Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

Amendments tabled for the plenary sitting on this text, in their own numbering series. This is a different set from the committee amendments tracked elsewhere on AmendEU, and is not counted in any of the site’s amendment totals.

1. Amendment 1Proposal for a decision · Recital -1 (new)
   Amendment

   (-1) The European Parliament welcomes the Commission’s proposal for updated employment guidelines for the Member States, in particular its strong focus on education and training;, new technologies, artificial intelligence and algorithmic management; and recent policy initiatives such as platform work, affordable housing and tackling labour and skills shortages. The European Parliament, with a view to strengthening democratic decision-making, reiterates its call to be involved in setting the integrated guidelines at Union level on an equal footing with the Council, in line with its legislative resolutions of 8 July 2015, 19 April 2018, 10 July 2020 and 18 October 2022 on the relevant proposal…

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2. Amendment 2Proposal for a decision · Recital 1
   Current text

   (1) Member States and the Union are to work towards developing a coordinated strategy for employment and in particular for the promotion of a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce, as well as labour markets that are future-oriented and responsive to economic change, with a view to achieving the objectives of full employment and social progress, balanced growth, a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment laid down in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Member States are to regard promoting employment as a matter of common concern and are to coordinate their action in that respect within the Council, taking into account national practices relat…

   Amendment

   (1) Member States and the Union are to work towards developing a coordinated strategy for employment and in particular for the promotion of quality employment and improving working conditions, a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce, as well as labour markets that are inclusive, resilient, future-oriented and responsive to economic and demographic change, with a view to achieving the objectives of full employment and social progress, balanced growth, a high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment laid down in Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU). Member States are to regard promoting quality employment as a matter of common concern and are to coord…

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3. Amendment 3Proposal for a decision · Recital 4
   Current text

   (4) In order to enhance economic and social progress and upward convergence, support the green and digital transitions, strengthen the Union industrial base and achieve inclusive, competitive and resilient labour markets in the Union, Member States should address labour and skills shortages and promote quality and inclusive education and training, with a particular focus on improving basic skills, especially among disadvantaged students, and on STEM (science, technology, enginerring and mathematisc) in school and higher education, future-oriented vocational education and training, and lifelong upskilling and reskilling, as well as effective active labour market policies and improved working…

   Amendment

   (4) In order to enhance economic and social progress and upward convergence, support the green and digital transitions, strengthen the Union industrial base and achieve inclusive, competitive and resilient labour markets in the Union, while preventing any negative social consequences, Member States should promote fair wages and decent working conditions, foster democracy at work, social dialogue and collective bargaining, protect workers´ rights, address labour and skills shortages and promote quality and inclusive education and training, with a particular focus on improving basic and cross-cutting skills, especially among disadvantaged students, and on STEM (science, technology, engineering…

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4. Amendment 4Proposal for a decision · Recital 5
   Current text

   (5) The Guidelines are consistent with the new EU economic governance framework, which entered into force on 30 April 2024, existing Union legislation and various Union initiatives, including Council Recommendations of 14 June 2021 (5 ), 29 November 2021 (6 ), 5 April 2022 (7 ), 16 June 2022 (8 ), 28 November 2022 (9 ), 8 December 2022 (10 ), 30 January 2023 (11 ), 12 June 2023 (12 ) and 27 November 2023 (13 ), Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/402) (14 ), Council Resolution of 26 February 2021(15 ), Commission Communications on building an economy that works for people: an action plan for the social economy (16 ), on the Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 (17 ), on the Strategy for t…

   Amendment

   (5) The Guidelines contribute to the full implementation of the European Social Pillar, the EU headline targets for 2030 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and are consistent with the existing Union legislation and various Union initiatives, including Council Recommendations of 14 June 2021 (5), 29 November 2021 (6), 5 April 2022 (7), 16 June 2022 (8), 28 November 2022 (9), 8 December 2022 (10), 30 January 2023 (11), 12 June 2023 (12) and 27 November 2023 (13), Commission Recommendation (EU) 2021/402) (14), Council Resolution of 26 February 2021(15), Commission Communications on building an economy that works for people: an action plan for the social economy (16), o…

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5. Amendment 5Proposal for a decision · Recital 6
   Current text

