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EN Rue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 — 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel — BELGIQUE/BELGIË Tel. +32 25469011 — Fax +32 25134893 — Internet: http://www.eesc.europa.eu European Economic and Social Committee Brussels, 1 October 2015 PLENARY SESSION ON 16 AND 17 SEPTEMBER 2015 SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ADOPTED This document is available in the official languages on the Committee's website at: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.documents#/boxTab1-2 The opinions listed can be consulted online using the Committee's search engine: http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.opinions-search EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 1/52

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ENRue Belliard/Belliardstraat 99 — 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel — BELGIQUE/BELGIË

Tel. +32 25469011 — Fax +32 25134893 — Internet: http://www.eesc.europa.eu

European Economic and Social Committee

Brussels, 1 October 2015

PLENARY SESSION

ON 16 AND 17 SEPTEMBER 2015

SUMMARY OF OPINIONS ADOPTED

This document is available in the official languages on the Committee's website at:

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.documents#/boxTab1-2

The opinions listed can be consulted online using the Committee's search engine:

http://www.eesc.europa.eu/?i=portal.en.opinions-search

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 1/34

Contents:

1. EUROPEAN AFFAIRS.................................................................................................................3

2. ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE / FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS / TAXATION....................6

3. ENVIRONMENT/AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES..........................................................11

4. CONSUMERS/HEALTH............................................................................................................14

5. SOCIAL AFFAIRS/EMPLOYMENT.......................................................................................15

6. TRANSPORT...............................................................................................................................21

7. INDUSTRY/ENTERPRISES/INNOVATION..........................................................................23

8. EXTERNAL RELATIONS.........................................................................................................29

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 2/34

The plenary session on 16 and 17 September 2015 included end-of-term reviews by vice-presidents Jane Morrice and Hans-Joachim Wilms.

The following opinions were adopted at the session:

1. EUROPEAN AFFAIRS

Better regulation

Rapporteur: Bernd Dittmann (Employers – DE)

Reference EESC-2015-03697-00-01-AC-TRA

Key points:

Better and smart regulation is a common task for all the European institutions and the Member States to the benefit of the public, business, consumers and employees. It does not, however, replace political decisions.

In its opinion, the EESC:

welcomes the fact that the better regulation measures will cover the entire life cycle of a legal act and that both ex-ante and ex-post measures will thus be covered;

notes that its views have not been given sufficient consideration, notwithstanding the role and function in the better regulation agenda assigned to it in the EU Treaties and the cooperation agreements with the European Commission and the European Parliament, as well as its considerable work in this area;

calls for the EU's consultative bodies to be included in the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Regulation (IIA);

supports the comprehensive involvement of stakeholders through consultations throughout the lifecycle of a political initiative;

stresses the need to choose the appropriate stakeholders and calls for independence, impartiality and transparency in the choice of experts for the various bodies;

calls for the inclusion of self- and co-regulation in the IIA and for more transparency in the implementation of informal trilogues and argues for the limited use of this instrument;

calls for a stronger Commission focus on shortcomings in the transposition and application of EU law by the Member States, and for the use of regulations instead of directives.

Contact: Luís Lobo(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 3/34

Improving the functioning of the EU

Rapporteur: Luca Jahier (Various Interests – IT)

Co-rapporteur: José Isaías Rodríguez García-Caro (Employers – ES)

References: EESC-2015-03264-AC-TRA

Civil society involvement in the implementation of the Post-2015 agenda (information report)

Rapporteur: Brenda King (Employers - UK)

References: EESC-2015-01169-AC-TRA

Key points:

The report feeds into the debate on what is an effective framework to ensure civil society has an active role in the implementation of this new post-2015 agenda. It is one of the key findings of the report that existing arrangements for participatory governance and stakeholder involvement at EU level need to be further developed in order to meet these challenges.

The report recommends that the Committee organise a European forum for the implementation, monitoring and review of the post-2015 agenda in the EU. This forum would provide a regular, stable, structured framework for civil society dialogue and debate on the new sustainable development agenda at EU level. It will bring together policy actors from EU institutions with a broad range of civil society representatives.

Contact: Andreas Versmann(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 84 79 – e-mail: [email protected])

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 4/34

Delegated acts (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Jorge Pegado Liz (Various Interests – PT)

Reference: EESC-2015-01053-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC:

welcomes the proposal for a new inter-institutional agreement recently issued by the Commission and is especially pleased to note the efforts to achieve a fair balance between fundamental values and legislative simplification,

welcomes the fact that the Commission is committed "to gathering, prior to the adoption of delegated acts, all necessary expertise". Nevertheless, the EESC is concerned that all these consultations could cause the time taken to prepare acts to be prolonged excessively and unnecessarily,

is not wholly in favour of the case by case approach taken to distinguishing between matters that should be subject to delegated or implementing acts, as the criteria used are ambiguous and leave too much room for discretion in interpretation,

would like the guidelines to provide explicitly for all aspects of the delegations to be clearly defined (objectives, content, scope and duration),

considers that it should be consulted for an opinion, in the same way as for the ordinary legislative procedure,

considers that, in the event of a treaty change, the wording of Articles 290 and 291 TFEU should be improved.

Contact: Luís Lobo(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 97 17 – e-mail: [email protected])

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2. ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE / FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS / TAXATION

State aid to firms (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Edgardo Iozia (Workers – IT)

Reference: EESC-2015-01139-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC:

considers state aid impact evaluations to be key tools for checking the consistency between results and proposed targets, thus enabling resources to be allocated more effectively and efficiently and improving transparency on the spending of public money.

would like to see a generalisation of impact evaluations and possibly a lowering of the EUR 150 million average annual budget threshold currently set by the General Block Exemption Regulation as a limit.

believes that Member States must establish appropriate mechanisms for evaluation, carried out by independent bodies and with the involvement of the social partners.

points out that the new system which grants Member States responsibility for ex- ante evaluation will increase overall costs for the public administration and for firms.

asks to be involved in the processes of evaluating the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the state aid system at the end of the period 2014-2020.

Contact: Alina Girbea(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 98 32 – e-mail: [email protected])

Building a financial eco-system for social enterprises (exploratory opinion requested by the Luxembourg presidency)

Rapporteurs: Ariane Rodert (Various Interests – SE)Marie Zvolská (Employers – CZ)

Reference: EESC-2015-03146-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC welcomes the Luxembourg EU Presidency prioritising social economy and in particular its focus on creating a tailored financial ecosystem.

