http://www.akeuropa.eu/en/news-full.html  By launching the Fourth Railway Package, the European Commission has now sounded the bell for the next round with regard to liberalising rail transport. The probably most controversial issue in the new legislative package is the mandatory tendering of public transport services. This would mean that rail transport services, such as commuter trains would have to be put out to tender and would no longer be allowed to be operated by the public sector and its enterprises. Discussions so far have given only little consideration to the reproach by experts that the planned mandatory tendering would take place at the expense of employees and lead to lower wages and poorer working conditions. An initial hearing on the Fourth Railway Package has now taken place in the recent Transport Committee meeting of the European Parliament. However, the hearing revealed that many MEPs attach particular value to economic interests, but that the concerns of employees only find support with a minority.]]>  Not all is well when it comes to the agreement between European Parliament and Council in matters of the EU budget for the period 2014 to 2020: only this week - three months after the agreement on the EU budget volume in the Council - has the first round of negotiations between the two institutions taken place. Reason for the delay: the EU Finance Ministers hesitated to provide the necessary funds to implement the current EU programmes. This, however, was the basis requirement of the EU Parliament before negotiations on the new EU Financial Framework could start. According to MEP Reimer Böge, the first round of negotiations, the so-called 1st Trilogue was one of the most disappointing trilogues he has ever experienced.]]>  The EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs and the Euro, Olli Rehn, recently presented the new European Economic Forecast for 2013 and 2014. Whilst the Commission itself - similar to economic forecasts of recent years - believes it has seen the light at the end of the tunnel, current figures provide little hope for the European economy and the 26 million people who are unemployed: the Commission projects that in 2013 the economy will shrink more than originally expected. In 2013, the GDP in Europe is anticipated to fall for the third year in a row; slight growth is only expected for 2014. The rate of unemployment, which in 2014 and in 2013 will stand at almost 12 %, is particularly devastating. These figures show once again the social and economic failure of the current radical stance of economic policy at European level. What is required more than ever is a political departure of this dogmatic and short-sighted austerity doctrine and to replace it with massive investments in qualitative growth and sustainable employment.]]>  This week, the Commission has published a new proposal, which according to EU Commissioner Michel Barnier shall at last give EU citizens the right to open their own bank account. Apart from that, legal regulations are in the planning, which shall make it easier to compare bank charges as well as measures to facilitate switching to another bank account.]]>  What impact does starting a poultry farm have on the environment? Is setting up a waste landfill or a production plant ecopolitically justifiable? These are questions, which are clarified by means of an Environmental Impact Assessment. The current legal framework has already been in existence for 28 years and is now to undergo a fundamental overhaul. This week, the European Parliament discussed this issue on the basis of a draft Report, which was prepared by the Liberal MEP Andrea Zanoni.]]>  This week in Brussels, the Fourth Demography Forum organised by the EU Commission took place in front of ca. 300 scientists, policy makers, as well as non-governmental organisations. The main focus hereby was on the demographic aspects of the Social Investment Package (SIP) adopted in February, which shall help Member States to tackle problems related to poverty and social exclusion through investments in human capital and participation in the labour market.]]>  A recent annual report by Eurostat and EU Commission compares the various tax rates in the Member States. In doing so, trends are revealed as to how individual countries adjust their tax screws in the course of the financial and economic crisis. With regard to Austria, this report contains already known accounts on the tax structure: compared with other European countries, taxation of capital is low, whilst that of wage labour is high. Both data and statements of this annual study are interesting in several respects: firstly, it becomes clear, which politico-economic measures are taken to consolidate the budget. Secondly, the current debate on tax havens and tax evasion is underpinned with data. Thirdly, this data also gives new impetus to the issue concerning a (possible) harmonisation of the European tax systems.]]>  The adequate fight against tax fraud, tax evasion and tax havens is currently at the centre of the political debate at European level. This debate does not only concern fair taxation and the drainage of a swamp, which on occasions looks like being structured in Mafioso style, it also concerns a lot of money: these partly still legal, partly illegal practices mean that the European Member States miss out on an income of ca. 1 billion Euros per year, which would not only be important for budget consolidations, but would also represent necessary funds for investments in sustainable growth and employment. EU Commissioner Šemeta presented a platform for “Tax Good Governance“ this week, where various experts shall critically analyse the ideas of the Commission - laid down in the Action Plan at the end of 2012 - over the coming months. However, public pressure is also required to make sure that these proposals for just and fair taxation do not peter out. ]]>  In the Transport Committee of the European Parliament this week, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas presented the highly charged legislative proposal on the maximum permissible dimensions and weights not only for heavy goods vehicles but also for busses. The proposal had been preceded by fierce criticism of Kallas, who intended to permit the cross-border use of so-called mega trucks – HGVs weighing up to 60 tons and being up to 25.25 metres long – single-handedly and quasi overnight. However, looking at the now presented Directive proposal, the Commission appears to backpaddle – but only at first glance as the risk to road safety, other road users and the environment still exist.]]>  This week, the European Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs Committee voted on a report on social housing. According to demands of MEPs, affordable housing had to be available and investments in social housing were necessary. Unfortunately, however, the text does not reflect the fact that social housing does not only serve to fight poverty, but also pursues socio-political objectives. ]]>  This week, Internal Market and Services Commissioner Michel Barnier presented a proposal regarding the amendment to existing accounting legislation. The transparency of companies with more than 500 employees shall be improved: in future, these would be required to disclose information on policies, risks and results concerning environmental matters and social and employee-related aspects as well as their approach to human rights, diversity and anti-corruption issues. This shall provide consumers and investors with additional information on corporate policies in these areas. In spite of the fact that the draft for the amended Directive is to a large extent non-prescriptive and does provide companies with significant room for manoeuvre, its publication, however, is capable of putting pressure on large companies, whose performance fall short regards the issues mentioned.]]>  This week, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) presented its World of Work Report in which it urges the EU to initiate a shift in policy towards job creation in the EU in order to tackle the dramatic jobs crisis with more than 26 million people out of work. According to the ILO, sweeping austerity measures and structural reforms are wrong and miss the root causes of the crisis. The Europe 2020 Strategy and the only recently published Social Investment Package would provide sufficient options to adopt job-oriented policies and not only let oneself be guided by budget and competition policy objectives.]]>  It is becoming increasingly clear that the European Commission is set to permit the cross-border use of oversized HGVs weighing up to 60 tons with a length of 25 metres. Hence, a few weeks before the publication of the Commission Proposal, the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, the Austrian Trade Union for Transport vida, the No Mega Trucks campaign and the Austrian Trade Union Federation organised together a network meeting this week to discuss measures against the plans of the Commission.]]>  On Monday this week, Commissioner Michel Barnier presented the long awaited Green Paper on long-term financing of the European economy. The Paper aims at stimulating the debate as to how governments and businesses of all sizes will in future be able to ensure and increase access to finance their investments. Only if the great demand of long-term investments is financed, the EU could find its way back on the path of self-imposed targets (“Europa 2020”), i.e. intelligent, sustainable and integrative growth. The supply of long-term financing shall be improved and the system of financial intermediation is to be strengthened. This also concerns SME financing, an efficient design of the new regulations in the financial sector and also alternative financing channels. Based on the Green Paper, the Commission starts a three-month consultation process.]]>  Whilst the social crisis in southern Europe escalates, Europe suffers from mass unemployment and the economy is in recession, EU Commission displays its usual zeal with regard to the economic and monetary union: on the one hand, future plans for big national economic reforms shall be coordinated in advance by the Commission and other Member States concerned. On the other hand, states that implement “structural reforms” to achieve more “competitiveness” shall be able to conclude a contract with the Commission, which in turn will be rewarded with financial aid for implementing these very reforms. Both proposals are key milestones of the concept presented by the Commission in November 2012 in respect of a deep and genuine economic and monetary union. With the two Communications of the Commission, the political debate on the modality of future economic and monetary integration will go into the next round: in terms of democracy, further weakening of parliaments in favour of the national and European executive in economic policy issues appears to be looming. This entails the danger that both instruments will result in further juridification and thereby safeguarding of neoliberal policies.]]>  For more than a year, MEPs were averse towards a new groundhandling regulation, which includes services such as loading and unloading of baggage, cleaning or servicing and refuelling of aircrafts at airports. Last year, the Commission proposal was rejected by both the competent Transport Committee and the plenum of the European Parliament. This week now the surprise turn: following a further debate of the dossier, a narrow majority of EU representatives now voted in favour of the proposal. To the detriment of employees.]]>  As AK EUROPA reported on several occasions, the European Commission intends to introduce an EU Sales Law shortly – in addition to national legal provisions. The Commission draft has already been rejected by large sections of the industry and consumer protection organisations. Moreover, the draft report, which has now been presented by the European Parliament, is not met with enthusiasm, neither by trade nor by consumer organisations.]]>  The upcoming European Parliament elections will probably be brought forward by two weeks to 22 to 25. May 2014. This move shall increase voter turnout and speed up the decision by the Parliament regarding a new Commission President. This week, the Commission adopted recommendations for the election of the then 751 MEPs, which are supposed to make European Parliament elections more attractive: better information for citizens, a common day for the elections, clearly recognizable party affiliations and candidates for the office of Commission President nominated by the parties, shall strengthen pan-European democracy and stimulate corresponding debates.]]>  Air passenger rights have been regulated in an EU Regulation since 2005. Nevertheless, many travellers still have problems to assert their rights, a fact that the Commission concedes in its statements on the new Regulation proposal. The difficulties concern various aspects such as lost baggage, withheld meals, accommodation or unpaid compensation. In line with its own statements, the Commission now wants to strengthen passenger rights in a new Regulation proposal. However, a first glance at the legal text shows that not every aspect has been successful.]]>  Where there's a will there's a way, says an old proverb, which may be used to understand the proposal made by the EU Commission this week on the practical implementation of the Youth Employment Initiative. The European Council proposed this Initiative at its meeting held on 7 and 8 February 2013. EUR 6 billion will be made available for the Initiative for the period 2014-2020. The Commission has now put forward the required financing proposal so that European funds may already be used by 1.1.2014 e.g. for the Youth Guarantee. Unfortunately, we have to call to mind a small downer: the European Youth Guarantee is based on voluntariness; no Member State is forced to implement it.]]