Speeches

Madam President, Commissioner, the tragic train accidents in Greece and Spain remind us that railway safety can never be taken for granted, but we must also recognise that these two tragedies are different. In Spain, the accident is recent. It is still subject to an ongoing and independent investigation, with authorities cooperating and being committed to transparency. In contrast, the accident in Greece also exposed deeper structural problems with chronic underinvestment, outdated infrastructure and also some serious systemic failures. But from both tragedies, we need also to draw lessons to strengthen railway safety across Europe. So, Commissioner, let me turn to you with three questions. Firstly, is the mandate of ERA enough? Are the resources sufficient? Or should the mandate and resources be expanded? Secondly, my question was on the European occurrence reporting system, so I very much welcome the announcement of the Commissioner today. But finally, if you also could develop a little bit, what progress has been made so far since the infringement procedure against Greece one year ago?

Mr President, thank you also to the Commissioner and thank you for the debate. It is perhaps clear that we are not agreeing 100 % in this Chamber. But let's be clear about one thing. If you want to fight for serious businesses, you also have to regulate subcontracting. This is also why everyone in this House has received letters of support from the European umbrella organisation representing more than 200 000 small and medium-sized road transport undertakings. This is why small and medium-sized construction companies ask us to regulate subcontracting. The fact that BusinessEurope instead have decided to defend the right of big companies to make profits while subcontracting away all the work, all the responsibility, leading to the exploitation of workers – this is something that they, quite frankly, should be ashamed of. To limit subcontracting and to regulate labour intermediaries will not solve all the problems, but it will be one important step to clean up our labour market. When one of the biggest Swedish construction companies self-imposed a limitation on themselves on two tiers of subcontracting, they publicly stated that one of the main reasons for this was to fight against work-related crime. This is one company that do this at their workplaces. Our role, as legislator, is to make sure that we fight worker-related crime on all workplaces in Europe. Tomorrow you have the opportunity to do so by voting in favour of the report. Thank you for the debate.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, please. We must dare to say as it is: We have lost control of parts of the labour market, and in the end it is workers and serious companies who pay the price. The examples are many. 174 workers were identified as potential victims of trafficking in human beings on a single construction site in the port of Antwerp – 174 people on a single site, recruited through complex chains of subcontractors. During the pandemic, we learned how the meat industry in Germany built its operations on sub-contractors with workers working in terrible conditions. Farm workers in Italy who died after being seriously injured and left to die at their workplace. How five people lose their lives when a construction elevator falls eight floors and the employer, four days after the accident, does not know if it is his own staff in the elevator or not, because you have no idea who is in the workplace. This is the consequence of conscious arrangements that we see widely in the labour market, in transport, cleaning, logistics and perhaps most clearly in the construction industry. How did we actually get here? In Sweden, the construction industry's own investigation, the Construction Market Commission, has pointed to three reasons: EU entry, protracted boom and companies replacing their own staff with long chains of subcontractors to a greater extent. And one of those things we can actually do something about; We can stop the abuse of long chains of subcontractors. Madam President, Commissioner, long and complex subcontracting chains, often combined with labour intermediaries, make exploitation easier and accountability harder. With every additional level, transparency disappears; with every additional level, wages drop; with every additional level, risks increase. Public authorities see this as well. The city of Copenhagen found that construction sites relying heavily on subcontracting are massively overrepresented in labour law violations. And this system does not only exploit workers, it is also a problem for serious businesses. Because unregulated subcontracting does not create a free market, it creates unfair competition. They reward companies that cut corners, avoid responsibility and break the rules. Let me give you one concrete example why this does not work either for companies nor workers. Last year, I found out about 29 workers from Uzbekistan that went into debt to get employment in Europe. They were hired by a Lithuanian company and posted to Sweden in the fourth level of subcontracting. It was a tragedy for the workers. They were cheated on their wages and forced to return home heavily indebted. But the situation is also impossible for the company. They only received EUR 27 per hour – a compensation level that makes it impossible to pay taxes, social security and wages according to Swedish collective agreements. This means that the companies are put in a situation where they are forced to break the rules. Voting 'yes' tomorrow means choosing fair competition and better protection for workers across Europe. So I urge you to support this report.

Madam President, thank you very much. Today, labour crime is so widespread that it can be described as a threat to society. Serious businesses are being shut down. Workers are exploited. Therefore, one of the key objectives of the new action plan must be to ensure order in the labour market and to combat the growth of dirty business. We need to make it harder to cheat. This means putting an end to the abuse of long chains of subcontractors, strengthening entrepreneurial responsibility, stopping the abuse of posting of third-country nationals. We also need to make it easier to get caught and ensure that the European Labour Authority (ELA) becomes a truly European centre against labour crime. We need European minimum levels to significantly increase the number of labour inspectors in the Member States and, finally, there must also be serious consequences for breaking the rules. Sanctions need to be linked to companies' turnover, so that it becomes expensive even for large companies that break the law. By making it harder to cheat, easier to get caught and more sensible to be punished, we can break the bones of European shit business.