In this context, the EESC considers that:

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 6/34

the Commission should not lose the momentum in supporting the social economy agenda and should see access to finance as one component in the full ecosystem needed for the development and growth of Social Economy Enterprises (SEE);

ideal financial ecosystem for SEE includes features such as a multi-stakeholder approach, hybrid and patient capital solutions with guarantee schemes, often provided by social finance institutions sharing the values of the social economy;

the Commission should support the emergence of new instruments, ensure that financial regulation enables the development, promote research on the societal added-value of investing in SEE and ask Member States for peer reviews on the subject;

the Commission should make full use of the fact that the social economy is an investment priority in the current Investment Plan for Europe;.

the EU must equally recognise SEEs by providing a supporting factor in the Capital requirements regulation. Bank lending to the social economy would benefit greatly from this, with no impact whatsoever on public finances.

financial support from the EU level must be coupled with the EC providing guidance, training and capacity building for governments and key stakeholders.

Member States should act as co-investors to support the establishment of ethical funds, social innovation funds and social venture capital funds and facilitate public guarantee schemes. They should also consider reviewing the opportunities of tax rebate on income as well as other tax incentives.

SEEs must themselves take initiatives in developing instruments such as auto-capitalisation, crowdfunding and engaging in social finance partnerships.

But, to fully unleash the potential of the SEE, all Member States must develop and implement national action plans for the social economy based on a broad stakeholder approach including representatives from civil society.

Contact: Marie-Laurence Drillon(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 20 – e-mail: [email protected])

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Economy for the Common Good (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Carlos Trias Pintó (Various Interests – ES)

Co-rapporteur: Stefano Palmieri (Workers – IT)

References: EESC-2015-02060-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC:

considers that the Economy for the Common Good (ECG) model is conceived to be included both in the European and the domestic legal framework;

underlines that the ECG was a model to be realised within the market economy; it is not opposed to the market economy;

believes that the ECG will contribute to the transition towards a "European Ethical Market" which will foster social innovation, boost the employment rate and benefit the environment;

hopes that the "European Ethical Market" will be built through the implementation of several strategies: Measuring indicators of wellbeing and social development beyond the GDP such as the

Common Good Product and the Common Good Balance Sheet Policy-making aimed at recognising companies with higher contributions to the common

good, such as ethical public procurement and the promotion of ethical internal trade Promoting ethical external trade as the "Brand Europe". In this way, European companies will

lead the global ethical market and will contribute to the enhancement of human rights, labour standards and the protection of the environment throughout the world

Encouraging all kinds of entrepreneurs who start up organisations aimed at contributing to the common good

Fostering ethical consumption and awareness among European consumers Increasing the diversity of the financial ecosystem by promoting networks of ethical banks

and stock markets throughout the EU demands from the European Commission, in the framework of the renewed CSR strategy, to

make a qualitative step in order to reward (in terms of public procurement, access to external markets, tax advantages, etc.) those enterprises that can demonstrate higher ethical performance

Contact: Gerald Klec(Tel: 00 32 2 546 9909 – e-mail: [email protected])

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The Community Method for a Democratic and Social EMU (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Gabriele Bischoff (Workers – DE)

References: EESC-2015-01820-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The Committee

is convinced that a genuine stabilisation of the economic and monetary union (EMU) can only succeed if faults in the EMU's construction are rectified and major reforms are undertaken to accomplish this. This requires a change to the treaties as part of a convention,

calls for measures to be taken to enhance the democratic and social dimension of the EMU within the framework of the existing treaties and to ensure that the self-imposed rules are followed,

asserts that the longer the current savings-oriented policy continues without an effective investment plan to generate revenue through growth, social cohesion and solidarity, it will become increasingly clear that Europe's economic integration and prosperity is at risk from growing social inequalities,

feels that social, political and economic cohesion must be strengthened to avert a break-up of the euro area. Balanced structural reforms must be introduced to reflect the requirements of a monetary union and in accordance with national requirements,

calls for greater "parliamentarisation" of the euro area, with a grand EP committee comprising all members of parliament from the euro area and from those countries wishing to join (26 Member States), combined with stronger coordination of members of parliament from the euro area on EMU issues (COSAC +),

points out that some of the economic policy goals of economic governance of recent years must be brought more into line with the EU's social policy objectives under Article 4(2) TFEU and possible conflicts between economic and social objectives should be resolved,

demands that all measures under the European Semester – in accordance with the horizontal social clause –be subject to a social impact assessment,

declares that the removal of divergences in the functioning of labour markets, wage-setting systems and welfare systems also plays an important role in a democratic and social EMU,

is convinced that macroeconomic dialogue in the euro area (MED-EURO) can make a key contribution to the democratic and social development of EMU.

Contact: Alexander Alexandrov / Gerald Klec(Tel: 00 32 2 546 9805 – e-mail: [email protected])(Tel: 00 32 2 546 9909 – e-mail: [email protected])

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 9/34

Shifting Economics and EU competitiveness (information report)

Rapporteur: Joost Van Iersel (Employers - NL)

Co-rapporteur: Enrico Gibellieri (Workers - IT)

Reference: EESC-2015-01586-00-02-RI

Key points:

Seven years of sluggish economic development, caused and characterised by a deep financial and socio-economic crisis, have left a clear mark on the European economy. Following adjustments in EU policies in the monetary and economic field each Member State has adapted its own policy tools. A glimmering recovery is currently underway. One intriguing question is to what extent the crisis has affected the situation structurally in the EU and the Member States. Is Europe simply going back to normal?

According to the EESC the new landscape must be mapped accurately to the benefit of policy-makers and business. It may give rise to adjustments of policies and to targeted actions towards individual countries. Among the analyses of the situation from this perspective is a report of 2014 by the Boston Consulting Group, called Shifting Economies. It starts from the 27 major exporting countries worldwide, looking at their varying performances over the last years. It subsequently analyses trends that, in their view, are determinants for the near future. In this landscape some emerging economies are looking to perform well, while among the Europeans some remain world class while others suffer from structural drawbacks. According to the EESC a further analysis is required.