>  Today, 8 March, marks International Women's Day. However, many ask themselves, whether this day is really a cause for celebration. The EU Commissioner for gender equality, Viviane Reding, once put it in a nutshell, when she said: “As long as we need to celebrate Women's Day, it means that we do not have equal rights. [...]The goal is equality, so that we no longer need such days." The EU Commission has only recently proposed a women quota on boards, a necessary and long overdue step towards more equality.]]>  According to Nordic freight associations, drivers and trade unions, wage dumping, violation of driving time and rest periods as well as living in a lorry, staying in the home country only every six months in extreme cases, is the reality on Europe's roads. However, following the liberalisation of road freight transport, the European Commission is sitting back, putting the ball in the corner of European Social partners and EU Member States. They could enter a dialogue and improve controls, was the little helpful comment of the Commission.]]>  According to estimates by the European Commission, EU Member States lose about EUR one billion each year through tax evasion and tax avoidance. The Commission therefore introduced a package of measures at the end of last year, which shall reduce the loss of tax revenue. The Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament has now presented a draft report on the Commission package, which, even though supporting the course taken by the Commission, requires further action. ]]>  For some weeks now, social housing has been discussed at EU level as another important aspect of services of general interest. Both the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Parliament are currently in the process of preparing a relevant text of a resolution. Now MEP Karima Delli has presented a draft report on social housing, which indeed put forward a number of positive approaches in respect of a European social housing policy. However, whether EU parlamentarians, and above all the EU Commission, will agree with Delli, remains to be seen.]]>  On Friday, 22 February, the EU Commission presented its European Economic Winter Forecast 2013. The eurozone will remain mired in recession in 2013 and unemployment will rise to 12.2 %. For Austria, the Commission expects unchanged levels of unemployment (4.5 %) and a slight increase in GDP (0.7 %). Whilst the Commission interprets a phase of upturn in economic growth and employment from 2014 as a light at the end of the tunnel, one can currently observe the results of a failed European economic policy: the very focus of fiscal policy on reducing debt and cutting expenditure prevents the fight against mass unemployment and the consolidation of public budgets.]]>  About three weeks ago, the European Commission presented its new plans on the further liberalisation of railways. A few days ago, Transport Committee MEPs debated the so-called Fourth Railway Package. The separation of railway operations and infrastructure, the funding of European railway infrastructure, the working conditions for personnel as well as public transport were key subjects of the discussion.]]>  Statistical Office of the European Communities Eurostat this week presented alarming figures on poverty and social exclusion: in 2011, 27 % of children under 18 in the 27 Member States were either at risk of poverty, had to suffer significant material deprivation and/or lived in households with low levels of employment. In Austria, this already affects every fifth child, whereby here too, the risk of children living in poverty is higher than that of the overall population. However, this week the focus on poverty was also prevailing on a different level: on behalf of the European Commission, the Commissioners Andris Piebalgs (Development) and Janez Potočnik (Environment) brought together approaches and ideas from the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and the Rio+20 Conference 2012. For the first time, poverty eradication and sustainable development shall be combined. These proposals by the Commission for the future development agenda shall help to achieve a “Decent Life for All” by 2030 worldwide.]]>  In spite of the massive criticism by civil society, representatives of municipalities and communities as well as by labour organisations such as the Austrian Chamber of Labour or the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB, MEPs of the Internal Market Committee in the European Parliament yesterday voted in favour of a fast track procedure to enable them to complete the negotiations on the so-called Service Concession Directive as soon as possible. However, the debate with the competent Conservative Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier showed that the protests are beginning to take effect: the Commissioner agreed to amend the Directive text with regard to water.]]>  According to the wishes of the European Commission, it is the intention to implement an additional EU Sales Law for cross-border transactions. Following months of exploratory work, hearings and workshops in the European Parliament, co-rapporteur Luigi Berlinguer of the Social Democrats presented the long anticipated draft report on the EU Sales Law this week. However, in accordance with an initial verdict of consumer protection organisations, disappointment about the Parliament text clearly prevails.]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented the long anticipated Social Investment Package (SIP). Expectations were high, even though one knew in advance that there would be no legislative proposals. However, any kind of proposal is more than welcome in times of crisis, in particular those aimed at reducing the high unemployment rate and getting people back to work. Hence, it is pleasant news that for the first time the Commission stresses the importance and the successes of social policy, in particular in times of crises. A genuine novelty!]]>  Yesterday, Thursday, EU Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta, responsible for taxation and customs union, audit and anti-fraud, presented the new proposal of the European Commission for a common Financial Transaction Tax (FTT), which concerns in particular those 11 Member States, which based on “enhanced cooperation”, urge the implementation of the original Commission proposal from September 2011, among them also Austria. Following the authorisation of this “Coalition of the Willing“ by the EU Council of Finance Ministers on 22 January 2013, the Commission is now proposing a Directive, which is largely based on the old proposal and can be considered as a significant step towards tackling speculative financial instruments. The participating EU Member States hope to generate an income of about EUR 34 billion. The remaining 16 EU countries have the option of implementing the FTT at a later stage.]]>  By introducing a package of measures, the Commission wants to ensure safer products, a step, which would in particular benefit the consumer. The current product safety regulations are fragmented and insufficient. Two new legislative acts and an action plan shall remedy the situation.]]>  It should be considered a matter of course that not only Labour and Employment Ministers are involved in tackling the problems of youth unemployment, but also Education ministers. Their meeting today in Brussels will be totally devoted to the fight against youth unemployment. It is expected that the so-called conclusions on education investments will be adopted. The background being that the EU Commission decided at the end of last year to improve the education systems to increase the job opportunities for young people.]]>  The latest figures published by the Statistical Office of the European Communities Eurostat are speaking volumes: almost 26 million people were unemployed in December 2012. In particular the situation for young people is devastating in many countries – in Greece, youth unemployment has now reached 57.6 percent. Since yesterday, 7 February 2013, the EU heads of government have restarted their negotiations on the future EU budget for the period 2014 to 2020. There has not been a result yet, but one thing is already clear: funds for measures against the army of unemployed are few and far between.]]>  Five years ago, the REACH Regulation was adopted in order to ensure that chemical substances would become safer. The aim is among other to replace the most dangerous chemicals by less hazardous substances. So far, companies have registered 7,884 chemical substances with the European Chemicals Agency. The costs for registering chemicals were 2.1 billion Euros at the end of 2012.]]>  The Commission would clearly like to make the rail transport sector more appealing to private operators - whatever it takes. Hence, the Commission proposes among other in its by now Fourth Railway Package the complete opening of the domestic passenger transport sector, the institutional separation of infrastructure and railway operators, but also maintaining the standard of qualifications of personnel. Whether the legislative package will also benefit society, is probably at best playing a minor role in the Commission's considerations.]]>  Until now, the performance comparison between universities mainly focussed on excellent research achievements. However, the new university ranking “U-Multirank” is to change this. In future, universities will be rated according to a broader range of factors, in five categories: reputation for research; quality of teaching and learning; international orientation; success in knowledge transfer; and contribution to regional growth. Universities have now been invited to register for the new ranking in the first half-year 2013. First results are expected for early 2014.]]>  Do the interests of a few major corporations take priority over the needs of society? Recently, this has been a frequent question asked at the level of EU institutions. One of these occasions was yesterday when the Internal Market Committee in the European Parliament voted on the Directive on the award of concession contracts: this rather technical sounding title conceals another attempt by the European Commission to make public supply of water, healthcare services and other vital public services significantly more difficult. Ultimately, the new provisions could result in the privatisation of basic public services in some communities. Nevertheless, MEPs voted in favour of the Directive proposal by a large majority.]]>  If the Commission had its way, a so-called basic factsheet will in future provide small investors interested in financial products with more comprehensive and better information on investment products. This is aimed at increasing consumer protection for small investors. This week now, the Commission proposal was discussed in the European Parliament. However, MEPs participating in the debate made one thing clear: the Commission text does not go far enough – consumer protection must be improved.]]>  Just a month has passed since the plenum of the European Parliament rejected the liberalisation plans of the European Commission in respect of groundhandling services at airports with a clear majority. The Directive proposal was referred back to the competent Transport Committee to debate further action to be taken concerning this dossier. However, the comments made by MEPs during a debate remained very sceptical.]]>  On Wednesday, 579 representatives of the European Parliament voted in favour of new rules for rating agencies. However, the voting result is a compromise solution, which was brokered in negotiations with the European Commission and European finance ministers at the end of November. However, for procedural reasons alone nobody can claim that the resolution has been able to write the final chapter.]]>  With a parliamentary question and a motion for a resolution on a Youth Guarantee, the European Parliament this week put additional pressure on the Member States and the EU Commission to speed up the introduction of a Youth Guarantee. However, the dispute concerning financing proves to be a major hurdle. The Austrian Chancellor, who had been a guest of the plenary session of the European Parliament this week, used the occasion to voice his support for the idea that in the negotiations on the EU budget, the rebates on member contributions, which some EU states received, would be invested to help young people. This money could be used to immediately get a million of young people “off the street”, said Federal Chancellor Faymann. An interesting proposal! ]]>  This week, once again EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas was invited by Members of the European Parliament to take part in a debate on Gigaliners – oversized HGVs weighing up to 60 tons with a length of 25 metres. Participants in the debate did not hold back with their repeated criticism of Commissioner Kallas, claiming that for years he had been declaring the cross-border use of these mega trucks illegal. However, only after having visited the International Road Union (IRU), an EU freight lobby, his opinion had suddenly changed and now he was fine with it, is their reproach.]]>  The recently published report on Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2012 reveals a sobering truth about the past year. Record unemployment, increasing poverty as well as a growing number of young people without education and a job are a burden on the Member States. At the same time, there are unprecedented social differences between the Member States. The European Commission gives a pessimistic forecast for 2013.]]>  This week, the rapporteur in the European Parliament presented his draft report on the EU Data Protection Regulation. Almost a year has passed since the Commission presented its proposal. The European Parliament took its time to get a clear picture. According to the Green MEP and rapporteur Jan Philipp Albrecht “The new EU Regulation will strengthen the rights of consumers”. However, the focus is also clearly on the often neglected, very important protection of employee data. The negotiations in the European Parliament have just begun. The aim is to achieve agreement with the Council by the end of the legislative period.]]