Brussels, 22/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - “We must do whatever it takes to overcome the unemployment crisis”, said Economic and Monetary Affairs Commissioner Olli Rehn in a debate on economic and monetary union (EMU) at the European Parliament on Wednesday. Chair of the EP's employment and social affairs committee Pervenche Berès (S&D, France) was sceptical of the Commission's desire to unveil draft social legislation as part of the drive to boost EMU, saying that unemployment was due to the failure of the Commission's policies. Marisa Matias (GUE/NGL, Portugal) was equally critical, saying that people had been plundered and EMU should be done with people rather than just with markets. Earlier, the commissioner said that Europeans have to be assured that EMU is for each and every one of them, adding that the EU's policy mix was “focused on sustainable growth and job creation. Monetary policy is accommodative and is likely to remain so”.'
“In view of the protracted recession and high unemployment in many parts of Europe, we must do whatever it takes to overcome the unemployment crisis. Each EU institution will need to work within its own mandate, each member state both on its own challenges and jointly together as a Union on our common challenges”, said Rehn. He called for a strengthening of surveillance of macroeconomic imbalances, including social and employment indicators “with a view to identifying and tackling major challenges in a timely fashion and better integrating employment and social concerns in the overall policy landscape”.
Policies to tackle the labour market are also crucial, said Rehn, noting the importance of the “Youth Guarantee”. Market integration needs to increase, he said, and worker mobility should be made less expensive, with obstacles lifted so that job seekers are able to find out about job opportunities.
Solidarity and discipline. Spanish MEP Antolin Sanchez Presedo (S&D) agreed with the commissioner that solidarity among the member states needs to be combined with greater discipline and a tightening of belts. Presedo took a dim view of the way some countries which hadn't met the criteria were given more time to achieve their budget targets. Rehn said that the consolidation of public finances is continuing, although at a slower rate given the current economic context.
Rehn said that “more can be done with regard to an effective allocation of available financial instruments at EU level to help alleviate the social distress in countries undergoing difficult adjustment processes in EMU”.
The Commission is working on proposals to boost the social dimension of EMU. George Sabin Cutas (S&D, Romania) said it was not too late to start moving in the right direction and called on the Commission to promote a national minimum wage. (EL/transl.fl)