Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

Key points

In its opinion, the Committee reiterates and builds on the findings and recommendations it made in its previous opinions regarding the guidelines for Member States' employment policies. It also reiterates its conclusions and recommendations on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The EESC welcomes the measures taken at European and national level that have led to progress in the field of employment, and recommends that they be maintained and developed in order to foster economic and social sustainability, a workforce that is skilled, trained and  therefore better prepared for new developments, particularly technological ones, and labour markets that can respond rapidly to economic change.

When designing policies for regulating the labour market and social rights, competitiveness, productivity and social sustainability/workers' rights should form a seamless part of those policies. All policies should take into account an appropriate balance between economic sustainability, and social and environmental sustainability.

Policies and structural reforms are needed that facilitate the creation of quality jobs, and foster responsible entrepreneurship and the growth of SMEs and social enterprises.

The EESC underlines the importance of ensuring inclusive, equitable and high-quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including higher education, of ensuring a high level of relevant skills and knowledge, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Finally, the Committee recalls that the proper functioning of social dialogue is essential to improving the design, implementation and follow-up of reforms.