Those guidelines are important to make sure that the legislation is fully understood and fulfilled on the ground. It will have to provide sector-specific recommendations, in particular for categories that we have addressed here in the Parliament, like firefighters.  We, here in the European Parliament, will continue to honour the memory of Véronique and push for better protection against asbestos. This is the reason why we are all looking forward to seeing the next text on the screen. Thank you very much and it’s a big success for team Europe.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Ádám Kósa
Political group: NI
Country: Poland
Language: HU

A levegőben lévő azbesztrostok belélegezve súlyos betegségekhez, így például tüdőrákhoz vezethetnek, és a betegség első jelei az expozíció pillanatától számítva átlagosan 30 év elteltével mutatkozhatnak meg, végső soron munkával összefüggő halálesetekhez vezetve. Bár az azbesztet minden formájában betiltották az Unióban, a tilalom előtt épült épületekben továbbra is jelen van, ami - ha az épületben található azbeszttartalmú anyagokat megbontják - megbetegedéshez vezethet. Ezért az épületkorszerűsítési programok keretében alapvető fontosságú, hogy az azbeszttartalmú anyagok biztonságos eltávolítása és ártalmatlanítása elsőbbséget élvezzen. Ki kell hangsúlyozni, hogy mivel Ukrajna 2017-ig nem tiltotta be az azbeszt használatát, az ország közelgő újjáépítése jelentős kockázatot jelent a munkavállalók, különösen a törmelékeket kezelők számára. Fontos tehát, hogy az uniós munkáltatók a harmadik országokban végzett újjáépítési tevékenységek során megfelelő módon figyelembe vegyék a munkavállalókat érintő azbesztexpozíciós kockázatokat.
Debate: Protection of workers from asbestos
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Stefania Zambelli
Political group: NI
Country: Spain
Language: IT

Tutto deve essere fatto nell'ottica di protezione dei lavoratori, senza tuttavia imporre oneri troppo gravosi alle aziende interessate. Nel contesto dell'ondata di ristrutturazioni che ci apprestiamo a vivere, proteggere i lavoratori dall'esposizione all'amianto è un impegno non più rimandabile.
Debate: Economic coercion by third countries
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Pina Picierno
Country: Spain
Language: IT

L’ordine del giorno reca la relazione di Bernd Lange, a nome della commissione per il commercio internazionale, sulla proposta di regolamento del Parlamento europeo e del Consiglio sulla protezione dell'Unione e dei suoi Stati membri dalla coercizione economica da parte di paesi terzi (
Debate: Economic coercion by third countries
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Bernd Lange
Country: Portugal
Language: DE

Es ist völlig klar: Der Washington Consensus von 1994  Eine wichtige Maßnahme ist in der Tat, sich wehren zu können, wenn es wirtschaftliche oder Investitionsmaßnahmen gegen die Europäische Union gibt, um politische Veränderungen durchzusetzen, sei es die Entschließung im Europäischen Parlament, sei es aber auch Gesetzgebung in den Mitgliedstaaten. Die Kommission hat dann in der Tat das „Anti-Coercion Instrument“, das Instrument gegen Zwangsmaßnahmen, auf den Tisch gelegt. Ich danke allen Kolleginnen und Kollegen für ihre Arbeit in den letzten Monaten, diese Gesetzgebung auch noch weiter zu verbessern. Denn in dem Vorschlag der Kommission waren sehr viele schwammige und unklare Begrifflichkeiten enthalten. Und es gab auch keinen klaren zeitlichen Ablauf. Ich glaube, wenn klar ist: Dieses Instrument ist ein Instrument, um schnell zu reagieren – gegen Zwangsmaßnahmen, Druck von anderen Staaten –, dann muss man auch schnell reagieren. Wir haben einen klaren Zeitplan eingeführt. Wir haben auch klare Definitionen eingeführt, was eine ökonomische Zwangsmaßnahme ist und wie darauf zu reagieren ist. Ich finde auch richtig und gut, dass wir den Korb mit möglichen Gegenmaßnahmen ganz groß gestaltet haben. Da sind natürlich Zölle enthalten; da sind aber auch Möglichkeiten, den Patentschutz auszusetzen, enthalten; da sind Möglichkeiten, Produkte vom Markt fernzuhalten, enthalten und noch vieles andere mehr. Das ist richtig, denn es soll natürlich kein Staat kalkulieren können, welche Maßnahmen er als Gegenmaßnahmen zu erwarten hat, um dann mit einer Excel-Tabelle zu überlegen: Lohnt sich das oder lohnt sich das nicht? Das soll es nicht sein! Deswegen ist es richtig, diesen großen Korb mit Gegenmaßnahmen zu haben, weil wir sehen: Manchmal sagen unsere amerikanischen Freunde: „Wenn ihr das und das macht, wenn ihr eine Digitalsteuer einführt, dann gibt es Zölle.“ Also dort gibt es Druck. Oder: China hat, weil Litauen die Botschaft von Taipeh upgegradet hat, das Handeln mit Gütern aus Litauen eingestellt, also auch hier einen wirtschaftlichen Druck ausgeübt. Allen diesen Maßnahmen müssen wir begegnen können, und deswegen bin ich froh, dass wir heute dieses Gesetzgebungsverfahren beenden können.
Debate: Economic coercion by third countries
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Valdis Dombrovskis
Language: EN

