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.
Download — EESC opinion: Advertising / young people and children
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.
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 Committee maintains that lessons need to be learned from recent economic and financial crises and a fresh approach adopted to ensure more effective supervision by national, European and international authorities and increased accountability of financial institutions.
The Committee supports the measures aimed at strengthening banks' capital structure and their ability to finance the economy.
Download — What changes for Europe's banking sector with the new financial rules?
The objective of the opinion under preparation will be to evaluate the appropriateness of the monitoring, evaluation and consultation mechanisms of organised civil society provided for by the Agreement as well as the compliance of Colombia and Peru with basic human, social and labour rights.
Download — The EU-Colombia and EU-Peru trade agreements
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
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)
