Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2000-02-15-Speech-2-316"
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"en.20000215.13.2-316"2
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"I would like to congratulate the rapporteur on his excellent contribution, which adds great value to the Commission’s initiative. In spite of the scepticism of some people, there is consensus on the need for a concerted strategy for modernising social protection. The discussions that were held in the 1980s and 1990s demonstrate the importance of social transfers. More than 50% of people in the Union receive benefits that are not part of pensions. Denmark and the Netherlands are positive examples of the effort for cohesion that we must all make. In those two countries, over 60% of people at risk live above the poverty line, whereas in the Southern countries, only 7% to15% of poor people manage to do so. This fact creates the imbalances in society and in competition that have already been highlighted.
The convergence criteria have created the temptation to reduce public spending, a phenomenon which has led to anti-European feeling. The truth is that high levels of protection coexist well with the best indicators of productivity. Nevertheless, where social policies are concerned too, a strategy for convergence which the report is advocating will benefit both the public and the success of the internal market.
All systems face new problems and these are identified in the report. The demographic issue is central, but the following are not minor issues: new forms of work, mobility within the Union and a shorter working life – young people start working later now and although the legal age for retirement is 65, in practice, people are retiring between the ages of 57 and 59, due to restructuring in industry. In addition to this, poverty is an ever-present phenomenon, particularly for retired women because their salaries and contributions have been low. These challenges must be responded to as a matter of urgency. We are happy to welcome the Portuguese Presidency’s initiative, which is to establish a high-level group which we want to be the preparation for action for legislation and for programming, not just another postponement or a simple diagnosis of the problem. We need common objectives with a realistic timetable."@en1
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