>  This was probably not what EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas had in mind: his legislative proposal on groundhandling services - aircraft loading and unloading, maintenance, security personnel, de-icing etc. - was rejected by a clear majority. Even many of his fellow party members of the European People's Party had criticised the proposal in the run-up to the vote, reasoning that it would not bring additional efficiency but result in even more pressure for the workforce. However, this rejection does not mean that the Commission Proposal is now dead and buried: the text has now been referred back to the Transport Committee.]]>  Following years of negotiation, the European Parliament has now voted in favour of the Free Trade Agreement of the EU with Columbia. In spite of the still existing human rights violations and violent acts against trade unions. The new Agreement is expected to come into force in 2013.]]>  Following the publication by the EU Commission of the White Paper on Pensions, one of the most important strategy papers on the subject of pensions, in February this year, it is now the turn of the European Parliament to have its input. The competent rapporteur recently presented her report and made no secret of her ideas: expanding private retirement savings and occupational retirement schemes as well as the necessity to link the statutory retirement age to life expectancy. Demands, which are met with considerable opposition by labour representatives.]]>  The action plan on corporate governance continues the current course. Current company rules shall be modernised. The Commission focuses on enhanced transparency, greater engagement by shareholders and the promotion of cross-border operations. Individual points of the action plan are going in the right direction. Nevertheless, the rights of employees are being short-changed.]]>  The experiences of the last years clearly demonstrate that urgent improvements are needed to ensure the implementation, application and enforcement of the Directive in respect of posting workers within in the framework of the provision of services. That is why the European Commission proposed an Enforcement Directive with new solutions and measures on 21 March 2012. Now, the Polish rapporteur, Danuta Jazłowiecka presented her report in the European Parliament, which, however, does not give the impression as if she was greatly concerned about the protection of workers.]]>  This week, the European Commission presented its long-awaited Youth Employment Package. An employment and training guarantee for all young people under 25 shall be implemented Europe-wide. Austria served as a good example. The proposal of the Commission goes in the right direction. However, so far no one has mentioned how these measures are to be financed. Calculations clearly show: the implementation of a Europe-wide Youth Guarantee would cost 15 billion Euros. The costs incurred by Europe's Member States due to youth unemployment amount to more than 150 billion Euros p.a. writes the EU Commission. Hence, everybody should know what has to be done!]]>  The European Commission has taken a positive step in the fight against tax evasion and currently existing possibilities of tax avoidance. A Communication and a Recommendation suggest a number of measures, which should help to reduce ca. 1,000 billion € in tax losses per year. However, the initiative has not one but two drawbacks: when it comes to fiscal policies, the Commission is only able to make recommendations; relevant action must come from the Member States themselves; and, even though tax oases in third countries shall be at least reduced, the ones existing within the European Union are not part of the debate.]]>  During a Road User Charging Conference, the Commission took the opportunity to pull the old, slightly dusted concept of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) to finance road transport projects out of the drawer. In view of the empty state coffers, this would be a good option to implement infrastructure projects. Unfortunately nobody asked the question whether PPPs really represent a suitable resp. more cost-effective alternative to public infrastructure projects – experiences from the past, however, leave room for doubt.]]>  It is about a week ago that the EU Financial Framework 2014-2020 negotiations in the European Council failed. EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski has now outlined the current state of debate at a discussion event, and he did not mince his words with regard to Austria: from the point of view of the Commission a rebate on Austria's contributions was by no means justified.]]>  Profit orientation rather than best possible supply and service – this is probably the top priority of the European Commission in respect of its economic and social policy. A draft Directive on so-called service concessions shall obviously increase the pressure on municipalities to award contracts which, with good reason, have always been provided by the public sector, to private undertakings. In a first ballot this week, the course of the European Commission in the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament was supported by a business-friendly majority.]]>  This week, the MEPs of the Trade Committee have voted on a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia and Peru. The Agreement is highly controversial: during the course of the negotiations, trade unions and non-governmental organisations drew attention to gross violations of human rights and a large number of infringements of trade union rights in Colombia. Even though according to labour representations binding rules to improve the situation are still missing, the Committee for International Trade of the European Parliament now recommends agreeing to the new Free Trade Agreement.]]>  The latest study of the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs of the European Commission reads like a handbook of neoliberalism. Its authors argue on more than 160 pages that the reduction of social rights and labour law provisions would be the one and only proper way to promote employment and to tackle unemployment. A short glance towards Greece, Spain and Portugal is enough to debunk this mistaken logic. The report leaves no doubt that neoliberal reforms are in reality an offensive against employees.]]>  Only a day prior to the start of the EU budget summit with EU Heads of State and Government, a debate on the new EU Financial Framework 2014-2020 took place in the European Parliament, whereby the EU Commission President showed unfamiliar courage, demanding a commitment to the EU Financial Framework as an investment budget and to reduce unemployment and poverty. The majority of MEPs agreed with him and urged him to fight on. The only exception from these statements: British MEPs from the right-wing factions wanted significant spending cuts; some even went so far as to beat the drum for the abolition of the EU.]]>  By the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of European Parliament accepting the draft report “Information and consultation of workers, anticipation and management of restructuring” on 19 November, the planned improvements for workers has taken yet another hurdle. In spring 2012, the Spanish Socialist MEP, Alejandro Cercas used his report to push for more participation rights in respect of corporate restructuring. ]]>  For the second time this year already, European, German and Austrian trade unions as well as the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour organised an expert debate on the Directive on the Award of Concession Contracts and on the Public Procurement Directive for MEPs and their staff. The discussion event was concerned with working conditions for employees working in the respective sectors, which now might be threatened by the Directive proposals.]]>  Following a long battle, EU Commissioner and Vice President Reding has succeeded in pushing through a legislative proposal within the Commission, according to which 40 percent of all supervisory board seats in listed European companies have to be occupied by women. The pressure had simply become too much; the rejectionists within the Commission could no longer halt the foray of the Luxembourg Commissioner. Shortly before the resolution was passed, the AK sent an open letter to all EU Commissioners asking for their support for Reding's proposal.]]>  For employees in Europe, November, 14th 2012 was a day to draw to attention to their own problems caused by an austerity policy, which had been imposed on them by the EU and to show solidarity with countries that were hit hard by the current EU policy aimed at solving the crisis. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) called on all its members to organise protests, rallies and actions of any kind to remind the EU that their policy has to be made with its citizens in mind and not just for companies. ]]>  The general strike in Spain and Portugal and the numerous strikes in solidarity and demos last Wednesday have clearly shown that the people of Europe have enough. The blind austerity policy at the expense of employees has dramatic consequences for many. Last week, a comprehensive austerity package has been approved by Greece, which will have a massive impact on the social system. In Brussels, the Greek Finance Minister, Giannis Stournaras, and the Labour Minister, Giannis Vroutsis, answered questions put to them by MEPs. ]]>  If the European Commission had its way, the already liberalised groundhandling services would be opened even more in the name of competition. However, hardly any thoughts have been spent on employees in charge of loading and unloading or cleaning and refilling aircrafts. This finally fired back as even MEPs regarded this approach as going too far: on Tuesday, they rejected the proposal of the Commission by 22 to 20 votes.]]>  A recently published study by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions presents new findings concerning youth unemployment in Europe. New criteria give an insight into causes and costs of Europe's youth unemployment. The shockingly high number of young people out of work and the enormous costs, which the states have to deal with, should be a wake-up call for European policy-makers. The MEP Emilie Turunen regards the results of the study as reason to implement a radical change in policy.]]>  The presentation of the autumn forecast 2012-14 by the European Commission on 7 November in Brussels confirmed what had been feared by many: Europa is not making any headway and cannot find its way out of the crisis. The decline of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the entire EU for 2012 is estimated at 0.3 %; whereby a hardly recognisable rise of 0.4 % in economic growth has been predicted for 2013. ]]>  The participants of a recent event concerned with social housing did not mince their words: non-profit housing shall remain a matter for the Member States. The rather unpleasant reason for the event organised by the European Economic and Social Committee were complaints and decisions taken by the European Commission, which might put the model of social housing at risk.]]>  In its latest prognosis concerning the world economy, the World Economic Outlook (WEO), the International Monetary Fund notes that the short-term multiplier effect of public spending has been significantly underestimated. The so-called fiscal multipliers measure effects, which have certain public financial impulses on output. For example the lack of public investments in social services entails a variety of consequences: fewer employees are required and the treasury coffers receive less income and turnover tax. ]]>  Last week, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs voted on the long awaited “Thyssen Report”, based on which the European Parliament presents its requests for the future of Europe. The Report was adopted by an overwhelming majority. In some points, the ideas of the Parliament are substantially different from the ideas of the four Presidents: Council President Herman Van Rompuy, ECB boss Mario Draghi, Eurogroup boss Jean-Claude Juncker and Commission President José Manuel Barroso. This concerns in particular the areas of tax policy, the role of the EU 2020 targets, socio-political measures and democracy and accountability.]]>  South Korea shall implement the core labour standards adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), demanded several MEPs at a workshop in the European Parliament, which was held to mark the first anniversary of the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Even though, Korea is a member of ILO, she still has not implemented all core labour standards, such as the collective bargaining convention, non-discrimination at work or the forced labour convention. Meanwhile, Trade Commissioner de Gucht took the opportunity to praise the positive developments concerning the trade between the EU and South Korea.]]>  A long and hard battle with constant ups and downs. Now the struggle seems slowly to pay off. First the European Commission was reluctant to present a proposal on the introduction of the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT). Following weeks of heavy barrage by trade unions and civil society with major involvement of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK), the Austrian Federation of Trade Unions (ÖGB), national and European trade unions and their umbrella organisations as well as a broad coalition of civil society organisations, Barroso and Co. had to succumb and finally presented a plan for introducing the FTT. Then came – as was to be expected – the coalition of preventers from the Member States, led as usual by the British and their allies. However, this week the countries that are in favour of the FTT – among them Austria playing a crucial role – ran out of patience. They committed to introducing the FTT initially in their own countries. Hence, for now the blockers have reached a dead end.]]