   (6) The European Semester combines different instruments in an overarching framework for integrated multilateral coordination and surveillance of economic and employment policies within the Union. While pursuing environmental sustainability, productivity, fairness and macroeconomic stability, the European Semester integrates the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its monitoring tool, the Social Scoreboard, also allowing an analysis of risks and challenges to upward social convergence in the Union, and provides for strong engagement with social partners, civil society and other stakeholders. It also supports the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals. The economic a…

   Amendment

   (6) The European Semester combines different instruments in an overarching framework for integrated multilateral coordination and surveillance of economic, employment, social and environmental policies within the Union. As part of its integrated analysis of employment and social developments in the context of the European Semester, the Commission assesses socio-economic risks to upward social convergence in Member States and monitors progress on the implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights on the basis of the Social Scoreboard and of the principles of the Social Convergence Framework. While pursuing environmental sustainability, productivity, fairness and macr…

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6. Amendment 6Proposal for a decision · Recital 7 – paragraph 1
   Current text

   Climate change and other environment-related challenges, the need to ensure a fair green transition, energy independence, enhanced competitiveness of net-zero industries and the need to secure Europe’s open strategic autonomy, as well as the development of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the platform economy, an increase in teleworking and demographic change are deeply transforming Union economies and societies. The Union and its Member States are to work together to effectively and proactively address such structural developments and adapt existing systems as needed, recognising the close interdependence of the Member States’ economies and labour markets, and related policies. T…

   Amendment

   Climate change, the loss of biodiversity and other environment-related challenges, the need to ensure a fair green transition, energy independence, enhanced competitiveness of net-zero industries and the need to secure Europe’s open strategic autonomy, as well as the development of digitalisation, artificial intelligence and the platform economy, an increase in teleworking and demographic change are deeply transforming Union economies and societies. The Union and its Member States are to work together to effectively and proactively address such structural developments and adapt existing systems as needed, recognising the close interdependence of the Member States’ economies and labour market…

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7. Amendment 7Proposal for a decision · Recital 11
   Current text

   (11) Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Council, in its conclusions of 24 February 2022, condemned Russia’s actions, which seek to undermine European and global security and stability, and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, underlining Russia’s violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. In the current context, temporary protection, as granted by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 and extended by the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2409 (37 ), offers quick and effective assistance in Union countries to displaced people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and allows such displaced people to…

   Amendment

   (11) Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Council, in its conclusions of 24 February 2022, condemned Russia’s actions, which seek to undermine European and global security and stability, and expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, underlining Russia’s violation of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter. In the current context, temporary protection, as granted by Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 and extended by the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2409 (37), offers quick and effective assistance in Union countries to displaced people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and allows such displaced people to e…

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8. Amendment 8Proposal for a decision · Recital 12 – paragraph 1
   Current text

   Reforms to the labour market, including national wage-setting mechanisms, should respect national practices of social dialogue and the autonomy of the social partners, with a view to providing fair wages that enable a decent standard of living, sustainable growth and upward socio-economic convergence. Such reforms should allow for a broad consideration of socio-economic factors, including improvements in sustainability, competitiveness, innovation, the creation of quality jobs, working conditions, in-work poverty, education, training and skills, public health, social protection and inclusion, as well as real incomes. The importance of social dialogue in tackling challenges in the world of wo…

   Amendment

   Reforms to the labour market, including national wage-setting mechanisms, should respect and strengthen national practices of social dialogue, collective bargaining and the autonomy of the social partners, with a view to providing fair wages that enable a decent standard of living, sustainable growth and upward socio-economic and territorial convergence. Such reforms should allow for a broad consideration of socio-economic factors, including improvements in sustainability, competitiveness, innovation, the creation of quality jobs, decent working conditions, democracy at work, gender equality, in-work poverty, education, training and skills, public health, social protection and inclusion, as…

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9. Amendment 9Proposal for a decision · Recital 12 – paragraph 2
   Current text

   The Recovery and Resilience Facility and other Union funds are supporting Member States in implementing reforms and investments that are in line with the Union’s priorities, making Union economies and societies more sustainable and resilient and better prepared for the green and digital transitions in the changing context following the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further aggravated pre-existing socio-economic challenges, as higher energy prices particularly affected low-income households. Member States and the Union should continue to ensure that the social, employment and economic impacts are mitigated and that transitions are socially fair and just, al…

