Member of the European Parliament · Germany · S&D · Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands
- 2025-03-26 “E-001253/2025 Answer given by Ms Micallef on behalf of the European Commission The Commission shares the European Parliament’s unwavering commitment to strengthen children’s rights, promote their active participation, including at local level, while fostering cross-border exchanges. They are key objectives of the EU Strategy on the rights of the child, notably of its EU Children’s Participation Platform involving children in EU decision-making process. The local dimension is also central in the Commission Recommendation on integrated child protection systems, or in the implementation of the European Child Guarantee. The initiative proposed requires a thorough analysis to define objectives, scope and an impact on children’s lives and promotion of their rights. It is also crucial to avoid duplications and consider synergies with existing initiatives (e.g. the European Youth Capital, the European Capitals of Inclusion and Diversity Award, the European Capitals of Culture, the Access City Award), and with related existing initiatives led by partners (e.g. UNICEF). Such an assessment will consider already available EU funding schemes supporting projects with strong local dimensions for children, such as the calls for proposals on the rights of the child and children’s participation of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme, or the development of the EU Children’s Participation Platform. Children themselves should be involved in consultation, together with other relevant stakeholders, including international organisations, child rights organisations, local and regional authorities. Such analysis needs to consider equally resources and priorities under the next programming period, namely the Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034).”
EU and national cultural identities
- 2024-10-24 “E-002254/2024 Answer given by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu on behalf of the European Commission In its letter of formal notice of 19 May 2022 1 , the Commission identified apparent deficiencies in the procedure for enforcement of certain rights under Directive 2009/38/EC 2 in Ireland. The recent decision of the Irish Labour Court in the Verizon European Works Council case (TID214) confirms that issues the Commission identified in the letter of formal notice of 19 May 2022 do exist in practice. This is the first Labour Court decision of this kind in Ireland. The infringement procedure against Ireland remains open. The follow-up to complaints brought by workers’ representatives before the Irish authorities, including the recent decision of the Irish Labour Court, will be taken into account in deciding on the next steps in the infringement procedure. In January 2024, in response to a legislative resolution of the Parliament of 2 February 2023 (P9_TA(2023)0028), the Commission proposed a revision of Directive 2009/38/EC 3 , which is currently being considered by the co-legislators. This proposal includes, inter alia, stronger enforcement provisions. 1 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/inf_22_2548 2 Directive 2009/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 May 2009 on the establishment of a European Works Council or a procedure in Community-scale undertakings and Community-scale groups of undertakings for the purposes of informing and consulting employees, OJ L 122, 16/05/2009, p. 28, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2009/38/oj 3 COM(2024)14 final, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2024%3A14%3AFIN”
EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
- “Well, as I was saying, there's been a lack of investment. What's been missing is that there are strategic sectors that need to be put in a position to work better together. We've still got gaps in our single market that we need to deepen in the area of energy and the capital markets, but what's the problem? The problem is individual member states and their national interests. The decisions for becoming more competitive are complex ones. We need to be courageous enough to really address them rather than concentrate on that individual percentages of regulation. The omnibuses that we passed so far have done nothing to improve competitiveness. Investment and innovation are the only things that can bring us forward.”
EU Single Market harmonisation
- “The place where they work. In other words, it's much more lucrative to offer short term rentals to tourists. So I'd like to. I think it's very good that the commission has a number of different proposals, or they'll come forward with it. Uh, we understand that it's a kind of pressure cooker going on right now, and we'd like to know in which direction you're going to be going and how this is going to take place, so that when, um, so that we can know a little bit more about the orientation and the direction of the Commission's proposals. And I do feel that the mayors throughout Europe, uh, which have emphasized these particular problems, we've had a huge, uh, we've had a lot of contact and exchange with these people, and we're going to do everything possible to help mayors, uh, who are in situ to build, to really deal with this particular issue, particularly of short term rentals. And of course they need European legislation to support them on this. Thank you.”
