EESC info

At the EESC's January plenary session, EESC members discussed the EU's response to geopolitical challenges with Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament. She agreed with EESC President Christa Schweng that competitiveness, together with strategic autonomy, is crucial in the current challenging times.

Ms Metsola paid tribute to the Ukrainian people for their brave resistance to the Russian aggression and stressed that the European Union had rallied together like never before to provide Ukraine with financial, humanitarian and military assistance. She said: "Ukraine is fighting for democracy, freedom and justice. And fighting for us too".

Referring to the 30th anniversary of the single market, she emphasised the importance of competitiveness: "We must return to growth and lower our dependencies, while doubling-down on the green and digital transitions. Europe should play to its strengths and make sure our active trade policy brings benefits to Europeans every day".

For EESC President Christa Schweng, these aspects are essential for the prosperity of people and businesses in the EU: "It's a make-or-break moment, and only through coordinated efforts can we successfully build a more resilient, fair and sustainable future in which nobody is left behind".

The discussion also touched on the EU's response to external economic factors such as the American Inflation Reduction Act, Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, and the volatility of fossil fuel prices, and internal challenges such as the lack of a skilled workforce that Europe is currently experiencing.

The debate highlighted that civil society has a critical role to play in improving EU policies and the way they are implemented, and that Europeans want a bigger say in the EU, a point proven during the Conference on the Future of Europe. (mt)

The Swedish government at the EESC January plenary stressed that crisis management measures will be the focus of its six months at the helm of the EU. Guaranteeing security for Europeans and upholding the rule of law and fundamental rights will be the main priorities of its presidency of the Council of the European Union from January to June 2023.

During a plenary debate on 25 January 2023, EESC president Christa Schweng pledged the Committee's full support for the presidency: "This is an incredibly challenging time to take over the presidency, as the EU is experiencing a harrowing war at its borders. The EESC welcomes these priorities in the context of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, as we must not let our security or our values be affected. We stand by Ukraine."

Jessika Roswall, Swedish Minister for EU Affairs, said that the Swedish Presidency considered close cooperation with other EU institutions and bodies, including the EESC, as paramount and looked forward to staying in close contact and maintaining an open dialogue.

Mentioning the presidency's top priority, she stressed that "Sweden is taking up the presidency at a time of historic challenges for the Union. Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine will continue to dominate the European agenda."

The Swedish Presidency will work to uphold European unity and make the Union greener, safer and freer, focusing on:

• Security
• Competitiveness
• The green and energy transitions
• Democratic values and the rule of law. (mp)

To mark the EU single market's 30th anniversary this year, the EESC's January plenary hosted a debate with commissioner Margrethe Vestager to discuss ways to overcome what could be the biggest challenge for the next generation.

The single market is widely considered the EU's greatest achievement, but ongoing crises, such as climate change, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have shown its vulnerability to unforeseen disruptions. How do we achieve the green and digital transitions in the EU without infringing the free-market principles and hurting the competitiveness of European businesses? The Commission has a plan to overcome these issues and will unveil it in February.

At its January plenary, the EESC suggested specific ways to further develop the single market, while recommending focusing on Europe's competitiveness. EESC President Christa Schweng said: "Only a competitive Europe can create prosperity and wellbeing, as well as sustainable solutions to climate and environmental problems. It is vital to provide EU businesses with a favourable environment in which to innovate, invest and trade, including a level playing field with foreign competitors."

The European Commission's Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager acknowledged that the single market is something the EU needs to keep working on, while recalling that "Europe would be a completely different place if the single market hadn't been created thirty years ago".

One of the key elements of the debate was the issue of state aid for economic recovery and the twin transitions. There's a growing fear that this will put smaller economies and global trade at risk if it becomes more than a short-term boost.

The debate ended with statements by the president of the EESC's Civil Society Organisations' Group Séamus Boland, the president of the EESC's Workers' Group Oliver Röpke, and a member of the EESC's Employers' Group Felipe Medina. (tk)

A debate held at the EESC on 24 January revealed that the EU is failing to meet the objectives of the UN's 2030 Agenda. Yet there is hope. The EU has the opportunity to take the lead, including through financial support. The EESC plays an important role in monitoring progress.

The EESC January plenary hosted a debate with Guillaume Lafortune, Vice-President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN), on the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Mr Lafortune presented the 2022 Europe Sustainable Development Report, written with the support of the EESC. According to Mr Lafortune, the EU is failing to meet the objectives. In the meantime, progress is deteriorating across the world, and developing countries in particular, which face severe financing constraints, are lagging behind.