   Amendment

   The Recovery and Resilience Facility and other Union funds are supporting Member States in implementing reforms and investments that are in line with the Union’s priorities, making Union economies and societies more sustainable and resilient and better prepared for the green and digital transitions in the changing context following the COVID-19 pandemic. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has further aggravated pre-existing socio-economic challenges, as higher energy prices particularly affected low-income households. Member States and the Union should continue to ensure that the social, employment and economic impacts are mitigated and that transitions are socially fair and just, al…

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10. Amendment 10Proposal for a decision · Recital 12 – paragraph 3
    Current text

    A coherent set of active labour market policies, consisting of temporary and targeted hiring and transition incentives, skills policies including learning for the green transition and sustainable development and targeted, effective and adaptable employment services, is needed to support labour market transitions and make full use of untapped labour market potential, also in line with the active inclusion approach and in light of the green and digital transformationsas highlighted inter alia in the La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of the European Pillar of Social Rights (38 ). Adequate working conditions, including occupational health and safety, and both the physical and mental health of w…

    Amendment

    A coherent set of active labour market policies, consisting of temporary and targeted hiring and transition incentives, skills policies including learning for the green transition and sustainable development and targeted, effective and adaptable employment services, is needed to support labour market transitions and make full use of untapped labour market potential, also in line with the active inclusion approach and in light of the green and digital transformations as highlighted inter alia in the La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of the European Pillar of Social Rights (38). Adequate working conditions, including occupational health and safety, and both the physical and mental health of w…

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11. Amendment 11Proposal for a decision · Recital 13 – paragraph 1
    Current text

    Discrimination in all its forms should be tackled, gender equality ensured and employment of young people supported. Equal access and opportunities for all should be ensured and poverty and social exclusion, in particular that of children, persons with disabilities and the Roma people, should be reduced, in particular by ensuring an effective functioning of labour markets and adequate and inclusive social protection systems, as set out in the Council Recommendation of 8 November 2019 and the Council Recommendation of 30 January 2023 (39 ). In addition, barriers to inclusive and future-oriented education, training, lifelong learning and labour-market participation should be removed and Member…

    Amendment

    Discrimination in all its forms should be eliminated, gender equality ensured and employment of young people and people over 50 years old promoted. Equal access and opportunities for all should be ensured and poverty and social exclusion eradicated, with a special emphasis on vulnerable groups, namely children, persons with disabilities, single parents, ethnic minorities, such as Roma people, LGBTIQA+ people, people living in remote and rural areas and older people. This should be done, in particular by ensuring an effective functioning of labour markets and adequate and inclusive social protection systems, as set out in the Council Recommendation of 8 November 2019 and the Council Recommend…

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12. Amendment 12Proposal for a decision · Recital 13 – paragraph 2
    Current text

    The potential of persons with disabilities to contribute to economic growth and social development should be further realised, in line with the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (40 ) which invited Member States to set up employment and adult learning targets for persons with disabilities. The EU Roma Strategic Framework highlights the capacity within the marginalised Roma communities to reduce labour and skills shortages and aims to cut the employment gap between Roma and general population by at least half (41 ). New technologies and evolving workplaces throughout the Union allow for more flexible working arrangements as well as improved productivity and work-life balanc…

    Amendment

    The potential of persons with disabilities to contribute to economic growth and social development should be further realised, in line with the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (40) which invited Member States to set up employment and adult learning targets for persons with disabilities. The EU Roma Strategic Framework highlights the capacity within the marginalised Roma communities to reduce labour and skills shortages and aims to cut the employment gap between Roma and general population by at least half (41). New technologies and evolving workplaces throughout the Union allow for more flexible working arrangements as well as improved productivity and work-life balance,…

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13. Amendment 13Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 5 – paragraph 1
    Current text

    Member States should actively promote a sustainable social market economy and facilitate and support investment in the creation of quality jobs, also taking advantage of the potential linked to the digital and green transitions, in light of the Union and national headline targets for 2030 on employment. To that end, they should reduce the barriers that businesses face in hiring people, foster responsible entrepreneurship and genuine self-employment and, in particular, support the creation and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to finance. Member States should actively promote the development of the social economy, including social enterprises, and t…

