Brussels, 06/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on Wednesday 6 July, the European Parliament called on the member states to make sure that they keep the same availability of accessible, affordable and quality social services in times of crisis as in times of rapid economic growth, not to privatise them, but also to guarantee non-discriminatory access to them irrespective of sex, income, race or ethnic origin, religion or faith, disability, age, sexual orientation or employment conditions. The structure of childcare, social housing, care services for the elderly and social services of general interest (SSGI), which contribute to social protection and social inclusion in Europe, should be just as possible for everybody to benefit from as part of their fundamental rights. The EP therefore adopted, by a very large majority, the report by Proinsas De Rossa (S&D, Ireland) on the future of the social services of general interest (SSGI) (EUROPE 10300).
Public funds. The Parliament stressed that it is inappropriate to use public funds earmarked for SSGI for any purpose other than satisfying the service objectives, and that no part of these funds, other than staff costs and generally reasonable costs incurred in providing these services, should be used for other purposes.
The members of the European Parliament state that the social services of general interest are paid for mainly by the member states. Nonetheless, the European Union can play an important part and help them in modernising and adapting to new conditions, and finally to divide up the needs of the citizens in terms of quality and scope. They are of the opinion that the national, regional and local authorities should extend the setting in place of public-private partnerships in the field of SSGI, in order to increase their effectiveness and availability.
Largest employer of women. Social services play an essential part in the field of gender equality, because they increase the employment rate of women, and of equality in general. The sector represents 5% of economic production and employs 21.4 million people in Europe. The healthcare and social activities sector represents 9.6% of jobs in the EU and 9.4% of GDP. In 2008, women represented 79% of the labour force in the healthcare services, 81% in residential care services and 83% of the workforce in the non-residential care services sector.
Pushing reform forward. The MEPs called for the creation of a multilateral, high-level working group made up of representatives of the social partners, civil society and the European institutions, which could look into creating a European Observatory for SSGI. This Observatory could clarify certain legal uncertainties, assess the impact of single market rules on social services, their gender dimension and the promotion of innovations based on the voluntary European quality framework.
S&D, Commission should draw legislative consequences from this vote. In the view of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) of the EP, the main proposal is the creation of a multilateral high-level working group, which will be tasked with identifying and finding solutions to the problems facing suppliers and users of SSGI. “We will bring the matter to Presidents Buzek and Barroso to make sure that this report does not remain a dead letter and that the working group does actually see the light of day”, said Pervenche Berès, chair of the employment/social affairs committee of the EP. As for Françoise Castex, chair of the intergroup on public services, she said that it is “a matter of urgency to simplify and adapt the rules applicable to operators of SSGI on the basis of their specific natures and national characteristics in terms of the organisation and funding of these services”.
Greens/EFA, still much work to be done for Social Europe. “Unfortunately, even though the urgent nature of the economic and social situation demanded that the MEPs call for a framework legislative tool on SSGI, as proposed by the Greens/EFA Group in its alternative resolution, my colleagues refused to take this brave initiative”, lamented Karima Delli, whilst welcoming the vote. In her view it is high time to prove to the citizens that Social Europe is in business and to give public services the place they deserve in European law. The vice-chair of the public services intergroup, Pascal Canfin, raised the issue of funding, “which is vital to ensure the very existence of public services of a social nature”. The De Rossa report once again contains the EP's calls to simplify the funding rules, particularly for public services provided at a local level. “The new rules proposed by the Commission in the autumn must pay greater attention to diversity and the specific nature of social services of general interest.” (G.B./transl.fl)