>  For the first time since the debate on a Common European Sales Law started in the European Parliament, a text has now been presented, which gives more details as to how the responsible MEPs Klaus-Heiner Lehne (European People's Party) and Luigi Berlinguer (Socialists & Democrats) are intending to amend the proposal by the Commission. However, regards contents the position of the MEPs in charge is still disappointing when it comes to important issues. There is however some movement in respect of individual questions as became clear when the working document was presented in the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament this week.]]>  The so-called “Rompuy Report” at the end of June initiated discussions on the future of Europe. Now the European Parliament wants to have its say. No less than three committees of the European Parliament discussed a road map for Europe this week. To coincide with this, the European Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs has prepared the “Thyssen Report”. The European Parliament demands in particular more participation rights and democratic control.]]>  The implementation of competitiveness within the EU and by the EU was regulated and to a large degree adhered to by the Member States; however, the protection of employees and employment was treated as an orphan by the Union, said Isabelle Schönmann of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). Together with researchers from other institutions, Schönmann presented her findings on corporate restructuring to the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs on October 9th.]]>  The negotiations of the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework are in full swing: the Council wants to set the budget volume of the Multiannual Financial Framework before the end of the year if possible. Several Member States reportedly are aiming at significantly reducing the budget volume. This is in contrast to the European Parliament, which has already demanded a 5 % increase of the Multiannual Financial Frameworks compared to the current budget. The European Parliament regards combating youth unemployment as an important element of the negotiations on the new financial framework.]]>  The latest unemployment figures of the European Union reflect the sad impact of the crisis and of European austerity policy. The people concerned living in the southern countries are engaging in mass protests and strikes to draw attention to their desolate situation. There cannot be any doubt that a shift in policy is needed at European level. The Social Compact proposed by the European Trade Union Confederation is a start.]]>  Over the past weeks, the European Commission has worked on expanding and deepening the Single Market. This Wednesday, Single Market Commissioner Michel Barnier presented a relevant proposal. From a trade union point of view, some points in the paper are raising alarm bells, as market and trade barriers have been removed, but important employment aspects are ignored. The proposal of the Commission does not address the situation in the labour market, even though it presents an important part of the Single Market. It gives priority to the interests of the free market.]]>  The railway needs more competition; hence, more far-reaching liberalisation of railway transport than has taken place so far is necessary, informed EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas the audience at a European economic and social committee (EESC) on future EU railway legislation, which had been organised by the European Commission, this week. The publication of the so-called fourth railway package, which will outline details on new liberalisation steps, has been planned to already take place in December. As it is unfortunately always the case when EU transport issues are discussed, not a single word was dedicated to railway employees. ]]>  Next week, the Ministers for Social Affairs and Employment will come together for their regular meeting. One point on the agenda - no surprises here - is a plan for tackling youth unemployment and creating jobs. Compared to overall unemployment figures in Europe, the number of young people out of a job is more than twice as high. An alarm signal that requires urgent action. That this sad statistic is often accompanied by a call for structural reforms, is unfortunately the usual game. It is a thinly veiled disguise for reducing the welfare state and workers' rights. ]]>  Loading and unloading, refuelling, cleaning and technical control are some of the services provided by employees within the scope of the so-called aircraft handling. Over the past years, the working conditions in the EU area have deteriorated significantly; wages are coming crushing down. And the groundhandling sector, which had been liberalised some years ago, is suffering from a low level of efficiency. A new draft proposal on groundhandling services is now offering the chance to remedy the existing problems.]]>  On September 12, Commission President Barroso held his annual State of the Union Address before the European Parliament. Prior to its delivery, spokespersons for the Commission had already hailed the speech as being groundbreaking. It included both further plans of the European Commission and the exact form the single supervisory mechanism will take. Overall, the speech did not contain many new aspects.]]>  The EU Commission had the best intentions when it planned to introduce rules for cross-border strikes and the relation between economic market freedoms and the right to strike, which had become necessary due to a legislative proposal. However, unfortunately the Commission didn't count it chickens before they were hatched - in the end, it was brought to its knees by Council and Parliament! Now the Commission has backed down and withdrawn its well-intended but extremely badly thought out legislative proposal, which had been rejected by all sides.]]>  On September 2012, internal market commissioner Michel Barnier presented the package for banking supervision, which has been in progress since June and which shall guarantee an independent and democratic control of the Euro banks. ]]>  Many have already experienced this: one is looking forward to the summer holidays for months and as soon as one arrives at the hotel, nothing is as promised on the internet or by the travel agency. To get compensation for services which were either not or unsatisfactorily provided is often a difficult process. For many, taking a company to court is far too expensive and too time-consuming. By making proposals on out-of-court settlements or alternative dispute resolution in case of disputes between consumers and companies, the European Commission intends to remedy the situation. This week, the European Parliament has finalised its consultations in the competent Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee. However, from the point of consumer protection the result of the votes on the reports on dispute resolution is sobering.]]>  Online music service providers encounter big hurdles when they want to provide music for download or streaming in several countries in the EU. The Commission wants to change this situation with a Directive proposal which shall facilitate the granting of multi-territorial licenses for online use of copyright protected music. Apart from that, collecting societies shall become more transparent, and rightholders shall be given more effective control over their rights.]]>  Millions of investors suffered sometimes heavy losses during the EU-wide financial crisis. The Commission now tries, based on a package of three legislative proposals, to increase consumer protection on financial products and to regain the trust of consumers. Forms of investment shall be explained better and risks made more transparent. Sales practices in the insurance sector shall be better regulated and provisions on investment funds revised.]]>  Working conditions of professional drivers must be improved and road safety must be increased, emphasised some MEPs just before the vote on the so-called Recording Equipment Regulation in the European Parliament. However, these objectives were probably already forgotten during the vote: a majority of EU representatives voted in favour of a passage, where recording equipment automatically defines activities such as loading and unloading of vehicles and administrative works as rest period or break. According to this only driving time is considered working time. One thing is clear: this will certainly not improve working conditions; on the contrary: many employees from the industry feel that this regulation is treating their work with contempt.]]>  It is now official: after five committees of the European Parliament have already recommended to the plenum to reject the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACTA, this week, the plenary session of the Parliament has finally voted against the agreement. This is a heavy defeat for EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, who right to the end tried to lobby for support for ACTA.]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented two studies on the subject of apprenticeships and traineeships. They recommend to orientate both training programmes more towards the demand on the labour market and the requirements of the economy and to structure them in such a way that they provide young people with higher standards of education and training as well as better perspectives. The EU Commission is now preparing a Council Recommendation on Youth Guarantees and a Quality Framework for Traineeships to be presented by the end of 2012, which will also take the result of the studies into account.]]>  On 1 July 2012, Cyprus has taken over the Presidency of the European Union. For the first time since its EU accession in 2004, the island state is assuming the role of organiser and motor of ministerial meetings. As a side note: for the first time in the history of the European Union the Presidency is also in the hands of a Communist government. In the midst of economic turbulences, the Cypriot Presidency presents an ambitious programme for the next six months.]]>  In a resolution this week, the European Parliament has urged the European Commission to present a legislative proposal on access to basic banking services by the beginning of 2013. About 30 million people in the European Union do not have access to a current account. Even a non-binding recommendation of the Commission to the banks could not alter the situation.]]>  Consumer and business organisations are still not happy with the EU proposal on a Common European Sales Law. During a hearing in the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour was for the first time given the opportunity to take an official position on some aspects of the Common European Sales Law. Not only the Chamber of Labour, but also representatives of UEAPME, the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, as well as a French industry representative showed little enthusiasm for the approach chosen by the Commission, which brings no substantial added value to either consumers or businesses.]]>  EU employment ministers met in Luxembourg this week to discuss future demographic challenges among other; they also decided the so-called “Council conclusions responding to demographic challenges through enhanced participation in the labour market and society by all”. On the positive side it should be noted that the labour market is assuming a key role in respect of coping with an ageing population.]]>  Heavy goods vehicles weighing up to 60 tons and being more than 25 metres long can also be used across borders provided the Member States, in which the mega trucks are to be used, agree. This was recently announced by EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas in a letter to the Chair of the Transport Committee in the European Parliament, Brian Simpson.]]>  The list of criticisms concerning the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is long. In addition to the dissatisfaction with non-transparent negotiations there are also concerns about ambiguous provisions. Many critics fear that ACTA could result in limiting the freedom on the internet. Now the trade committee of the European Parliament has voted to reject the treaty.]]>  It looks as if the patience of the European Commission and the European Parliament with the Council and its crisis management has almost run out. EU Commission President Barroso and most of the MEPs are reacting increasingly indignant to the cloak-and-dagger operations of the Council within the scope of tackling the crisis at EU level. Barroso is obviously fed up that Commission and European Parliament have recently been side-lined by representatives of the Council. The MEPs in turn do not want to stand by and watch how the European Union is driven to the wall by Council representatives and demand that the European Council at last starts dealing with the essential issues of crisis management.]]>  If the EU Commission had its way, one would soon see the creation of a comprehensive banking union within the EU - and much faster than previously thought. Last week already, the authority suggested EU-wide provisions to restructure and liquidate banks. Taxpayers should no longer have to foot the bill for failed banks. Now Commission President Barroso demands the implementation of a banking union in the form of an EU supervisory authority for Europe's largest banks, common deposit guarantee and rescue fund for the next year already.]]>  Most of the participants at a discussion in the European Parliament this week reacted hostile to the new Directive proposals on the award of concession contracts for public services. At the event which was collectively organised by the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the German Federation of Trade Unions as well as the German services trade union ver.di and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, MEP Heide Rühle of the Greens informed right at the beginning that not only the labour organisations had problems with the Commission text on the Directive on the award of concession contracts, but also the industry.]]