EU regulation of short-term rentals
- “Commissioner Zivkovic, thank you. Listening to this debate, one really does have to wonder why miss von der Leyen isn't here. But the more the debate goes on, the more you realise why she's not here. Because we're hardly setting the heather alight with this debate. We've heard endless mention of simplification, but simplification isn't too simple. Let me give you a few examples. We have got to achieve some quality work. We've really got to maintain competitiveness. So look in the programme and find the measures which are going to deliver good jobs in SMEs are going to provide for tackling child poverty, for work life balance, for good jobs, for prosperity, for the workers. We can't even see a proper framework court roadmap to competitiveness. And where is the investment programme that Draghi mentioned? This is just a pale shadow of what he was proposing. Yes. Cutting red tape, but investment, which you claim is the backbone of this report, is not even properly shored up in this. Where is it? Where is the structure for achieving productive competitiveness and in improving our productivity? Where is the strategy for letting people find somewhere decent to live? Finally affordable housing. Where is it? There's homelessness everywhere in Europe. We need to be helping people to have access, at least to short term rents in decent housing. And where are the green measures? They are all missing these things.”
EU housing policy
- “Dear Mr. Commissioner, welcome, dear Glen. Indeed we share your ambition regarding, um, all the areas you highlighted here. And I would, uh, very much emphasize also the role you gave to children, because I think the European Union does still not enough to reach out to children, and they are indeed our future. This is why I would like to reiterate again that this House, the Parliament in 2024, with a broad majority in this House from across political groups, did a resolution and calling for the creation of a European capital for children. The idea bid from the European capitals of culture that cities can apply and prove that they give a voice to children in education, culture, sport, city planning and create safe, equal and joyful spaces to grow. You emphasized how important this is, that we don't leave them behind, and this city could become a living laboratory and it could offer to children to meet in workshops. Game debates show that Europe is visible, colorful and real to them. It's a bottom up idea, driven by citizens who believe in Europe here, and that it grows through encounters of children. So I would like to know how you see it and would very much appreciate that the Commission assesses it now and meets also involve cities involve civil society, social partners, organisations like the Committee of Regions who are very positive. Unicef for debating this idea and taking concrete steps to make it a reality. To drive an idea of citizens into a tangible European project.”
EU and national cultural identities
- “I could speak German. I pointed out that the right wing did not understand that decarbonisation and competitiveness are one and the same. They need to be linked. I mean, if you're looking at a car industry that you want to have in place in the future, then you can't turn things back. You can't dial it down. You're going to have to invest, you're going to have to push for decarbonisation. And the same applies to the economy. And indeed, there is one question unresolved here. How should these investments be financed? How can we ensure, for example. In 2056, that the the block regulation is exhausted, that we can still have quality jobs under this?”
Energy (green transition)
- “Commissioner. Members of the House. First of all, I would like to thank the two rapporteurs for the work that they've done. We're sending two very important messages out with this report. First of all, that we need enough resources. The world is changing in dramatic fashion, and we are very much behind with investment. A number of colleagues have mentioned the Hamilton moment, but we really need sustainable own resources. And the second message that we're sending is that the money has to be spent correctly and sensibly, and that means long term and structural changes aimed at the regions in order to guarantee regional and territorial cohesion. The money also has to be spent in such a way that it meets our policy goals. Let me mention one other thing here child poverty. We need the child guarantee because that is an investment in the future. We can only have sustainable society if we make that a guarantee.”
Own EU resources
- “Vice president. Colleagues. When Jacques Delors. Baptized the single market drew it out of the christening font. Obviously this was very important. Jacques Delors was a visionary. He was European and realised, obviously, that a market on its own was not enough. And he said at the time that nobody falls in love with an internal market and the European founding acts was not. It was not just an expression of the single market, but it was all to do with economic and social cohesion. And he had an understanding of competitiveness. He talked about social dimension, environmental research. These are the trump cards of competition. So this is extremely interesting in the light of the strategy that the Commission has just presented. And to try and get an idea of what is in the strategy, drawing on what Delors believed in, the single market has to be freed from its manacles. So what about protective measures? Should these be seen as obstacles? Or we have to put pressure on liberalization without increasing costs for or without taking a look at costs for the consumers and workers? There, there's still something to do. We could do a little more there. Obviously, we will be on your side. If what you're trying to do is mobilize the internal market along the lines of what Jacques Delors was intending, with a view to achieving prosperity for everybody, and that we do not fall back to reduce competition model, especially if we want to persuade people that the single market strategy is working for them. Because in that case, it has to be broader and we have to we have to make sure that the workers and the consumers realize that this is not a strategy for business, but for them and for the whole of Europe. Thank you.”
