Social Platform proposals for amendments to the
European Commission proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the EMPLOYMENT
POLICIES of the Member States and of the Union
18 March 2015
Proposal for amendment
(1)
Guideline 5 – Paragraph 1
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should facilitate job creation, reduce
barriers for business to hire people, promote
entrepreneurship and in particular support the creation
and growth of small entreprises in order to increase
the employment rate of women and men. Member
States should also actively promote the social
economy and foster social innovation.
Member States should facilitate quality job creation,
reduce barriers for business to hire people across skill
levels and labour market sectors, promote
entrepreneurship and in particular support the creation
and growth of small entreprises in order to increase the
employment rate of women and men, including by
facilitating the hiring of non-EU national workers
to meet the labour market needs. Member States
should also actively promote white and green sector
jobs, the social economy and foster social innovation.
Justification for this proposal:
For job creation to be sustainable and have a long-term positive impact on growth and people’s working lives, it is
important that the jobs created are of high quality. This also links with the notion of quality employment referred
to in Guideline 7.
The presence of migrant workers demonstrates that labour market demand exists for example in the restaurant,
hospitality, agriculture, construction, retail, and domestic work sectors. Nonetheless, migration policies continue
to offer few possibilities for third country workers to receive work and residence permits to work regularly in these
sectors. This leads to widespread unofficial work arrangements, undeclared activity and informal recruitment. An
adequate labour migration policy will support the EU goals regarding growth as well as reduction and prevention
of undeclared work and irregular migration.
White and green jobs have an important job creation potential and support growth. The Commission already
indicated that white jobs employ approximately 20 million people across Europe and demand for them is set to at
least double by 2050, in light of population demographics and new technologies. Similarly, the Commission
showed that employment in the green sector increased by 20% in the recession years and, given the emphasis
upon the greening of Europe’s economy, stands to grow even further.
Proposal for amendment
(2)
Guideline 5 – Paragraph 2
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
The tax burden should be shifted away from labour to
other sources of taxation that are less detrimental to
employment and growth while protecting revenue for
adequate social protection and growth enhancing
expenditures. Reductions in labour taxation should be
aimed at the relevant components of the tax burden
and at removing barriers and disincentives to labour
market participation, in particular for those furthest
away from the labour market.
The tax burden should be shifted away from labour to
other sources of taxation that are less detrimental to
employment and growth while protecting revenue for
adequate social protection and growth enhancing
expenditures. Reductions in labour taxation should be
aimed at the relevant components of the tax burden and
at
removing
employer
related
barriers
and
disincentives to labour market participation, including
work places that are not adapted for persons with
disabilities or difficulties in balancing work and
private life, in particular for those furthest away from
the labour market. At the same time full compliance
with employment rights and protection standards
needs to be ensured.
Justification for this proposal:
To achieve the maximum effect of boosting demand for labour, it is important that workplaces are adapted for all
people that can work to be fully included in the labour market. This also links with the notion of quality
employment referred to in Guideline 7.
In recent years, excessive market liberalisation and increased flexibilisation of the labour market have led to
lowering protection standards for workers and employees. Therefore, it should be avoided that measures aiming
at removing barriers and disincentives to labour market participation have a negative impact on the quality of
employment and workers’ rights.
Proposal for amendment
(3)
Guideline 5 – Paragraph 3
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should, together with the social
partners,
encourage
wage-setting
mechanisms
allowing for a responsiveness of wages to productivity
developments. In this respect, differences in skills and
local labour market conditions as well as divergences
in economic performance across regions, sectors and
companies should be taken into account. When setting
minimum wages, Member States and social partners
should consider their impact on in-work poverty, job
creation and competitiveness.
Member States should, together with the social partners,
encourage wage-setting mechanisms allowing for a
responsiveness of wages to productivity developments
and
their
impact
on
job
creation
and
competitiveness, while ensuring adequate income
for workers and employees to live decent lives. In
this respect, differences in skills and local labour market
conditions as well as divergences in economic
performance across regions, sectors and companies or
other economic operators should be taken into
account. When setting minimum wages, Member States
and social partners should ensure their adequacy and
consider their impact on in-work poverty and income
inequalities, job creation and competitiveness.
