Focussing on five EU Member States (Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Italy and Portugal), this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the role and increasing significance of the national Economic and Social Councils (NESCs), while also putting forward a set of policy recommendations on how to involve the NESCs more constructively, and how to make sure that the EESC's relationship with the NESCs, and henceforth its involvement as the EU's institutional bridge with civil society, can be further strengthened.
This resolution presents recommendations of the European Economic and Social Committee to the legislature 2024-2029. They are based on discussions with social partners and civil society organizations from all walks of life, including young people during the first EESC Civil Society Week, and contain a comprehensive set of actionable steps to strengthen and safeguard democratic principles.
Far-right parties are gaining significant traction in Europe, potentially becoming the third or fourth largest group in the European Parliament after the upcoming European elections. This shift presents a critical threat to the rights and freedoms of millions of workers across the continent based upon their voting behaviour on social policy.
This document seeks to provide input to the Global Coalition for Social Justice. It highlights key messages from EESC opinions on the six priority areas identified by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for immediate action.
On 20 February 2024 in Brussels, the EESC organised a conference on the Housing Crisis in Europe. This publication sets out the participants' assessment of the current state of affairs and their recommendations on how to tackle the current housing crisis.
Recent economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the energy crisis in Europe following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have brought energy poverty to the forefront of social and political debate. While EU policies increasingly address energy poverty, gender considerations remain overlooked. This study addresses this gap and aims to increase the understanding of the gender-energy poverty nexus, analysing existing literature and EU and national policies.
The decline of employment in the European agriculture sector increases the need of EU and non-EU seasonal workers at peaks of planting and harvesting activities. EU citizens’ freedom and right to work across the Union allows the proper functioning of the market economy by providing labour where and when it is needed. Still, after 30 years of the single market, once seasonal workers arrive at their destination, they are subject to fragmented, often localised, employment arrangements and rules.
This study identifies key barriers to accelerating the renovation rate in the residential building sector and to implementing the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). It provides a summary of, and recommendations for, overcoming these obstacles.
