<s>[INST] The next text is a question of a member of the European parliament:"Small and medium-sized enterprises (which account for 96% of European companies) are being hit particularly hard by the severe economic crisis; their annual turnover is being cut, sometimes by as much as 50%, as a result of shrinking production and trade. Because of this steep downturn, which, according to the predictions of international analysts, will last at least two years, most SMEs will be compelled to completely reorganise their production system, since production clearly has to be geared to current demand, as there would otherwise be a danger that tens of thousands of companies, though fundamentally sound, might go under. Many SMEs have already closed down or are on the point of doing so because of the protracted, difficult, and costly procedures involved in redeployment schemes for redundant workers.  1.Does the Commission not believe that it should consider this problem as a matter of absolute priority and, in agreement with trade unions, propose emergency regulations to the Member States with a view to simplifying and streamlining the procedures for redeploying redundant personnel?  2.Does it not believe that, in a time of crisis, small and medium-sized enterprises should, under temporary transitional rules, be allowed freedom of choice as regards the staff (at least 10%) to be included in redeployment schemes, since this would enable them to meet the actual operational requirements stemming from the necessary internal reorganisation of their production chains?  3.Why does it not draw up a specific plan for SMEs whereby they may communicate their reorganisation needs and make use of credit facilities for the duration of the crisis, thus enabling them to cope with the current emergency brought about by the fact that credit institutions are, without justification, demanding to be paid back, even when firms are totally secure, and financing is — equally groundlessly — being refused?"
Analyze carefully the text and assign it to the most relevant policy area among those listed below. Do not explain your answer and return only a number.
Policy area numbers: 1 = Macroeconomics
2 = Civil Rights, Minority Issues and Civil Liberties
3 = Health
4 = Agriculture and Fisheries
5 = Labour, employment and pensions
6 = Education
7 = Environment
8 = Energy
9 = Immigration
10 = Transportation
12 = Law and Crime
13 = Social welfare
14 = Regional and Urban issues and Planning
15 = Banking, finance and domestic commerce issues
16 = Defence
17 = Space, science, technology, and communications issues
18 = Foreign trade
19 = International affairs and foreign aid
20 = Governance and government
21 = Public Lands, Water Management and Territorial Issues
23 = Culture and media
[/INST]. Answer = [1]. </s>
Small and medium-sized enterprises (which account for 96% of European companies) are being hit particularly hard by the severe economic crisis; their annual turnover is being cut, sometimes by as much as 50%, as a result of shrinking production and trade. Because of this steep downturn, which, according to the predictions of international analysts, will last at least two years, most SMEs will be compelled to completely reorganise their production system, since production clearly has to be geared to current demand, as there would otherwise be a danger that tens of thousands of companies, though fundamentally sound, might go under. Many SMEs have already closed down or are on the point of doing so because of the protracted, difficult, and costly procedures involved in redeployment schemes for redundant workers.  1.Does the Commission not believe that it should consider this problem as a matter of absolute priority and, in agreement with trade unions, propose emergency regulations to the Member States with a view to simplifying and streamlining the procedures for redeploying redundant personnel?  2.Does it not believe that, in a time of crisis, small and medium-sized enterprises should, under temporary transitional rules, be allowed freedom of choice as regards the staff (at least 10%) to be included in redeployment schemes, since this would enable them to meet the actual operational requirements stemming from the necessary internal reorganisation of their production chains?  3.Why does it not draw up a specific plan for SMEs whereby they may communicate their reorganisation needs and make use of credit facilities for the duration of the crisis, thus enabling them to cope with the current emergency brought about by the fact that credit institutions are, without justification, demanding to be paid back, even when firms are totally secure, and financing is — equally groundlessly — being refused?