The report recommends that the EU advocate within the United Nations system for a global plan to scale up international finance for the SDGs. EESC President Christa Schweng echoed this idea by highlighting the importance of the EU's leadership in achieving global transformations.

The EESC will also play a key role in the European Commission's First Voluntary Review in July 2023, gathering stakeholders' views on progress towards the SDGs. The EESC recommended a cross-cutting approach to the goals, considering the interrelated nature of the SDGs and their respective targets, and proposed launching a new platform to foster structured civil society engagement on SDG-related policy. (gb)

The EU must fight all forms of forced labour and become a world leader on human rights, urged the EESC in an opinion adopted at its January plenary session.

In its opinion "Forced labour products ban", drawn up by Thomas Wagnsonner, the Committee backs the European Commission's proposal to ban products made using forced labour from the Union market, stressing that it is key for all EU Member States to ratify the 2014 Protocol to the International Labour Organization (ILO)'s 1930 Forced Labour Convention.

The EESC is also pleased to note that the proposal encompasses the fight against forced child labour and calls on the Commission to speed up this process by including existing ILO conventions on child labour in the scope of the regulation.

Mr Wagnsonner said: "The promotion of economic, social, cultural and labour rights and therefore the eradication of all forms of forced labour and exploitation is crucial to secure  the EU's global leadership on human rights and democracy in particular".

To prevent forced labour, the EESC emphasises the importance of international cooperation and the institutional anchoring of organised civil society in the Commission's new proposal, recommending guidelines to assist companies, a specific database with risk indicators and a benchmarking system. (mp)

The EU's response to the energy price crisis should aim to protect all households and businesses facing major problems paying their energy bills. This was the main message of the EESC's opinion on Euro area economic policy 2023 adopted at its January plenary.

The EESC supports the European Commission's two-tier proposal to protect the most vulnerable: up to a certain level of energy consumption, vulnerable consumers will pay below the market price.

However, the Committee warns that this policy should cover both people below the poverty line and the lower middle class, who will also find it hard to pay their energy bills at market prices.

The opinion's rapporteur, Petru Sorin Dandea, said: "The winter of 2022-2023 has created major problems in the Union. To really protect vulnerable households from the energy price crisis, the Commission's two-tier policy must be inclusive".

In order to prevent the shutdown of business activities, the EESC backs the Commission's proposal that Member States should make use of the State Aid Temporary Crisis Framework and urges them to use all possible means to help, particularly, small and medium sized enterprises.

To contain the rise in inflation, the European Central Bank has used the tools of monetary policy, but this can only be successful if coordinated with the fiscal policy of the euro-area countries. (mp)

Increased international cooperation is key to make oceans sustainable by 2030 and ensure security and safety at sea, says the EESC in a new opinion adopted at its January plenary session.

Given its complexity, ocean governance cannot be considered a purely "marine affair", but requires a multidisciplinary and integrated approach to support decision-makers at all levels.

The human impact on the oceans often originates in land-based activities. A significant proportion of marine pollution stems from the release of waste, pesticides, antibiotics, phosphates and plastics, not to mention the issue of unexploded ordnance.

According to the EESC, the EU's role as a lawmaker and as an international actor strengthening networks and partnerships is key, and different stakeholders should be effectively and transparently involved every step of the way.

"The EU has a leading role in efforts to support the oceans, but all countries need to play their part: only in this way will the new generations be able to still call our planet a Blue Planet," said the opinion rapporteur Stefano Palmieri.

In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and sustainability by 2030, the EU should focus on taking measures to safeguard the well-being of the marine environment and protect fish stocks, both of which are vital for many communities. (mp)

At its January plenary session, the EESC debated the EU's "Strategic Compass" vision for security and defence, arguing that security should be understood broadly, far beyond military defence. Civil society should not be a bystander in security issues: in times of crisis, it can have a stabilising role, as proven by the war in Ukraine.

In an own-initiative opinion on The EU Strategic Compass (SC) the EESC expressed the need for a broader definition, as the present concept of security in the EU is too narrow. "Security goes beyond mere military defence. In times of complex, hybrid threats, the concept of security should be expanded to also include aspects of energy, transport, digital, water and food security, citizens' security, and foreign interference," said Christian Moos, rapporteur for the EESC opinion.

