EESC President

On 13 and 14 July, President Röpke participated in the first informal meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Policies of the European Union (EPSCO) under the Spanish Presidency, focusing on "Social dialogue as a tool of democratic legitimacy for a social, green and feminist Europe".

EESC President Oliver Röpke: "Our Committee is fully committed to supporting the agenda of the Spanish Presidency and we are delighted that we have already delivered a lot of exploratory opinions on the key priorities of the Spanish Presidency, especially supporting stronger social dialogue, green collective bargaining, social progress protocol and many other initiatives."

Yolanda Díaz Pérez, Spanish Minister for Work and Social Economy: "Our debates have yielded results for the entire Union and for the future of citizens in the EU. We need more social dialogue than ever in progressing towards solid and robust Europe, including workers, women, and youth; and a comprehensive perspective considering the enormous transformations and challenges we face, such as the climate emergency and technological change." 

Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights: "Strengthening the social dimension of Europe is just responding to the major concerns of your citizens. First it is about good jobs in a time of big changes. Second, it's about good wages. This Commission has started with a strong commitment for a social Europe and implementing the pillar of social rights – and we have stuck to this commitment. "

During his intervention on social dialogue, President Röpke expressed full commitment to the European social dialogue, as a key pillar of the European social model. Social dialogue is crucial for achieving higher wages, improved working conditions, health and safety protection, and more training opportunities. He recalled the unique position of EESC, which serves as a gateway between citizens, civil society and EU institutions, and underlined its crucial role in advancing this priority, also in EU candidate countries.

President Röpke highlighted the importance of caregivers in our societies and asked the Ministers for a European Care Guarantee, which would ensure access to affordable and quality care for everyone, and would also improve working conditions and training for carers.

Speaking about social protection, President underscored that investment in human capital is not a mere cost, but an investment in our people. He mentioned in particular, the need to invest in people's skills so that nobody is left behind as the result of twin green and digital transitions.

In the margins of the informal EPSCO meeting, President Röpke held bilateral meetings, including with the Austrian Minister Johannes Rauch, Lithuanian Minister Monika Navickienė and Bulgarian Minister Ivanka Shalapatova, during which he updated the Ministers about the recent EESC initiative on the gradual involvement of the civil society from EU candidate countries.