This Information report does not embrace the whole picture. It is rather to be seen as an introductory report concerning a very complicated picture. It addresses the Commission and the Council. It is meant as an incentive for both bodies to deepen the understanding of the trends that are determining the performances of the Member States, of the European economy as a whole and of the Eurozone. A well-structured analysis by the Commission should be a starting point to return to the path of convergence by fine-tuning monitoring developments in Member States and by targeting policies, related to competitiveness, to specific situations.

Contact: Adam Plezer (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 8628 – e-mail: [email protected])

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3. ENVIRONMENT/AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES

Own-initiative opinion on The importance of agricultural trade for the future development of agriculture and farming in the EU in the context of global food security

Rapporteur: Volker Petersen (Employers - DE)

References: EESC-2015-01349-00-01-AC-TRA

Key points:

Agricultural trade is often the subject of polemic debates in civil society because it can have very diverse impacts, potentially leading to unwanted dependency. As the world's largest agricultural exporter - ahead of the USA, Brazil, China and Canada - and its largest agricultural importer - ahead of the United States, China, Japan and Russia - the EU bears a twofold and growing responsibility for worldwide nutrition and food security. The EESC welcomes the fact that the EU's agriculture and development policies are pointing in the same direction. This, it feels, is the prerequisite for making sure that the roles of trade and development are accommodated in a sustainable manner.

The rules governing global agricultural trade originate above all in different approaches to ensuring consumer and health protection in different countries. EU standards should be the basis for licences granted for imports into the EU. If multilateral negotiations in the WTO do not bear fruit, solutions must be sought at bilateral level.

Contact: Maarit Laurila(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9379 – e-mail: [email protected])

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Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 as regards the possibility for Member States to restrict or prohibit the use of genetically modified food and feed on their territory

Rapporteur: José María Espuny Moyano (Employers-ES)

Co-rapporteur: Martin Siecker (Workers-NL)

References: EESC-2015-02913-00-00-AC-TRA COM(2015)177 final – 2015/0093 COD

Key points:

The EESC has reservations about the real possibility of implementing these rules in the single market and therefore advises the Commission to withdraw the proposal.

Contact: Arturo Iniguez Yuste(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 8768 – e-mail: [email protected])

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the establishment of a Union framework for the collection, management and use of data in the fisheries sector and support for scientific advice regarding the Common Fisheries Policy (recast)

Rapporteur: Brian Curtis (Workers - UK)

References: EESC-2015-03926-00-00-AC-TRA COM(2015)294 final – 2015/0133 COD

Key points:

The EESC agrees in general with the Commission intent of building onto those things that work well, therefore maintaining a large degree of continuity, whilst at the same time responding to the new requirements, and considers that the proposed changes do not go beyond what is necessary and appropriate for the achievement of the basic objective of improving data quality, access and availability.

Contact: Arturo Iniguez Yuste

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 12/34

(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 8768 – e-mail: [email protected])

Rural Development Programmes - Sticking Plasters or Green Shoots of Recovery?

Rapporteur: Tom Jones (Various Interests - UK)

References: EESC-2015-00601-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC welcomes the continuing commitment of the EU, Member States and regions to address some of the challenges facing rural areas through a wide ranging Rural Development Programme (RDP). There is disappointment at the delay to submission, approval and start of the programme across several states and regions.

The RDP depends for its success on the effectiveness of the Partnership Principle. The EESC notes that there have been improvements in engagement over previous programmes, but partnership is still variable across the EU.

The breadth of programmes based on local needs and priorities is welcomed, as is an increasing use of the Community-led Local Development (CLLD) model for inclusive community involvement. The well-established LEADER model is respected and the EC funded Rural Development Networks are encouraged to further disseminate good practice.

Fifteen Member States have transferred funds from direct payments to RDPs, while in five other Member States the transfers have gone from the second to the first pillar. Both options are legitimate but they do not have the same value: RDPs serve the objective of a more balanced territorial development within each EU region. A study of the coherence and effectiveness of this flexibility is recommended, including its impact on competition within the Single Market.

The ability to transfer funds from one CAP pillar to another is noted. A study of the effectiveness of this flexibility is recommended, including its impact on the Single Market.

Strong emphasis on keeping jobs and creating new employment opportunities in rural areas is clear across programmes. Measures to incentivise young people to seek a future in rural areas are important, along with measures to facilitate the integration of all people with special needs or with physical or mental disabilities.

The contribution of women to the success of the programme should be specifically targeted and supported. Their role is crucial to ensuring that people can continue living in rural areas.

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 13/34

Village economic and community renewal is essential and the RDPs should also be tested for their inclusiveness of all rural citizens. Civil society involvement and entrepreneurship are vital to the sustainability of rural areas.

Contact: Maarit Laurila(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9379 – e-mail: [email protected])

4. CONSUMERS/HEALTH

Towards digital health (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Renate Heinisch (Various Interests – DE)

Reference: EESC-2015-00424-00-01-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC:

endorses the European Commission's efforts to make eHealth a high priority within the Digital Agenda,

notes that people seeking information, patients and healthcare professionals have repeatedly stressed the need for full, accurate and up-to-date information on medicinal products and for a single digital market,

is of the view that this officially approved information must be available without discrimination or obstacle so as to afford access for the deaf and the visually or otherwise physically impaired,

believes electronic distribution of product information approved by drug licensing authorities will further improve access,

points out that having all this on a single portal means there is a trustworthy and in many ways easily accessible source of officially authorised information that meets disability-access criteria. This means that patients and healthcare professionals can compare any information available elsewhere with the basic authorised information,

stresses that doctors (particularly GPs) and other healthcare professionals, such as pharmacists and nurses, are the first point of contact for patients, providing them with recommendations regarding their ailments and treatment options.

Contact: Claudia Drewes-Wran(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 80 67 – e-mail: [email protected])

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5. SOCIAL AFFAIRS/EMPLOYMENT

Social dumping in the European civil aviation sector (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Anne Demelenne (Workers - BE)

Reference: EESC-2015-00417-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

As the EESC is concerned by recent developments in civil aviation, it urges the Commission to monitor the situation closely and to take steps if required. All aspects set out in this document will have to be taken into account when preparing the aviation package that has been announced as part of the Commission's work programme for 2015. In addition, the EESC considers that DG MOVE and DG EMPL need to cooperate closely.