    Amendment

    Member States should actively promote a sustainable social market economy and facilitate and support investment in the creation of quality jobs, also taking advantage of the potential linked to the digital and green transitions, in light of the Union and national headline targets for 2030 on employment. If well anticipated and substantially funded, the transition towards sustainable, renewable and circular economies generates potential to create significant number of new jobs and to transform existing employment into green and sustainable jobs in most sectors. To that end, Member States should facilitate the hiring of people by businesses, make significant investments in the green transition…

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14. Amendment 14Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 5 – paragraph 2
    Current text

    To strengthen resilience in the face of possible economic and/or labour market shocks, well-designed short-time work schemes and similar arrangements play an important role. They can also support structural transformations by facilitating and supporting restructuring processes and the reallocation of labour from declining sectors towards emerging ones, thereby increasing productivity, preserving employment and helping to modernise the economy, including via associated skills development. Well-designed hiring and transition incentives and upskilling and reskilling measures should be considered in order to support quality job creation and transitions throughout the working life, and to address…

    Amendment

    To strengthen resilience in the face of possible economic and/or labour market shocks, well-designed, short-term work schemes, like those developed in the context of the European instrument for temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency, and similar arrangements play an important role. Member States should address the impact of present and future crises, including the intensifying impacts of climate change such as heatwaves, droughts or wildfires on the labour market. Short-term work schemes can also support structural transformations by facilitating and supporting restructuring processes and the reallocation of labour from declining sectors towards emerging ones, there…

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15. Amendment 15Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 5 – paragraph 3
    Current text

    Taxation should be shifted away from labour to other sources more supportive of employment and inclusive growth and in line with climate and environmental objectives, taking account of the redistributive effect of the tax system, while protecting revenue for adequate social protection and growth-enhancing expenditure.

    Amendment

    National taxation should be supportive of job creation while ensuring that tax systems are progressive, and in line with climate and environmental objectives. Any tax reform should increase the redistributive effect of the tax system, while protecting revenue for public investment, in particular quality public services, social protection and sustainable growth enhancing expenditure.

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16. Amendment 16Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 5 – paragraph 4
    Current text

    Member States, including those with statutory minimum wages, should promote collective bargaining on wage setting and ensure an effective involvement of social partners in a transparent and predictable manner, allowing for adequate responsiveness of wages to productivity developments and fostering fair wages that enable a decent standard of living, paying particular attention to lower and middle income groups with a view to strengthening upward socio-economic convergence. Wage-setting mechanisms should also take into account socio-economic conditions, including employment growth, competitiveness, purchasing power and regional and sectoral developments. Respecting national practices and the a…

    Amendment

    Member States, including those with statutory minimum wages, should promote collective bargaining on wage setting and ensure an effective involvement of social partners in a transparent and predictable manner, allowing for adequate responsiveness of wages to long-term productivity developments, inflation and the cost of living, and fostering fair wages that enable a decent standard of living for all workers, paying particular attention to lower and middle income groups with a view to strengthening upward socio-economic convergence. Wage-setting mechanisms should also take into account socio-economic conditions, including employment growth, competitiveness, purchasing power and regional and s…

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17. Amendment 17Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
    Amendment

    In order to avoid the offshoring of companies that have received European aid, it is essential to review existing state aid rules and funding programmes and establish strategic solutions aiming to maintain the industrial base within the Union. This includes strengthening European strategic autonomy and promoting a robust European industrial policy. Furthermore, the transition must be accompanied by social and employment measures to ensure a just transition for all, ensuring that no workers or communities are left behind during this process.

