European Economic and Social Committee
Statement by Employers’ Group President Stefano Mallia
EU employers welcome the Brexit deal agreed on Christmas eve and warmly congratulate the European Commission negotiating team, masterly led by Michel Barnier. But as businesses are trying to make sense of the 1,200-page trade treaty they call for a period of adaptation to face the steep learning curve.
The list of new work appointments for December 2020 and the most recent list of ongoing EESC work are available for download in the attachments below.
On 10 December, EU leaders gave their final green light to the EU’s unprecedented budget deal to overcome the worst recession in a century. In total, up to €1.8 trillion will be spent by 2027 to boost the bloc’s economy in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic whilst also making it more sustainable and digital, partly thanks to the €750 billion recovery fund.
The Employers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee held a webinar on ‘De-carbonisation and digitalisation in the context of globalisation’, in the frame of the German EU Presidency on 9 December 2020 and produced a set of recommendations for the policy debate.
The triple challenge of de-carbonisation, digitalisation and globalisation is seen as a herculean task, but companies are ready to take up the challenge.
The Employers’ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee voiced its disagreement on the exploratory opinion INT/913 Industrial transition towards a green and digital European economy: regulatory requirements and the role of social partners and civil society, requested by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament.
The EESC Employers' Group agrees with the European Commission's Autumn 2020 Economic Forecast, which makes it clear that Europe's economic rebound has been interrupted by the resurgence of the pandemic. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is leading to continuing high levels of uncertainty and downside risks, such as a rise in unemployment, growing deficits and public debt, reduced investment activity and consumer spending and a labour market downturn in the European economy. The EESC Employers' Group believes that the current high level of uncertainty could make the Autumn Economic Forecast less accurate and that the economy might be even harder hit than predicted by the European Commission.
Christa Schweng, member of the EESC Employers' Group, was elected EESC President at the EESC's Inaugural Plenary session, held from 27 to 29 October. Ms Schweng had won the Employers' Group candidacy for the post of EESC President in a formal election at the Group meeting on 14 September. The EESC Employers' Group congratulates Ms Schweng on her appointment to this position of leadership and is looking forward to an excellent working relationship with her.
The inaugural plenary session of the EESC's 2020–2025 term of office, held from 27 to 29 October, confirmed Employers' Group members in key positions for the first half of the 2020–2025 term. The members were elected for these positions in two waves of elections by the EESC Employers' Group at the beginning of 2020, as well as at the inaugural Employers' Group meeting on 27 October.
Dear Madame President, allow me to start by congratulating you for your appointment yesterday as the leader of this house.
There is no doubt that you have been elected as President of this house in very unique and particular moment. Please rest assured that you will find all the support you need from my Group, the Employers' Group.
Stefano Mallia takes over as the new President of the EESC Employers' Group for the first half of the 2020 to 2025 term of office following his confirmation at the EESC Employers' Group Inaugural meeting on 27 October. During his presidency, Mr Mallia will work towards ensuring that Europe and the Single Market in particular continue to provide opportunities for employers to grow and be successful.