Madam President, thank you very much. If you as a passenger today want to benefit from the compensation you are entitled to in the event of cancellation or long delay of flights, you are often met by airlines that actively try to make it difficult for you. Sometimes they even try to be intimidated. This is, of course, totally unacceptable. That is why we in the European Parliament are pushing for stronger air passenger rights. It should be easy to get right. We will have automatic compensation in the event of delays. We're going to run out of fees forcing children to be separated from their parents. And the same rules should apply to all passengers, regardless of the airline. But the Council wants something else. They want to raise the thresholds for remuneration and give companies more exemptions. Just raising the time limit from three to four hours would mean that the majority of those affected would lose their current rights. The position of the European Parliament is clear. We say no to these deteriorations. Now the issue will go to conciliation and we will continue to fight for the travellers.

Madam President, thank you very much. The EU must lead technological development. We cannot allow China to dominate the automotive industry of the future. Weakening the 2035 target is an unnecessary step backwards. This creates uncertainty for all the companies that have invested in promises of long-term rules of the game. It is not just a step backwards, it is also a distraction, a distraction from all the measures we need to take to strengthen Europe's automotive industry. 14 million people work in the EU automotive sector, and the only way to secure these jobs is to ensure that tomorrow's green cars are produced here in Europe. And to do that, we need to increase demand and we need to do it quickly. I therefore look forward to continuing to work on the Commission's proposals to accelerate the transition to zero-emission company cars, strengthen European industry and make electric cars more accessible. This will strengthen the climate and save Europe's competitiveness.

Mr President, thank you very much. I am very pleased that the Commission is finally presenting a proposal on how to help our industry to change, after a mandate that has so far been mostly about Ursula von der Leyen regretting just about everything she did during the last mandate. We are faced with a very important choice. Either we continue to depend on expensive fossil fuels that make us vulnerable, or we take the chance to transform and produce sustainable fuels for clean transport here in Europe. Because we want shipping and aviation – sectors that are difficult to electrify – to run on sustainable fuels, yes, those fuels must also be produced in Europe. Because if we don't, we risk our jobs, our technology and our energy security. If we are to succeed, we must achieve at least three things. Firstly, we need to invest in order for the European companies that develop and manufacture these fuels to be able to scale up production. Secondly, we need to find solutions that ensure that those who produce the fuels are paid enough to dare to make the investments, while at the same time creating predictability and acceptable prices for the companies that will use them. And thirdly, we know that today fossil fuels benefit from old rules and subsidies. That needs to change. What is best for the future must also be best for the wallet. I and my political group look forward to working with the Commission to achieve this.

Madam President, thank you very much. Twice a year we do something that almost no one anymore understands why. We set the clock, one hour forward, one hour back. And every time it costs us something: sleep, health and well-being. And the research is clear; the time change increases accidents, affects heart and sleep and creates problems, especially for children, the elderly and the chronically ill. The energy saving that was once the reason for the introduction of the time change is no longer relevant in our modern societies. In other words, the benefits are no longer there. At the same time, human health is negatively affected. The European Parliament already adopted its position in 2019. With a broad majority, we decided that the change of time should be abolished as quickly as possible. We have now been waiting for the Member States for six years, and our citizens have already given their answers. When the European Commission conducted an open consultation, 4.6 million Europeans responded, 84% of whom wanted to end the time change. Yet nothing happens. We're standing still. Or rather, we go back and forth every spring and every autumn, but we don't get anywhere. Dear Commissioner, thank you for keeping this issue alive, for listening to the people of Europe. Because Europe does not need more time; It needs decisions. Citizens are waiting. Especially the young, the elderly, the chronically ill – they are waiting for a Europe that acts and doesn't just consult. And to the Council, even if they are not here: This is your responsibility. Parliament has waited for six years. So when Spain now creates momentum in the issue with Prime Minister Sánchez being clear that it is time to end the seasonal time change, this should also be the clear signal to the whole Council that it is time to act. I know this requires coordination among Member States to avoid a patchwork of time zones, but this is an issue that we should be able to solve. Madam President, thank you very much. The time has come. It's time to stop changing the clock. And for all of us who have difficulty remembering whether to set up or take back the outdoor furniture, we simply have to get ourselves a different memory rule.

