Motion for a resolution - B7-0273/2013Motion for a resolution
B7-0273/2013

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on European action to combat youth unemployment

10.6.2013 - (2013/2673(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statements by the Council and the Commission
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Milan Cabrnoch, Anthea McIntyre on behalf of the ECR Group

Procedure : 2013/2673(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B7-0273/2013

B7‑0273/2013

European Parliament resolution on European action to combat youth unemployment

(2013/2673(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to the Commission’s communication of 5 December 2012 entitled ‘Moving Youth into Employment’ (COM(2012)727),

–   having regard to the question for oral answer put to the Commission on the Youth Opportunities Initiative (O [000/2012] – B[7 /2012],

–   having regard to the Conclusions of the European Council on 17 June 2010 on the Europe 2020 Strategy and its 5 headline targets,

–   having regard to the Commission’s Communication “Youth Opportunities Initiative” (COM (2011)0933),

–   having regard to the Commission’s Communication “Single Market Act - Twelve levers to boost growth and strengthen confidence “Working together to create new growth” (COM (2011) 0206),

–   having regard to the Commission’s Communication “Youth on the Move” (COM (2010)0478),

–   having regard to its Resolution of 14 June 2010 on “Promoting youth access to the labour market, strengthening trainee, internship and apprenticeship status”[1],

–   having regard to Title XII TFEU,

–   having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas tackling youth unemployment is the EU’s urgent social challenge;

B.  whereas high unemployment levels of employment can be achieved only by competitive, innovative and sustainable businesses;

C. whereas 22.8 % of young people in the EU are currently unemployed, with youth unemployment exceeding 50 % in some Member States;

D. whereas fighting youth unemployment requires structural reforms leading to more labour market flexibility and improved investment in both education and vocational training across the EU;

E.  whereas approximately four million jobs are vacant in the EU due to a mismatch between the skills of the unemployed and the skills required for available jobs;

F.  whereas SMEs and micro-enterprises, which are driving forces for economic growth and job creation - and for achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 Strategy - have shed more than 3.5 million jobs as a result of the economic crisis, with workplace closures affecting all workers, including the young;

G. whereas countries that reformed their labour markets have weathered the crisis better than those where no or limited action has been taken;

1.  Strongly believes that Europe’s greatest need in both the long and short term is economic growth and the regaining of competitiveness in order to create jobs;

2.  Calls on the Commission to promote the interests of SMEs and microenterprises by ensuring easier access to Europe’s Single Market;

3.  Calls on the Commission to open up opportunities in the Single Market in key growth areas, like services and the digital economy;

4.  Is convinced that the most effective way of bringing young people back to work consists of introducing more flexible labour laws at EU and national level; considers it essential to reduce unnecessary and disproportionate existing regulatory burdens, particularly on our SMEs who are the engine of job creation in the EU;

5.  Strongly believes that systemic reforms are crucial in order to improve the employment prospects of young people and tackle particularly structural unemployment;

6.  Stresses that investing in the right skills – corresponding to labour market needs – is an important factor in helping Member States innovate and regain their competiveness;

7.  Calls on the Member States to support self-employment among young people by creating facilities and preferential conditions for starting up their own businesses, through, e.g., cutting red tape and improving access to finance;

8.  Calls on the Commission to look for further and more ambitious measures to promote workers mobility across the EU as a way to help Member States tackle high youth unemployment;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and Member States.