>  HGV drivers have already been part of one of the professional groups which were most affected by the liberalisation efforts at EU level. And now the European Parliament is making things even worse: MEPs voting in the Transport Committee in the European Parliament agreed on a passage which results in the fact that by using the new digital control devices it is no longer possible to monitor rest periods of HGV drivers. It is now impossible to control whether HGV drivers comply with the statutory rest periods, and the danger that overtired HGV drivers are driving on European roads continues to increase.]]>  The Commission proposal on contract terms within the EU Sales Law lowers the standard of consumer protection. This was the clear statement by Ursula Pachl, deputy Director General of the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, at a Workshop on the Common European Sales Law in the Committee on Legal Affairs of the European Parliament. A representative of the Italian Chamber of Commerce also voiced her concerns in respect of terms contained in sales contracts.]]>  Within the scope of the so-called European Semester, the Commission this week has for the second time provided country-specific recommendations for all Member States and the Eurozone as a whole. In respect of Austria, the Commission suggests amongst others measures to reduce inefficiencies between federal, provincial and municipal authorities, to lower the tax burden on labour and to increase the employment of women and migrants. ]]>  The EU Commission had planned to use the so-called “Monti-II Regulation” to clarify the relationship between industrial action - in particular strikes - on the one hand and economic market freedoms of the internal market on the other. The resistance to the proposal was strong right from the start, and not only by worker representations. Now for the first time, since the Treaty of Lisbon came into force, Member States have not accepted a draft proposal. This took place by way of a subsidiarity complaint. This means that the proposal has been stopped for the time being, and that the EU Commission has to make a declaration.]]>  When it comes to the question whether the European Union should finally introduce the long overdue tax for speculators, also called Financial Transaction Tax, one can definitely count on the support of the representatives of the citizens in the European Parliament. It was for the second time this week that its supporters in Strasbourg voted with broad cross-party majority in favour of a speedy and comprehensive taxation of financial transactions. In doing so, the Parliamentarians send a clear signal to the Member States: It's high time you found a solution; the citizens expect that of you!]]>  The negative consequences of the financial crisis for society have once again been shown: this week, the Statistical Office of the European Communities, Eurostat presented the latest developments in respect of taxation in the European Union. Even though, compared to previous years, the 2010 EU tax burden remained stable at 38.4 %; when it comes to VAT, however, Eurostat hints at a sharp increase of tax rates - bad news for employees on a lower income.]]>  Politicians and scientists agree: when it comes to using water, we still have a long way to go. This year, the traditional “Green Week” of the European Commission has been exclusively focussing on water policy. Even though the newly published Bathing Water Report confirms that 92 % of all lakes are meeting the minimum standard for water quality, the situation concerning rivers is far less satisfactory. And, there is also room for some Member States to improve their sewage treatment.]]>  The EU Commission assumes in its latest spring forecast that the EU economy is currently in slight recession. It has been estimated that the economic output in the Eurozone this year will fall by 0.3 percent, whilst zero growth has been predicted for the entire EU. The forecast expects a slow upturn which will probably start in the second half of the year. ]]>  The financial and economic crisis has ripped large holes into national budgets; domestic debt has risen, putting the sustainability of public finances in jeopardy. The most logical consequence - at least in the opinion of the Economics and Finance Ministers at this week's conference in Brussels - is cutting back on pensions! Admittedly, population ageing represents a great challenge; however, it must not be used as a pretext to squeeze those who have not caused the crisis in the first place even further.]]>  A number of complaints to the European Commission have resulted in the EU authority dealing with the charges levied on light private vehicles in individual EU Member States. The Commission informs in a Communication that currently seven Member States have put in place a vignette system for light private vehicles, including Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. Belgium is planning to introduce such a tolling system for light passenger vehicles; the Netherlands and Denmark are discussing the issue. ]]>  An informal meeting of EU Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs took place last week to discuss among other solutions to combat youth unemployment. Due to the financial and economic crisis, the situation of young people in Europe has tremendously worsened, and youth unemployment in the euro area has risen to 22.1 %. Spain even has an unemployment rate of over 50 % among the under-25s. Many regard a youth guarantee based on the Austrian model as a way out of the dilemma. However, there are only a few supporters of this idea and as usual, Great Britain is against the idea in any case. ]]>  A debate in the European Parliament on the EU Budget revealed that the battle lines are drawn between Council and European Parliament. MEPs Reimar Böge and Ivailo Kalfin, competent co-rapporteurs for the EU financial framework for 2014 - 2020 did not mince their words. A new financial framework would only come about once the European Parliament had given its approval. They were not concerned that an agreement would not be reached: in this case, the 2013 Budget limit would apply and this would significantly exceed the limit many Member States in the Council had set for their national budgets.]]>  Similar to banks, they arrange credits, but without being subject to the same regulations: How the regulation of “shadow banks“, such as finance companies or money market funds can be improved in the future to counteract their risks to the stability of the financial system, is currently being hotly debated at EU level. Following the Green Paper on Shadow Banking published by the EU Commission and in the context of the ongoing consultation, it was the aim of a conference to discuss different views on the role of shadow banks and possible relevant regulatory plans. ]]>  This week, the European Central Statistics Office Eurostat presented the latest data concerning public sector debt and deficit. The figures once again showed the enormous impact the rescue of the financial sector and the recession, which is unprecedented since the existence of the European Union, had on the public sector: within only 4 years (2008 – 2011), the level of debt in the European Union rose by more than € 2.6 billion resp. by 20 percentage points from 62.5 to 82.5 % of the Gross Domestic Product. Hence it looks as if the austerity measures, which were implemented in almost all Member States, have not only failed, but that they even appear to have had a counterproductive effect on the economy and the level of debt.]]>  The European Union is experiencing the most serious crisis in its history. But this is not only a crisis of the financial markets and the economy, but also a crisis of confidence by the citizens in political institutions at national and EU level and their ability to find solutions to urgent issues. Commission President Barroso, EU Parliament President Schulz and the Danish Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt, who took part in a discussion event in the European Parliament, organised by European Ombudsmen outlined their positions as to how confidence in European integration could be restored. ]]>  The world looked alright for the European Commission at the start of the year: in January, ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, had been signed in Tokyo by 22 of the 27 EU Member States. Neither the Commission nor the Member States expected that the Agreement would trigger such a storm of indignation with the population. This resulted in a number of EU Member States deciding to back down. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht reluctantly announced in February that he would ask the European Court of Justice to review the Agreement. And the European Parliament has also put the brakes on: the House will probably reject ACTA.]]>  Not true, many will argue. However, if one reads the latest proposals included in the employment package of the EU Commission, one quickly realizes where the priorities lie. Even the German “Handelsblatt” puts it in a nutshell and writes: 84 billion Euros are planned to boost employment - from 2014 to 2020 - however, putting the houses of the crisis-ridden banks in order cost many times as much! In the opinion of the Commission, workers and employees should show restraint on pay and brace themselves for labour market reforms, such as changes to the protection against dismissal.]]>  What shall the future of EU Company Law look like? The EU Commission is presently in the process of clarifying within the scope of a public consultation whether it is necessary to adjust the European regulatory framework covering this sector to current developments. During a conference organised by the Social Democratic Faction in the European Parliament which was attended by trade unions, it became clear that workers' involvement and participation rights of employees are at stake and have to be defended. ]]>  How can the EU's foreign trade and investment policy contribute to promote development? Are free trade and open markets really always beneficial to developing countries? These questions were debated by experts attending a workshop in the European Parliament, who also took a closer look at the Communication of the EU Commission on “Trade, growth and development”. ]]>  The European Commission announced its intention this week to carry out an investigation throughout 2012, whether cross-border and seasonal workers are being disadvantaged from a tax point of view. According to the Commission, the elimination of tax disadvantages is an important factor to promote the mobility of workers.]]>  Money laundering, corruption and organised crime are the topics, which a new special committee in the European Parliament has been asked to investigate. The subject of this enquiry is to establish the extent of embezzlement of public funds, bribery or money laundering in the European Union.]]>  Actually, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas had imagined everything would be running smoothly when he entered the conference room of the Transport Committee in the European Parliament last Monday: he would inform the MEPs that the cross-border use of up to 60 tonnes heavy and up to 25.25 metre long HGVs - also called mega truck or Gigaliner - would now be possible, because it was the wish of the freight lobby. However, he did not expect the reaction of the MEPs: even many of his fellow group members strongly criticized him for the probably unprecedented approach of an EU Commissioner. In the end, the Commissioner had no choice but to beat a (hasty) retreat. Kallas, who definitely showed that he was not comfortable in his skin after the meeting in the Transport Committee, apologised and said he would rethink the matter. ]]>  Prompted by the newly reignited discussion about the cross-border admission of so-called mega trucks, HGVs with a weight of up to 60 tonnes and a length of up to 25.25 metres, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation organised a short-term discussion event. MEP Jörg Leichtfried, Kristian Hedberg of the European Commission, William Todts of Transport & Environment, Joost van Doesburg of the European Shippers Council and Heinz Högelsberger of the Austrian Trade Union for Transport, Commerce and Service Workers vida were invited to the discussion as speakers. ]]>  On Wednesday, the EU Commission presented a proposal for a Directive which shall help to improve the implementation of the so-called Posting of Workers Directive. The need for action exists because workers living in the EU, who are temporarily posted to another EU country, are frequently confronted with wage and social dumping. The aim of the Commission is to improve the cooperation of national authorities and to make the implementation of workers' rights easier. However, the planned restriction of national Control options must be viewed with a critical eye. ]]>  According to experts at a hearing in the European Parliament, at European level, water supply and disposal, district heating, energy services, refuse collection, social and health care services as well as culture and education are often provided within the scope of so-called service concessions. Now a new legal framework will be set up for contracts, concluded between the public sector and private companies. However, the legislative proposal, which the European Commission has published on this matter, is met with strong criticism both by the bodies affected as well as by the European Parliament.]]