In its own-initiative opinion on the new European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative and urges a renewed and ambitious approach. The EESC highlights the need to reinforce the social dimension of the EU, particularly in light of ongoing green and digital transitions and persistent inequalities. It calls for a stronger focus on social investment, quality employment, inclusive labour markets, fair mobility and accessible social protection systems. The Committee underlines the importance of involving civil society and social partners at all levels and recommends establishing clear targets, effective monitoring and adequate funding to ensure the full implementation of the EPSR principles.
Download — EESC opinion: New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights
Download — EESC opinion: Working time, the efficiency of the economy, and the well-being of workers (including in the context of digital change and work automation): a legal and comparative analysis of the situation in the EU Member States
The recommendations of this EESC own-initiative opinion focus on ensuring a more competitive and economically, environmentally and socially sustainable European maritime space to increase the global competitiveness of the EU shipping sector. This can be achieved through broader investment policies and legislative initiatives. The social partners and civil society must be actively involved in these efforts.
Download — EESC opinion: Strengthening the EU maritime space through coordinated investment policies, social partners and civil society
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world of work at an unprecedented pace, bringing both opportunities and challenges for workers, businesses and policymakers. On 3 February, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) held a joint high-level conference entitled ‘Social Justice in the Digital Era: AI’s Impact on work and society’, gathering over 300 experts, policymakers and social partners and civil society representatives to discuss how AI can contribute to inclusive labour markets, decent work and social justice.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), has adopted an opinion supporting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the open labour market, calling for the promotion of measures and policies (including the setup of a joint fund between Member States) that would buttress these efforts.
regrets that exclusion from the labour market is still a widespread issue, especially affecting women with disabilities and people with the most severe disabilities and believes that solutions such as sheltered employment often end up perpetrating segregation;
urges Member States to promote policies and measures that strengthen access to the open labour market and the Commission to implement the related policy actions under the Disability Employment Package;
calls on the Member States to step up the employment of persons with disabilities, for example through a joint fund for reasonable accommodation. Such fund would be financed by private and public employers who fall short of any set quotas.
The event is part of the Posting 360 programme and the European Labour Authority (ELA)-led workstream on posting of third country nationals (TCNs). As a follow-up to the 2023-24 workshops on posting, the ELA is launching the ELA Report on contracting chains and recruitment of TCNs in the EU, alongside a discussion on safeguards for posted TCN workers and the role of social partners and civil society in supporting them.
EESC-ILO conference in the framework of the Global Coalition for Social Justice
Location
Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Bruxelles/Brussel
Brussels
Belgium
#SocialJustice #AI
This high-level conference organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) will focus on ensuring that artificial intelligence benefits the world of work and advances social justice.