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18. Amendment 18Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 6 – paragraph 1
    Current text

    In the context of the digital and green transitions, demographic change and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Member States should promote sustainability, productivity, competitiveness, employability and human capital development, fostering acquisition of skills and competences throughout people’s lives and responding to current and future labour market needs, also in light of the Union and national headline targets for 2030 on skills. Member States should also modernise and invest in their education and training systems to provide high quality and inclusive education and training including vocational education and training, improve educational outcomes and the provision of skills…

    Amendment

    In the context of the digital and green transitions, demographic change and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Member States should promote sustainability, productivity, inclusiveness, competitiveness, employability and the development and acquisition of skills and competences throughout people’s lives and responding to current and future labour market needs, also in light of the Union and national headline targets for 2030 on skills. Member States should also modernise and invest in their education and training systems to provide high quality and inclusive education and training including vocational education and training, improve educational outcomes and the provision of skills an…

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19. Amendment 19Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 6 – paragraph 2
    Current text

    Particular attention should be paid to adressing the decline in the educational performance of young people, especially in the area of basic skills. Action is needed to address the challenges faced by the teaching profession, including its attractiveness, tackling teacher shortages, and the need to invest in teachers’ and trainers’ digital skills competences. Moreover, education and training systems should equip all learners with key competences, including basic and digital skills as well as transversal competences, and critical thinking in light of the threat of disinformation, to lay the foundations for adaptability and resilience throughout life, while ensuring that teachers are prepared…

    Amendment

    Particular attention should be paid to addressing any decline in the educational performance of young people, especially in the area of basic skills. Action is needed to address the challenges faced by the teaching profession, including its attractiveness, tackling teacher shortages, and the need to invest in teachers’ and trainers’ digital skills competences. Moreover, education and training systems should equip all learners with key competences, including basic and digital skills as well as transversal competences, and critical thinking in light of the threat of disinformation, to lay the foundations for adaptability and resilience throughout life, needed for successful transitions, partic…

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20. Amendment 20Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 6 – paragraph 3
    Current text

    Member States should foster equal opportunities for all by addressing inequalities in education and training systems, including in terms of regional coverage. In particular, children should be provided with access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care, in line with the new “Barcelona targets” and the European Child Guarantee Member States should raise overall qualification levels, reduce the number of early leavers from education and training, support equal access to education of children from disadvantaged groups and remote areas, increase the attractiveness of vocational education and training (VET), support access to and completion of tertiary education, and in…

    Amendment

    Member States should foster equal opportunities for all by addressing inequalities in education and training systems, including in terms of regional coverage. In particular, children should be provided with access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care, in line with the new “Barcelona targets” and the European Child Guarantee Member States should raise overall qualification levels, reduce the number of early leavers from education and training, support equal access to education of children from disadvantaged groups and remote areas, increase the attractiveness of vocational education and training (VET), support access to and completion of tertiary education, and in…

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21. Amendment 21Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 6 – paragraph 4
    Current text

    Member States should provide unemployed and inactive people with effective, timely, coordinated and tailor-made assistance based on support for job searches, training, up- and reskilling and access to other enabling services, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups and people affected by the green and digital transitions or labour market shocks. Comprehensive strategies that include in-depth individual assessments of unemployed people should be pursued as soon as possible, at the latest after 18 months of unemployment, with a view to significantly reducing and preventing long-term and structural unemployment. Youth unemployment and the issue of young people not in employment, educat…

    Amendment

    Member States should provide unemployed and inactive people with effective, timely, coordinated and tailor-made assistance based on support for job searches, training, up- and reskilling and access to other enabling services, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups and people affected by the necessary green and digital transitions or labour market shocks. Comprehensive strategies that include in-depth individual assessments of unemployed people should be pursued as soon as possible, with a view to significantly reducing and preventing long-term and structural unemployment. Youth unemployment and the issue of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) should contin…

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22. Amendment 22Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 6 – paragraph 5
    Current text

    Member States should aim to remove barriers and disincentives to, and provide incentives for, participation in the labour market, in particular for low-income earners, second earners (often women) and those furthest from the labour market, including people with a migrant background and marginalised Roma people. In view of high labour shortages in certain occupations and sectors (notably in STEM sectors, healthcare and long-term care, education, transport and construction), Member States should contribute to fostering labour supply, notably through promoting adequate wages and working conditions, ensuring that the design of tax and benefit systems encourages labour market participation, and t…

    Amendment

    Member States should aim to remove barriers and disincentives to, and provide incentives for, participation in the labour market, in particular for low-income earners, second earners (often women) and those furthest from the labour market, including people with a migrant background and Roma people. In view of high labour shortages in certain occupations and sectors (notably in STEM sectors, healthcare and long-term care, education, transport and construction), Member States should contribute to fostering labour supply, notably through promoting adequate wages and decent working conditions, ensuring that the design of tax and benefit systems support labour market participation, and that activ…