>  Financial institutions, which undertake bank-like transactions, but operate outside the regular banking sector, represent a growing market in Europe. However, the activities of shadow banks, such as investment funds and finance companies entail enormous risks, which could spill over into the entire banking sector. Based on a Green Paper, the EU Commission now wants to start a public consultation in order to clarify, what shadow banks actually are and how their regulation and supervision could be improved. ]]>  On 13 March, the EU Finance Ministers discussed their positions on the EU Financial Transaction Tax. The result is sobering: it comes as no surprise that the opponents of an EU-wide tax on shares, bonds and derivatives - led by Great Britain and Sweden - are still refusing to agree to the plan. Apart from clarifying still unresolved issues concerning the Commission proposal, the Finance Ministers now want to look for alternatives. The danger is that the search for a compromise will produce a watered down “Mini Tax”. ]]>  This week, the Statistical Office of the European Communities EUROSTAT published the latest unemployment figures for the European Union as at January 2012. The results of the reviews of the EU labour market are alarming: within only four years, the number of persons unemployed increased from 16.1 to 24.3 million or by more than 50 percent. As at January 2012, the EU unemployment rate stands at 10.1 percent. The youth unemployment situation is a disaster: 22.4 percent of young people aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed - the highest level since records began. At 49.9 and 48.1 percent respectively, in January every second young person in Spain and Greece was without a job.]]>  The Free Trade Agreement of the EU with Peru and Colombia was scrutinised during a hearing in the Trade Committee of the European Parliament. Whilst EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht praised the Agreement as the engine for growth for the European economy and the Latin American countries involved, the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas argued that the Agreement hardly took any social, labour related and ecological issues into consideration. ]]>  On 13 March, the Finance Ministers of the EU states will discuss the possibility of introducing an EU Financial Transaction Tax. The campaign for the urgently needed EU-wide Financial Transaction Tax organised by the Chamber of Labour (AK) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) - in cooperation with a broad alliance of European organisations - now enters its decisive phase. Now we once again need your support: if you go to www.financialtransactiontax.eu you can send an email directly to the EU Finance Ministers, asking them to support the introduction of an EU Financial Transaction Tax! ]]>  EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding wanted to try the soft approach when she started the initiative on a voluntary commitment for more women on company boards of listed companies exactly a year ago. The result is sobering. Just 24 companies in the whole of Europe have signed the voluntary commitment, not one of them comes from Austria. Hence, the time has come to bring bigger guns into play, and Reding threatens the introduction of a statutory EU-wide quota for women as a last resort. However, it will be some time until this comes into fruition. ]]>  A public hearing at the Legal Affairs Committee has started the consultation on a common European Sales Law in the European Parliament. The Commission proposal has been criticised and rejected by a broad majority both by consumer and business organisations. A significant deterioration of the level of consumer protection and a high degree of legal uncertainty are major concerns. AK EUROPA has already commented accordingly - see the link at the end of the article. However, the first hearing of the European Parliament was overshadowed by the invitation policy of the competent MEPs: invited business and consumer representatives only included supporters of the controversial proposal.]]>  Tax policy under a Common Currency was at the centre of lectures and discussions of the Brussels Tax Forum 2012. In view of the crisis phenomena, one of the main questions was which contribution tax policy would be able to make in order to stimulate growth and employment. In particular a shift from taxes on income to less distorting forms of tax was discussed. The options of more tax coordination were also on the agenda. ]]>  The lack of openness concerning the negotiations in respect of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which attracted harsh criticism, shall now be replaced by a transparency offensive by the European Parliament. Accompanied by the lively participation of interested citizens, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and experts presented their assessments in respect of the impact of the controversial agreement in a workshop on 1 March. Many experts are still concerned about the vague provisions of the agreement text. ]]>  The role of the European Central Bank and its new Italian boss Mario Draghi in respect of managing the current financial crisis is becoming increasingly clear. Austerity at any price, hence cutting back, regardless of the consequences, was the order of the day. And, the labour markets in the Member States of the Euro zone had to be made more flexible, hence employment protection had to be overhauled, commented the former Goldman Sachs Manager in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. The culmination of Draghi's interview: the Italian proclaims the end of the European social model. At the same time, his institution floods the banks with cheap money, the extent of which is so far unknown, entailing consequences, which are highly controversial, even among economists. ]]>  This week, the draft report of the Greek Social Democrat MEP Anni Podimata on a common Financial Transaction Tax system was debated in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament. Even though the chief negotiators of the most important political parties appeared to have achieved broad consensus it is not yet clear whether all MEPs will really follow the party line.]]>  The EU Parliament agrees that the great reliance of the financial markets on the three big credit rating agencies shall be reduced. However, there are different opinions as to achieve this target. On Wednesday, the MEPs debated a Commission proposal on the credit rating agencies in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. ]]>  EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski outlined during a hearing of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which direction the EU budget would take until 2020: basing his comments on an EU budget payment volume of 1.18 % of the EU Gross Domestic Product in the nineties, Lewandowksi forecast a continuous reduction to 0.94 %. Some EESC members worry that this might happen at the expense in particular of the cohesion policy and thereby also of social projects. MEPs too seemed to be less than happy with the developments around the EU financial framework.]]>  If one believes the media reports these days, there might be trouble coming from Brussels. Various reports informed that with regard to the well-known and controversial Working Time Directive, the authorities in Brussels had thought of something special. Politicians and representatives of the sector immediately reacted with panic. But panic is the worst recipe for keeping a cool head. And that was needed to prevent falling for unnecessary scaremongering. The reality is that neither the existence of voluntary activities of the fire brigade nor the rescue services are threatened by the EU.]]>  The latest attempt of EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas, to allow Monster HGVs in the European Union by sledgehammer method is simply unbelievable. For years now, the Commission has made every effort to introduce HGVs with a weight of up to 60 tons and 25.25 metre lengths throughout the EU. However, until now the resistance of many EU Member States, trade unions and civil society representatives was too great. Now EU Transport Commissioner Kallas had his officials draw up a legal opinion on the respective existing EU Regulation. “Surprise” result: monster HGVs may now even operate across borders under existing law is the generous interpretation of the Commission representative.]]>  The economic recovery had unexpectedly stalled at the end of 2011, said Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs yesterday in a press conference. However, in view of the extensive austerity measures introduced by many EU countries in order to cut public spending it is more than astonishing that the Commission is surprised by the poor state of the economy. Nevertheless, Rehn is convinced that acting decisively could turn the tide towards increasing growth and employment.]]>  This week, both employer and employee representatives voiced their dissatisfaction with the new Commission Proposal on groundhandling services and the loading and unloading of or refuelling of aircrafts within the scope of a hearing in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Although the competent Commission official did not tire of emphasising the necessity of more competition, suggesting this would bring more quality and efficiency, employer and employee associations criticised the proposal, as they envisage the danger that in particular the quality of services might deteriorate. ]]>  It may be described as a small miracle and celebrated as a big success that the EU Commission in one of the currently most important strategy papers, the White Paper on Pensions, regards the “dependency ratio calculator”, which was developed by the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, as a crucial Instrument in the debate on the financial sustainability of pension systems. However, the public debate in respect of the publication of the White Paper was mainly concerned with raising the statutory pension age, even though this has not been explicitly required by the EU Commission.]]>  The measures for stronger economic policy coordination or economic governance, which the EU has come up with in response to the crisis, are based on two key issues: the reduction of public deficits and the early identification of macroeconomic imbalances. According to the EU Commission, the initiative for the latter shall now be provided by the first so-called ‘Alert Mechanism Report' on macroeconomic imbalances, which was presented on Wednesday. The report lists twelve Member States - among them France, Great Britain and Italy - whose economic development is to be analysed - Austria would not give cause for concern. ]]>  Many local authorities within the European Union award services of general interest such as the maintenance of road infrastructure, health services or refuse collection to third parties. Which rules shall apply to the so-called service concessions has now been defined by the European Commission in the European Parliament. However, giving their initial reaction, several MEPs voiced their concern that the proposal was now so complex, that many - in particular smaller - communities would find it difficult to cope with tendering these services. Apart from that, the Commission proposal would not make it clear whether social services would also fall within this scope criticised the EU representatives.]]>  The EU Commission regards ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) as an important step towards enforcing intellectual property rights also outside the Union. In contrast, many critics warn against massive restrictions on the liberty of Internet users, which the Agreement might entail. Whilst public protests have already prompted some governments to halt the ratification process of the Agreement, the Commission rejects the criticism of ACTA. ]]>  The discussion on a Financial Transaction Tax in the EU has been given new impetus. In a letter to the Danish Presidency, the finance ministers of nine Member States, among them Austria, have demanded the speedy implementation of an EU Financial Transaction Tax. The debates in respect of a tax on financial transactions are also at full swing in the European Parliament. On Monday, experts presented the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs with their assessments concerning a possible implementation of the tax, its impact on the economy and the distribution of the tax burden. The majority of experts were convinced that a Financial Transaction Tax would significantly lower the risk of future financial crises and thereby benefit the economy as a whole. ]]>  In the midst of the serious EU financial and economic crisis, the EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski shocks with new information, this time concerning the EU budget: due to their self-imposed austerity packages, the Member States are desperately looking for funds to stimulate their economies again. The problem: based on the multiannual financial framework of the EU, there are theoretically billions available for investments at structural or social level. However, the EU countries were already tight fisted when it came to providing funds for the 2011 EU budget, and now there is a shortage of money for the projects, which were supposed to boost the EU economy - a great shortage...]]>  This week, the European Council - Europe's heads of state and government met in Brussels. Apart from the Fiscal Pact, employment policy impulses and in particular the necessity to tackle youth unemployment were also on the agenda. Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, put it in a nutshell, when he said that Europe had to help young women and men to find a job in the labour market. This needed solid investments, commented van Rompuy. However, in time of crisis and record unemployment in Europe, in particular investments are more than difficult to realise. ]]>  The European Parliament has rushed through its decision to stop plans of the European Commission to allow misleading food labelling. It was only at the start of the week, that the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted against statements on food packages, such as “only contains 5 % fat” and similar. Only a few days later, this vote was confirmed in the Plenum. ]]>  The target is ambitious. The EU Commission plans to reform the more than 15-year old rules on data protection with far-reaching proposals. The aim is to create common regulations at EU level. The hope at the same time is that this move will give new impetus to growth, jobs and innovations in Europe. The proposed legislation gives the impression of having been thoroughly thought through. However, whether it will work in practice, remains to be seen.]]