The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) hosted a hearing on the European Pillars of Social Rights (EPSR). The Aim of the hearing was to assess the impact of the EPSR at EU and national level and the measures taken to implement its principles. The findings of the hearing will feed into an opinion paper on the topic.
The EPSR was launched in 2017 as a tool to support and guide EU policies that ensure well-functioning labor markets and welfare systems. The Pillar aims to deliver new and more effective rights for citizens and builds upon 20 key principles, structured around three categories: Equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions and social protection and inclusion.
Through two rounds of panel discussions, the speakers assessed the legislative and non-legislative measures taken so far, identified gaps and proposed new measures, including in the context of the European Semester. Speakers highlighted the importance of the implementation of the Pillar, the monitoring of the process and access to funds for proper implementation.
The hearing concluded that
→ The European Semester with its country-specific recommendations can serve as tool to evaluate and monitor the implementation of the EPSR.
→ Despite the funds allocated to kick off EPSR principles, a more inclusive budget is needed to improve social rights, and particularly to ensure social protection.
→ Recommendations included:
- Promotion of Civil and Social Dialogue;
- Increase the visibility of the social dimension at all levels: regional, local, national and European;
- Strengthen the integration of social objectives in the Economic and Monetary Union;
- Improvement of scoreboard indicators;
- More commitment from national governments and deeper involvement of the civil society.
Read more about the event here.
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