On Thursday 13 March, MEPs approved by a show of hands a resolution on corporate restructuring processes and the need to take social aspects into account. The resolution emphasises training and support for people affected by restructuring, calls for a European investment tool and asks Member States to strengthen and promote collective bargaining.
“Social dialogue is essential to preserve and create quality jobs in the context of the green and digital transitions”, says the resolution.
Access to skills development is essential if workers are to make a successful transition to new jobs, say MEPs, and workers affected by restructuring need training and support, summarises the European Parliament in a press release. Restructuring processes must respect employees' fundamental rights, such as the right to information and consultation.
With regard to the forthcoming revision of the European directive on public procurement, MEPs urge the Commission to promote collective bargaining and preferential treatment for companies whose workers are covered by collective agreements. They add that no financial aid from the EU should be granted to companies that do not respect the working and employment conditions in force.
The resolution was tabled by Estelle Ceulemans (S&D, Belgian) During a debate on the subject on Wednesday 12 March, she called for the establishment of a “clear framework for retraining, with mechanisms for retraining in the regions”, for social dialogue to be ensured and for a “ban on unfair dismissals”. She criticised the far right, which “is refusing a fair transition directive” and rejects the role of trade unions.
The PfE group had tabled an alternative resolution, which it said was to reject calls from the rest of the European Parliament to ban redundancies or make life more difficult for businesses.
Link to the resolution: https://aeur.eu/f/fx8 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)