Impact of the social dimension and the European Pillar of Social Rights on the Future of the European Union - Related Opinions

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Key components of sustainable quality work during and after recovery

Adopted on 22/09/2021
Reference: 
SOC/685-EESC-2021
Rapporteur: 
Andrej ZORKO (Workers - GR II / Slovenia)
Plenary session: 
563 -
Sep 22, 2021 Sep 23, 2021

This opinion, based on a referral by the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU, aims at presenting the key elements of sustainable quality work during and after recovery. The EESC considers quality of work as one of the fundamental components of quality of life. The principle of quality of work for quality of life must be followed, as this is a prerequisite for sustainable social development. The EESC therefore firmly believes that it should be given special attention in EU policies, as it must prevent the risks of inequality, poverty, social exclusion and unfair competition. The EESC notes that the Recovery and Resilience Facility does not directly address the components of quality work, and therefore calls on the Commission to supplement this part of the facility. Vulnerable groups, such as precarious and young workers, who have been hit hardest by the epidemic, should not be overlooked.

 

EESC opinion: Key components of sustainable quality work during and after recovery

Action plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

Adopted on 07/07/2021
Reference: 
SOC/679-EESC-2021
Referral: 
COM(2021) 102 final COM(2021) 102 final
Rapporteur: 
Cristian PÎRVULESCU (Diversity Europe - GR III/Romania), Carlos Manuel TRINDADE (Workers - GR II/Portugal) (Diversity Europe - GR III / Romania)
Plenary session: 
562 -
Jul 07, 2021 Jul 08, 2021

In this opinion, the EESC underlines that the Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights should be based on concreteness and tangibility, with actions that are measurable and accompanied by monitoring frameworks jointly agreed among relevant stakeholders and encompassing the social, environmental, and economic criteria. The EESC acknowledges the diversity and the common basis of social models across the EU. Competitiveness and higher productivity based on skills and knowledge are a sound recipe for maintaining the well-being of European societies. The EESC further believes that greater efforts can be made at EU and Member State level in the area of combating poverty, in line with the first Sustainable Development Goal under the UN 2030 Agenda.

EESC opinion: Action plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

Principles for public services (i.e. public services for citizens, public administration) that contribute directly to the stability of the free democratic basic order (democracy and the rule of law) in EU countries (Exploratory opinion at the reques

Adopted on 02/12/2020
Reference: 
SOC/643-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Christian MOOS (Diversity Europe - GR III / Germany)
Co-rapporteur: 
Philip VON BROCKDORFF (Workers - GR II/Malta)
Plenary session: 
556 -
Dec 02, 2020 Dec 03, 2020

Through this opinion, requested by the German Presidency of the Council, the EESC recognises the essential role of smoothly functioning public services in defending core EU values. The opinion highlights their particular role in times of crisis, like COVID-19, which calls for the maximum human and financial support. The EESC proposes common European principles to support the role of public services in defence of democracy. They include the principles of neutrality, legality, proportionality, equal treatment and transparency; the right to good administration; independent oversight; the protection of public services staff against decisions breaching the rule of law; accessibility; interoperability; and the respect of the rule of law including when receiving EU funds.

EESC opinion: Principles for public services (i.e. public services for citizens, public administration) that contribute directly to the stability of the free democratic basic order (democracy and the rule of law) in EU countries (Exploratory opinion at the reques

Social dialogue as an important pillar of economic sustainability and the resilience of economies taking into account the influence of lively public debate in the Member States (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Adopted on 29/10/2020
Reference: 
SOC/644-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Cinzia DEL RIO (Workers - GR II/Italy), Vladimíra DRBALOVÁ (/Czech Republic) (Workers - GR II / Italy)
Plenary session: 
555 -
Oct 27, 2020 Oct 29, 2020

Social dialogue, at national and European level, plays a key role in shaping economic, labour and social policies that promote the upward convergence of living and working conditions across Member States. Growing globalised and interconnected economies have caused an evolution of social dialogue and require a common and coordinated approach at European level.  European social dialogue is an inalienable component of the European social model and is enshrined in the Treaty, supported by EU legislation and recognised in the European Pillar of Social Rights. The EESC encourages the European social partners to exploit all of the potentialities the Treaty offers them to engage in negotiations to address the new topics and rapid changes in the labour market.

EESC opinion: Social dialogue as an important pillar of economic sustainability and the resilience of economies taking into account the influence of lively public debate in the Member States (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Decent minimum wages across Europe

Adopted on 18/09/2020
Reference: 
SOC/632-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Stefano MALLIA (Employers - GR I/Malta), Oliver RÖPKE (Workers - GR II/Austria) (Employers - GR I / Malta)

This exploratory opinion was requested by the European Parliament with a view to a forthcoming Commission initiative on fair minimum wages. The question of Decent minimum wages across Europe is a complex and sensitive issue. It is important that any EU action is based on accurate analysis and understanding of the situation and sensitivities in the Member States and fully respects the social partners' role and autonomy, as well as the different industrial relations models.

EESC opinion: Decent minimum wages across Europe

Downloads: 

en | decent minimum wages across europe

Fair work in the platform economy (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Adopted on 18/09/2020
Reference: 
SOC/645-EESC-2020
Rapporteur: 
Carlos Manuel TRINDADE (Workers - GR II / Portugal)

In this opinion, the EESC notes that platforms have "a generally positive impact on the economy", contributing as much to job creation and innovation, flexibility and autonomy for workers, as to ensuring income for workers (often supplementary) and allowing vulnerable people to access employment. It also notes that there are risks that must not be underestimated: (i) for workers, the denial of basic rights, including the rights to organisation and collective bargaining; precariousness; low pay; the increasing intensity of work; the extreme fragmentation of work on a global scale; the non-affiliation of workers to social security schemes; and (ii) for society, the increased risk of competition based on undercutting social standards.

EESC opinion: Fair work in the platform economy (Exploratory opinion at the request of the German presidency)

Common minimum standards in the field of unemployment insurance in EU Member States – a concrete step towards the effective implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (own-initiative opinion)

Adopted on 11/12/2019
Reference: 
SOC/583-EESC-2018
Rapporteur: 
Oliver RÖPKE (Workers - GR II / Austria)
Plenary session: 
548 -
Dec 11, 2019 Dec 12, 2019

Against a background of rising poverty levels during the crisis, levels that remain high in many Member States, in particular among the unemployed, this own-initiative opinion would address the huge differences in levels of protection under national unemployment insurance systems within the EU.
Possible standards in this respect could be:

  • a minimum standard for the net replacement rate of unemployment benefits;
  • a minimum standard of coverage ratio of unemployed people receiving unemployment payments;
  • a minimum standard for the duration of unemployment benefit entitlement;
  • a right to (re)qualification and training

With the objective of promoting upward social convergence within the EU, the proposal for such standards is a concrete step towards effective implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights recently announced by the EU institutions in Gothenburg.

EESC opinion: Common minimum standards in the field of unemployment insurance in EU Member States – a concrete step towards the effective implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (own-initiative opinion)

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