Justification for this proposal:
It is important to ensure at all times the adequacy of wages in general and minimum wages in particular to
guarantee decent living standards to workers and employees.
“Economic operators” include not only companies but also public and third sector employers as well as social
economy enterprises.
The reference to the impact on job creation and competitiveness is more relevant for wages in general than for
minimum wages in particular.
Next to reducing in-work poverty, adequate minimum wages also have proven to reduce income inequalities
through their re-distributional effect.
Proposal for amendment
(4)
Guideline 6 - Title
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Guideline 6: Enhancing labour supply and skills
Guideline 6: Enhancing labour supply and skills
Justification for this proposal:
Social Platform suggests restructuring Guideline 6 to focus more on labour supply in general and to reintroduce a
specific guideline on education, training and skills (see further explanation under new Guideline 7 b).
Proposal for amendment
(5)
Guideline 6 – Paragraph 1
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should promote productivity and
employability through an appropriate supply of
relevant knowledge and skills. Member States should
make the necessary investments in education and
vocational training systems while improving their
effectiveness and efficiency to raise the skill level of
the workforce, allowing it to better anticipate and
meet the rapidly changing needs of dynamic labour
markets in an increasingly digital economy. Member
States should step up efforts to improve access to
quality adult learning for all and implement active
ageing strategies to enable longer working lives.
Member States should promote productivity and
employability through an appropriate supply of relevant
knowledge and skills. Special attention should be
given to the health, care and social services sectors,
which face shortages of staff. Member States should
make the necessary investments in education and
vocational training systems while improving their
effectiveness and efficiency to raise the skill level of
the workforce, allowing it to better anticipate and
meet the rapidly changing needs of dynamic labour
markets in an increasingly digital economy. Member
States should step up efforts to improve access to
quality adult learning for all and implement active
ageing strategies to enable longer working lives.
Justification for this proposal:
In line with the proposal for reintroducing a specific Guideline on education, training and skills, Social Platform
suggests to move the second sentence and first part of the third sentence of this paragraph to the new
Guideline 7 b (see further explanation under new Guideline 7 b).
Changing “an appropriate supply of relevant knowledge and skills” to “a system which allows to acquire relevant
cognitive and non-cognitive” makes this guidance more concrete.
Demand for health and long-term care professionals is set to increase in coming years but, in the current system, is
not being properly filled. An increased effort to recruit and retain in these sectors would go some way to addressing
the high levels of unemployment currently seen in the EU.
Proposal for amendment
(6)
Guideline 6 – Paragraph 2
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
High unemployment should be tackled and long-term
unemployment prevented. The number of long-term
unemployed should be significantly reduced by means
of comprehensive and mutually reinforcing strategies,
including the provision of specific active support to
long-term unemployed to return to the labour market.
The youth unemployment needs to be comprehesively
addressed, including by equipping the relevant
institutions with the necessary means to fully and
consistently implement their national Youth Guarantee
Implementation Plans.
High unemployment should be tackled and long-term
unemployment prevented. The number of long-term
unemployed should be significantly reduced by means of
comprehensive and mutually reinforcing strategies,
including the provision of specific personalised active
support to long-term unemployed to return to the labour
market. The youth unemployment needs to be
comprehesively addressed including through an
overall youth employment strategy. This includes
investing in sectors that can create quality jobs for
young poeple and by equipping the relevant
institutions, such as public emplyment services,
education and training providers and youth
organisations with the necessary means to fully and
consistently implement their national Youth Guarantee
Implementation Plans.
Justification for this proposal:
Using “personalised” instead of “specific” is more in line with the 2008 Active Inclusion Strategy.
The Youth Guarantee alone will not solve youth unemployment. Alongside this, there is a need for the creation of
quality jobs that young people can take up.
Proposal for amendment
(7)
Guideline 6 – Paragraph 3
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Structural weaknesses in education and training
systems should be addressed to ensure quality
learning outcomes and prevent and tackle early school
leaving. Member States should increase educational
attainment and consider dual learning systems and
upgrading professional training while at the same time
increase opportunities for recognising skills acquired
outside the formal education system.