The opinion argues that, in parallel with national capability, defence planning and joint procurement, the EU should continue to invest its limited resources primarily in civilian policies and mechanisms in order to enable conflict prevention. This is where civil society can make a difference, through its social and economic networks, together with its strong potential for public and cultural diplomacy.

The return of war to Europe with Russia's aggression against Ukraine has been a "wake-up call" for the EU's relationship with NATO.

"The EU and NATO have not fully explored the potential of their cooperation yet. Strengthening the European pillar of security and defence means strengthening NATO. When we are talking about boosting the EU's defence capabilities, it is not to compete with NATO but to complement it," said the rapporteur and EESC member Peter Clever. (mt)

The European Commission's proposal for a comprehensive European care strategy that should guarantee to all Europeans the possibility of receiving high quality healthcare and care services throughout their lifetime has been welcomed by the EESC.

The EESC has hailed the Commission's proposals for a European Care Strategy as an important step towards achieving an accessible and affordable care structure in Europe which caters to the needs of care receivers from birth to old age and supports all care providers regardless of their employment status.

In the opinion adopted at its January plenary session, the EESC made several recommendations regarding the strategy and its two proposals, namely the proposals on early childhood education and care (ECEC) and on long-term care, adopted by the Council in December.
The EESC also renewed its suggestion to launch a European Care Guarantee. Similar to the EU Youth Guarantee, this instrument would help ensure quality healthcare and care services for everyone living in the EU. It would also address care deficits and promote decent working conditions for both formal and informal carers.

"In addition to being available, accessible and affordable, we also maintain that care should be inclusive, sustainable and human rights-based. High-quality care for all is still not a reality for many in Europe," said the opinion's rapporteur Kinga Joó.

The opinion stresses the need to prioritise the affordability and continuity of care services in response to the current shocks linked to the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis and the cost of living crisis. It calls for proper funding for the care sector and for Member States to ensure that jobs in care are attractive and properly paid and valued.

"The approach taken in our opinion shares the concerns raised by civil society actors. It is based on the very ideal of a social Europe. We also highlight the role of the Member States, as they are the main pillar in the care strategy. If we do not convince them that they should take ownership of the issues listed and if they are not going to fill the gaps in their national systems, we will not go very far with the strategy," said the co-rapporteur Zoe Tzotze-Lanara.

Key recommendations set out in the opinion include supporting families in their fundamental role in care, a swift mapping of the needs and realities of family carers and informal carers, achieving gender balance and equality in both the formal and informal care sectors and better protection of the rights of all care workers, regardless of their migration and residence status. (ll)

By Stefano Mallia, President of the EESC Employers' Group

The Commission's proposal is incomplete and needs to be inserted into a long-term vision for a Competitiveness Agenda.

On 1 February 2023, the European Commission presented its first response to US President Joe Biden's unprecedented climate package, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), supporting American industry with a record USD 369 billion in subsidies. The proposal ticks many boxes –predictable regulatory framework, access to funding, adequate skilled workforce and open trade agenda – but after a first assessment, EU employers concur it is very much a work in progress if we are to achieve long-term competitiveness.

First and foremost, we should not forget the other part of the equation of the green transition, the digital transition.

Second, it is useful to point out that subsidies on their own will not do the trick. The real problem the IRA poses is not only the amount of subsidies, which are actually less than what the EU's budget and different funds offer, but rather the combination of subsidies and low energy prices in the US. It is the two together that make the IRA problematic for Europe. Add to the mix the comparatively low productivity of EU industries and indeed we are facing a very dangerous situation for the European economy. Subsidies have already divided EU countries and will ultimately lead to the fragmentation of the single market, harmful races and will weaken regional development.

Third, the Commission's plan seems to be based on an old-fashioned "pick the winner" approach. It hints at a scenario under which policy-makers would set goals for industrial capacity based on sector-specific analysis, and considering the whole supply and value chains, thus determining which businesses to favour for regulatory and financial support. The term "cleantech sector" is already arbitrary, as the green transition takes place across all sectors and all kinds of businesses.

We all know where the real problem lies: competitiveness. There is an urgent need to regain ground and the transition to the green economy provides us with such an opportunity. But being competitive and creating jobs must become a way of life and central to our policy-making. This is why EU employers are advocating for a Competitiveness Agenda.

by the EESC Workers' Group

The EESC Workers' Group warmly welcomes the social dialogue initiative recently published by the European Commission. It sends a strong signal to EU workers and citizens who are currently faced with a serious cost-of-living crisis.

