14 Nov 2012 EESC opinion: Roma citizensAdoptedReferences: CESE 1566/2012 - SOC/447
Own-initiative
Rapporteur: Topolánszky (Various interests - GR III / Hungary)
Plenary Session: 484
- 14 Nov 2012 - 15 Nov 2012
(Summary Plenary Session)
OJ C 11, 15.01.2013, p. 21–26 The findings of the study commissioned by the EESC and carried out in 27 Member States show that there is widespread frustration and distrust among the Roma community and civil society organisations. It seems that the National Roma Integration Strategies (NRIs) have not met the growing expectations of the Roma.
The instruments and resources available appear insufficient to compensate for the continuing negative impact of discrimination and exclusion. The EESC feels that a rights-based approach is needed and emphasises that organised civil society, including Roma organisations and lobbies, must be fully involved throughout the development of NRISs (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation).
19 Sep 2012 Responsible use of social networksAdoptedReferences: CESE 465/2012 - TEN/483
Own-initiative
Rapporteur: Mr Bernardo Hernández Bataller (Various interests - GR III / Spain)
Plenary Session: 483
- 18 Sep 2012 - 19 Sep 2012
Due to the personal and societal impact of social networks and their future development and consequences, the EU institutions need to prioritise the adoption of binding and non-binding supranational measures leading to self-regulation or, preferably, co-regulation, in line with the Digital Agenda, to foster responsible and intelligent use within a dynamic Digital Single Market and to prevent the problems associated with its inherent risks. The EESC believes the ideal situation would be to have "model laws" on which to base international regulation. However, until this becomes possible, we need to find an EU-level solution.
19 Sep 2012 EESC opinion: Posting of workersAdoptedReferences: CESE 1387/2012 - SOC/460
Referral -
COM(2012) 131 final - 2012/0061 (COD)Rapporteur: Janson (Workers - GR II / Sweden)
Plenary Session: 483
- 18 Sep 2012 - 19 Sep 2012
(Summary Plenary Session)
OJ C 351, 15.11.2012, p. 61-64 The Commission proposal for a directive on the enforcement of the directive on posting of workers is one of the proposals intended on the one hand to strengthen the rules on posting of workers and on the other to codify the existing legislation governing the right to take collective action in cross-border situations. The EESC welcomes the intention to enforce the existing directive, focusing on better implementation and effective administrative cooperation among Member States. The original Directive plays a key role in promoting a climate of fair competition between all service providers (including those from other Member States) by guaranteeing both a level playing-field and legal certainty for service providers, service recipients, and workers posted for the provision of services.
18 Sep 2012 Statute for a European FoundationAdoptedReferences: CESE 1211/2012 - INT/645
Referral -
COM(2012) 35 final - 2012/0022 (APP)Rapporteur: Ms Mall Hellam (Various interests - GR III)
Plenary Session: 483
- 18 Sep 2012 - 19 Sep 2012
(Summary Plenary Session)
OJ C 351, 15.11.2012, p. 57 The EESC supports the Commission's proposal which will allow for the creation of the European Foundation (FE), for which it has called already in 2010 in its own-initiative opinion (INT/498). The EESC recommends adopting the proposal without delay. As an optional instrument, FE will give the opportunity to foundations opting for the statute to work in each EU country without the need to create local structures, provided that the foundation will be recognised in the country of origin of its creation.
18 Sep 2012 Trade, growth and developmentAdoptedReferences: CESE 770/2012 - REX/359
Referral
Rapporteur: Evelyne Pichenot (Various interests - GR III / France)
Plenary Session: 483
- 18 Sep 2012 - 19 Sep 2012
• The EESC acknowledges the quality of civil society's contribution prior to publication of the communication, as well as the efforts made by the Commission to implement the trade-related aspects of the Agenda for Change. It also welcomes the attention given to the evaluation of trade policies in this communication.
• The EESC regrets that this new communication heralds no significant change to EU policy on the link between trade and development policies.
• The EESC reiterates its recommendation to incorporate sustainable development provisions into free-trade agreements and to provide for procedures enabling ex post analysis of these agreements by the EESC.
• The EESC recalls the importance of producing sui generis development strategies that combine domestic and trade policies with a view to sustainable and inclusive growth.
• The EESC encourages the EU to promote duty- and quota-free access for products from the LDCs more strongly in multilateral fora.
• The EESC calls for an in-depth debate within the EU on the objectives and instruments of trade and development policies.
• This debate should include a discussion on the gridlock in the Economic Partnership Agreements, so as to propose tools for moving forward.
18 Sep 2012 Advertising / young people and childrenAdoptedReferences: CESE 138/2012 - INT/593
Own-initiative
Rapporteur: Mr Jorge Pegado Liz (Various interests - GR III / Portugal)
Plenary Session: 483
- 18 Sep 2012 - 19 Sep 2012
(Summary Plenary Session)
OJ C 351, 15.11.2012, p. 6 The EESC considers that this issue needs to be analysed very thoroughly and placed within an EU framework taking into consideration the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality. Special emphasis must be placed on empowering, informing and educating children, families and teachers. The EESC calls on advertisers and sponsors to adopt and apply the highest levels of protection of children's rights.
18 Sep 2012 Cost of non-EuropeAdoptedReferences: CESE 1374/2012 - SC/035
Own-initiative
Rapporteur: M. Georgios DASSIS (Workers - GR II / Greece)Co-rapporteur: M. Luca JAHIER (Various interests - GR III / Italy)
Plenary Session: 483
- 18 Sep 2012 - 19 Sep 2012
(Summary Plenary Session)
"The opinion is therefore based on the realisation that the handicap beleaguering Europe now is not so much delays in building its internal market as the need to establish a strong economic, industrial and technological identity in the context of globalisation. The EESC believes that discussion therefore needs to consider all the costs of non-Europe resulting from the failure to complete European integration.
The approach advocated in the opinion seeks to reduce costs, optimise expenditure, maximise opportunities and provide an appropriate response for meeting current challenges and finding a positive way out of the crisis which will benefit everyone.
"...
17 Sep 2012 Smart and inclusive growthAdoptedReferences: CESE 1478/2012 - ECO/327
Own-initiative
Rapporteur: Etele BARÁTH (Various interests - GR III / Hungary)
Plenary Session: 483
- 18 Sep 2012 - 19 Sep 2012
(Summary Plenary Session)
The EESC feels that the triple objective of the Europe 2020 strategy, i.e., smart, sustainable and inclusive-cohesive growth, is generally appropriate; however, in order to achieve it, a well-balanced macroeconomic policy mix and structural reforms together with more and better instruments are needed. The EU needs to show that it has the necessary political will and a specific vision of substantially closer integration. All the funds and programmes should be more tailored to the social goals of Europe 2020, and work on drawing up a European Territorial Strategy must be accelerated. It is vital to ensure much broader involvement of experts and public opinion in preparing decisions.