The Annual Competition Report for 2023 presents the key policy developments and legislative initiatives undertaken in 2022, as well as a selection of important enforcement actions.
Every year in February, the EESC adopts an opinion on the Annual Sustainable Growth Survey (ASGS), which the Commission usually presents at the end of November in the year before. The Communication on the ASGS 2024 outlines the economic and employment policy priorities for the EU for the following 12 months, focusing on short-term energy shock mitigation, medium-term sustainable growth and resilience in the EU, and alignment with the long-term EU objectives.
The structured approach centres around the 4 dimensions of competitive sustainability, and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The ASGS continues to guide Member States in the implementation of the national Recovery and Resilience Plans, with the European Semester playing a central role, especially in the ongoing revision of the European economic governance framework.
The EESC stresses the urgent need to adapt strategies for work-life balance taking into consideration the shifting demographics, new forms of work, flexible working arrangements and rising care demands, also in view of the 2027 revision of the Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers. While looking at the increased demand for care services, it recommends the Council asks the Commission to develop a Care Toolbox with indicators for long-term care. Highlights that despite some progress, women still bear most unpaid care work, contributing to the “feminisation of poverty” as women leave their jobs or reduce their working hours to care for relatives or children. Stresses that care work and financial security of families and workers should be seen as an investment benefiting society and the economy and not as an expense.
Download — advies EESC: Ensuring a needs-based work-life balance for all: How adequate flexible working conditions can support intergenerational solidarity and the empowerment of women
Public Procurement was better framed in successive EU regulations and, with a view to more accessible and transparent access to it, the procedures were formulated in a more supportive manner. Its importance will continue to increase, both at a national level in the Member States and at a more local level.
Several challenges remain Particularly at the national level, the size and volume play to the advantage of larger companies that can rely on experience and expertise when drawing up files. At a more local level, there are opportunities for MSMEs and, even more specifically, for companies in the social economy. These opportunities require active attention and guidance from both the requesting and offering parties.
The opinion looks into the opportunities and risks from new technologies for public services, which are taken to mean the activities or services that public authorities of the Member States at national, regional or local level classify as being of general interest.
The EESC considers that AI can make public services more efficient and more accessible, in particular to the most vulnerable people in society. It can also reduce workload for public services' workers and it should be borne in mind that these services are provided by human beings, at their own pace, in their own time and with their own requirements.
Download — advies EESC: Fostering opportunities and managing risks from new technologies for public services, the organisation of work and more equal and inclusive societies
Climate change is an existential threat for the European economy. Therefore, a comprehensive approach is needed. In this context, based on the empirical and data analyses related to the impact of climate change on the real economy, macroeconomic and financial stability is essential. As things currently stand, intensified natural disasters will lead to unprecedented costs that will have an unpredictable impact on public finance.
The European economy is currently on a downward trend. This will lead to lower revenue and, at the same time, higher demand for spending – mainly related to the costs of climate change, higher borrowing costs and negative trends in demographic development.
The need for open and transparent budgetary processes has never been more critical. The multiannual financial framework (MFF) emerges as a crucial tool for aligning financial resources with the Union's long-term priorities. The EESC has highlighted significant gaps in the current MFF, including its limited scope in addressing contemporary challenges such as Europe's aging population and strained budgets due to inflation.
The EESC therefore explores a paradigm shift towards Open budgets in the EU –a framework that encompasses not only participatory budgeting but a broader spectrum of fiscal transparency and citizen engagement across all stages of the budget cycle. This approach is aimed at enhancing the responsiveness and effectiveness of EU budget allocations, thereby fostering a more resilient, inclusive, and democratic European economy.
In this opinion, the EESC stresses that the alignment of the circular economy and bioeconomy is crucial for sustainable development and calls for a strong, interlinked strategy to foster innovation, support rural jobs, and ensure the EU stays competitive within planetary boundaries.
This own-initiative opinion stems from the European Commission call for an "Industry 5.0" based on: human centricity, sustainability and resilience. Industry 5.0 aims thus at broadening the previous concept of Industry 4.0, providing a transformative vision for a sustainable, human-centric and resilient European industry. This opinion will reflect on how to concretely implement the concept of Industry 5.0.
This opinion is part of the EESC pilot "Enlargement Candidate Members (ECM)" where representatives from Turkey will take part in the study groups an in the Section meeting. The Turkish representatives are: Özgür Burak Akkol (Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), for Group I), Cavit Demiral (Confederation of Turkish Real Trade for Group II) and Ayşe Yürekli (Women Entrepreneurs Association of Türkiye, for Group III).
The proposed opinion aims to have a constructive influence on policymakers, especially on EU level, providing an objective analysis of the issues at hand and presenting concrete suggestions that may inform legislative action. It will provide insights and recommendations for the development of an effective waste treatment, resource management and circularity measures across the Union in a way that reflects the views and concerns of the social partners, industry and CSOs on this issue.
