Speeches

This debate revolved around the current deadlock in the Council on the agreement for the Platform Workers Directive. The main objective of this directive – which has been defended by socialists for years – is to protect all workers in an increasingly changing and digitalised market. Also, combat unfair competition within the single market. The proposal aims to determine the real employment status of workers, as well as the use that companies make of algorithms and artificial intelligence, in order to monitor and evaluate their employees. If launched, this directive would prevent digital platforms from treating their workers as bogus self-employed, in the event that there really is an employment relationship as an employee. It would also ensure the improvement of occupational health and safety conditions in the sector. The S&D Group will continue to defend the need to respect the European social model, and the fight against job insecurity and abuses. We hope that in March, an agreement can be reached at EPSCO, to resume the approval of a regulatory proposal, necessary for a just and truly sustainable digital transition.

The next item is the topical debate requested by a political group (EPP) under Rule 169 on child sexual abuse online: protect children, not perpetrators. I would like to inform Members that for this debate there is no catch-the-eye procedure and no blue cards will be accepted.

The next item is the debate on the Commission statement on the grids package and tackling raising energy prices through robust infrastructure (2025/3026(RSP)). I will have to be strict with the time, taking into account that we have the Sakharov Prize and the votes afterwards.

Mr President, Commissioner, COP30 gives us a true reflection of the world in which we live: competitive, uncertain, frustrating, without traditional leaderships, but, at the same time, still able to sit at the table and talk about the climate and build a common horizon. We have had new protagonists in Belém and that must be celebrated: indigenous peoples, women, civil society, the local world and also new issues that have been at the forefront of the climate conversation, especially adaptation. That's very good news. The bad news is that we are unable to mention the big elephant in the room, that of fossil fuels. It is enormously frustrating to see the enormous addiction of our economy and the enormous resistances and interests behind the ultimate reason for climate change. And the third thing is the great opportunity that lets us see the leadership we've had. I would like to congratulate you, Commissioner, on the great opportunity that Europe and Latin America have had in the eighty countries that sought a horizon without fossil fuels. Of course, leadership is not proclaimed, it is exercised and we have to continue exercising it in our internal agenda.

The next item is the debate on the report by Aura Salla and Irene Tinagli on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2015/1017, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695 and (EU) 2021/1153 as regards increasing the efficiency of the EU guarantee under Regulation (EU) 2021/523 and simplifying reporting requirements (COM(2025)0084 - C10-0036/2025 - 2025/0040(COD)) (A10-0117/2025).