Madam President, thank you very much. Democratic influence should not be limited to the polling station. Influence should also apply at work. Workers have the right to information and the right to have their say before decisions affecting their working lives are taken. Today, around 10 million workers in Europe are guaranteed such rights through EWCs, but in practice protection is often too weak. Different exemption rules mean that workers do not get the influence that is to be guaranteed by the legislation. At the same time, transparency is hampered by companies hiding between different forms of confidentiality rules, and without sanctions it becomes difficult for workers to get the right. That is why we are now strengthening the right to information, consultation and transparency and making sure that companies that break the law also have consequences. In times of change, driven by the climate transition and digitalisation, workers' voices are needed more than ever. Strong trade unions and works councils are not an obstacle – they are a guarantee that change will be fair, sustainable and democratic.

Mr President, at its core, this debate is about the fact that large parts of this House do not believe in climate change or change at all. During the election campaign, one of your Swedish ECR colleagues had the opportunity to explain why we shouldn't worry about climate change. He explained – and listen carefully now – that we should not worry, because if we hadn't had climate change, we would still have dinosaurs. And even if it's cute when older men worry about dinosaurs, it is fundamentally a serious issue, because we cannot allow the far right's fear of dinosaurs to threaten the green transition of European industry and ultimately our competitiveness. Because in the end, the EU's 2035 target is not a threat to the car industry, it is an opportunity. We should focus on helping the car industry. We forced the rollout of sorting stations to make sure that we have world‑class European battery production. We have social leasing schemes so ordinary people also can demand European‑made electric cars. This is the way to defend the auto industry.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner. Recently, the number of serious GPS disturbances has increased exponentially. Whether it is about ambulance helicopters on Gotland or the Commission President's plan. One hundred and twenty-three thousand flights have been disrupted by signals in the Baltic Sea region alone during the first four months of the year. This isn't aimless. It is a clear part of Russian hybrid warfare aimed at Europe, and any disruption brings us closer to a serious accident. The EU must take this very seriously and put in place concerted measures to counter these attacks. We need to strengthen our technical capabilities. We need to impose tougher sanctions on the actors behind this and cut off their access to our satellite and navigation services. It's about our safety. It is about our freedom. The Commission can expect broad support from Parliament with the measures we need to take together in Europe.

Mr President, thank you very much. Commissioner, please. Fraud and labour exploitation in Europe's workplaces are on the rise. We are seeing growing problems with infiltration into welfare systems and public services. New procurement rules are an opportunity to reverse this trend, but then we need an offensive proposal that makes a difference in reality. Every year in Europe, we procure goods and services equivalent to 14% of our GDP. Not a penny should go to criminals. Some demands are crucial for my political family. Firstly, we must make social requirements mandatory. Secondly, we must limit subcontracting chains in all risk sectors, and we must give the Member States the tools to control and exclude cheaters. It is about defending workers and protecting taxpayers' money. If we don't do it offensively enough, then we can skip the whole process. It has to be right now that we're changing the rules.

Madam President, thank you very much. That's unreasonable! This is how I, and many Swedes with me, feel about the EU's proposal to force the scrapping of cars that people repair, restore or rebuild. That is why I am proud that the European Parliament has put its foot down today. There will be no scrapping obligation for Swedish vintage cars and repair items and no stop for the hobby market with car parts. Now we are one step closer, but the negotiations will be tough. Listen to this: In order to save repair objects from scrapping, Member States in the Council consider that 1) a restoration plan should be drawn up proving that they have the financial resources and technical competence, and 2) it should be approved by an independent vehicle expert, and then submitted and approved by the authorities. All this for a car that you already own. This is not a way to treat adults. Europe can do better.

Madam President, thank you very much. We naturally welcome the fact that the Council has finally agreed on a position on air passenger rights. Unfortunately, however, the Council's position is unacceptable. Extending the time required for compensation from 3 to 4 hours' delay is not acceptable to Parliament. For many passengers, this means that the right to compensation is completely lost. At a time when today's big buzzwords seem to be simplification: Why not take the obvious step and introduce automatic payment in case of delays? It is unreasonable that travellers today should be forced to fill in forms and wait for months for money they are already entitled to. And why should families with children still have to pay extra to sit with their children on the flight? It should be a matter of course that parents can sit with their children free of charge. We in Parliament will enter the negotiations to ensure stronger protection for Europe's travellers.

