Jagna MARCZUŁAJTIS-WALCZAK

Policy topics Jagna MARCZUŁAJTIS-WALCZAK is active on

What Jagna MARCZUŁAJTIS-WALCZAK has said (11)

• 2025-02-21 “E-000810/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission In the implementation of EU funds under Common Provisions Regulation (CPR) 1 , Member States and the Commission should ensure compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights 2 and the implementation and application of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities (UNCRPD) throughout the programming period, also when designing the selection criteria for operations 3 . In addition, the horizontal enabling condition (HEC) 4 on the implementation and application of the UNCRPD requires that a national framework to ensure implementation of the UNCRPD is in place. Other thematic enabling conditions (TEC) also promote the shift to community-based services and care, through deinstitutionalisation 5 . The Commission assesses the fulfilment of the HEC and TECs and their application by the Member States throughout the CPR programming period and when not fulfilled, the related expenditure under the CPR is not reimbursed from the EU budget. Member States are required to appoint monitoring committees to ensure the correct implementation of programmes 6 . The Commission participates in a monitoring and advisory capacity, with annual review meetings to examine the performance of each programme 7 . Through the application of the relevant HEC and TEC, the Commission remains committed to enabling shift to community-based services and care, through deinstitutionalisation. The Commission has issued guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community of persons with disabilities in the context of EU funding 8 . The approach presented in this notice is relevant to all EU funding instruments within their scope of support, including EU’s external action and EU-funded projects internationally. 1 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. Available from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1060/oj/eng. 2 Article 9(3) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. 3 Article 73 CPR. 4 Annex III CPR. 5 Annex IV CPR. 6 Articles 38 and 39 CPR. 7 Article 41 CPR. 8 Commission Notice Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community of persons with disabilities in the context of EU funding. Available from: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/7188/oj/eng.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. We are about to start our committee meeting. Our hearing. Um, dear colleagues, uh, the upcoming, uh, item on our agenda is hearing on demographic change, social challenges, and policy responses. It will focus on the critical and timely issue of demography, shedding light on its far reaching social and economic implications. For this ample hearing, we are pleased to welcome participation from members of the Committee as well Representatives from the intergroup of the on demography. Uh, this collaborative approach will enrich the discussion accordingly. Our hearing will focus on three key three critical areas of concern. First labor markets. Second, social protection, protection and inclusion. And third, families and children. To provide some context, Europe is undergoing huge demographic transformation and among the most worrying trends are a shrinking and ageing population, which is reshaping social structures. A projected rise in the old age dependency ratio, as reported by Eurostat on 1st January 2024. This ratio, defined as the number of individuals aged aged 65 or older per 100 working age people. Stands at 33.9%. Alarming alarmingly, it's expected to almost double to 59.7% by 2000 2100. As a consequence, there are significant challenges related to labour and skills. Skills shortages, which are expected to increase poisoning, a significant threat to Europe's competitiveness, social security and cohesion which with the sustainability of social security system under pressure and potential repercussions, including for living standards. Changing social societal, societal structures with societal norms involving an Increasing prevalence of single households and young people, delaying having families. Through this hearing, we therefore aim to better understand the challenges and explore effective policy responses in those above mentioned areas. Additionally, the Ample Committee will be working on the specific topic of an EU demographic strategy, a new EU large family card, and incentives for all generations to thrive in society. The hearing may therefore also provide first reflection on this specific topic. Before we start with our experts, I would like to pass the floor to Mr. Nils Gaiking for an introductory Statement, please. Uh, Nils, you have the floor for three minutes.”
  EU competences on demographic policy
• “Thank you very much, madam Chair, distinguished Commissioner colleagues, I'm very happy at the meeting. Thank you for allowing me to ask my question. You said Housing first. Housing first. Housing comes as a priority, invoking the real life history that you mentioned about the Irishman, whose mother was put in a social housing or in a shelter. And this is really, uh, very much connected to our report and the delivery of article 19 of the UN Convention on People with disabilities. And it is very important to take care of housing for the persons with disabilities. I thank you, Mr. Rapporteur Jimenez and all of you colleagues, for your contributions to the report. We invoke the convention, uh, And there is a chapter dedicated to persons with disability. Would you please treat this as a priority?”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Thank you sir. Our next speaker is Madame Sotiria Theodoropoulou, head of the European Unit economic, Employment and Social Policies. Please. Seven minutes.”
  European Semester (social dimension)
• “Thank you very much. Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen, the gender pay gap is still a fact in many European countries. Too many. Sometimes it is not 12%, sometimes it is even 30%. And at the same time, we have to be honest, the situation in Europe is not always the same. In Poland, for example, we have, uh, we are closer to 12%. So that means that proper policy on the labour market means good results. However, the problem still persists. Um, career breaks, especially due to maternity leave and care for children is still, uh, the, the culprit. It means that, um, the pension outcomes are worse and the possibility to earn money in general is more limited. This is not just a here and now. This is about the future. Our demography is at stake. If this is the landscape, so to speak. Women will keep thinking, well, it's not a good moment to have children. I still need to earn more money. So the decision will be postponed and postponed further into the future. Then we also have to talk about how, uh, household responsibilities are shared, and also the fact that we do not have enough caring facilities, uh, creche, uh, kindergartens, and then support for parents who have, uh, kids suffering from disability. If there is no help for them, the mothers have to stay at home and care for their children, disabled children full time. So yes, uh, lack of, uh, this, uh, unfairness is not a privilege. This is the reality we should.