EU Single Market harmonisation
- “I think we all agree here that credibility is enjoys the highest currency in a democracy. And I do think this is all well and good. We've heard Cross-bench support, thanks to the rapporteur for the work he's done on this 28th regime. And I quote, this should not become a vehicle for charlatans where there's co-determination and democracy at the workplace. And it adds to that. And that's important because that's part and parcel of the European social model. And in many areas we think this is very good. This proposal is coming at a time where we're looking at how the European companies are developing. Two thirds of SMEs tend to be exploited by charlatans, and they tend to be used only to exploit workers rights. And that's why it's so important whenever the commission puts forward proposals that we have safeguards in place for individual and collective workers rights. The best approach would be to close the loopholes in the TSS. That is what creates credibility. Thank you.”
EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
- “(12:25:04 – 12:26:26): Thank you very much, chair, and thank you for this overview. My question would be, we talked a lot about financing and how important it is to, on 1 hand, finance nonprofit organizations, especially that provide affordable housing for young people in educational training, in the different forms. But at the same time, also that we are talking about the European investment platform, the European Investment Bank, and the conditions for handing out the money. What are if you have 1 wish free, what would it be in the in the way we are now setting up this investment platform, how to guarantee this? And if I might have a small 1, we are discussing at the moment in the parliament the next MFF, the multi annual financial framework. What are your key expectations if you think providing housing for young people, what needs to be in this next MFF to make sure that we are better off in the future than we are currently in the present. Thank you.”
EU housing policy
- “I'd like. Yes. Good morning. I'd like to come back to the question of how many employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements, because you didn't answer that question. And now my questions. We have the impression here that your company is the ideal company. Somebody's talking about an advertising film. Now, that contrasts with my experience. We have met Amazon Works Council members from all over Germany who've talked to us about surveillance and the pace of work. Um, there have been cases in the media that have been reported. So how many employees have open ended contracts. Other companies seem to manage to provide good health and safety conditions without surveillance. So that is why I'm asking my question. I'd like to ask about labor accidents, accidents at work and then when people are ill, it said that they are put under pressure, that they are threatened, that monitoring goes on. How often do they have a drink? How often do they go to the toilet? And there are a lot of people who work for you who come from third countries, and it's easier to put pressure on them because residents is linked to having a job. So I'd like empirical data on them. We're delighted that you came. We've been trying to, um, get you here for ages and to visit your sites, but. It is very important that we should be able to visit your facilities in order to get an overall impression. Thank you.”
EU rules on hazardous working conditions
- “Good morning, and thank you very much. Thank you very much, Vice President. Of course. Uh. After hearing the speech of, uh, Ursula von von der Leyen and all of the various novelties that she presented. But there were two particular proposals the issue of regulation on short term rentals and also state support. And then something else was pushed in there that it would all come by the end of the year. So I'm a little bit confused about all of this and how this all fits together, particularly as concerns the second part, because we would like to know well, the end of the year is around the corner and where will it take place? Under which sort of legislative proposals, how how will that all look? The s d group, where we've conducted a study on this particular issue with proposals as well concerning regulation of short term rentals. It's been sent out. Maybe you could be inspired by that and, um, and come back to us with concrete proposals because my, my colleague already said there's huge pressure out there, particularly in the cities. I'm from Berlin and many of my colleagues from other major metropolitan areas where this housing issue is very, uh, whether police, nurses, teachers can't live in those cities anymore.”