Based on the outcome of its work on new business models, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) must scrutinise the developments to ensure the optimal safety of passengers and staff regardless of the business model,

The EESC expects that current legislation will be enforced correctly and that the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) will also be taken into account.

The EESC acknowledges the position taken by the Social Partners of the Air Crew Working Group and stresses that loopholes should be addressed in order to prevent any unintended negative social impact in this sector.

In addition, the EESC suggests that the Commission should scrutinise the application of the Directive on temporary agency work in the aviation sector. Furthermore, a common definition of "employed person" and "self-employed person" is needed at EU level.

The EESC supports a possible initiative by EU social partners in aviation to negotiate an agreement on the working conditions and social rights of employees in this industry. The social partners may also have joint positions on some legislation which they may submit to the Commission. Lastly, the Commission should consult the social partners on any EU legislative instrument and/or initiative which has social impact.

The issue of transfer of staff in the event of a call for tender and/or partial loss of activities also needs to be addressed.

Contact: Andrei Popescu(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9186 – e-mail: [email protected])

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Social innovation, networking and digital communication (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Bernardo Hernández Bataller (Various Interests - ES)

Reference: EESC-2014-04902-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The opinion sets outs to assess the conditions needed for social innovation to benefit fully from the ICTs, in order to serve the common good, and calls for measures to be taken in favour of digital technology and platforms to promote online relations and the development of synergetic interactions.

The EESC concludes that social innovation and collaborative networks must become tools to boost public participation and civil society in general, in designing and managing EU policies, by means of distributed, collective and bottom-up projects that strengthen more direct democracy. Universal access to the new technologies, particularly broad-band internet must be a priority for the EU. The EESC recognises that social innovation, based on the new technologies, can play an important role in creating new skilled jobs by supporting projects seeking to set up new and innovative businesses. Strengthening training is also essential, within the educational system for young people as in a form of an ongoing training that qualifies workers to use ICTs on the labour market. The Committee calls for social innovation and the use of new technologies; social networks and collaborative work for implementing of technical solutions that help people with disabilities.

The EESC supports the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy with its flagship initiatives on Innovation Union and Digital Agenda, together with the measures necessary to advance social innovation and encourages the integration of these objectives into the National Reform Plans and a their follow up in the European Semester and with the involvement of social partners.

It urges the institutions to stimulate capacity-building and the use of essential digital environments and to help create spaces for horizontal, innovative connections and to facilitate quick and secure real-time access. It calls on the EU to encourage and finance the framing and implementation of projects, conceived by citizens and implemented via social networks and collaborative working, which encompass actions of general interest.

The European Commission must launch a clear and concrete policy on social innovation and public access to the new technologies that triggers initiatives bringing shared benefits to the population, in line with the European Commission's Social Investment Package. This is needed to strengthen social innovation on the basis of technological development, the promotion of collaborative research and access to new knowledge, and institutional strengthening through the direct democracy made possible by these new network participation and digital communication tools.

Contact: Joanna Ziecina(Tel.: 00 32 2 5469509 - e-mail: [email protected])

EESC-2015-04700-00-01-TCD-TRA (FR/EN) 16/34

The internal market of international road freight: social dumping and cabotage (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteurs: Stefan Back (Workers - SE) Reymond Hencks (Employers – LU)

Reference: EESC-2015-03722-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC reiterates its support for the Juncker Commission's objective to fight social dumping as expressed in its 2015 opinion on the Roadmap to a single European transport area, as well as its call for the Commission to propose preventive measures. The EESC regrets that the notion of social dumping while extensively used is not defined. For the purpose of this Opinion the EESC considers as social dumping practices that endeavour to circumvent or are in breach of social or market access regulations (letterbox companies) in order to gain competitive advantages.

The EESC welcomes the Commission's plans:

to simplify and clarify EU regulations on access to the occupation of road transport operator and on access to the international road haulage market, particularly regarding cabotage in order to facilitate implementation;

to strengthen the establishment criteria to prevent abusive use of ''letterbox'' companies; for a labour mobility package to facilitate the free movement of workers and to improve the

Member States' capacity to fight social dumping, fraud and abuse regarding the posting of workers and access to welfare benefits.

The EESC believes that there is an urgent need for EU-level action to avoid the risk of fragmentation of the internal market in road transport through unilateral national measures to combat social dumping. Successful EU action may create favourable conditions for further market opening.

Contact: Nuno Quental(Tel.: 00 32 2 5469347 - e-mail: [email protected])

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Validation of qualifications – non-formal and informal learning

Rapporteur: Pavel Trantina (Various Interests – CZ)Co-rapporteur: Marie Zvolská (Employers - CZ)

Reference: EESC-2015-00802-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC:

strongly believes that emphasis should be placed on identifying, recording, assessing and hence valorising the outcomes of non-formal and informal learning and doing so in the most comparable way possible;.

recommends that Member States provide opportunities to get the outcomes of non-formal and informal learning validated, and broaden the range of institutions providing guidance and counselling on the benefits of validating competencies and the options and mechanisms for doing so, to the public;

calls for support for all stakeholders, particularly social partners and other civil society organisations, to make them aware of the benefits of validation and enable them to participate actively in setting national qualifications frameworks and determining professional qualifications;

considers that a good national legislative framework is a prerequisite for ensuring the equal value of certificates achieved through formal and non-formal or informal learning. This places significant demands on the quality of validation processes, which should be financially supported by, for example, the European Social Fund;

calls on educational institutions, particularly secondary schools and universities, to promote the validation of skills and knowledge acquired through non-formal means. The EU has many examples of good practice in this field and these should be promoted;

is convinced that collective bargaining and social dialogue between unions and employers could play an important role in the process of validating non-formal education and lifelong learning and it should be used as an instrument to work on validating non-formal learning as an important contribution to the debate on employability and instruments to support it;

considers that given the high rate of youth unemployment, opportunities for interaction between public and private employment agencies, volunteer organisations (particularly of young people) and employers should be supported;

is therefore disappointed that the European Commission has suspended the preparatory work on the Europass Experience and calls on it to see this initiative through to completion.

