Employment guidelines

Background:

Employment guidelines, together with the broad economic policy guidelines of Member States, are a policy coordination tool developed by the EU to guide implementation of economic and employment policies across all Member States. The goal is for them to result in a set of coordinated European and national policies and reforms leading to the creation of quality jobs in an economy that is competitive and sustainable, both socially and environmentally.

To reduce social and economic disparities between Member States and between regions within a country, and to promote upward convergence, it is crucial to coordinate their employment policies and monitor their social indicators.

In the EESC's view, Member States should apply the employment guidelines on labour markets and ensure upward convergence there too, as there are still many disparities between these markets in different countries

The EESC also warns of possible dangers of reinstating fiscal rules on deficit and government debt ceilings in the Member States of 3% and 60% of GDP, respectively. Based on past experience, the EESC expresses serious concerns about potential austerity measures that could arise from this as well as about their possible negative impact for the implementation of the employment guidelines. As announced by the Commission, these rules should be reinstated in 2024, ending the suspension of recent years.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC:

• welcomes the proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States. However, it warns of ongoing political instability and high inflation and interest rates as these issues could make it difficult to implement the guidelines and achieve the targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights by 2030;

• believes it is necessary to strengthen the role of both trade unions and employers' organisations in designing and implementing employment, social and economic reforms and policies, including by building their capacity;

• advocates making it easier for people to find employment, especially women, young people, persons with disabilities, low-skilled citizens and other vulnerable groups. This would in turn improve the economic and social sustainability of businesses and help raise employees' qualifications and improve working conditions.

The text of the draft opinion can be found here.

Additional information

Section: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)

Opinion number: SOC/777

Opinion type: Referral from the European Commission, 24/05/2023

Rapporteur: Carlos Manuel Trindade

Reference: Proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States [COM(2023) 599 final – 2023/0173 (NLE)]

Date of adoption by section: 05/09/2023

Result of the vote: 92 in favour /0 against /2 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 20/09/2023

Result of the vote: 197 in favour/ 2 against/ 5 abstentions

Contacts:

Press officer:  Laura Lui           

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 9189

email:  laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Ana Dumitrache

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 8131

email:  Ana.Dumitrache@eesc.europa.eu