Structural weaknesses in education and training
systems should be addressed to ensure quality
learning outcomes and prevent and tackle early
school leaving. Member States should increase
educational attainment and consider dual learning
systems and upgrading professional training while
at the same time increase opportunities for
recognising skills acquired outside the formal
education system.
Justification for this proposal:
In line with the proposal for reintroducing a specific Guideline on education, training and skills, Social Platform
suggests to move this part to the new Guideline 7 b (see further explanation under new Guideline 7 b).
Proposal for amendment
(8)
Guideline 6 – Paragraph 4
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Barriers to labour market participation should be
reduced, especially for women, older workers, young
people, the disabled and legal migrants. Gender
equality including equal pay must be ensured in the
labour market as well as access to affordable quality
early childhood education and care.
Barriers to labour market participation should be reduced,
especially for women, older workers, young people, the
disabled persons with a disability, and legal migrants
and other people that face discrimination or
exclusion. Gender equality including equal pay must be
ensured in the labour market as well as access to
affordable quality early childhood education and care.
Justification for this proposal:
The wording “persons with a disability” is better in line with the terminology used by the Commission, the UN
Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and the social sector.
The specific emphasis on “legal” is unnecessary as labour market participation actions would anyway only target
regularly residing migrants so it is unnecessarily reinforcing the “legal” versus “illegal” mind set.
If maximum labour market participation is to be guaranteed, barriers should be reduced for all people facing
discrimination or exclusion. Therefore, even when mentioning particular people or groups, it is better not to have
an exhaustive list.
Proposal for amendment
(9)
Guideline 6 – Paragraph 5
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should make a full use of European
Social Fund and other Union funds support in order to
improve employment, social inclusion, education and
public administration.
Member States should make a full use of European Social
Fund and other Union funds support in order to improve
quality employment, social inclusion, education and
public administration.
Justification for this proposal:
As this guideline concerns employment and others address education and social inclusion, Social Platform suggests
including a tailored reference to the use of the ESF in each one. This suggestion has to be read together with
proposals for amendment 18 and 25.
For employment to be sustainable and have a long-term positive impact on growth and people’s working lives, it is
important that it is of high quality. This also links with the notion of quality employment referred to in Guideline 7.
Proposal for amendment
(10)
Guideline 7 – Paragraph 1
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should reduce labour market
segmentation. Employment protection rules and
institutions should provide a suitable environment for
recruitment while offering adequate levels of
protection to those in employment and those seeking
employment or employed on temporary contracts or
independent work contracts. Quality employment
should be ensured in terms of socio-economic security,
education
and
training
opportunities,
working
conditions (including health and safety) and work-life
balance.
Member
States
should
reduce
labour
market
segmentation.
Employment
protection
rules
and
institutions should provide a suitable environment for
recruitment while offering adequate levels of protection
including in terms of social protection, to those in
employment and those seeking employment or employed
on temporary, part-time or a-typical contracts or
independent work contracts. Quality employment should
be ensured in terms of socio-economic security, education
and training opportunities, working conditions (including
health and safety), adequate wages and work-life
balance.
Justification for this proposal:
Next to people employed on temporary or independent work contracts, part-time and a-typical contract also too
often go hand in hand with lower employment protection, social security coverage and wages.
Proposal for amendment
(11)
Guideline 7 – Paragraph 2
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should closely involve National
Parliaments and social partners in the design and
implementation of relevant reforms and policies, in
line with national practices, while supporting the
improvement of the functioning and effectiveness of
social dialogue at national level.
Member States should closely involve National Parliaments
and, social partners and civil society organisations
when relevant, in the design and implementation of
relevant reforms and policies, in line with national practices,
while supporting the improvement of the functioning and
effectiveness of social dialogue at national level.
Justification for this proposal:
Social NGOs have for example relevant expertise on quality employment, work-life balance, in-work poverty,
inclusion of those furthest away from the labour market. At the EPSCO Council of March, ministers asked the
Commission and member states to better involve also civil society in discussions on how to improve job quality and
ensure sustainable labour market inclusion.