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23. Amendment 23Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 1
    Current text

    In order to benefit from a dynamic and productive workforce and new work patterns and business models, Member States should work together with the social partners on fair, transparent and predictable working conditions, balancing rights and obligations. They should reduce and prevent segmentation within labour markets, fight undeclared work and bogus self-employment, and foster the transition towards open-ended forms of employment. Employment protection rules, labour law and institutions should all provide both a suitable environment for recruitment and the necessary flexibility for employers to adapt swiftly to changes in the economic context, while protecting labour rights and ensuring soc…

    Amendment

    In order to benefit from a dynamic and productive workforce and new work patterns and business models, Member States should work together with the social partners on fair, transparent and predictable working conditions, balancing rights and obligations. They should reduce and prevent segmentation within labour markets, fight undeclared work and bogus self-employment, and foster the transition towards open-ended forms of employment. Employment protection rules, labour law and institutions should all provide for the protection of labour rights, a high level of social protection and secure employment, inclusive recruitment, health and safety at work, as well as well-adapted working environments…

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24. Amendment 24Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 2
    Current text

    Policies should aim to improve and support labour-market participation, matching and transitions, also in light of demographic change, and including in disadvantaged regions. Member States should effectively activate and enable those who can participate in the labour market, especially under-represented groups, such as women and yound people, as well as people in vulnerable situations, such as lower-skilled people and the long-term unemployed, persons with disabilities, people with a migrant background, including persons under a temporary protection status, people from marginalised Roma communities and older workers. Member States should strengthen the scope and effectiveness of active labou…

    Amendment

    Policies should aim to improve and support labour-market participation, matching and transitions, also in light of demographic change, and including in disadvantaged regions. Member States should effectively activate and enable those who can participate in the labour market, especially under-represented groups, such as women and young people, as well as people in vulnerable situations, such as lower-skilled people and the long-term unemployed, persons with disabilities, people with a migrant background, including persons under a temporary protection status, people from Roma communities and older workers. Member States should strengthen the scope and effectiveness of active labour-market poli…

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25. Amendment 25Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 3
    Current text

    Member States should provide the unemployed with adequate unemployment benefits of reasonable duration, in line with their contributions and national eligibility rules. Unemployment benefits should not disincentivise a prompt return to employment and should be accompanied by active labour market policies, including up- and reskilling measures, also in light of labour and skills shortages.

    Amendment

    Member States should provide the unemployed with adequate unemployment benefits of sufficient duration, in line with their contributions and national eligibility rules and based on the principle of non-discrimination. That should be accompanied by active labour market policies, including up- and reskilling measures, also in light of labour and skills shortages and mismatches, with the support of mutual learning mechanisms between Member States.

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26. Amendment 26Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 4
    Current text

    The mobility of learners, apprentices and workers should be increased and adequately supported, especially for learners in vocational education and training with fewer mobility experiences, with the aim of enhancing their skills and employability, exploiting the full potential of the European labour market and contributing to EU-level competitiveness. Obstacles to intra-EU labour mobility, including procedures to recognise professional qualifications or transfer acquired social security rights, should be tackled. Fair and decent conditions for all those pursuing a cross-border activity should be ensured by avoiding discrimination and ensuring equal treatment with EU nationals, enforcing nati…

    Amendment

    The mobility of learners, apprentices and workers should be increased and adequately supported, especially for learners in vocational education and training with fewer mobility experiences, with the aim of enhancing their skills and employability, exploiting the full potential of the European labour market and contributing to EU-level competitiveness. Obstacles to intra-EU labour mobility, including procedures to recognise professional qualifications or transfer acquired social security rights, should be tackled. On the basis of the work of the Single Market Enforcement Taskforce, Member States should simplify and standardise their reporting requirements. Additionally, Member States should e…

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27. Amendment 27Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 5
    Current text

    The mobility of workers in critical occupations and of cross-border, seasonal and posted workers should be supported in the case of temporary border closures triggered by public health considerations. Member States should further engage in talent partnerships to enhance legal migration pathways by launching new mobility schemes and provide for an effective integration policy for workers and their families, encompassing education and training, including language training, employment, health and housing.