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “Thank you very much chairman. Thank you chairman. Can I say thank you very much to Ms Caroline Shields? That was a very interesting presentation and I'd like to draw your attention to a topic which is close to my heart and I'm dealing with it here in the European Parliament. Whenever we talk about the work life balance, this springs to mind. But there are families with children with disability and sheer numbers clearly show that those families fall apart whenever a child appears with disability. And should both parents stay together, then it's the mother's job to provide care and with no possibility of continuing her career. Now this house needs to look into the matter. Whenever we talk about the work life balance directive, there need to be a toolbox available for the parents in order for the parents to share their care and responsibilities to avoid a situation whereby mothers lose any chance whatsoever to continue their careers. And so legal solutions are also needed, also in form of a directive, also to this relaxation period for the personal assistance for those children, for them to be able to continue their life independently. And this is actually enshrined in the convention on the disability of the people with persons with disability of the UN because an independent life, it's not about the independent life of the parents but also those children in future. And this will allow those parents to come back to on the labor market, to the labor market. Thank you.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Thank you very much. Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen, the gender pay gap is still a fact in many European countries. Too many. Sometimes it is not 12%, sometimes it is even 30%. And at the same time, we have to be honest, the situation in Europe is not always the same. In Poland, for example, we have, uh, we are closer to 12%. So that means that proper policy on the labour market means good results. However, the problem still persists. Um, career breaks, especially due to maternity leave and care for children is still, uh, the, the culprit. It means that, um, the pension outcomes are worse and the possibility to earn money in general is more limited. This is not just a here and now. This is about the future. Our demography is at stake. If this is the landscape, so to speak. Women will keep thinking, well, it's not a good moment to have children. I still need to earn more money. So the decision will be postponed and postponed further into the future. Then we also have to talk about how, uh, household responsibilities are shared, and also the fact that we do not have enough caring facilities, uh, creche, uh, kindergartens, and then support for parents who have, uh, kids suffering from disability. If there is no help for them, the mothers have to stay at home and care for their children, disabled children full time. So yes, uh, lack of, uh, this, uh, unfairness is not a privilege. This is the reality we should.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen. We're talking about the housing crisis in Europe. But for many people who are disabled doesn't start with the price of the home, but that there is simply no affordable homes because 60% of these homes are not adjusted to the disabled. And that is not just a question of comfort, it's an obstacle which makes it very difficult for people to become independent, to work, and to be fully up, to fully participate in society. I'm very pleased to see that my proposal received ample support from the committee. Whatever our political views are, we've all recognized this problem. I appeal to the European Commission and the member states to agree to grant a special situation for accessible housing, so that individuals who are disabled can take advantage of this, because accessibility starts from the building phase or from the design phase. That is when you need to think of the space in an inclusive way way. I'd also like to point out that the obligations that derive from the United States Convention to the right of the disabled needs to be taken into account. Affordable housing support and personal assistance and help are other conditions that are fundamental for an independent and dignified life.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility
• “Thank you, Mr. Bachmann. We note this with interest. The Commission plans for forthcoming strategy on demographic change and solidarity between generations. And we, uh, we be curious to find out more. Now, I would like to move to our panel of experts to hear about the specific challenges and solutions you have identified in your work. Uh, so, Mr. Frans Ayfer, research manager, Working Life Unit, Eurofound. Please take a floor for seven minutes.”
  EU competences on demographic policy
• “Thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen. We're talking about the housing crisis in Europe. But for many people who are disabled doesn't start with the price of the home, but that there is simply no affordable homes because 60% of these homes are not adjusted to the disabled. And that is not just a question of comfort, it's an obstacle which makes it very difficult for people to become independent, to work, and to be fully up, to fully participate in society. I'm very pleased to see that my proposal received ample support from the committee. Whatever our political views are, we've all recognized this problem. I appeal to the European Commission and the member states to agree to grant a special situation for accessible housing, so that individuals who are disabled can take advantage of this, because accessibility starts from the building phase or from the design phase. That is when you need to think of the space in an inclusive way way. I'd also like to point out that the obligations that derive from the United States Convention to the right of the disabled needs to be taken into account. Affordable housing support and personal assistance and help are other conditions that are fundamental for an independent and dignified life.”
  EU policy on disability inclusion & accessibility · EU housing policy
• “Thank you very much. Madam President. Ladies and gentlemen, the gender pay gap is still a fact in many European countries. Too many. Sometimes it is not 12%, sometimes it is even 30%. And at the same time, we have to be honest, the situation in Europe is not always the same. In Poland, for example, we have, uh, we are closer to 12%. So that means that proper policy on the labour market means good results. However, the problem still persists. Um, career breaks, especially due to maternity leave and care for children is still, uh, the, the culprit. It means that, um, the pension outcomes are worse and the possibility to earn money in general is more limited. This is not just a here and now. This is about the future. Our demography is at stake. If this is the landscape, so to speak. Women will keep thinking, well, it's not a good moment to have children. I still need to earn more money. So the decision will be postponed and postponed further into the future. Then we also have to talk about how, uh, household responsibilities are shared, and also the fact that we do not have enough caring facilities, uh, creche, uh, kindergartens, and then support for parents who have, uh, kids suffering from disability. If there is no help for them, the mothers have to stay at home and care for their children, disabled children full time. So yes, uh, lack of, uh, this, uh, unfairness is not a privilege. This is the reality we should.”
  Gender pay transparency