Proposal for amendment
(12)
Guideline 7 – Paragraph 3
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should strengthen active labour
market policies by increasing their targeting, outreach,
coverage and interplay with passive measures. These
policies should aim at improving labour market
matching and support sustainable transitions on the
labour market, with public employment services
delivering individualised support and implementing
performance measurement systems. Member States
should also ensure that their social protection systems
effectively activate and enable those who can
Member States should strengthen active labour market
policies by increasing their targeting, outreach, coverage
and interplay with passive measures. These policies
should aim at improving labour market access and
matching, and support sustainable transitions on the
labour market, with public employment services delivering
individualised support and implementing performance
measurement systems. Member States should also ensure
that their social protection systems effectively activate
and enable those who can participate in the labour
participate in the labour market, protect those
(temporarily) excluded from the labour markets
and/or unable to participate in it, and prepare
individuals for potential risks, by investing in human
capital Member States should promote inclusive labour
markets open to all and also put in place effective
anti-discrimination measures.
market, protect those (temporarily) excluded from the
labour markets and/or unable to participate in it, and
prepare individuals for potential risks, by investing in
human capital Member States should promote inclusive
labour markets open to all and also put in place effective
anti-discrimination measures.
Justification for this proposal:
While adequate social protection supports people that are not in employment and therefore increases the
effectiveness of active labour market policies, such systems should not have an activating role in themselves in the
sense of putting people on the labour market.
Proposal for amendment
(13)
Guideline 7 – Paragraph 4
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Mobility of workers should be ensured with an aim of
exploiting the full potential of the European labour
market, including by enhancing the portability of
pensions and the recognition of qualifications. Member
States should at the same time guard against abuses
of the existing rules.
Mobility of workers should be ensured promoted with an
aim of exploiting the full potential of the European labour
market, including by enhancing the portability of pensions
and social security in general, and the recognition of
qualifications. Member States should at the same
time guard against abuses of the existing rules.
Justification for this proposal:
Mobility of workers should not be “ensured” as it always has to be a choice for people to use this right.
To support mobility, the portability of different social security benefits should be enhanced for example by
extending the right to receive your unemployment benefits in another EU member state for a longer period to cover
an extended job search.
The last sentence should be deleted as it is not explaining the kind of abuses it is referring to and can therefore be
considered as mere fear mongering.
Proposal for amendment
(14)
Guideline 7 b – Title (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Improving the quality and performance of education
and training systems at all levels
Justification for this proposal:
Social Platform suggests reintroducing a specific guideline on education, training and skills incorporates the
relevant paragraphs of Guideline 6, but also highlights the importance of education and training beyond
employment for personal development and participation in society as a whole. This also better reflects the spirit of
Europe 2020 that includes education targets distinct from the employment target. The outcome of the public
consultation on the Strategy published together with the proposal for new Employment Guidelines also clearly
showed how all targets are equally important, interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
Investment in education is mentioned as a priority in the Investment Plan for Europe. It is clear that the highest
return on investment in human capital is made by investing early in life.
Proposal for amendment
(15)
Guideline 7 b – Paragraph 1 (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission (Originally Guideline
6, para 1, 2nd & 3rd sentence)
Member
States
should
make
the
necessary
investments in education and vocational training
systems while improving their effectiveness and
efficiency to raise the skill level of the workforce,
allowing it to better anticipate and meet the rapidly
changing needs of dynamic labour markets in an
increasingly digital economy. Member States should
step up efforts to improve access to quality adult
learning for all and implement active ageing strategies
to enable longer working lives.
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should make the necessary investments in
quality and inclusive education from an early age and
vocational training systems while improving their
effectiveness and efficiency to raise the skill level of the
workforce and increase the diversity of skills, allowing
it to better anticipate and meet the rapidly changing
needs of dynamic labour markets in an increasingly digital
economy and of society at large. Member States
should promote a system which allows to acquire
relevant
cognitive
and
non-cognitive
skills
throughout the life-cycle. Member States should step
up efforts to improve access to quality adult learning for
all and implement active ageing strategies to enable
longer working lives.