Mr President, thank you very much. Public transport is essential for people to live, work and live sustainably across Europe. But it will require long-term investment and secure conditions for all those who drive our buses and trains. Around Europe today, we see a shortage of workers at the same time as working conditions are under pressure, many times because of EU rules, for example when traffic is forced to be procured and working conditions become a little, a little worse with each procurement round. At the same time, the EU's climate goals are at stake. The transport sector is responsible for about a quarter of the EU's emissions, and without more investment in public transport, it will be difficult to change. That is why I would like to ask the Commissioner: What are you planning – firstly in the next long-term budget and secondly in future legislation to support public transport and everyone working there? Europe needs a well-functioning, fair and sustainable transport system. So now we need clear answers and action in the coming years.

Madam President, I would like to thank you for your Commissioner. First of all: We need a coherent European transport policy. This requires joint programme funding. In addition, with today's security situation and increased demands for military mobility, we need to strengthen the infrastructure's share of the EU budget. The security situation also makes it necessary for us to give priority to East-West connections. Take Sweden as an example. In the European transport network, there is only one east-west connection between Stockholm and Luleå. This gap needs to be addressed if we are serious about military mobility. Finally, as a Social Democrat, I would also like to emphasise that infrastructure also requires workers, and we have shortages in most sectors. At the same time, transport workers are six times more likely to die at work, their wages and conditions are squeezed. This doesn't hold up. Because without good working conditions, no workers and without workers, no transport.

Mr President, I would like to thank you. When Europe's workers are doing well, Europe is doing well. And the basis for this is trade union organisation, and ultimately the right to stop their work and go on strike to sign collective agreements. For it is through this struggle that wage increases, days of leave, pension provisions, reductions in working hours have been won and are still being won. But around Europe, the right to strike is under attack. Europe is the continent where trade union rights have deteriorated fastest in the last decade. This is shameful and it is a betrayal of the workers of Europe in these times of crisis. It must be absolutely clear that trade union rights are a fundamental part of our democracy. The EU conditionality mechanism must therefore also apply to violations of trade union rights and the right to strike. Countries that attack trade unions will no longer be able to receive funding from the EU budget.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, please. "Over 10% unemployed" – this headline met the Swedes who hit the news the other month. Behind every new warning: a person and entire towns forced to ask themselves the question, ‘what happens now’? The latest news came this morning that the Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt is going bankrupt. It is worrying that the notices now being given are being given in sectors that are absolutely central to Europe's industrial future, not least in car and battery manufacturing. How we deal with this will be crucial for the future competitiveness of our continent. If we are to do this, we must create more resilient labour markets, with strong unions, with secure workers, where companies have the opportunity to be at the forefront and overwinter in a slump without losing staff and important skills. Without skilled workers, there will be no new industries in Europe.

Madam President, thank you very much. Commissioner, please. The only way to secure jobs in the automotive industry is to lead technology development. This will require know-how and production throughout the value chain, not least when it comes to batteries. We also need to increase European demand for electric vehicles, and I therefore look forward to an ambitious proposal on green corporate fleets as soon as possible. Much of the debate today is about the automotive industry, but I would also like to underline the importance of creating the conditions for the European companies that are currently leading the development of electric buses and trucks. Then we need increased ambitions for charging infrastructure, adapted rules for weights and dimensions that allow us to continue to lead the development. Finally, if we create flexibility in the 2025 targets, we must ensure that it does not penalise those companies that already meet the targets by margin, who have made the investments, such as Volvo, and that they are now not penalised when we create flexibility. Because it is only by leading the transition that we can save 14 million jobs in Europe.

Mr President, I would like to thank you. "The stress makes me think about changing jobs." This is how half of the Swedish Healthcare Association's members experience their everyday life. You're not alone. Nurses and doctors all over Europe testify to a similar frustration, how a bad work environment pushes them away from the profession they love. There are things that the EU can and should do. Firstly, the Commission must present legislation to improve the psychosocial working environment. We need new rules to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Promises of stricter requirements to prevent harassment and violence from patients and users must be honoured. Last but not least, we need to strengthen the protection of healthcare professionals against carcinogens and harmful substances at work. No one who cares for a cancer patient or cleans our hospitals should have to suffer from the same disease themselves.

Mr President, thank you very much. A few months ago, here in the European Parliament, we discussed the threat posed by the Russian shadow fleet. Today we stand here again and talk about damage to important infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. We're discussing damaged submarine cables, but these aren't the only attacks we see. We see that GPS interference has also become increasingly common. Today, they extend over Gotland, Finland and the Baltic countries and affect air traffic throughout the region. This is no coincidence. This is what hybrid warfare looks like in practice, and it is clear that our sanctions are not enough. It will require tougher action against Putin's shadow fleet. Security must be a higher priority in transport policy at all, not just linked to sanctions. In the case of the EU port strategy, the development of the TEN-E and TEN-T projects, the safety aspect must take precedence in the design of the infrastructure. But to begin with: Let's put an end to Putin's shadow fleet.