Brussels Commentary
Employment Committee Jan 22nd, 23rd 2014
Debates this week on eleven topics such
as,-
*Economic and social aspects in the
Annual Growth survey, 260 amendments and adopted by 32 to 3
*How can the EU create a hospitable
environment for enterprises and new jobs
*Proposal for a directive for Seafarers
*Social Summit for Growth and
Employment
*Directive to promote inland waterway
transport
*Posting of workers
* Five discharges listed not debated.
That's saying OK to spending already made.
Otherwise none of these topics were
voted on this time while Votes were taken on a text on "Rights
of Freedom of movement of workers", but without debate, adopted
by 31 to 1
Finally, a debate and vote on, "Are
tools in place to monitor the effectiveness of European Social Fund
spending on Older Workers", which arose from the Auditors
Special report. Adopted it by 33 to 2 without even offering me a
slice of the Social Fund! So mine was one of the 2 votes against.
After all this a presentation by the
Greek minister for Labour, Mr Yannis Vroutsis since it is the start
of the Greek presidency and at the change all Committees get a visit
by the appropriate minister.
He sounded just like his boss, the
Greek premier a week earlier. The problems are not just of Greece,
there is instability in the whole EU. Greece is now showing positive
signs. In the last year employment has now stabilised reflecting the
economy as a whole and Greece will show a surplus this year.
Their top priority will be to tackle
Youth Unemployment. In the wider employment field their "Artemis"
program will tackle undeclared work which denies the Greek exchequer
of revenue.
They will press on with equal
opportunities and try to end discrimination. In particular they will
seek to achieve a gender balance on company boards.
A bit like most of the initial
presentations by Ministers of Member States.
Derek Clark MEP
Brussels 23rd Jan 2014
You voted AGAINST improving EU auditing? Isn't that what you kippers have been asking for for ages? Don't tell me, you didn't bother to read what you were voting on...
ReplyDeleteFrankie D – Danuta Jazlowiecka MEP presented a report based on figures from the EU Auditors which may or may not have been accurate. The vote was about her report not about the EU Auditors.
ReplyDelete