    Amendment

    The mobility of workers in critical occupations and of cross-border, seasonal and posted workers should be supported in the case of temporary border closures. Member States should further engage in talent partnerships to enhance legal migration pathways by launching new mobility schemes and provide for an effective integration policy for workers and their families, encompassing education and training, including language training, employment, health and housing.

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28. Amendment 28Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 6
    Current text

    Member States should also strive to create the appropriate conditions for new forms of work, and working methods, delivering on their job-creation potential while ensuring they are compliant with existing social rights. They should provide advice and guidance on the rights and obligations which apply in the context of atypical contracts and new forms of work, such as work through digital labour platforms and permanent or semi-permanent teleworking arrangements. In this regard, social partners can play an instrumental role and Member States should support them in reaching out and representing people in atypical and new forms of work. Member States should also consider providing support for en…

    Amendment

    Member States should also strive to create the appropriate conditions for new forms of work, and working methods, delivering on their job-creation potential while ensuring they are compliant with existing social rights as well as Union and national labour law. They should provide advice and guidance on the rights and obligations which apply in the context of atypical contracts and new forms of work, such as work through digital labour platforms and teleworking arrangements. In this regard, social partners can play an instrumental role and Member States should support them in reaching out and representing people in atypical and new forms of work. Member States should also consider providing s…

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29. Amendment 29Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 7
    Current text

    Member States should ensure an enabling environment for bipartite and tripartite social dialogue at all levels, including collective bargaining, in the public and private sectors in accordance with national law and/or practice, after consultation and in close cooperation with social partners, while respecting their autonomy. Member States should involve social partners in a systematic, meaningful and timely manner in the design and implementation of employment, social and, where relevant, economic and other public policies including in the setting and updating of statutory minimum wages. Member States should promote a higher level of covergage of collective bargaining, including by promoting…

    Amendment

    Member States should foster democracy at work and ensure an enabling environment for bipartite and tripartite social dialogue at all levels, including collective bargaining, in the public and private sectors in accordance with national law and/or practice, after consultation and in close cooperation with social partners, while respecting their autonomy. Member States should involve social partners in a systematic, meaningful and timely manner in the design and implementation of employment, social and, where relevant, economic and other public policies including in the setting and updating of statutory minimum wages. Member States should promote a higher level of coverage of collective bargai…

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30. Amendment 30Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 7 – paragraph 8
    Current text

    Where relevant, and building on existing national practices, Member States should take into account the relevant experience of civil society organisations’ in employment and social issues.

    Amendment

    Without prejudice to the competences and autonomy of social partners as well as their right to negotiate and conclude collective agreements, and building on existing national practices, Member States should also take into account the relevant experience of civil society organisations’ in employment and social issues, where relevant.

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31. Amendment 31Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 8 – paragraph 1
    Current text

    Member States should promote inclusive labour markets, open to all, by putting in place effective measures to fight all forms of discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all, and in particular for groups that are under-represented in the labour market, also with due attention to the regional and territorial dimension. They should ensure equal treatment with regard to employment, social protection, healthcare, early childhood education and care, long-term care, education and access to goods and services, including housing, regardless of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

    Amendment

    Member States should promote inclusive labour markets, open to all, by putting in place effective measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for all, and in particular for groups that are under-represented in the labour market, also with due attention to the regional and territorial dimension. They should ensure equal treatment with regard to employment, social protection, healthcare, early childhood education and care, respite and long-term care, education and access to goods and services, including housing, regardless of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

    official amendment document ↗
32. Amendment 32Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 8 – paragraph 2
    Current text

    Member States should modernise social protection systems to provide adequate, effective, efficient and sustainable social protection for all, throughout all stages of life, fostering social inclusion and upward social mobility, incentivising labour market participation, supporting social investment, fighting poverty and social exclusion and addressing inequalities, including through the design of their tax and benefit systems and by assessing the distributional impact of policies. Complementing universal approaches with targeted ones will improve the effectiveness of social protection systems. The modernisation of social protection systems should also aim to improve their resilience to multi…

