The EESC is of the opinion that the proposal for a regulation on ship recycling is a rather pale reflection of the previous green paper and the communication on the same subject. The two previous documents provided an impeccable analysis of ship recycling problems in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan and expressed the view that robust measures were needed to tackle the unacceptable conditions in these countries. The measures proposed in the proposal for a regulation do not however solve these problems. The EESC can only conclude that the political will is manifestly absent.
With the number of pensioners growing faster than the working population and an economic crisis putting additional pressure on the national budgets, the EU Member States need to find ways of delivering fair, safe and sustainable pensions. Following on from a consultation on European pensions systems in 2010, a new policy paper on sustainable pensions proposes mainly to link retirement age with life expectancy, restricting early retirement, to close the pension gap between men and women and to develop private pension schemes. In its opinion on that White Paper, the EESC recommends that Member States focus their reform efforts on increasing the revenues that fund their pension systems by boosting employment, improving the mechanisms for collecting contributions, and tackling undeclared work and tax evasion.
The EESC stresses the usefulness of the Youth Opportunities initiative and is ready to get involved in implementing the initiative by cooperating with the social partners and civil society organisations and through joint action with stakeholders to promote it. The EU's austerity policy and the lack of a clear and generally recognised growth policy could jeopardise the success of the Youth Opportunities initiative, therefore it is vital to create an appropriate economic and financial environment. The EESC emphasises the importance of appropriate education, training and careers advice and believes that it is appropriate to support first work experience and on-the-job training. Quality apprenticeships, placements in enterprises and traineeships are an important means for young people to acquire skills and work experience. The first job should guarantee a set of minimum employment standards. The creation of new high-quality jobs must remain a priority.
The challenges that the EU currently face are manifold: the emergence of new markets and new technologies, a transition towards more sustainable consumption and investment, an ageing workforce, changes in labour markets and the ongoing economic and financial crisis. Companies and employees should anticipate these challenges. The Committee underlines that companies – especially SMEs – constitute the key players in restructuring processes.
Practical and effective action should be taken. The social partners, organized civil society, consumers, local leaders and knowledge and skills networks should be involved in this process. The EU's structural and cohesion policies as well as its innovation and research policies should be geared to proactive support to anticipate and accompany restructuring. Key tools are EU education, training and lifelong learning programmes. Investment and industrial policies should support the transition to a low-carbon European economy.
Download — Restructuring and anticipation of change: what lessons from recent experience? (Green Paper)
The world is subject to rapid geopolitical change. The dominant position of the Western world is being challenged both economically and politically. While defence budgets across the European Union are being cut, defence spending in China, India, Brazil, Russia and others is going up. Therefore the EESC calls on the Council and the Commission to make an overall evaluation of determining aspects of the EU's position and role in the world, to result in a convincing update of European foreign, security and defence policies.
The purpose of the opinion is to explore how and to what extent a different role for women in rural areas could drive sustainable development in agriculture and the green economy.
The potential of women working and/or with a business in agricultural and rural areas should be analysed, recorded and promoted in all EU policies, and not penalised by some of them: this will lay the groundwork for women to become drivers of development and innovation, helping the entire sector to emerge from the crisis.
Download — EESC Opinion: The role of women in agriculture and rural areas
