News
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25/06/2007
First two applications for EGF money approved by Commission
Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimír Špidla today announced that the first two applications for EGF assistance have been approved by the Commission and have been put before the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union for decision. The first two EGF applications concern the French car secto 0a17 r and relate to suppliers of Peugeot-Citroën and Renault, respectively. The requested contributions from the EGF are €2,558,250 in the first case and €1,258,000 in the second. Both applications aim to assist workers made redundant due to company failures in a climate of changing global trade patterns in the car sector.
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22/06/2007
Cohesion policy 2007-2013: Commission approves the national strategy and priorities for Bulgaria
Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner and Employment and social affairs Commissioner Vladimír Špidla have reached agreement with Bulgaria on its national plan and priorities for Cohesion policy 2007-2013. In their National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) the Bulgarian authorities describe how they are going to invest EU funding worth € 6.8 billion over seven years in line with the so-called Lisbon agenda. The adoption procedure has now been completed, with a Commission decision on the Bulgarian framework, including its priorities, indicative annual allocations, and list of operational programmes.
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20/06/2007
Commission welcomes Parliament's report on Pension Portability directive
Commenting today on the European Parliament's vote on the Commission's proposal for a directive on the portability of pension rights, Vladimír Špidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities welcomed the Parliament's report on the original Commission proposal. He said "The Commission had made a much more ambitious proposal which would have enabled workers to enjoy true portability of their pensions. I still believe that the Parliament's report is a real step in the right direction. I am encouraged by the high level of debate on what is a complex and sensitive issue. Today's report will greatly contribute to ensuring mobile workers face fewer barriers and that supplementary provision will continue to be successful and sustainable."
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20/06/2007
EU plays active role in successful International Labour Conference
The 2007 session of the International Labour Conference has successfully adopted a convention on work in the fishing sector, a resolution on sustainable enterprises and paved the way for strengthening the ILO in the context of globalisation and decent work. The European Union played a key role in the discussions and Commissioner Vladimír Špidla represented the EU Commission.
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19/06/2007
Cohesion policy 2007-2013: Commission approves the national strategy and priorities for Slovenia
Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner and Employment and social affairs Commissioner Vladimír Špidla congratulated the Slovenian authorities for reaching agreement with the European Commission on the national plan and priorities for Cohesion policy 2007-2013. In their National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) the Slovenian authorities describe how they are going to invest EU funding of € 4 101 million that they will receive over seven years to deliver growth and jobs to their regions. The adoption procedure has now been completed as the European Commission issued its decision on elements of the Slovenian NSRF, including priorities, indicative annual allocations, and list of operational programmes.
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13/06/2007
Cohesion policy 2007-2013: Commission approves the national strategy and priorities for Netherlands
Regional policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner and Employment and social affairs Commissioner Vladimír Špidla congratulated the authorities of the Netherlands for reaching agreement with the European Commission on the national plan and priorities for Cohesion policy 2007-2013. In their National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF) the Dutch authorities describe how they are going to invest EU funding of € 1.9 billion that they will receive over seven years to deliver growth and jobs to their regions. The adoption procedure has now been completed as the European Commission issued its decision on elements of the Dutch NSRF, including priorities, indicative annual allocations, and list of operational programmes.
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13/06/2007
Commission moves ahead on cutting red tape for service sector while guaranteeing the protection of posted workers
Today the Commission has presented its assessment of national measures applied by Member States in the context of supervising the posting of workers, as well as the situation in terms of administrative cooperation. The aim is to remove unnecessary obstacles to the free provision of services within the internal market while continuing to ensure adequate protection for posted workers. This balanced approach is to be supported amongst others by a high level Committee of government experts, involving social partners, to facilitate the exchange of good practices. The Commission also proposes to reinforce administrative co-operation through the use of the Internal Market Information system (IMI). Furthermore, the Commission will launch, if necessary, infringement procedures to ensure conformity with Community law.
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12/06/2007
Cohesion policy 2007-2013: the Commission approves the strategy submitted by France
Danuta Hübner, the Commissioner for Regional Policy, and Vladimir Špidla, the Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs, have commended the French authorities for the strategy chosen for the 2007-2013 cohesion policy. In their National Strategic Reference Framework (NSRF), the authorities explain how they will use assistance from the Structural Funds totalling almost EUR 13.5 billion to stimulate growth and job creation in the French regions over the next seven years. Today, the European Commission approved the various elements of the French NSRF, including the priorities, the indicative annual allocations and the list of operational programmes.
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11/06/2007
Preparing for EU's ageing population at heart of new government expert group
Today a high level group of government experts will meet for the first time in Brussels to discuss demography issues. The group - set up by the Commission following requests from Member States responding to the 2005 Green Paper on demography (IP/05/322) - will support the Commission in developing policies adapted to the new reality of Europe's ageing population and shrinking workforce. The group will also act as a platform for Member States to exchange experiences and good practice in areas like active ageing, family policy, care for the elderly dependent and migration. Made up of representatives from all Member States, as well as a small number of independent experts, the group will be headed by the former Austrian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Leonora Hostasch.
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11/06/2007
Preparing for EU's ageing population at heart of new government expert group
Today a high level group of government experts will meet for the first time in Brussels to discuss demography issues. The group - set up by the Commission following requests from Member States responding to the 2005 Green Paper on demography (IP/05/322) - will support the Commission in developing policies adapted to the new reality of Europe's ageing population and shrinking workforce. The group will also act as a platform for Member States to exchange experiences and good practice in areas like active ageing, family policy, care for the elderly dependent and migration. Made up of representatives from all Member States, as well as a small number of independent experts, the group will be headed by the former Austrian Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Leonora Hostasch.