Contact: Irina Fomina(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 80 91 – e-mail: [email protected])

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Principles for effective and reliable welfare provision system

Rapporteur: Bernd Schlüter (Various Interests – DE)

Reference: EESC-2015-01011-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC finds that social policy principles could provide a substantive basis for the Commission's recommendations. It proposes the following principles for welfare provision systems:

Principle of a social protection floor: guarantee of basic welfare provision, including subsistence protection/minimum income for people without an adequate income;

Principle of need: provision of modern social/healthcare services for different problem situations; Principle of a precise definition of aims: development of clear social policy goals; Principle of accessibility: welfare provision must be affordable, accessible, non-discriminatory; Principle of proportionality: services and benefits should be appropriate in their form and extent; Principle of solidarity: funding of welfare provision should essentially be supported by solidarity-

based social insurance systems and fair, solidarity-based tax systems; Principle of personal responsibility: job-seekers should be supported through social services to

subsist through their own efforts; Principle of participation: services and benefits should help people to play their part in society; Principle of structure: rational configuration of the legal and financial relationship between users,

welfare providers, welfare authorities and social insurance bodies; Principle of the user's right to decide: users are not passive recipients, but partners in assistance

and citizens with entitlements; Principle of legal certainty: services and benefits should be legally guaranteed, for instance under

social legislation or similar democratic legal instruments of the Member States; Principle of public interest: in particular, third-sector and participatory forms of undertaking and

organisation should enjoy appropriate financial and legal conditions; Principle of transparency: the use of public funds should be transparent; Principle of a joined-up approach: new family constellations, ageing and immigration call for

integrated and joined-up services; Principle of a level playing-field: users, welfare authorities and welfare providers should have

legally enshrined and enforceable rights and duties; Principle of quality: social services should be backed up by quality assurance measures; Principle of coordination: management of cross-border issues relating to social security and social

protection should be improved.

Contact: Judite Berkemeier(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9897 – e-mail: [email protected])

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Improving the performance of national dual training systems

Rapporteur: Dorthe Andersen (Employers – DA)

Reference: EESC-2015-01718-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

Young Europeans have been hit hard by the crisis, but higher youth unemployment is nothing new and points to structural problems with the transition from school to employment. Well-functioning VET systems based on dual training contribute to a smoother transition.

The EESC:

underlines that there is no "single best model" for dual training;

believes that there is a need for a European quality assessment tool that documents progress as well as the effects of the reforms Member States are undertaking in order to improve performance of the VET and dual training systems;

recommends that the Commission – with the relevant partners – develop tools to monitor and collect data, evaluate what works in the Member States and identify the key elements of well-functioning dual training systems. The aim is to ensure quality in the training systems and to highlight the correlation between dual training and employment;

proposes setting an EU target for VET and dual training.

believes that a target and the compilation of data could help improve educational levels and ensure that young people have the skills needed on the labour market. A target could be part of a renewed EU2020 strategy and the EESC therefore calls on the Commission to examine the options

recommends that Member States which do not have well-functioning dual training systems explore the costs involved in developing such systems, compared with the trade-off and benefits this would have for companies' competiveness and young peoples' job opportunities.

emphasises the importance of partnerships between schools, training centres, trade unions and the business community. The social partners play a decisive role in all stages of well-functioning dual training systems. Strengthening and making better use of social dialogue at all levels can be an effective instrument to improve the quality and attractiveness of dual training;

calls on the Member States to introduce or review on a systematic basis the professional development of VET teachers, mentors and trainers;

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emphasises the importance of employers and believes that employers – including SMEs - will get more involved in apprenticeship schemes when these genuinely meet their needs and when there are good links with schools. Putting in place dual training systems that allow for the cost-effective involvement of employers and giving them greater ownership should be the focus in the coming years.

recommends that the European social partners continue their work in this area as part of their stand-alone work programme.

Contact: June Bedaton(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 81 34 – e-mail: [email protected])

6. TRANSPORT

Cyberactivism and civil society organisations (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Bernardo Hernández Bataller (Various Interests - ES)

Reference: EESC-2015-01058-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

In today's digital society, cyberactivism is a useful tool for empowering citizens insofar as it facilitates and promotes active social engagement and participation through new technologies, while contributing to reducing social and digital exclusion. A conceptual approach to cyberactivism defines it as a form of activism that encourages people to actively champion political, environmental, social, civic and cultural, etc. causes, without the prior need for defined ideologies, hierarchies or programmes, and which uses technological tools that promote viral dissemination and participation in order to do so. In this respect, it must be distinguished from initiatives that are not prompted by democratic and solidarity-based principles and values and do not have the public interest and common good at heart.

If cyberactivism is to develop as a tool, both the European Commission and the Member States need work agendas that incorporate initiatives and measures to promote structures that accommodate an appropriate expansion of the network society by facilitating free and universal access, ensuring transparency and confidentiality and protecting the right to privacy and data security, paying particular attention to the most disadvantaged groups.

The EESC believes it is essential to provide the public with the necessary knowledge and skills to handle cyberactivism intelligently and securely. It therefore urges the European institutions to encourage awareness-raising activities, training and education, with special emphasis on disseminating good practice and eradicating the malicious use of online activism. In this regard, the

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resources considered necessary for the evaluation and development of cyberactivism should be made available.

Moreover, and in relation to institutional governance, cyberactivism promotes co-decision areas and shared power through proactive and reactive multidirectional interactions between multiple actors (governments, civil society organisations, social stakeholders, citizens and businesses). As a result, support for cyberactivism requires a shared online configuration comprising both horizontal relations between citizens and vertical relations between governments and citizens.

Contact: Luca Venerando Giuffrida(Tel.: 00 32 2 5469212 - e-mail: [email protected])

Integrated EU Aviation Policy (exploratory opinion requested by the Commission)

Rapporteur: Jacek Krawczyk (Employers - PL)

Reference: EESC-2015-01083-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

EU aviation is at a crucial junction: without a compelling and coherent strategy, it runs the risk of further difficulties and thereby losing its economic clout and growth potential. In order to be able to compete in a globalised economy the entire European aviation value network needs more intermodality, better connectivity, better use of secondary hubs and regional airports, as well as optimisation of current processes. This does not, however, require new legislation in all cases. The EESC again urges the Commission to do more to ensure that current EU legislation is implemented. The Commission’s strategy for EU aviation should be driven by a compelling vision of how best to promote European competitiveness without distorting competition or undermining the social and labour relations.