Justification for this proposal:
Overall, quality and inclusive (i.e. also affordable and accessible) education systems – from an early age – not only
contributes to cognitive knowledge but also to the development of life skills and future resilience on the labour
market, hence saving costs on the long term.
The part on active ageing should be kept in Guideline 6.
Proposal for amendment
(16)
Guideline 7 b – Paragraph 2 (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission (Originally Guideline
6 para 3)
Structural weaknesses in education and training
systems should be addressed to ensure quality
learning outcomes and prevent and tackle early school
leaving. Member States should increase educational
attainment and consider dual learning systems and
upgrading professional training while at the same time
increase opportunities for recognising skills acquired
outside the formal education system.
Text proposed by Social Platform
Structural weaknesses in education and training systems
should be addressed to ensure quality learning outcomes
and prevent and tackle early school leaving. Member
States should increase educational attainment and
consider, set up and improve dual learning systems
where
appropriate,
and
upgrading
upgrade
professional training while at the same time increase
opportunities. At the same time Member States
should create a qualification framework for
recognising and validating skills acquired outside the
formal education system, especially those acquired
through non-formal and informal learning.
Justification for this proposal:
Dual learning systems need to ensure quality experiences – and at the same time cannot be promoted as general
one-size-fits all solution, but must adapt to specific conditions of different member states.
Recognition and validation of skills, competences and knowledge acquired through informal and non-formal learning
by employment services and employers, will help addressing apparent shortages in skills and competences in the
labour market more effectively.
Proposal for amendment
(17)
Guideline 7 b – Paragraph 3 (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Access to affordable quality early childhood
education and care should be a priority for
comprehensive policies and investment coupled
with
family
and
parenting
support
and
reconciliation measures helping parents balance
work and family life, as a contribution to preventing
early school-leaving and increasing young people’s
chances on the labour market.
Justification for this proposal:
The life-cycle approach is of essence: Investing in quality and inclusive early childhood education and care (ECEC)
will contribute to preventing and reducing early school-leaving. Investing in preventing and reducing early schoolleaving will increase young people’s chances on the labour market.
Proposal for amendment
(18)
Guideline 7 b – Paragraph 4 (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should make a full use of European
Social Fund and other Union funds support in order
to
improve
quality
education
and
public
administration.
Justification for this proposal:
Social Platform suggests including a tailored reference to the use of the ESF in each relevant guideline. This
suggestion has to be read together with proposals for amendment 9 and 25.
Proposal for amendment
(19)
Guideline 8 - Title
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Guideline 8: Ensuring fairness, combatting
poverty and promoting equal opportunities
Guideline 8: Ensuring fairness social justice,
combatting poverty and social exclusion, and
promoting equality and equal opportunities
Justification for this proposal:
“Fairness” implies a certain amount of subjectivity and can still keep unequal societies in existence. To help tackling
inequalities it is therefore better to use “social justice” which is justice in terms of for example the distribution of
wealth and opportunities.
The reference to social exclusion brings this paragraph better in line with the wording of the Europe 2020 Strategy.
The notion of equality includes the need to actively fight non-discrimination which is a precondition for people to
benefit from equal opportunities.
Proposal for amendment
(20)
Guideline 8 – Paragraph 1
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should modernise their social
protection systems to provide effective, efficient, and
adequate protection throughout all stages of an
individual’s life, ensuring fairness and addressing
inequalities. There is a need for simplified and better
targeted social policies complemented by affordable
quality childcare and education, training and job
assistance, housing support and accessible health
care, access to basis services such as bank account
and Internet and for action to prevent early school
leaving and fight social exclusion.
Member States should modernise improve their social
protection systems to provide effective, efficient, and
adequate protection throughout all stages of an
individual’s life, ensuring fairness social inclusion and
addressing inequalities. There is a need for simplified,
and better targeted tailored and more ambitious
social policies complemented by including policies
with regards to affordable, adequate, universally
accessible and quality childcare and education, training
and job assistance, housing support and accessible
health care, access to basis other services such as bank
account and Internet and for action to prevent early
school leaving and fight poverty and social exclusion,
including
extreme
forms
of
poverty
like
homelessness.