>  This week, Siim Kallas, EU Commissioner for Transport, presented the new package of measures for the air transport sector in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, including a new legislative proposal for ground handling services. This concerns among others services such as aircraft loading and unloading, as well as the de-icing and refuelling of planes. Regarding these services, the Commission would like to see even more competition than has been possible until now. However, in the discussion with the Commissioner, most comments by MEPs were sceptical or of a disapproving nature. The problem was not competition, but security and efficiency.]]>  This week, a public hearing on the planned new rules for credit rating agencies took place in the European Parliament. Whilst the agencies are free to put their thumbs up and down as they please and in the process plunge already ailing countries even deeper into the abyss, some MEPs were surprisingly lenient towards them.]]>  The attempts to solve the so-called “government debt crisis“ continue to be the focus of the debate between the political factions. This is the conclusion for the public hearing on evaluating the instruments to deal with the government debt crisis, which took place in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament on Monday and Tuesday. The dividing lines in respect of solving the current crisis are between a further consolidation of the budgets of the EU Member States on the Conservative-Liberal side and a fundamental restructuring of the EU rescue plans into a growth-oriented Marshall Plan for the entire EU, commented the German MEP of the S&D, Udo Bullmann. The representative of the European Commission, Marco Buti, continued to insist on the bureaucratic austerity measures. Klaus Regling, the German chief of the EFSF bailout fund, defended the harsh conditions imposed on the bailout countries in return for aid. ]]>  Just in time for the mid-term arrival of the legislative period in the European Parliament, there are a number of new appointments to be made in the Parliamentary committees. Apart from the election of Martin Schulz (Socialists & Democrats) as new President of the European Parliament, there are also significant changes from an Austrian point of view.]]>  This week, the EU Commission launched a public consultation on corporate restructuring and its social consequences. The aim is to identify successful practices and strategies in the field of restructuring and the adoption to change, so that lessons can be learned from the economic crisis. The results of the Consultation will also be integrated into the planned and revived flexicurity agenda. Interested parties have until 30 March 2012 to provide answers to the questions of the Green Paper.]]>  Interference in the freedom of the media, threatening the independence of justice and the National Bank, and worrying developments concerning the minority rights in Hungary are only some of the issues that triggered an unusually heated discussion in the European Parliament this week. Whilst Social Democrats, Liberals, the Greens and the Left levelled harsh criticism at the new Hungarian constitution, Orbán's party colleagues from the People's Party, the nationally-oriented fraction “Europe of Freedom and Democracy” and some independent right-wing MEPs showed understanding and in part also supported Orbán's political approach. Meanwhile, the European Commission blew its top and has now initiated three infringement procedures against Hungary.]]>  This week, the European Parliament has announced its ideas on the sustainable future for European transport. Surprisingly positive are the admissions by MEPs that working and social conditions for transport sector employees had to be improved. However, the positive attitude towards the Commission proposal to once again dust off the concept of public private partnerships to fund transport networks leaves a negative connotation.]]>  This week, the European Parliament decided that citizens from third countries, who are legally working within the EU, will enjoy common rights, similar to those of EU citizens as regards working conditions, pensions, social security and access to public services. The law was passed under the title ‘combined working and residence permit' (Single Permit). However, it remains at the discretion of the Member States whether and how many third country nationals will be admitted and permitted to work. The Member States are also entitled to impose specific restrictions on these rights.]]>  That high-quality statistics are indispensable for political decisions has been clearly demonstrated since the start of the financial crisis in 2008. In its new annual report, the European Statistical Governance Advisory Board (ESGAB) urges national governments to play their part in strengthening the credibility of official statistics. In 2012, the seven-strong ESGAB will begin its second term, with strong participation of Austrian statistics expertise: two of the seven advisors come from Austria.]]>  The European Commission recently published a new package of measures for the air transport sector. Apart from reducing capacity bottlenecks at European airports and introducing new regulations on aircraft noise, it is also planned to improve quality and efficiency of ground handling services. This sector is notably very labour-intensive and employs about 60,000 people in Europe. However, the Commission's new liberalisation plans come under strong criticism from labour representatives - wage dumping and cuts in social services are to be feared.]]>  Just two years after the Pittsburgh Declaration of the G20 States to fully regulate the financial markets and to get rid of the shadow banking system, the European Commission presented with some delay new proposals on the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive on 20 October 2011. Now the struggle for the substance of the MiFID will begin in the European Parliament and the Council. It remains to be seen what will be salvaged in respect of protecting investors. On Monday, the European Parliament held a public hearing to give stakeholders and experts the opportunity to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. The opinions for and against stricter regulation of the financial markets widely differed; however, no one is blind to the fact that the need for regulation exists. Subsequent to the hearing, it became apparent at least that the rapporteur of the European People's Party on the new Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID/MiFIR 2), Markus Ferber (EVP), is in favour of an advance ban on unfair and harmful financial market products. Naturally, the representative of the Finnish finance industry, Mrs Piia-Noora Kauppi, took a completely different view. She claimed that preliminary examinations of financial products were strict enough in any case. Has the MiFID covered the right institutions, services/activities, trading venues and instruments?]]>  Since the beginning of the financial crisis, the EU Commission has already published about 30 proposals on regulating the financial market informed EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier at a conference on the role of civil society in financial regulation in Brussels. Replying to the criticism of many representatives of the civil society that the financial industry would be in the majority in the EU advisory committees Barnier just said: only 37 percent of the Committee members came from the financial industry, compared to 36 percent of members who came from consumer protection organisations, trade unions, small and medium enterprises and universities. ]]>  On Tuesday, EU Commissioner Antonio Tajani, presented two legislative proposals on the alternative dispute resolution of consumer disputes. Based on these proposals, disputes between consumers and businesses will be increasingly settled out-of-court. This is to result in a faster, cheaper and more effective resolution of a dispute for both parties, said the Commissioner. However, representatives of consumer protection organisations see no reason to be overjoyed: the proposals do not contain anything indicating that the instrument is obligatory. It is also not clear who would take the decisions within the scope of alternative dispute resolution.]]>  Europe is facing huge challenges. One of the measures to gain control of the situation was the introduction of the Europe 2020 Strategy at EU level. Targets were set in the areas of education, employment, research and development, combating poverty, including the famous “20-20-20” climate protection and energy target. However, a first analysis of the EU Commission has shown that Europe is currently far from achieving these targets in 2020. A great disappointment.]]>  Employment figures and unemployment rates are the key indicators of the labour market. However, these figures are lacking something: they do not say anything about the quality of jobs. Or about the reconciliation between work and family life. The distribution of income is as little taken into consideration as are the chances on the labour market. AK and WIFO now want to change this and have developed the Labour Market Monitor, which was now introduced in Brussels.]]>  Commission President Barroso and the recently appointed Mr Euro, Commissioner Rehn used this occasion to open a public consultation, which should provide an answer to the question whether issuing a common European Government Bond would be feasible. However, both Barroso and Rehn regard such common European Bonds only as part of the package. In particular the tighter budgetary and economic supervision of the Member States of the Eurozone would have priority. A two-speed Europe is becoming increasingly more likely. Barroso said that tightening supervision was necessary because the EU Member States had lived beyond their means. A serious misconception, which puts the blame of the misery caused by the debt crisis not on the rogue financial markets, but on the citizens of the EU, who allegedly had not saved enough. ]]>  They are among the high priests of casino capitalism. When they put their thumb up or down, most investors follow like lemmings, even when faced with the abyss. The list of their misdemeanours and their failures is long, entailing serious consequences for taxpayers and employees, but without repercussions for themselves. Because they hide behind their own interpretation of freedom of opinion. The rating agencies. ]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented its priorities for 2012. The plans of the EU Commission include a total of 129 initiatives next year, as well as further initiatives the Commission intends to have reviewed by the end of its term in office in 2013. Key priorities include the creation of a Union of growth and solidarity, as well as a Europe of stability and responsibility. On the world stage one would like the EU to have a more effective voice. Interesting is the fact that the integration of interest groups is put on the same level as the inclusion of the EU Parliament and the Council. ]]>  A number of third countries are currently negotiating new trade agreements with the European Union. If trade agreements until recently excluded public services, the Commission is now proposing to include these services in a discussion paper. A seminar of experts, organised this week by the European Federation of Public Service Unions EPSU, the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB and by AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, put special focus on this issue and discussed the possibilities of taking appropriate counter measures.]]>  It is crazy. One bubble after the other is bursting; and one sector after the other is targeted. Now the financial sharks have discovered their next victim - after the internet at the turn of the millenium, followed by property only a few years later, they are now speculating on commodities and food commodities. Rice, coffee and wheat have become the daily bread of financial sharks. And this inevitably results in the fact that the indispensable daily bread of others is taken away from them in an outrageous manner.]]>  On the occasion of a high-ranking Commission conference on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, Commission President José Manuel Barroso, EU Parliament President Jerzy Buzek and the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the future of the EU budget and the new economic crisis. Commission President Barroso did not hesitate to use dramatic words: the EU was in a systemic crisis, the meeting of the G20 and the EU summit on the rescue package would bring important decisions. The banks had to be strengthened (once again). The EU budget could help to overcome the crisis, said Barroso.]]>  Following a long period of stalemate, we are at last confronted with a historic opportunity. The Treaty of Lisbon includes a Social Dialogue, which enables the social partners to conclude socio-political agreements at European level, which, on the proposal of the EU Commission and the Council Decision become applicable law. Adopting such a procedure, the European Parliament would only be informed. The Working Time Directive could now be subject to such an agreement.]]>  This week, the Plenum of the European Parliament debated the current state of the negotiations concerning the EU Directive on maternity leave. The reason was a question of the European Parliament to the Council, where a decision has been due for over a year, whether the Council would be prepared to compromise in order to reach agreement and finalize the Directive on maternity leave, which has been a subject of negotiations since 2008. To-date, agreement could not be reached because the great disparity of opinions adopted by both Council and European Parliament.]]