The EESC believes, that the aviation strategy to be developed must be based upon a constructive social dialogue. The EESC also calls upon all aviation stakeholders to commit to the implementation of a new EU aviation strategy so that the European aviation value network regains momentum and restarts to build new valuable economic and social contributions to EU development. Strong political leadership of the European Commission is a must.

It is also recommended that the Commission consults with the Committee on the ongoing development and implementation of the Commission's aviation strategy. The EESC will launch a separate project to allocate appropriate resources and expertise.

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Contact: Andrei Popescu(Tel.: 00 32 2 5469186 - e-mail: [email protected])

7. INDUSTRY/ENTERPRISES/INNOVATION

SBA experiences in the USA and EU: "best practices" for innovative SME actions (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Ullrich Schröder (Employers – NL)

Reference: EESC-2015-00822-00-01-AC-TRA

Key points:

The SBA has to be upgraded to a more binding form, with a more ambitious approach. The EESC recommends that:

a special annual Competitiveness Council for SMEs and the SBA be organised at EU level; the Council's High Level Group for Competitiveness and Growth should review progress on

national actions for implementing SBA priorities and reflect on additional measures at EU level; the European SME Envoy Network be upgraded by raising the level of participants to the

directors-general of the Ministries of the Economy. This would ensure stronger and better coordination between the EU and the Member States.

In addition:

the European Court of Auditors should be encouraged to publish regular reports on the functioning of relevant SME programmes and measures

an independent office within the Commission should deal with internal governance. the system of national and local SBA implementation plans (see 4.3.3) has to be improved and

complemented by systematic use of scoreboards. more use should be made of indicative targets (to increase SME involvement in public

procurement) and of binding targets regarding R&D programmes.

Contact: Marie-Laurence Drillon(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 83 20 – e-mail: [email protected])

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Family businesses (own-initiative opinion)

Rapporteur: Jan Klimek (Employers – PL)

Reference: EESC-2015-00722-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC calls for:

an active strategy promoting best practices on family businesses among Member States to be implemented;

preparation of a legal framework on family businesses, which would include a commonly acceptable definition of a family business;

a family business category to be included in European statistics and national data on family business to be gathered in an effective way;

better regulation on the transfer of family businesses from one generation to the next; the family organisational climate and innovation among family firms to be promoted; education to be developed and research promoted in the area of family entrepreneurship; family farms to be supported and cooperative-based entrepreneurship redeveloped; tax deductions to be introduced on reinvested profits, and opportunities for family businesses to

increase their capital without granting voting rights; active cooperation at EU level with organisations representing family businesses.

Contact: Dorota Zapatka(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 90 67 – e-mail: [email protected]

Fighting corruption

Rapporteur: Filip Hamro-Drotz (Employers - FI)

Co-rapporteur: Pierre Gendre (FR-Cat. 2)

Reference: EESC-2014-06520-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EU should develop a five-year anti-corruption strategy and action plan. Promoting transparency and preventing corruption should be core objectives in all EU policies.

The European Commission and EU Member States should strengthen transnational anti-corruption cooperation and ensure effective management of the European Anti-Corruption Network (EACN). The European Council should promote awareness and education in the Member

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States concerning the value of integrity in society and the economy, step up efforts to approximate national criminal legislation and establish a European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

The EU institutions should raise public awareness of how citizens can become involved in the fight against corruption. The EU should support alternative measures to promote the adoption and implementation of compliance, anti-bribery/-corruption codes and standards in individual companies. The European Commission should again review the public procurement directives.

Large companies bidding for contracts should have in place a robust anti-bribery and anti-corruption code. The compliance of banks with applicable EU legislation should be improved. Member States should also be guided to establish a criminal offence for intentionally committed illicit enrichment by a public official. The European Commission should promote protection of whistle-blowers.

The EU should step up its participation in anti-corruption efforts on the global stage. The EU should also strengthen efforts to prevent its financial system from becoming a safe haven for dirty money. The EU institutions themselves must ensure they are a beacon of transparency, integrity and good governance.

Contact: Adam Plezer (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 8628 - e-mail: [email protected])

European offshore industry

Rapporteur: Marian Krzaklewski (Workers - PL)

Co-rapporteur: José Custódio Leirião (PT - Cat 3)

Reference: EESC-2015-01459-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC is convinced that, in order to ensure the sustainable development of the offshore industry, a framework is needed for a coherent European strategic vision, providing advanced technologies and innovative solutions for this industry.

The Committee believes that there is currently no comprehensive European strategic vision for offshore industry as a whole or its component sectors. Although the Commission and Council are gradually expanding the scope of regulation for this industry, particularly for the offshore oil and gas sector, these actions appear to lack a consistent and comprehensive vision.

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The Committee believes that the Commission and the European sectoral social partners representing the offshore industry should use the good example of the 2008 Directive implementing the Agreement concluded by the European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) and the European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF) on the Maritime Labour Convention.

The EESC believes that the major challenges for offshore industry in the face of global and European competition and regulatory requirements are:

extraction in deep waters, and – in the offshore wind energy sector – the move towards siting installations at greater distances from shore and in deeper open waters;

procedures for horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in offshore mining in compliance with environmental requirements;

management of ageing offshore installation infrastructure; discovery, inventory and exploitation of resources in Arctic areas; response to the green impetus of the Marpol Convention, the Ballast Water Management

Convention and the Ship Recycling Regulation.

Contact: Adam Plezer (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 8628 - e-mail: [email protected])

Effects of digitalisation on services sector employment

Rapporteur: Wolfgang Greif (Workers - AT)

Co-rapporteur: Leo Hannes (AT – Cat.3)

Reference: EESC-2015-00765-00-01-AC-TRA

Key points:

Digitalisation transforms all segments of society and the economy and thus logically affects work and employment as well. Digital technology has the potential to increase wealth to unprecedented levels and can boost the quality of work and employment in Europe. However, these opportunities come with risks attached, as is evident in all economic sectors, also including the private service industry.

Pro-active policy-making at EU and national levels can and must ensure that the evident potential of digitalisation can be unlocked while its pitfalls are avoided.