Agreements between the social partners on fair wages and working conditions can be strong mitigating measures against the effects of inflation on working families, as they were during the pandemic, when collective bargaining across Europe made short-time working arrangements, teleworking and health and safety protocols possible, and paved the way for a fairer recovery.

That is why social dialogue and collective bargaining are the backbone of the European social model and a basic element of democracy and sustainable economic growth, and should be preserved as such.

However, social dialogue is far from being a reality everywhere in Europe. In a number of Member States the social partners lack organisational capacity, and newer forms of employment such as platform work are less likely to be represented. The share of workers covered by collective agreements at national level has declined significantly in the past decades.

The European Commission's initiative is therefore warmly welcomed as a step in the right direction, although more clarity will be needed as regards the role of the Member States in establishing binding mechanisms for the involvement of the social partners. (mg)

by Ioannis Vardakastanis, Vice-President of the EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group

The European Year of Skills should be an opportunity to bridge gaps – a year to address the barriers preventing many in the EU from being able to find quality and fulfilling employment. At a time when the EU's workforce is dwindling, it is more important than ever to focus on tapping the potential of those who are too often cut off from the open labour market by investing in skills.

Developing skills that match the requirements of current and future job markets will of course have to take into account the increasing digitalisation of our economies. This means bridging the digital skills gap, not least for groups such as persons with disabilities and older people who are still active in the job market. In our modern societies, digital literacy is not only a tool that helps people to find their place in the labour market, it is also a prerequisite for living independently and something that nobody should be deprived of.

However, promoting skills that future-proof our economies should not be overly dependent on digital competences. The European Year of Skills should also be a platform to promote the importance and value of employment in technical, manual and vocational sectors. The skills required in these sectors have been undervalued for too long, as have the crucial functions they serve in our societies. With the green transition forming a cornerstone of the EU's blueprint for transforming its economy in the years to come, there is a particular need for technical and manual expertise to implement real transformation. To achieve this, many workers will need to reskill, and the opportunity should be seized here to also reach out to people typically excluded from the labour market and develop their skills.

This year's Civil Society Days will shine a light on the fundamental role of civil society organisations in ensuring and safeguarding both social cohesion and resilient democracy in Europe.

Europe is facing unprecedented and pressing challenges: a war on its soil, recovery from the COVID crisis, a game-changing energy crisis, but also many threats to its democratic model in a fast-changing, ever more digital world. This flagship EESC event event will address the resurgent, existential threats to democratic values in an open and inclusive conversation, debating questions such as:

• How do we see participatory and deliberative democracy in the future?
• How can we democratise the European economy?
• How should civil society be funded?
• What do digital rights mean to citizens?
• What skills do we need to enhance democratic participation?

Join us at the EESC and be part of the debate with stakeholders and European institutions on the crucial role organised civil society has as an agent of change in overcoming the current crisis.

More information and registration here. Follow us on twitter @EESC_LiaisonG #CivSocDays.

Members of the European Economic and Social Committee are visiting thirty-five schools in the EU Member States, and seven candidate countries in February and March to prepare them for "Your Europe, Your Say!", the youth assembly to be held in Brussels on 23 and 24 March 2023.

This year, the EESC's event for youth "Your Europe, your Say!" (YEYS) will be held for the 14th time, returning to an in-person format after a three years' break due to COVID-19. Entitled "Youth Democracy Dialogues", it aims to help young people understand what European values stand for and what active citizenship means in a participatory democracy.

EESC members acting as mentors to students in this hands-on initiation to EU representative democracy are now in the process of visiting the selected school in their country (the photo pictures EESC Vice-President Cillian Lohan with students from Schull Community College in County Cork, Ireland).

The 16- to 18-year-old students will then come to Brussels in March and participate in workshops and working groups to reach a consensus.

Their proposals on fostering youth engagement and active citizenship will then be submitted to the European institutions and high-level European policy- and decision-makers.
This youth event is intended to raise awareness about the way groups with different interests reach social agreements.

The final event will take place on 23-24 March. Speakers will include:

• EESC President Christa Schweng
• EESC Communication Vice-President Cillian Lohan
• Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, the youngest politician ever elected to the European Parliament (Greens/European Free Alliance Group), vice-chair for the subcommittee on tax matters
• Ismael Páez Civico, board member at the European Youth Forum
• Themis Christophidou, director-general for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture at the European Commission

Further details about #YEYS2023 are available on the website. (ab)