EU regulation of short-term rentals
- “I just have two points. One is if I understood right that you said, um, that rent controls are not working. I would like to know on what kind of studies you rely this on. And it contradicts with the meetings. We had a lot of meetings with mayors and in cities where they do have rent controls in certain um, they, uh, said it is working and also provided data on this. So I think to clarify this. Do you also have case studies of concrete cities, or you just analyze the general data that is here? And the second question also is or comment is like in my city also, um, there are um, a lot of unoccupied dwellings, but the legal situation makes it very complicated. If someone uses for 1 or 2 days and can prove this flat. It is very complicated, you know, um, to, um, to address it, um, that, um, do we have any data on, on the use of these unoccupied dwellings or partial use or, or data that is not used at all? Thank you.”
EU housing policy
- “Colleagues, we agree in this room that €2 trillion is a lot of money. And with this money, via the commission, we now have the opportunity to promote good work or as we have done up until now, have a situation of legal uncertainty. This money we can also use Is for companies which renovate schools, for bus drivers who are constantly don't get enough money for the job they're doing driving our children to school. I think that this is a crucial sector, and we really do need a good regulation here. The commission has done a very good work so far, but. They have had wonderful declarations of intent. Nevertheless, the clarity has been lacking in the employment committee that this money is going to be, uh, paid out for good works. We need a good way of doing this, a good mechanism. And this is why, once again, we support our amendments also those of the Employment committee, because Only then can we promise our workers that it is their single market, that this is something which is going to promote the internal market and not be a fat cow for others.
**Nicolae ȘTEFĂNUȚĂ @Chair: Thank you. Mr. Barroso has the floor.”
EU policy on social criteria in public funding
- “Mr. president, colleagues. I mean, who does not like to have simple legislation with a high level of legal certainty? We call it the art of doing legislation. Anyone? I don't think so. Even that the commission is not here. We as S&D support this. We engage in simplification and we want to better protect SMEs from multinationals putting their. Obligations on them. But surprise, if you really look at the package, you can see that quite a few of these proposals do not deliver on simplification and omnibus. I think the term is to maximise confused people because they don't know what an omnibus here is. If you look at this for very different legal proposals, you will find out that these are legal proposals we worked on. We found compromises in this House. We found majorities in the last mandate. But if you look at two of these four omnibus packages, especially if you look at the due diligence proposals, it is pure deregulation. It is not simplification and it is not rational proposals for simplification. It affects real people. You're talking about growth and jobs. We are talking about growth and good jobs. Also for the fruit picker from Morocco, also for the child that has to dig minerals, or the transport worker that works here and delivers our products.”
Due diligence in supply chains (environmental and human rights)
- “Thank you, Madam President. Madam Vice president. Fighting poverty is a mammoth task. That's been the case ever since poverty has existed. And I wonder if the right of this House would be pleased if we were to ignore this problem at European level, because that's the impression I'm getting. We've got 20 million children in Europe who are expecting Europe to support efforts to solve this problem. And it's all very well to say, oh, people should just go to work. But even 1 in 10 people in a job is poor despite having a job. And the children of those parents are poor even though their parents are working. And that's why it's so important that we shouldn't just have ambitious targets. And we've had these for over 20 years in Europe. We started with the Lisbon strategy. But what we need to do with our strategy is to create tools and instruments and resources in order to help these children. That is why instruments like the Framework Directive for a minimum income 20 billion for the child guarantee. All of these targets are absolutely vital contributions from Europe. In order to help reduce poverty in member States and to offer these children in poverty an opportunity, because it's clear that this state of poverty and inequality is a major danger to our democracy. And that is why the right like to sort of paint a negative picture. Poverty can be combated with the help of Europe, but then we have to get to work and actually put our money where our mouth is.”
Child poverty policy
- “Thank you very much and welcome here. I started my day with a breakfast of the Eurocities, and I can assure you, you have a lot of interest on this communication where you presented the outline in Europe, and already a lot of questions has been asked. I would like to thank you also that you mentioned financialization and speculation, and it fits because we had the chair of the Housing Advisory Board yesterday in our committee. We had a very good exchange, and I was quite impressed that there could agree on such concrete proposals here. And this topic is one of them. But I would like also to come back to the questions on short term rentals, because I remembered what Commission president von der Leyen said said in her speech on the state of the Union. She said, and we will also propose a legal initiative on short term rentals to tackle the remaining issues. So again, to see how are you going to do that in a bit more concrete terms, if you could give us an idea Dear. Very much appreciated. And something we did not discuss, but our new colleague brought it up is really the question that it's hard to understand that we can deduct defense procurement and from, from from the deficit, but in housing where you will have a return in comparison to defense, because the tenants will pay back the credits that you invest in housing. Why this is not on the agenda yet. Thank you.”