In order to provide the EU workforce with the skills it requires in the digital age, public and private investment in vocational education have to be promoted and it must be examined whether European measures are required in order to generalise across the EU the positive experiences in Members States regarding training leave.

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Better statistics and research on the service industry are needed (at global and European level) to deliver detailed forecasts of developments in the labour market and of the polarisation of work, employment and income. Promotion of collective bargaining at all levels, especially in sectors and businesses that are affected by digitalisation can ensure that new forms of digitalised work organisation improve rather than deteriorate job quality.

The EU, national governments and the social partners should initiate debates with a view to defining political measures and legislation that ensure appropriate levels of mandatory social protection for the entire workforce – including those in non-standard forms of employment.

The general macroeconomic conditions vary considerably between Member States. In order to bolster employment despite declining demand for labour, potential problems need to be identified through discussion involving all stakeholders and the corresponding strategies established in line with individual Member States' requirements (e.g. including in the sphere of public investments, job-creating innovation and distribution and reduction of work).

Contact: Alain Colbach (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9170 - e-mail: [email protected])

Creative and cultural industries

Rapporteur: Emmanuelle Butaud-Stubbs (Employers - FR)

Co-rapporteur: Nicola Konstantinou (Cat. 2 - EL)

Reference: EESC-2015-01499-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The CCIs represent one of the most dynamic sectors of the European economy as its contribution to European GDP amounts to between 4.4% (for the purely creative, core industries alone) and 6.8% (when those strongly dependent on the former, or non-core industries, are added) and their contributions to employment stand respectively 3.8% of the total active population of the EU for the core industries, and 6.5% of the EU's when non-core industries are added. This sector has become the third largest employer following construction and the beverages sector.

Given the importance of cultural and creative industries (CCI) in the European Union, the EESC calls on the European Commission to draw up a multi-annual strategy for the development of these industries:

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The EESC underlines the fact that the EU must keep vigilant towards our global competitors' strategies, and asks the Commission that the external dimension should be integrated into all ongoing bilateral and multilateral negotiations. In particular they must be taken on board in the on-going discussions at the European Commission on a communication expected in autumn 2015 on a new strategy with regard to trade policy.

The EESC draw's attention to the questions raised by the architecture of the Creative Europe programme for 2014-2020, particularly in the financial aspect. For these industries, which are not all able to "capture" value, the question of capitalising on their intangible assets (client portfolios, celebrity and reputation, brands, know-how), which are long-lasting and a source of future profit, is crucial.

In view of developments on the labour markets in some Member States, a better way of taking account of atypical workers' needs in terms of working conditions, health and safety is needed. As well as adjustment to new market needs, greater mobility for the sector's professionals, training and education policies and tools. The EESC advocates stepping up collective bargaining in the media and culture sector in particular, in keeping with national traditions.

Several other aspects merit special attention, such as:

adapting intellectual property law to the digital revolution; an urgent need for territorial incentives; a forward-looking approach to changes in education and training tools in the CCI sector; a cross-pollination among the different ICC; harnessing the economic potential of architectural heritage; the setting up a multi-stakeholder European forum.

Contact: Amelia Munoz Cabezon (Tel.: 00 32 2 546 8373 - e-mail: [email protected])

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8. EXTERNAL RELATIONS

The revision of the EU-Mexico Association Agreement

Rapporteur: José Isaías Rodríguez García-Caro (Employers - ES)

Co-Rapporteur: Juan Moreno Preciado (Workers - ES)

Own-initiative opinion: EESC-2015-01608-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The opinion argues that the EU's relations with Mexico should be understood in the framework of the overall relations with Latin America. In this respect, they should go beyond the economic aspect and consider the historical and cultural ties. This may serve to counterbalance the influence of other blocks and to consolidate common positions in international fora.

It supports revising the current Agreement in order to broaden its scope. One of the main objectives is the creation of a civil society Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) recognised by the governing bodies of the agreement with advisory powers.

Attention should be paid to the ratification and enforcement of ILO Conventions on fundamental social rights. ILO Convention 98 on the application of the principles of the right to organise and collective bargaining is particularly relevant in the Mexican scenario.

With respect to trade and investment, specific areas that need revision and improvement include non-tariff barriers, investment protection, intellectual property rights and cooperation for ending fraud and tax evasion.

In terms of cooperation activities, they should be better aligned with the components of the strategic partnership in order to promote positive synergies. Specifically, cooperation should be intensified in the fields of governance, scientific and technical research and cooperation on sustainable development, climate change and environmental protection

Contact: Javier Fernandez Admetlla(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9345 – e-mail: [email protected])

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Agriculture, Rural Areas and Sustainable Development in the Eastern Partnership Countries

Rapporteur: Dilyana Slavova (Various Interests - BG)

Section opinion: EESC-2015-00902-00-02-AC-TRA

Key points:

The Opinion focuses on the reform of agriculture, support for socio-economic development of rural areas and achieving sustainability in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries.

The EESC recognises the importance of agriculture in the EaP countries, as well as the upstream and downstream sectors for the maintenance and the socio-economic development of rural areas. It encourages the process of economic diversification of rural areas, which could provide an additional income source through alternative activities and opportunities for higher employment.

The EESC supports the European Commission's efforts to set up a stable dialogue on agriculture and rural development with all partner countries and is prepared to assist in implementing policies and related reforms for all those committed to making agriculture and rural development a key sector in their cooperation with the EU. Most EU investments should be focused on the countries which make agriculture and rural development their priority.

The EESC places great value on the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture & Rural Development (ENPARD) which was launched to support the sector, and hopes that together with other programmes, it will lead to sustainable progress in agriculture and improved living conditions in rural areas in the EaP region. In addition, a strong monitoring should follow the implementation of the EU allocated resources to the EaP countries.

The EESC calls for strategic modernisation of the agricultural sector in the EaP countries that increases domestic production of safe food in a sustainable manner. The EESC believes that the EU should continue to be of great help to the EaP countries in improving the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards of their products and developing their rural development programmes. The Committee expresses its hope that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA) being part of Association Agreements will be properly implemented and will also be efficient in this aspect.

The EESC insists that the EU's experience in reforming agriculture and rural areas in pre-accession countries be taken into consideration, together with the diversity of experiences and efforts in partner countries. The EESC calls for a strong focus on the participation of civil society and the involvement of stakeholders in the sector.

