The EESC issues between 160 and 190 opinions and information reports a year.
It also organises several annual initiatives and events with a focus on civil society and citizens’ participation such as the Civil Society Prize, the Civil Society Days, the Your Europe, Your Say youth plenary and the ECI Day.
Here you can find news and information about the EESC'swork, including its social media accounts, the EESC Info newsletter, photo galleries and videos.
The EESC brings together representatives from all areas of organised civil society, who give their independent advice on EU policies and legislation. The EESC's326 Members are organised into three groups: Employers, Workers and Various Interests.
The EESC has six sections, specialising in concrete topics of relevance to the citizens of the European Union, ranging from social to economic affairs, energy, environment, external relations or the internal market.
In September 2016, the EESC adopted an own-initiative opinion on "The rights of live-in care workers". It was a first policy document at the European level dealing with the sector of live-in care work in Europe. As follow-up to this initiative, the EESC will carry out 5 country visits to countries of origin and destination of live-in care workers (United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Poland) to deepen the research on labour and work conditions of these persons and the quality of care delivery. The findings will be presented in a report to be released by the EESC later in 2018.
Representation of the EC in Poland, ul. Jasna 14/16a 00-041
Warsaw
Poland
In September 2016, the EESC adopted an own-initiative opinion on "The rights of live-in care workers". It was a first policy document at the European level dealing with the sector of live-in care work in Europe. As follow-up to this initiative, the EESC will carry out 5 country visits to countries of origin and destination of live-in care workers (United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Poland) to deepen the research on labour and work conditions of these persons and the quality of care delivery. The findings will be presented in a report to be released by the EESC later in 2018.
Representation of the EC in Germany
Unter den Linden 78
DE - 10117 Berlin
Berlin
Germany
In September 2016, the EESC adopted an own-initiative opinion on "The rights of live-in care workers". It was a first policy document at the European level dealing with the sector of live-in care work in Europe. As follow-up to this initiative, the EESC will carry out 5 country visits to countries of origin and destination of live-in care workers (United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Italy and Poland) to deepen the research on labour and work conditions of these persons and the quality of care delivery. The findings will be presented in a report to be released by the EESC later in 2018.
The EESC Permanent Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on "Reviewing the 2014-2020 ESIF Regulations in favour of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations".
The aim of the event is to look into the use of European Investment and Structural Funds to promote inclusion of persons with disability.
The CRPD's Committee concluding observations to the EU two years after: towards a comprehensive strategy at European level
Public hearing
Brussels
Belgium
The EESC Permanent Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on the follow-up to the UNCRPD Committee's concluding observations to the EU two years after their publication.
The aim of the event is to offer EU Institutions, DPOs and other civil society organisations the opportunity to discuss the future of the EU Disability strategy after 2020.
In the first part we will focus on the next steps that the European Commission and the members of the EU Framework for the UNCRPD will take, while in the second part we will listen to DPOs good practices, taking examples also from other policy areas.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), VMA building, room VMA 3, Rue van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The UN CRPD and its Optional Protocol were adopted by the EU in 2010. They are the first international human rights convention ever to be signed and ratified by the EU.The EU has to periodically submit to the UN CPRD Committee a report detailing the measures taken to implement the convention. The first report was submitted in 2014, and in 2015 the UN Committee responded with a series of recommendations (“concluding observations” - COs) on how the EU can, within its remit, promote and safeguard the rights of people with disabilities in Europe.
The EESC is currently drafting an own-initiative opinion focussing on the implications of the CO's for future EU disability policy. The objective of the hearing is to offer a forum for debate and gather contributions from relevant stakeholders.
The conclusions of the hearing will feed directly into the work of the drafting group which will hold its second meeting in the afternoon of the same day.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), VMA building, room VMA 3, Rue van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The European Commission made a proposal for a directive on a European Accessibility Act, which will set common accessibility requirements for certain key products and services, and will help people with disabilities at EU level to participate fully in society.
The EESC is currently preparing an opinion on the Commission's proposal . On 13 April 2016, the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC) will hold a public hearing in conjunction with the work on this opinion.
The conclusions of the hearing will feed directly into the work of the drafting group which will hold its second meeting in the afternoon of the same day.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Van Maerlant Building, Room VMA 3, Rue Van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The EESC Permanent Study Group on Disability Rights is organising a public hearing on equal treatment in employment and occupation. The aim of the event is to analyse what has been achieved and what is still to be done for the full implementation of the equal treatment in employment directive.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Jacques Delors building, room JDE 51, Rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The EESC has been working on an information report the aim of which was to investigate how European Parliament election procedures are determined in each Member State, taking into account the needs of persons with disabilities and how this affects their right to vote.
In this context, a public hearing was organized to present the first conclusions of the report and to look into successful projects and practices.
European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Van Maerlant Building, Room VMA 3, Rue Van Maerlant 2, 1040 Brussels
Belgium
The EESC and its Permanent Study group on Disability rights are organizing a public hearing on the situation of refugees and migrants with disabilities on 14 February 2017.
The objective of the hearing is to draw attention on the situation of refugees and migrants with disabilities, by raising awareness among organizations working with them on the rights and needs of persons with disabilities.
In the first part we will focus on the situation in Greece and will present the report and recommendations issuing from the EESC visit to Lesbos and Athens in October 2016. In the second part we will enlarge the picture and look at what the EU and civil society can do to tackle the crisis in particular with regard to vulnerable refugees and migrants.