Justification for this proposal:
Modernising does not necessarily imply systems are improved. Structural reforms are essential for positive social
change and could link very well with the need for changes in welfare systems. However, in the past such
“modernisations” in the social field have primarily been used as tools of fiscal consolidation, budget control and
enhanced competition. We are therefore concerned that “modernising social protection systems” could lead to blind
cuts instead of urgently needed investment in social protection systems.
Targeted social policies too often lead to creaming and to too many people being excluded. It is therefore better to
use the word “tailored” implying social policies have to be fit for their purpose.
The results of the public consultation on the Europe 2020 Strategy published together with the proposals for new
Integrated Guidelines clearly showed the need for more ambition of member states to achieve the targets of the
Strategy.
By using “complemented” is seems that the services mentioned fall out of the scope of social policies.
It is important for all types of services that they are affordable, adequate, accessible and of high quality.
As mentioned previously in amendment xx “Fairness” implies a certain amount of subjectivity while social
protection should support every person’s inalienable right to live a life in dignity and fully participate in society.
“Basis” seems to imply that the services only need to provide the bare minimum to survive.
Europe 2020 targets the reduction of both poverty and social exclusion. Special attention should be paid to
homelessness, as it was the case in the 2010 Guidelines. Ever since, the problem of homelessness has only
increased.
Proposal for amendment
(21)
Guideline 8 – Paragraph 2
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
For that purpose a variety of instruments should be
used in a complementary manner, including labour
activation enabling services and income suppoirt,
targeted at individual needs. Social protection systems
should be designed in a way that facilitate take up of
all persons entitled, support investment in human
capital, and help prevent, reduce and protect against
poverty.
For that purpose a variety of instruments should be used
in a complementary manner, including labour activation
enabling services and income suppoirt active
inclusion measures combining adequate minimum
income, inclusive labour markets and high-quality
services, targeted tailored at individual needs. Social
protection systems should be designed in a way that
facilitate take up of all persons entitled, support
investment in human capital, and help prevent, reduce
and protect against poverty and social exclusion.
Justification for this proposal:
As this paragraph concerns active inclusion, it is clearer to refer to the three strands of the 2008 Strategy. This is
also in line with the outcome of the EPSCO Council of 9 March 2015 at which employment and social ministers
reiterated the importance of active inclusion.
Targeted social policies too often lead to creaming and to too many people being excluded. It is therefore better to
use the word “tailored” implying social policies have to be fit for their purpose.
It is important to prevent, reduce and protect against social exclusion even before people become victim of
poverty. This is also better in line with the Europe 2020 wording.
Proposal for amendment
(22)
Guideline 8 – Paragraph 2 b (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should put in place comprehensive
strategies to fight all forms of discrimination and to
provide equal opportunities for all to participate in
society.
Justification for this proposal:
It is important not only to fight discrimination within the labour market (Guideline 7) but to fight discrimination in
general – as in the 2010 guidelines - to ensure people live a life in dignity and have the opportunities to fully
participate in society. This is also in line with recital 2 of the proposal.
Proposal for amendment
(23)
Guideline 8 – Paragraph 5
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should improve the accessibility,
efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare and long
term care systems, while safeguarding fiscal
sustainability.
Member States should improve the quality, accessibility,
affordability, efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare
and long term care systems and of social services,
while safeguarding fiscal sustainability.
Justification for this proposal:
Improving quality, accessibility, affordability, efficiency and effectiveness is important for the whole white sector as
part of a comprehensive approach for achieving social inclusion, fighting poverty and establishing equal
opportunities.
Proposal for amendment
(24)
Guideline 8 – Paragraph 6 (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States should make a full use of European
Social Fund and other Union funds support in order
to fight poverty, social exclusion and discrimination,
improve accessibility for persons with disabilities to
promote equality between women and man and
improve public administration.