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The EESC also clearly states its wish for civil society to be much more widely represented in Platform 2 - "Economic Integration and Convergence with EU Policies"; in its Panel on Agriculture and Rural Development, the Panel on Environment and Climate Change with regard to the promotion of green technologies, eco-innovation and biodiversity, the Trade Panel on SPS matters and in the SME Panel where the Committee's expertise and skills provide a useful contribution.

Contact: Magdalena Ruda(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 86 - e-mail: [email protected])

Corporate social and societal responsibility as a lever for action in the EU's partnership agreements (trade, investment and cooperation/development) (Information Report)

Rapporteur: Evelyne Pichenot (Various Interests - FR)

References: EESC-2015-00558-00-02-RI-TRA

Key points:

While implemented with other policies and measures, corporate social and societal responsibility is an important lever for driving forward sustainable development – for all countries involved in trade, investment and development cooperation. The EU has been following this logic and negotiating a chapter on sustainable development (including provisions on Corporate Social Responsibility) in its trade agreements. The EU and the Member States work also together in the field of development cooperation, promote private sector development and implement the principles of good governance.

Building on this achievement, the EESC puts forward the following proposals in preparation for the drawing-up of the EU Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) work plan for the years 2015-2020.

With regard to EU actions, the EESC calls for the inclusion of internationally-recognised guidelines and principles on CSR into the sustainable development chapter of trade and investment agreements. It also suggests encouraging countries benefitting from EU unilateral trade arrangements, such as the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), to establish national CSR plans. It proposes furthermore sharing the EU best experience with partner countries, with a view of drawing CSR Action Plans and promoting CSR practices. As regards sectorial measures, the EESC calls on the Commission to pursue the initiative announced in the textiles and clothing sector

With regard to actions of the EU Member States, the EESC supports the development of action plans for implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and reiterates the central role of the state in promoting and protecting human rights. It calls on state authorities to enhance fiscal supervision measures and measures to tackle money laundering and corruption. As regards trade and investment policy, the EESC urges Member States to improve the functioning of National Contact

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Points (NCPs) established under OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and suggests that they create a forum for dialogue between the EU Member States and developing countries that have signed up to the OECD principles.

It calls moreover on development and export credit agencies to fully implement CSR principles in their activities. It also encourages public institutions and public/private partnerships to implement responsible public procurement practices.

As regards responsibilities and activities of non-EU countries, the EESC encourages promotion, ratification and effective implementation of the relevant conventions on health and safety at work, in addition to the eight core ILO conventions. It also calls on as many countries as possible to sign up to the OECD guidelines, particularly emerging economies. The EESC encourages developing countries to use the ILO's International Labour Office Helpdesk, which provides assistance to businesses that wish to comply with international standards.

As regards economic operators, the EESC urges all multinational corporations, whether listed or not, to adhere voluntarily to the internationally recognised CSR principles deemed most relevant, and recommends that they disclose how they propose to apply them in a dialogue with their stakeholders.

The EESC recommends that parent companies and buyer-companies encourage their subsidiaries, sub-contractors and suppliers to adhere to the same international principles and help them implement these principles by adopting responsible purchasing policies. It suggests providing entrepreneurs, in particular in developing countries, with training on CSR tools and responsible management.

The EESC welcomes the development of transnational company agreements (TCAs) between the social partners as one of the instruments for companies to address issues related to human rights, and calls for follow-up to these agreements. It also calls on companies to have an evaluation of their non-financial report carried out by an independent third party of their choice.

The EESC supports measures, such as labelling, which provide clear and useful information to consumers and also improve transparency.

As regards civil society, the EESC recommends further encouraging more sustainable production and distribution, by raising the profile of initiatives in the field of fair trade, sector-specific labelling, eco-design and the circular economy. It also proposes offering assistance to civil society organisations in non-EU countries involved in drafting and implementing national CSR plans.

Contact: Magdalena Ruda(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 92 86 - e-mail: [email protected])

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Towards an ILO convention against gender-based violence at work

Rapporteur: Béatrice Ouin (Workers - FR)

Section opinion: EESC-2015-01969-00-00-AC-TRA

Key points:

The EESC follows closely a debate in the ILO (notably in its Governing Body) on whether to put a discussion on an international standard on gender-based violence at work on the agenda of the International Labour Conference (the ILO's decision-making body). The EESC supports this proposal and calls on the EU Member States and European social partners to do the same

With its tripartite structure including governments, employers' and workers' organisations, the ILO plays an essential role globally in improving the workers situation and businesses operation.

The EESC considers that sexual and gender-based violence at work is an impediment to decent work and represents a serious violation of human rights, and an attack on dignity and physical and psychological integrity of workers. It also reflects unequal power relations between women and men and contributes to perpetuating inequalities at work. Furthermore, gender-based violence has a negative impact on worker's productivity and business operation and hence more general on economic and social development and growth, and therefore should be prevented and combated.

With regard to upcoming decisions at the ILO Governing Body, the EESC calls on the EU Member States, which thanks to Directive 2002/73/EC have instruments in place for tackling inequalities between men and women and sexual harassment in the workplace, to speak with one voice at the ILO.

The EESC recalls as well that the European social partners signed a Framework Agreement in 2007 on harassment and violence at work, which is an indication that they are likely to take a joint stance in the debate on the proposal for an international labour standard.

In the EESC view, an ILO standard on gender-based violence at work would benefit society, social dialogue, working environment and working relations, by establishing a common definition of what constitutes gender-based violence at work, by including employers and workers in consultation on the new framework, clarifying their responsibilities as regards preventing, addressing and remedying gender-based violence at work; and by helping employers to develop adequate human resources policies, including training for staff, as well as establishing procedures for reporting complaints and claims, and their examination.

The EESC stresses that a new ILO standard would help to achieve decent work objectives; reduce the vulnerability of people exposed to gender-based violence and increase their financial independence and productivity at work. For workers and the society at large, it would mean improved health and

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safety at work, and savings given that domestic and workplace violence cost millions in healthcare, legal proceedings, lost pay and sickness pay.

In its Opinion, the EESC provides concrete proposals concerning the content of a new ILO standard.

Contact: Magdalena Ruda(Tel.: 00 32 2 546 9286 - e-mail: [email protected])

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