On 28 April, the European Economic and Social Committee held an exchange of views with the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, on the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and the Porto Social Summit, where the plan was to be discussed at the highest level.

During the debate, which was held at the EESC's virtual plenary session, the Committee also presented and adopted a resolution on its contribution to the Porto Summit, entitled European Civil Society Working in Partnership for our Sustainable Future.

In the resolution, the EESC said the Porto Summit represented a milestone and "an opportunity to demonstrate that the EU and Member States act together with its citizens and for their well-being, leaving nobody behind."

According to the EESC, the EPSR Action Plan could not be more timely in the context of the post-pandemic recovery. All citizens, including the most vulnerable ones, had to be able to participate in, identify with and find hope in the EPSR's vision and future implementation, through the active involvement of civil society.

The EESC urged Member States and the European institutions to take action on several fronts.  This included increasing the social resilience of European economies and boosting economic growth and job creation.

EESC president Christa Schweng said: "This Summit is a step forward towards putting people at the centre of the EU's policies. Through its work, the EESC aims to contribute to the recovery and to preparing for greener and more digital societies and economies the best way we can, using the ideas and recommendations of organised civil society."

Mr Schmit described the action plan as "a plan for people", adding it was intended to improve the living and working conditions of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society, such as women, children, the young and people with disabilities. The emphasis is on promoting a more social environment and investing in people as a prerequisite for competitiveness and innovation.

"Economies will not prosper, and the digital and green transitions will not be successful, if people are not sufficiently healthy, educated and trained. We want to underline that our social model is not a burden, but a distinctive feature and asset that has allowed us to navigate the pandemic better than other regions of the world," Mr Schmit said.

However, he stressed that the Commission was very much aware of the division of competences between the national and EU levels and had no intention of legislating in areas not falling within its remit. This applied especially to the way in which targets needed to be achieved, which was defined by Member States' governments. (ll)