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The next Committee meeting will take place in Brussels on Wednesday, 29 May 2013, 9.00-12.30 and 15.00-18.30 and on Thursday, 30 May, 9.00-12.30.
 
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Pervenche Beres © European Union, EP  
Social Investment Package

In April, EMPL discussed a draft motion for resolution on the Social Investment Package, which addressed several related issues and stressed the importance of targeted social investments. On 30 May, the committee will vote on the 145 amendments tabled to the draft motion for resolution. Before the vote, on 29 May, EMPL will discuss the compromise amendments.
The adopted motion for resolution, in parallel with an oral question to the Commission – adopted by EMPL earlier – is expected to be subject of the Plenary discussion and vote in June.

 
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Andor  
Exchange of views with Commissioner Andor

László Andor, Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion will come to the EMPL committee on 30 May to have a discussion with committee Members in the context of the structured dialogue, which is held annually between the specialised committees and the Commissioners with the relevant portfolio. The main subject of the discussion will be the implementation of the 2013 Commission work programme and the priorities for 2014, and will certainly touch upon the Commission’s activity since the beginning of its mandate in February.

 
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Vulnerable  
Impact of the crisis on access to care for vulnerable groups

The draft report was presented to the committee in February, following a public hearing held on the same topic in January. Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK), Rapporteur calls for social impact assessments of austerity measures and for recommendations tackling the social impact of such measures in the country-specific recommendations. The Rapporteur further calls for monitoring and addressing poverty reduction targets in the national reform plans. Member States should place a special focus on the most vulnerable groups and to remove access barriers, improve take-up and preventive measures so as to return to a rights-based approach and avoid long-term damage and costs stemming from non-action. 157 amendments were tabled to the original text, and these were discussed at the March EMPL meeting. EMPL will discuss the compromise amendments on 29 May then vote on the text on 30 May.

 
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Posting of workers  
Posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services

The general objective of the Commission proposal is to improve and reinforce the implementation, application and enforcement in practice of Directive 96/71/EC on posting of Workers. The more specific objectives are to ensure the effective respect of the posted workers’ rights, to clarify the obligations of national authorities, to clarify the role of trade unions and social partners and to prevent and to sanction circumvention and abuse of the applicable rules. Following the presentation of the draft report by Danuta Jazłowiecka (EPP, PL), Rapporteur and the consideration of amendments, EMPL committee will discuss the draft compromise amendments on 29 May, in relation to the total 975 amendments. The vote in Committee is foreseen at the 20 June meeting.

 
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Social affairs committee rejects cut to fund for the EU's most deprived
EMPL 21-05-2013 - 11:56  

The social affairs committee voted on Monday to reject the one billion euro cut to the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived proposed by the European Commission, and called for support for the EU's neediest citizens be kept at the 2007-2013 level of. 3.5 billion euros.

Presentation and responsibilities
 
The EMPL committee is responsible for:
 
1. employment policy and all aspects of social policy such as working conditions, social security and social protection;
2. health and safety measures at the workplace;
3. the European Social Fund;
4. vocational training policy, including professional qualifications;
5. the free movement of workers and pensioners;
6. social dialogue;
7. all forms of discrimination at the workplace and in the labour market except those based on sex;
8. relations with:
-  the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop),
-  the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions,
-  the European Training Foundation,
-  the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work,
-  as well as relations with other relevant EU bodies and international organisations.
 
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29-05-2013 - 09:00 / 12:30 EMPL   Watch the meeting
29-05-2013 - 15:00 / 18:30 EMPL   Watch the meeting
30-05-2013 - 09:00 / 12:30 EMPL   Watch the meeting
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07-05-2013 - 10:07   EMPL Meeting   Watch the meeting
23-04-2013 - 15:04   EMPL Meeting   Watch the meeting
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Welcome words
 
Pervenche Berès © European Union, EP  
 

Welcome to the website of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), of which I am the chair.
 
The EMPL Committee is mainly responsible for employment policies and all aspects of social policy, working conditions, vocational training and the free movement of workers and pensioners. There is a full list of our powers and responsibilities below.
 
The committee consists of 49 full and 49 substitute members representing the various political families in the European Parliament. Each political group appoints a coordinator to take part in organising the committee's work.
 
The EMPL Committee works with the Council of the Union and the European Commission to implement the legislative framework in the areas for which it is responsible.
 
During the current parliamentary term, the committee is seeking to drive forward a new Social Agenda and to contribute to promoting a more inclusive society.
 
Our site is updated regularly to keep you informed of our committee's activities. You can also follow our meetings online via EPLive.
 
Enjoy your visit!