The adoption of the anti-corruption instrument is an important step forward for the European Union. It is a necessary tool, which will help to protect the interests of the EU and its Member States from economic coercion. And as such, it is an important instrument of the EU economic security strategy.  The new instrument gives us the means to stand up for EU jobs and industry in situations of coercion. In a wider sense, it represents a cornerstone of the EU contribution to addressing the issue of economic coercion at the global level. The instrument is firmly grounded in the Union’s and international rules-based system and respects the rule of law.  From the side of the Commission, I confirm that we are mindful and respectful to all commitments and legal obligations discussed and agreed. This includes information for Parliament, due process and reporting, the single contact point, the review obligations and coherence with other instruments and acts.  I would mention also the two statements agreed to be published with the regulation. First, the joint statement of Parliament, the Council and the Commission concerning the approach whereby this instrument does not represent a precedent as regards decision-making. Second, the Commission statement on the use of the examination procedure for Union response measures. I can confirm the Commission’s commitment in this respect.  I am convinced that policymakers and stakeholders will benefit from the availability of this instrument. It is important to recall that it is first and foremost a deterrent. In case of coercion against the EU and its Member States, we will look at applying countermeasures when dialogue and international cooperation do not result in removal of coercion.  Finally, let me mention international cooperation. We have always said, and it is understood and accepted by both co-legislators, that this instrument will serve as a platform for international cooperation with others. It is an unfortunate fact that economic coercion exists and is of broader concern.  I cannot emphasise how important it is that the EU leads on this to shape the international debate in line with our key interests of correct problem description, effectiveness and international legality. This is why we have been active in the G7, in the Trade and Technology Council with the US, as well as other forums in promoting to the need to be able to respond to economic coercion.  Therefore, on behalf of the Commission, I urge you to support this instrument when you vote tomorrow and I look forward to hearing your views.
Debate: Economic coercion by third countries
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Markéta Gregorová
Country: France
Language: EN

It has also been a direct response to Chinese threats and coercion to Lithuania, a Member State, when they dared to call their Taiwanese embassy Taiwanese. Yet, when the negotiations reached the trilogues, the Council, representing the Member States, made it clear that they do not want the instrument at all. So what we are today celebrating is a watered-down, gutted piece of legislation which was done by the Member States that wanted to protect the Member States from very real and very present coercion. It is new legislation and thus it is a success because it presents some sort of new deterrence, deadlines for response and retaliatory countermeasures. And I appreciate it, truly. However, what I do not appreciate is the message that one of the three EU institutions is sending towards its citizens and as well as third countries that they might prefer business as usual rather than protection of their values if they deem it more beneficial. I just warn you, dear Member States, after your values come your institutions and, after that, your source of power. Try to think ahead and protect it before it is too late.
Debate: Economic coercion by third countries
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Svenja Hahn
Country: Finland
Language: DE

Wir brauchen aber auch eine starke Defensive. Wir müssen uns als EU wehren können, wenn autoritäre Länder Druck auf uns ausüben – Druck auf unsere Unternehmen, auf einzelne Länder oder auf die gesamte EU ausüben. Wenn Länder sich nicht mehr an die Regeln halten, wenn Handel nicht mehr ein Instrument von Zusammenarbeit ist, dann müssen wir als EU unsere wirtschaftlichen Interessen verteidigen – selbstbewusst und unmissverständlich. Deswegen werde ich auch dem Instrument gegen Zwangsmaßnahmen zustimmen. Denn als Liberale werde ich immer dafür kämpfen, dass die Stärke des Rechts gewinnt und nicht das Recht des Stärkeren. Denn der Zusammenarbeit von Autokratien und ihren gezielten Angriffen gegen uns Demokratien müssen wir entschlossen entgegenstehen. Die Grundlage einer Allianz der Demokratien ist für mich die Geschlossenheit der Europäischen Union. Und es ist auch unsere gemeinsame Entschlossenheit, mit der wir Demokratie, Freiheit und den regelbasierten Freihandel verteidigen.
Debate: Economic coercion by third countries
Date: MONDAY, 2 OCTOBER 2023
Speaker: Anna-Michelle Asimakopoulou
Political group: PPE
Country: Greece
Language: EN

An increasing number of countries, including leading economic powers, are more inclined to weaponise trade to serve their political goals. China cut trading ties with Lithuania in response to its relations with Taiwan. President Erdoğan called for sweeping boycotts of French goods. We are now facing a rise in politically motivated export bans of key critical raw materials. The ACI will act both as a deterrent against such trends and a means to fight back when and where necessary.  I’ve advocated that the ACI should be predictable and proportionate, yet at the same time visibly potent. I think we’ve struck the right balance. But overall, truly, ACI gives us little to celebrate. In fact, in an ideal world we wouldn’t need an anti-coercion instrument at all. But when our economic interests are threatened and our political choices are coerced, we need a tool to respond. Defence, however, is only one side of the coin. The other is offence. So our best option offensively is to conclude free trade agreements with partners around the world. After all, like they say, the best defence sometimes is offence.