Opinions with Workers' Group members as rapporteur/co-rapporteur/rapporteur-general

In this opinion, the EESC is presenting several recommendations to mitigate the effects of the cost-of -living crisis. These include:

• investment in people and the economy, fair taxation, quality and affordable public services and  targeted support for the most vulnerable;
• short- and long-term industrial policy and efforts to boost competitiveness;
• stronger use of social dialogue, collective bargaining, and civil dialogue to address labour market challenges;
• wage and minimum wage increase as way of protection;
• more investments in  education as a powerful preventive tool against exclusion, marginalisation, and inequality

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.

In this opinion, the EESC highlights the need for adequate social protection for the self-employed, in line with international and European standards. It calls for further reforms to create inclusive social security systems for workers and the self-employed, especially in the context of platform work. The Committee also supports continued monitoring of the 2019 Council Recommendation on access to social protection within the European Semester and the sharing of best practices among Member States, aiming to ensure that the self-employed receive protection equal to that of workers while respecting national and EU competences in this field.