    Amendment

    Member States should modernise social protection systems to provide adequate, effective, efficient and sustainable social protection for all, throughout all stages of life, fostering social inclusion and upward social mobility, incentivising labour market participation, supporting social investment, fighting poverty and social exclusion and addressing inequalities, including through the design of their tax and benefit systems and by assessing the distributional impact of policies. Complementing universal approaches with targeted ones will improve the effectiveness of social protection systems. The modernisation of social protection systems should also aim to improve their resilience to multi…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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33. Amendment 33Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 8 – paragraph 3
    Current text

    Member States should develop and integrate the three strands of active inclusion: adequate income support, inclusive labour markets and access to quality enabling services, to meet individual needs. Social protection systems should ensure adequate minimum income benefits for everyone lacking sufficient resources and promote social inclusion by supporting and encouraging people to actively participate in the labour market and society, including through targeted provision of social services.The availability of affordable, accessible and quality services such as early childhood education and care, out-of-school care, education, training, housing, and health and long-term care is a necessary con…

    Amendment

    Member States should develop and integrate the three strands of active inclusion: adequate income support, inclusive labour markets and access to quality enabling services, to meet individual needs. Social protection systems should ensure adequate minimum income benefits for everyone lacking sufficient resources and promote social inclusion by supporting and encouraging people in working age to actively participate in the labour market and society, including through targeted provision of social services. The availability of affordable, accessible and quality services such as early childhood education and care, out-of-school care, education, training, housing, and health and long-term care as…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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34. Amendment 34Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 8 – paragraph 4
    Current text

    Member States should ensure timely access to affordable preventive and curative healthcare and long-term care of good quality, while safeguarding sustainability in the long term. In the context of an increasing demand for long-term care, also linked to demographic changes, gaps in adequacy, as well as workforce shortage and poor working conditionss, should be addressed.

    Amendment

    Member States should ensure timely access to affordable preventive and curative healthcare and long-term care of good quality, while safeguarding sustainability in the long term. In the context of an increasing demand for long-term care, also linked to demographic changes, gaps in adequacy, as well as labour shortages, poor working conditions and the often inadequate remuneration of carers, should be addressed.

    official amendment document ↗
35. Amendment 35Proposal for a decision · Annex – guideline 8 – paragraph 6
    Current text

    In a context of increasing longevity and demographic change, Member States should secure the adequacy and sustainability of pension systems for workers and the self-employed, providing equal opportunities for women and men to acquire and accrue pension rights, including through supplementary schemes to ensure adequate income in old age. Pension reforms should be supported by policies that aim to reduce the gender pension gap and measures that extend working lives, such as by raising the effective retirement age, notably by facilitating the labour market participation of older persons, and should be framed within active ageing strategies. Member States should establish a constructive dialogue…

    Amendment

    In a context of increasing longevity and demographic change, Member States should secure the adequacy and sustainability of pension systems for workers and the self-employed, providing equal opportunities for women and men to acquire and accrue pension rights, including through supplementary schemes to ensure a decent retirement income above the poverty line. Pension reforms should be supported by policies that aim to reduce the gender pension gap, including by adequately valued periods of maternity and parental leave, and to promote active and healthy ageing and decent working conditions to ensure that workers can actually remain in employment until they reach the statutory retirement age.…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
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36. Amendment 36ECRProposal for a decision · Annex – Guideline 6 – paragraph 3
    Current text

    Member States should foster equal opportunities for all by addressing inequalities in education and training systems, including in terms of regional coverage. In particular, children should be provided with access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care, in line with the new “Barcelona targets” and the European Child Guarantee Member States should raise overall qualification levels, reduce the number of early leavers from education and training, support equal access to education of children from disadvantaged groups and remote areas, increase the attractiveness of vocational education and training (VET), support access to and completion of tertiary education, and in…

    Amendment

    Member States should foster equal opportunities for all by addressing inequalities in education and training systems, including in terms of regional coverage. In particular, children should be provided with access to affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care, in line with the new “Barcelona targets” and the European Child Guarantee Member States should raise overall qualification levels, reduce the number of early leavers from education and training, support equal access to education of children from disadvantaged groups and remote areas, increase the attractiveness of vocational education and training (VET), support access to and completion of tertiary education, and in…

    Excerpt — full text in the official PDF.
    official amendment document ↗