Euroopa Majandus- ja Sotsiaalkomitee
In the process of rapid transformation of the economy and businesses, digitalisation has taken on a key strategic role, to the point of becoming pervasive across all sectors of activity, and affecting the entire cycle of the product and service value chain, involving both large companies and small and micro enterprises. The consequences for the world of work, in terms of new opportunities and new challenges, are significant as regards both their nature and the speed of change.
Energy poverty is high at the EESC's agenda as more Europeans may struggle to afford access to essential energy, particularly with rising energy costs.
In order to reshape the European economy and in line with the objectives stated by the European Commission for a more sustainable, greener and digitalised economy, investments must support environmental goals and remove obstacles to corporate dividend policymaking and payments. Among many other factors, the debt-equity bias in the corporate tax systems affects both the leverage of firms and corporate governance. The EESC welcomes the recent public consultation on a new initiative to mitigate the debt-equity bias in corporate taxation launched by the European Commission and shares the Commission's view that companies should contribute to the achievement of a greener, sustainable and digitalised economy.
COVID-19 has affected all aspects of economic and social life and its impact on democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law will certainly be long-lasting.
Sustainable finance aims at supporting the delivery on the objectives of the European Green Deal by channelling private investment into companies and projects that support the transition to a climate-neutral, climate-resilient, resource-efficient and just economy. The challenges this brings about should be addressed in a joint effort by the financial sector, businesses, regulatory authorities and citizens. The Industry sector will face major challenges, and be affected by recent and upcoming measures adopted at EU level.
Crisis management and recovery is in the focus of the activities of the European Institutions and the Member States in 2021.
In order to prepare its own-initiative opinion, the EESC is organising a remote public hearing on "Towards a new care model for the elderly: learning from the Covid-19 pandemic" on 27 October 2021.
The aim of the event is to gather input from other EU Institutions and civil society organisations.
We will debate around the following questions:
Your participation and input are most welcome!
The European Migration Forum – the dialogue platform on migration, asylum and migrant integration – will meet for the sixth time on 27-28 October 2021.
Participation in the Forum meeting is by invitation only - the call for interested organisations is now closed.
In order to prepare its own-initiative opinion, the EESC is organising a public hearing on " The EU action for Post COVID-19 period: recovering better through sport " on 28 October 2021.
At this hearing we will explore how the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation, adopted last year, is taken into account in the ongoing implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
