Speech by President Séamus Boland, EESC plenary debate with Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

EESC plenary debate on 'A strong social strategic agenda for Europe' with Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights

Dear Commissioner Schmit,

Thank you for taking the time to be with us today, you are very welcome;

When I read the title of your speech, I was struck by the word 'strategic';

You are here to present to us a 'strong social strategic agenda for Europe';

Something which is very necessary, given the dire levels of poverty and social exclusion in a continent which boasts some of the highest levels of GDP!

Eurostat figures reveal that in 2022, 21.6% of the EU's population were at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Women faced even higher levels than men;

Alarmingly, 24.7% of children were at risk of poverty and social exclusion!

This does beg the question of how we measure societal 'wealth' and strengthens even further my belief in the absolute necessity for measuring growth beyond GDP levels!

Your intervention here today is very timely, given the upcoming conference on the European Pillar of Social Rights on 15 & 16 April;

My comments this morning will focus on poverty eradication and the protection of social rights;

You will be aware Commissioner, that according to recent Eurobarometer surveys, respondents have called on the new European Parliament to address 'fight against poverty and social exclusion,' as a first priority;

Our Group has for a number of years made combatting poverty our overarching priority;

We have approached this from many angles, including plight of the working poor, vulnerable groups, the challenges of the twin transitions, the necessity for 'Just Transitions' and relevant skills development, the plight of care workers, how to strengthen European healthcare and the marginalised role of the elderly and young persons;

And I would like to take this opportunity to call on both the EC and Members of Parliament: over the next few months you must reach out to PEOPLE;

Asking them what their priorities and pre-occupations are; what their ambitions, hopes and aspirations are;

As an Irishman, allow me to quote one of our great national poets, William Butler Yates, who wrote (and I quote): "…I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams."

And it is precisely these concepts of individual human dignity, participation and ownership of joint solutions by those in poverty, that has to be at the centre of all solutions.

I could spend hours speaking about this topic, which is very close to my heart;

However, to be concrete, there are a number of recommendations I would like to make;

Firstly, the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan, must be fully implemented, there should be more coordination with other EU instruments on social expenditure and links between the Pillar and the European Semester process should be strengthened;

Secondly, we need an integrated EU anti-poverty Strategy and an EU action plan on accessible, green and affordable social housing, in order to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and to promote the 'housing first' principle;

Thirdly, we need an EU action plan on demographic change and solidarity between generations. We cannot hide from the realities of a shrinking European workforce and towering demands for healthcare;

Fourthly, we should develop a dedicated investment package to promote the EU care sector and the care economy;

Fifthly, we should mainstream a disability perspective in all EU policies, programmes and strategies.

My last two recommendations relate to the social rights of those who are perhaps excluded from the labour market and who may find themselves in poverty;

The social rights of carers, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities or indeed women, are far from guaranteed in the EU;

We must not abate in our efforts to bring more social justice, equality and fairness to the entire European population – this is our moral responsibility!

Thank you for your attention.