EU regulation of short-term rentals
- “Thank you very much indeed. President. Distinguished commissioner colleagues. We here are talking about the evaluation of the new direction to be taken by the European Social Fund. I mean, colleagues have already done so. But let me just remind you that this is the oldest instrument we have. It is far older than me, for example, and it has always had to be brought into alignment with changes in society, particularly, for example, when workers who've had to deal with challenges, making sure that they are qualified and can remain on the labour market, and knowing that Europe will look after them. And the social market has always been based on three pillars legislation, social dialogue in second place, and then thirdly, the European Social Fund, which made available resources to achieve certain political goals. And that is why I am extremely grateful to the rapporteur. She has battled really hard to make sure that we were able to broker compromises and make sure that we could reorient the fund and make sure that the commission didn't throw out the baby with the bathwater, make sure that it did not undermine one of the social pillars of Europe, because we need guaranteed resources. And I would like to quote Sandro Gozi, who said that the fund shouldn't simply be a cash machine, a cash dispenser for member states. And that is why I stand here once again, pleading for us to continue to guarantee to the people of Europe that we remain a social Europe and not simply make promises, and then look at these crises and realise that we've spent all the money on something else. Rather, make sure that we do provide genuine social support and also invest in genuinely innovative social projects. And another important point is that this is not about centralization. That is not the way forward. Rather, we should be working with regions, with local authorities and with people on the ground trying to engage in partnerships and deciding exactly how the money should be spent in order to achieve these goals. Thank you. Thank you very much.”
EU expenditure on social policy
- “Thank you very much. And thank you to the experts. Very interesting indeed. We are talking about on one hand fighting homelessness. Europe did set some goals, and it's about the policies how to implement our goal to overcome homelessness. If you talk about people living on the street, it was said it's like the city of Sofia, 1.2 million or cities like Cologne. We are talking here about a big phenomenon. So, um, I think I wanted to underline when we discuss it here, we don't want to put different groups against each other. Affordable housing means we need as a basis very good policies for social housing and on top of it, improve what we have on affordable housing. For me also, um, with the professor Kenna, I did find it interesting. Maybe we can hear a bit more about how we can, um, come up with consumer law proposals, how to approach this. And I think also when we look at the upcoming MFF, how we can make sure that the Housing First policy we have with proper follow up and social services to address it, how we can enforce it better, how much resources we need for that. Um, also with ESF plus how we can strengthen it. But indeed, this question how we can prevent homelessness because once you are homeless, it's very hard to get back. We heard that. So how can we and what can Europe do also with the competences it has to to make it possible and especially to address problems of homeless families, that people don't end up in the street first place. Um, and with this, I think if we address this in the affordable housing plan, um, also I would like, um, the president of France and also Marilyn, what are concrete proposals also from your point of view where you say this needs to be in the housing plan? If you want to address and solve the problem of homelessness. Thank you.”
EU housing policy
- “I wanted to thank the rapporteur also for his proposal, especially also because he based it very much on evidence and experience. And I wanted to thank you for the workshops. Also, you organised with experts from the sectors, especially the risk sectors. And I would like to underline that this question also that was raised by EPP by productivity, um, that we have to see how important it is that we want secure, well-paid jobs in Europe. And that is the goal of this commission. That is the goal of this House. And we can see that it clashes with certain inflation also in the use of subcontracting chains. Um, and this is what the rapporteur, um, wants to address. I would like to know, um, also, um, especially regarding the quality standards, because what we see in these long, um, chains also that we have huge risks, as you said, higher risks of accidents, higher risks of um, of quality failure, etc.. Um, how this also will feed in your report here and to see to find really a way to make sure that we have the necessary flexibility on one hand, but on the other hand, that subcontracting chains are not just used for, um, higher profits on the basis System of exploitation of vulnerable workers and groups of workers. Thank you.”
EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains
- “Thank you very much for this presentation. And indeed, it looks like there is a huge data hunger of the European Parliament. We are in a situation that we have to make use best use of the data we have, but also to highlight where we need more and more differentiated data. But I would like to address some points because it will help us, you know, to do also well informed policy making. You mentioned that 7 million um, added dwellings would be needed. And you highlighted also and I think it was done before by Eurostat and others, the increase of unoccupied dwellings on one hand, um, and on the other side also the problems regarding short term rentals. What is your assessment? Um, if we would live in an ideal world where we could address, um, these two topics reduce, um. Uh, tremendously the unoccupied dwellings and also limit short term rentals. What impact this would have on the housing market? And the other point that was a topic already the whole morning, how the young generation is affected. Um, also, thank you for your link to to the societal impacts. And also, on one hand, rising prices and on the other hand, the higher risk of younger people these days to be in low paid jobs, etcetera. Um, how how we can address this topic much, much more in support of young people finding affordable housing here. Um, and also, um, maybe special programs for this, if you could elaborate a little bit on that would be very much welcomed. And I have a question we discussed here also with the Commissioner that you are looking for data also and analysis on financialization and speculation. Do you already have something or how long will it take to come up with this data? Thank you.”
EU housing policy
- “Yeah. Dan, good to have you here in the committee that has the responsibility for fighting homelessness. We took this serious over the years. And my question is also, I'm very worried when I look at the European Social Fund and the proposals we have from the Commission, with one third less money on housing first effects, what other resources can be mobilized here and how we can improve it? And the second one is we care a lot here that people have more in their pockets, but we know that with more and more they have to pay for housing and for energy. It will be less. So the cost of living crisis is central. We are now in a pole position with your report, with hours to come on legislative proposal on short term rentals, but also on speculation as emphasized, because we will be not judged by the reports but by the measures we delivered. As soon as possible. So what is the timeline here? Because we are ready here to work with you to do this.”
EU housing policy
- “Thank you. President. Commissioner Hoekstra. As has already been said by the rapporteur, now is the time, after a long discussion, to look forwards to the forwards to a vote. We've had good consultations with the council. 26 states voted in favor. And now is not the time really to revisit fundamental issues on competitiveness. Anybody who is familiar with the outcome of the trilogue know that we are achieving clarity. We are strengthening in terms of consultation and information rights, but we're also strengthening businesses in transition, as Commissioner Hoekstra has once again emphasized. My colleague, Mr. Ratka put it very diplomatically. I would ask you once again, dear colleagues, the fake news that this is somehow going to destroy competitiveness should now be set aside. It's time to recognise that we have a balanced outcome, and we now have the opportunity to send a very clear message in a time of change. The message that information and consultation serves the benefit of workers. Workers who don't have to learn news about their jobs from newspapers, but from the company itself. That's something which strengthens their rights and strengthens their capacity to produce value. My Spanish colleague spoke previously and said we're creating more bureaucracy, as Commissioner Hoekstra has said. That is nonsense. So I would strongly advocate that tomorrow is the day. After years of work to vote in favour, I'd like to thank the Polish presidency who have made it possible to strike such a well balanced outcome. So please support that tomorrow with your vote. Support business support. We as Social Democrats are also going to be doing that. Thank you.”
EU regulation on worker representation in company decisions
- “So we're looking at a new chapter in European integration and a real proposal for affordable housing. This is what we lack disastrously, and we need to be aware that rent is eating up too much of our citizens income. So can the EU now regulate everything like Superman from the top? No, of course not. But I am pleased that we can focus on what we can do in Europe, and here we can give local authorities more room for manoeuvre. Short term rentals have been mentioned on that. It is important that we should really come up with specific legislation. Towns and cities need that, as do people in places which are affected by excess tourism. State aid clearly an EU power that we need more margin for manoeuvre for local authorities, for social and affordable housing and cutting red tape does make sense. Nobody can understand how when it comes with debt rules, we don't have more flexibility for defence expenditure, but not for investment in housing. We need both and that is in order to increase people's safety. And the commission has also mentioned the elephant in the room speculation. Thank you. It's high time that we take action. We in the Parliament, we in the S and D will be there.”
