Brussels, 07/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 6 May in Brussels, the EP's employment committee approved the draft report of Anne Van Lancker (PES, Belgium) on employment policy guidelines in member states. MEPs amended the Commission text and followed the line of Ms Van Lancker expressed last February. The latter had highlighted quality employment through the introduction of guidelines in a balanced mechanism promoting flexicurity and a clause on active social insertion (EUROPE 9611). The general aim of her report is to fight against discrimination against women in the workplace and encourage workers to extend their working lives.
MEPs are therefore launching an appeal to more effectively combat poverty and social exclusion by guaranteeing decent wages and better access to quality services. They are requesting that economic, social and structural investments are made in the regions in an attempt to stem the brain drain from remote regions and member states. Another important point for MEPs: member states have to propose active labour market policies that enable people to adapt to change, reduce time spent unemployed and facilitate the transition to new jobs. They are also highlighting the need to combat undeclared work though preventive measures and sanctions. (G.B.)