New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights

The language versions will be available for download as the translations are completed.

Key points

The EESC:

• calls for a thorough evaluation of the 2021 European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan to inform a robust, forward-looking new EPSR Action Plan, with improved integration of the Social Scoreboard and Social Convergence Framework into the European Semester;

• supports an EU-level quality job target, minimum standards to combat in-work poverty and insecurity, improved working conditions in the care sector and stronger protection for young people, including fair traineeships and corollary employment support;

• urges the establishment of ambitious EU-wide standards for unemployment insurance, a directive on psychosocial risks and the right to disconnect and a 'golden rule' for social investment in fiscal policy, with earmarked EU and national funding;

• advocates recognising lifelong learning as a right, boosting public and private training investment, mainstreaming and prioritising social objectives and gender equality throughout the EPSR, introducing youth checks and fully implementing the Social Economy Action Plan and a just transition framework;

• calls for stronger social dialogue, active civil society involvement, mandatory social criteria in public procurement and the development of ‘Beyond GDP’ indicators to better reflect citizens' well-being and inclusive growth.