WRITTEN QUESTION P-0565/02

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0565/02

by Elisa Damião (PSE) to the Commission

by Elisa Damião (PSE) to the Commission

(21 February 2002)

(21 February 2002)

Subject: Lisbon strategy

Subject: Lisbon strategy

The Lisbon strategy for the years up to 2005 and 2010 has set employment growth targets to increase the number of women in work to 60 % and the overall rate to 70 %. The hope is that this growth will be founded simultaneously on technological innovation and social cohesion. However, the forward study by the Science and Technology Observatory on the impact of technology and structural change on employment, covering the period up to 2020, is at variance with the targets and even maintains that the future productivity gain will benefit the economy but not employment, which, on the contrary, will continue to rise in the traditional business sectors.

The Lisbon strategy for the years up to 2005 and 2010 has set employment growth targets to increase the number of women in work to 60 % and the overall rate to 70 %. The hope is that this growth will be founded simultaneously on technological innovation and social cohesion. However, the forward study by the Science and Technology Observatory on the impact of technology and structural change on employment, covering the period up to 2020, is at variance with the targets and even maintains that the future productivity gain will benefit the economy but not employment, which, on the contrary, will continue to rise in the traditional business sectors.

How does the Commission propose to respond? Will it revise the Lisbon targets or adopt more realistic employment growth strategies?

How does the Commission propose to respond? Will it revise the Lisbon targets or adopt more realistic employment growth strategies?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(19 March 2002)

(19 March 2002)

The Commission remains committed to the achievement of the employment targets defined by the European Council in Lisbon (23 and 24 March 2000) and Stockholm (23 and 24 March 2001) and confirmed

The Commission remains committed to the achievement of the employment targets defined by the European Council in Lisbon (23 and 24 March 2000) and Stockholm (23 and 24 March 2001) and confirmed

in Laeken (14 and 15 December 2001). Its synthesis report prepared for the Barcelona meeting of the European Council states that the employment rate targets of the European Union for 2005 and 2010 must be maintained and efforts must be accelerated to create more and better jobs and get more people to work.

in Laeken (14 and 15 December 2001). Its synthesis report prepared for the Barcelona meeting of the European Council states that the employment rate targets of the European Union for 2005 and 2010 must be maintained and efforts must be accelerated to create more and better jobs and get more people to work.

Industries based on information technologies and more broadly on the development of knowledge are to play a central part in achieving this objective. This is clearly indicated in research undertaken by the Commission. Employment in Europe 2001 report points out that between 1995 and 2000, 1,5 million jobs were created in the high-tech sector, and 5,5 million in the high-education sectors.

Industries based on information technologies and more broadly on the development of knowledge are to play a central part in achieving this objective. This is clearly indicated in research undertaken by the Commission. Employment in Europe 2001 report points out that between 1995 and 2000, 1,5 million jobs were created in the high-tech sector, and 5,5 million in the high-education sectors.

The report also showed at the same time new patterns of employment and growth in the European labour markets. Employment content of growth has risen since 1985 an elasticity of employment growth to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth twice that of 1980s.

The report also showed at the same time new patterns of employment and growth in the European labour markets. Employment content of growth has risen since 1985 an elasticity of employment growth to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth twice that of 1980s.