EU housing policy
- “And therefore, I mean, this proposals were written by multinationals, by business lobbyists that lobbied for that for a long time. And EPP colleague to be, instead of talking with the other political groups like Sadi, like renew and the Greens, you cowboy like march through without any talking to come up with the fast procedure here. But if you do that, and I think the art of doing law in Europe was finding good compromises, it was not the cowboy style of marching through and just push, push, push without having good legislation, because what good legislation can come out of this without any consultation, without any legal assessments here to march through. And I have to say, Mr. Toby, but also to Mr. Weber, it has consequences if you leave the path how we did legislation in the past and you want to do it with the far right in this House, you have the choice to negotiate with us for simplification, for better protecting SMEs, or you march through with the right year. But this will have consequences for the whole legal term. And in this sense, I hope you come to your senses. Thank you.”
EU engagement with civil society
- “Thank you very much. And indeed, I think it's very timely to discuss the impact of the court ruling and the implementation of this directive in times where we have really huge problems with increasing prices and where people are not able really, and wages are not able to cope with this rising prices, be it energy, being food, being housing at the same time, we have an idea after the first participation participants what a battle this was to achieve this directive, and that no one from the beginning was sure how it would end. But what we knew is that we have to do something from European level against the growing number of working poor. And I think this is the importance after this ruling of the court that we now have to implement and we have to deliver here. And we got some new tools regarding also collective bargaining coverage that we have to use in our work here in the Parliament. When we look, for example, at public procurement and other tools that we can use to achieve this goals. And I think Mario said it also in the beginning, there were a lot of people, um, I'm having doubts that Europe can do it, but at the same time, I still remember we we had the live hearing of the press conference that you. Professor Garbin, mentioned, and when the key sentence was expected, the. There was a disconnection. From the court and. But this is, I think, a bit symbolic. So I think we know what we can do. And as, uh, one of the rapporteurs already said it, Dennis, we never intended that we replace collective bargaining from, from, from Europe, but that we can do and help to organize the framework that working poor will not exist in the future. And this is why we have to look so intensively in the implementation of this directive. Thank you very much.”
Minimum wages harmonisation at EU level
- “I think that we we we all accept that we have a problem with the market, that the figures are terrible, but we need to do something about this. And that is really the question to the right. You want more market, more market, you know, the medicine that has killed the patient and less of a green deal. Uh, because that was because of the hike. That was even before the hike of energy, uh, prices. And, uh, others think, well, with a bit of aspirin, we can solve this problem. So speculation, uh, and, uh, short term rentals, uh, we need to call upon the commission to table a legislative proposal, and then the Greens and the left who speak about rejection of this report. But all your quotes come from the first version. Yeah, we've worked for over a year. We would have been happy to have your contributions to get fined and to find good compromises. Democracy is based on compromises. Yeah, you may complain, but this is the first step. This report to support the commission to prepare a legislative proposal against speculation, for instance. And if you want to heal the patient, you need money. And of course, a lot of the bowels have been, uh, mended short term rentals. That is only something the commission can, uh, regulate. And to find social housing for the cities where we need the commission again for this. And I know that the commission needs to deal with this. So let's go from shame to action.”
EU regulation of short-term rentals
- “Thank you. Chair. Vice president. There were hundreds of workers, members of the trade unions, who were standing here, and they talked about this report. They started to talk to us. They came many colleagues, the many colleagues from other groups came to speak to these workers. These are long chain subcontracting is something which is very common in transport, in agriculture, in the construction sector. So the rapporteur has really said we can see we need to draw consequences out of this, and we need to have a certain degree of control. There need to be clear rules and more implementation, especially across the borders. Let me just give you an example. I mean, sometimes there are unsustainable situations in Germany in the in the case of meat, the meat industry with very long chains during the pandemic. This whole situation came out. So people are now being employed directly with reasonable wages. And people have kept a job. Employees get a decent wages and good work does not necessarily be has to be an obstacle to competition. So please do support this report and to send out the message. We are listening and we are dealing with it.”
EU policy on labour exploitation in global supply chains