>  After it became apparent that that the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), which came into force in 2007, threw the doors wide open for the creation of even more intransparent trading platforms, thereby enabling the speculation with commodity derivatives on a scale never seen before, the Commission has finally agreed to introduce a new Directive and Regulation in respect of the MiFID in order to bring more transparency and regulation to all existing trading platforms for financial products. In addition, a Market Abuse Directive (MAD) is to provide for more severe criminal sanctions against financial jugglers. This is to be guaranteed by stronger rights of intervention to be granted to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the national supervisors. However, the extent of such sanctions remains at the discretion of the Member States. Austria belongs to the group of countries that according to the Commission do not have any regulation against market manipulation. ]]>  Each year, the Consumer Markets Scoreboard reflects the subjective satisfaction of consumers with a wide range of market sectors. The EU Commission would like to use these results to draw conclusions for optimising the single market from a consumer's point of view. The comprehensive Europe-wide surveys show that customer satisfaction has even further decreased in respect of consumer credits and fuel markets, in particular with regard to subjective trust and price comparability. Austria's record in the category “complaints” is really not all that good, whereby due to different survey methods and questions the comparability between the Member States is not fully borne out. ]]>  After a long break and in the midst of the Euro crisis and the anti-bank movements, the EU reports back with proposals on regulating the financial markets. Following a year of negotiations, “naked” short selling of European government bonds is to be restricted. And the deregulation in respect of trading with financial instruments, which had only been implemented three years ago, is to be partly reversed. The greatest problem with turning back the wheel of history: the City of London and its European allies have fully put the brakes on.]]>  According to the Commission, the proposal for a new facultative European Sales Law has been a great success: trade obstacles could be eliminated and consumers would have more choice and a higher level of protection. What the Commission does not mention: both consumer organisations and associations for small and medium enterprises are opposed to the Commission proposal. The organisations fear among others legal uncertainty for their members.]]>  The discussions on new rules for services of public interest at EU level are once again in full swing. Only a few weeks ago, the Commission presented draft proposals for the state aid rules to services of general economic interest; this week, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament will vote on a resolution on this subject. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) devoted a separate conference to the issue. However, it is not yet clear what the final proposal of the European Commission will look like in the end; the intention is to publish it in February 2012. However, individual comments of the Commission give rise to concerns that the pursuit of profit will increasingly take priority over public services.]]>  According to the Commission, within seven years from 2014 onwards, €50 billion will flow into the so-called Trans-European networks. These funds will be used to develop the transport, energy and digital infrastructure within the European Union. In order to drive the plans of the EU forward, the Commission also proposes to include private and institutional investors by means of EU Project Bond Initiatives. ]]>  “We were in Brussels long before Austria became a member of the European Union“, said AK President Herbert Tumpel at the anniversary celebration of the European Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour at Brussels “Square”. And this presence is worth its while: together with the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB, the AK has made significant contributions to topics such as the demand for a Financial Transaction Tax. On October 3rd, the good work was acknowledged by EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, ÖGB President Erich Foglar, federal minister Rudolf Hundstorfer and many other guests.]]>  About 30 million people living in the European Union do not have a basic account. This has serious consequences for everyday life, for example when applying for a job or looking for a flat or simply going about one's daily business. The recommendation, which has now been published by the European Commission in respect of the right for all citizens to hold a basic bank account is a disappointment to the MEPs as it does not oblige the banks to provide every person with a bank account. ]]>  On 10th and 11th October, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament invited representatives of the national parliaments, the Council and the Commission to take part in a debate on “Relaunching the Single Market: State of Play and Challenges Ahead”. All representatives agreed that the Single Market has to function more smoothly and more citizen-oriented. A further harmonisation of the Single Market also found the approval of all parties. However, Green and Social Democrat politicians at EU and national level demand a stronger orientation towards the social dimension of the Single Market and greater consumer protection. In contrast, Liberals and Conservatives urge greater liberalisation. ]]>  Last week, a conference under the title “Network of European Labour and Social Academies - Better Information and Training for Trade Unionists” took place at the European Parliament. The AK EUROPA Office together with the European Academy of Labour, the European Trade Union Institute and the non-governmental organisation SOLIDAR acted as co-organiser of the conference. The Social Academy was presented as a best practice model of trade union education within the scope of a panel discussion.]]>  According to a current survey of the European Youth Forum, typical European interns are between 20 to 30 years old. Their internship lasts between 4 to 6 months. Only 25 % are able to support themselves on the basis of their internship pay. Nevertheless, the majority does one to two internships; hence they spend up to one year in precarious employment. They are inadequately paid and - independent of the economic sector - are only able to make ends meet with the support of their parents, savings or other financial benefits. The main motive for doing an internship is the anticipated better chance to obtain a regular job at a later stage. ]]>  In the light of recent events, AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation hosted a well-attended and exciting panel discussion on the subject of “Labour migration into the EU - problem and potential”. The background of the event was among others formed by the recent proposals of the European Commission on seasonal workers and on the intra-corporate transfers of third country workers. However, the discussion also dealt with the future structure of EU migration policy. Emilie Turunen, MEP, Rudolf Kaske, Chairman of the trade union for transport workers vida, Sverker Rudeberg of BUSINESSEUROPE and Johannes Peyrl of the Chamber of Labour, Vienna got to the bottom of the most important questions and revealed that in spite of having different positions, there was also some common ground.]]>  This week, MEPs, scientists and stakeholders discussed the assessment of the current liberalisation measures in respect of public services. Scientists demanded that the experiences of the past 20 years concerning the liberalisation of public services were thoroughly reviewed at last. Previous examinations were not able to cover the various aspects of public services, criticised the researchers.]]>  According to new calculations of the European Commission, the average debt of public budgets in the Eurozone will be about 88 % by the end of 2011. It is forecast that debts will decrease again from 2013; this, however, requires constant economic growth. With on average 4.3 % forecast for this year, public budget deficits are still significantly above the 2 % deficit from 2008, the year, in which the financial crisis began. One thing, the Report of the EU Commission on Public Finances clearly shows: the crisis, which was above all caused by the financial sector, is by no means over.]]>  Based on the fact that no end is in sight with regard to the Euro and economic crisis, this week the European Commission, the Council as well as the European Parliament came out in favour of a common strategy to stabilise the situation. The majority of representatives of Parliament made it clear that the Economic Governance Package was a significant step in the right direction. However, the MEPs warned against passing the entire costs of the crisis to the citizens. ]]>  Education is the best insurance against unemployment, in particular in weak labour markets. Education enables people to earn a significantly higher income. Public investments in higher education are profitable - in the long term, every Euro invested brings three times as much back into the state coffers. These results of the OECD Education Study, which was published in Brussels on 13.9.2011, argue for further reforms of the Austrian education system. Because compared to the international trend, Austria clearly lags behind with regard to 15 to 19-year olds in education and the number of university graduates. ]]>  A conference, which had been organised by the European Economic and Social Committee, debated possible measures of the European Commission on air passenger rights. During the course of the discussion, a high-ranking civil servant from the Commission pointed out that a new legislative proposal on air passenger rights could come as early as next year.]]>  An event by AK EUROPA in Brussels on the considerations of the European Commission concerning the future of transport within the European Union was met with great interest. Two days prior to presenting his draft report on the Transport White Paper in the European Parliament, rapporteur MEP Mathieu Grosch provided an initial insight into his deliberations on the transport sector. Eduardo Chagas, the General Secretary of the European Transport Workers' Federation and the Transport Policy expert of the Chamber of Labour Vienna, Thomas Hader, described the problems of both employees and users. Michael Nielsen of the International Road Transport Union completed the panel.]]>  The European Parliament did not waste time and used its first day of the new session to debate the latest problems on the financial market, which, due to a stock market slump at the end of July, had flared up again. The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet, the President of the Euro Group, Jean-Claude Juncker, the Polish Finance Minister, Jacek Rostowski, and the EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Olli Rehn, answered questions of MEPs of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. The statements of the four speakers were barely encouraging.]]>  Recently, biting remarks of EU Commissioners Reding and Barnier directed at credit rating agencies made people sit up and take notice. The criticism refers in particular to the dubious conduct of the agencies against the background of the European rescue packages.]]>  This week, the Institute of Economic and Social Research in the Hans-Böckler Foundation (WSI) presented the new European Tariff Study. This shows that this year in two out of three EU countries employees are threatened with real wage losses. Responsible for this is not least the prevailing policy within the European Union to burden only the workforce with the consequences of the crisis and to propagate pay cuts as a supposed strategy to solve the crisis.]]>  This week, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament voted on two applications concerning the support of Austrian Employees, who have lost their job because of the financial and economic crisis. About € 9.5 Million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund are to be made available for the ca. 430 employees.]]>  From the point of view of trade unions, the EESC has taken a positive position towards central labour market policy challenges, which the European societies will be faced with due to the ageing population. ]]>  In future it will become mandatory to state allergens on food packaging; the origin of pork, lamb and goat meat as well as poultry has to be declared. These are only some of the new provisions, the European Parliament and the Council have agreed upon.]]>  This week, the EU Parliament voted on a report on women in economic leadership roles. Currently the share of women in the highest decision-making bodies of the largest listed companies only makes up 10.9 %. In order to change this, the European Parliament (EP) has asked the EU Commission to prepare a proposal on a legal quota for women. Spain, France, The Netherlands and since last week also Belgium and Brussels have already implemented such a quota.]]>  This week, the European Commission published detailed data on taxation trends in the European Union, Iceland and Norway. In the past years, in particular as a reaction to the crisis, the EU-27 states increased in particular indirect taxes. The race-to-the-bottom of corporate taxes slowed down during the crisis, whilst the tax burden on labour was reduced in some countries. However, another trend seems to emerge in Austria.]]>  The Commission proposal on the EU budgets 2014 to 2020, which was presented this week, was to a large degree quite disappointing. For a long time, Commission President Barroso had been declaring that his top priorities were the reduction of unemployment and poverty as well as providing better education within the European Union. Now it has transpires that apart from general remarks on the Europe 2020 Strategy no new measures with regard to the EU Budget can be expected. Instead of reforming the Common Agricultural Policy, the Commission now proposes to provide the agricultural sector also with access to the EU Research Fund and the Globalisation Fund. Extra funds have also been earmarked for food safety.]]>