To secure a more prosperous future for their citizens, Western Balkan governments need to address the problems encountered by young people, who hold the key to such a future. Sufficient and transparentbudget allocations for youth policy development and the inclusion of young people in the EU accession process are a prerequisite for facilitating positive changes and improving the situation of young people in the region.
In its July plenary the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) called on the European Commission to strengthen the social aspects of key proposals to align EU rules on sustainable products, ecodesign and sustainable textiles.
This new directive should not depart from well-established international standards on human rights and environmental protection across transnational value chains, says the EESC in a new report.
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) flags up the opportunities of the digital revolution but also warns of threats: if implemented too quickly, digital solutions could lead to a large part of the EU population being excluded. Digital technology must not replace the role of humans but rather complement it and, at the same time, it must be inclusive and protect vulnerable groups such as older people.
How should wages and company profits be taxed in a way that answers the needs of today's work environment? In an opinion adopted during its July plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee takes up this challenge, while welcoming and encouraging the rise of teleworking.
The single market has been a source of wealth and cohesion for the EU; it makes perfect sense. It is still fragmented, and this has a huge cost, but we have many tools to make it work and slash the costs of non-Europe.
In an exploratory opinion, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) insists on the importance of coordinated European legislation establishing tax rates for digital service companies. This will ensure a growth-friendly business environment and benefit the internal market, while avoiding the gaps that separate national initiatives would create.
"The rule of law: why should we care?" was the thought-provoking question put to participants in a hearing jointly organised by the EESC Fundamental Rights and Rule of Law Group and the International Bar Association (IBA) on 6 July 2022 in Bratislava, Slovakia.
The EESC held a public hearing in preparation for an own-initiative opinion on The EU Youth Test. The event provided an opportunity to learn from the experiences of other Member States that have already implemented similar youth test approaches, as well as to consider youth participation in the context of Europe's future.
