Sittings

Amending Directive 2009/38/EC as regards the establishment and functioning of European Works Councils and the effective enforcement of transnational information and consultation rights

✦ AI Parliament adopted its position on a proposed law updating the rules on European Works Councils, which inform and consult employees on transnational issues. The position aims to bring older agreements into the directive's scope and to improve enforcement of information and consultation rights. Parliament's position will now be forwarded to the Council, the Commission, and national parliaments.

Jobs, social affairs & equality

New laws · committee report · 1st reading · voted 12:11 · A-10-2024-0029 · 2024/0006

Recommendation to the Council on the EU priorities for the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women

✦ AI Parliament adopted a recommendation to the Council setting out EU priorities for the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which reviews the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The text urges the Council to reaffirm commitment to the Beijing Declaration, integrate gender equality into EU external action, and address the global backlash against women's rights. It also calls for involving Parliament in shaping the EU position and for supporting UN Women and civil society organisations.

Jobs, social affairs & equalityForeign affairs

Resolutions · committee report · 46 ballots · voted 12:11 · A-10-2024-0030 · 2024/2057

EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tonga

✦ AI The European Parliament voted on the accession of Tonga to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the EU and Pacific States. Parliament gave its consent, meaning Tonga can join the agreement, which facilitates its economic growth through regional and global trade integration. The decision will be forwarded to the Council, the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of member states and Tonga.

Foreign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Dariusz Joński · consent procedure · voted 12:20 · A-10-2024-0023 · 2024/0048

EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Niue

✦ AI The draft decision concerns Niue's accession to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community and the Pacific States, which sets out trade arrangements. Parliament gave its consent to this accession, meaning it approved the agreement as a whole without amendments. The accession will allow Niue to benefit from full duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market, replacing its current standard GSP arrangement. Parliament's position will be forwarded to the Council, the Commission, and the governments and parliaments of the member states and Niue.

Foreign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Dariusz Joński · consent procedure · voted 12:21 · A-10-2024-0024 · 2024/0010

Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration

✦ AI Parliament gave its consent to the EU concluding the United Nations Convention on Transparency in Treaty-based Investor-State Arbitration. The Convention increases public access to documents and hearings in investor-state disputes and lets civil society participate. It applies transparency rules to investment treaties signed before 1 April 2014, covering about 1,200 agreements involving EU member states. Ratification is a first step towards broader reform of investment dispute settlement, including a possible Multilateral Investment Court.

Economy & single marketForeign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Anna Cavazzini · consent procedure · voted 12:21 · A-10-2024-0021 · 2015/0012

EC-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement: accession of Tuvalu

✦ AI The European Parliament voted on the accession of Tuvalu to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the EU and the Pacific States. Parliament gave its consent to Tuvalu's accession, which means the agreement can proceed. Tuvalu is expected to graduate from Least Developed Country status in 2024, and this accession helps maintain its duty-free access to the EU market.

Foreign affairsTrade & customs

Consent · report by Dariusz Joński · consent procedure · voted 12:22 · A-10-2024-0025 · 2023/0456

The increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran

✦ AI Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the increasing and systematic repression of women in Iran through laws and restrictions on their freedoms and rights. It condemns the September 2024 law imposing new restrictions and punishments on those violating the compulsory dress code, and deplores the detention of Ahoo Daryaei. Parliament also condemns the persecution of the Baha'i community and calls for the release of Baha'i women, including Neda Emadi and Parastoo Hakim. It calls on the Council to expand EU sanctions, support Iranian women's protests, and designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

Foreign affairsJobs, social affairs & equality

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 9 ballots · voted 12:13 · B-10-2024-0203 · 2024/2951

Amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 as regards Vanuatu

✦ AI The proposal amends Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 to remove Vanuatu from the list of countries whose nationals are exempt from the visa requirement for short stays in the EU. Parliament adopted its position at first reading, taking over the Commission proposal, which means the visa exemption for Vanuatu will be cancelled. Parliament calls on the Commission to refer the matter back if it substantially amends its proposal, and instructs its President to forward the position to the Council, the Commission, and national parliaments.

Migration & asylumForeign affairs

New laws · report by Paulo Cunha · 1st reading · voted 12:26 · A-10-2024-0015 · 2024/0128

Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

✦ AI Parliament adopted its position on the proposed Council decision setting guidelines for member states' employment policies. The adopted text approves the Commission proposal as amended, meaning the guidelines will reflect Parliament's requested changes. Parliament calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly and asks the Council to notify it if departing from the approved text.

Jobs, social affairs & equality

New laws · committee report · consultation · 19 ballots · voted 13:46 · A-10-2024-0004 · 2024/0599

Iraq, notably the situation of women’s rights and the recent proposal to amend the Personal Status Law

✦ AI Parliament adopted a resolution on Iraq, focusing on women's rights and the proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law. It calls on Iraq's Council of Representatives to reject the amendments, which it says would legalize child marriage and weaken legal protections for women. Parliament also urges the adoption of a law against domestic violence and asks for the resolution to be forwarded to EU and Iraqi authorities.

Foreign affairsJobs, social affairs & equality

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 14 ballots · B-10-2024-0094 · 2024/2858

The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the ‘Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice’

✦ AI Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the Taliban's enforcement of Sharia law and the erasure of women and girls from public life in Afghanistan. The resolution urges the de-facto Afghan authorities to abolish a recent decree that silences women's voices in public, and calls for restoring women's full participation in public life. It also calls for reopening support systems for victims of violence, holding authorities accountable through international mechanisms, and increasing humanitarian aid.

Foreign affairsJobs, social affairs & equality

Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 20 ballots · voted 13:07 · B-10-2024-0045 · 2024/2803