Justification for this proposal:
Social Platform suggests including a tailored reference to the use of the ESF in each relevant guideline and should
here also refer to art. 7-8 of the ESF. This proposal has to be read together with proposals for amendment 9 and 18.
Proposal for amendment
(25)
Guideline 8 – Paragraph 7 (NEW)
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
Member States
should
involve
stakeholders,
including
social
partners
and
civil
society
organisations in the design, implementation and
evaluation of policies at all stages of the process, to
ensure their effectiveness as well as their
legitimacy. Such involvement has to go beyond a
mere consultation.
Justification for this proposal:
This paragraphs reflects the importance of stakeholder involvement outside of the labour market (in line with recital
9 and Guideline 7, para 2). Civil society organisations are ready to play their role in their areas of expertise, in
developing policies and in the implementation of the economic and social priorities of the EU. In line with the
principle of participatory democracy, enshrined in article 11 TFEU, civil dialogue will support democratic governance
as well as ownership of policies, and will reinforce the legitimacy, accountability and adequacy of measures
proposed. Meaningful and structured involvement will enable policy makers to tap into the existing, on the ground
knowledge of social NGOs and will give a voice to those who are directly impacted by fiscal, economic and social
policy reforms. More ownership of the processes will also trigger more input from NGOs.
Proposal for amendment
(26)
Recital
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
(8) Action in line with the guidelines is an important
contribution to reaching the goals of the Europe 2020
strategy. The guidelines constitute an integrated set of
European and national policies, which Member States
and the Union should implement in order to achieve
the positive spill-over effects of coordinated structural
reforms, an appropriate overall economic policy mix
and a more consistent contribution from European
policies to the Europe 2020 strategy’s objectives.
(8) Action in line with the guidelines is an important
contribution to reaching the goals of the Europe 2020
strategy. The outcome of the 2014 public
consultation on the Europe 2020 Strategy as well
discussions in the different Council formations
clearly showed how the employment, poverty and
social exclusion and education targets of the
strategy are still highly relevant, and are equally
important, interdependent and mutually reinforcing.
The guidelines constitute an integrated set of European
and national policies, which Member States and the Union
should implement in order to achieve the positive spillover effects of coordinated structural reforms, an
appropriate overall economic policy mix and a more
consistent contribution from European policies to the
Europe 2020 strategy’s objectives.
Justification for this proposal:
Stakeholders and member states in different Council formations contributed extensively to the mid-term evaluation
of the Europe 2020 Strategy and this should be reflected in the guidelines.
Proposal for amendment
(27)
Recital 9
Text proposed by Commission
Text proposed by Social Platform
(9) While these guidelines are addressed to Member
States and the Union, they should be implemented in
partnership with all national, regional and local
authorities, closely associating parliaments, as well as
social partners and representatives of civil society.
(9) When designing and implementing national
policies, Member States should ensure effective
governance. While they the Europe 2020 strategy
and these guidelines are addressed to Member States
and the Union, they should be implemented, monitored
and evaluated in partnership with all national, regional
and local authorities, closely associating parliaments, as
well as social partners and representatives of civil society.
Justification for this proposal:
The proposal of the Commission for the recital on stakeholder involvement implies a reduction of such involvement.
However, the importance of meaningful and structured involvement of stakeholders in policy making has only
grown. This is also clearly shown by the outcome of the public consultation on the Europe 2020 Strategy, published
together with the proposal for new Employment Guidelines and through the references to stakeholder involvement
in the 2015 Annual Growth Survey (see also our proposal for Guideline 8 para 7 (NEW)).
We therefore stress the necessity of redrafting this recital more in line with the relevant recital of the
2010 Guidelines.
Social Platform is the largest civil society alliance fighting for social justice and participatory democracy in Europe.
Consisting of 48 pan-European networks of NGOs, we campaign to ensure that EU policies are developed in
partnership with the people they affect, respecting fundamental rights, promoting solidarity and improving lives.
Contact person:
Herlinde Vanhooydonck
Policy and Advocacy Officer
Social Inclusion and Employment
T: +32 2 508 1635 · E: [email protected]
A: Square de Meeûs 18, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium · W: www.socialplatform.org