Employment

Under the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, the European Union (EU) and the EU countries must work towards developing a coordinated strategy for employment and promoting a skilled, trained and adaptable workforce that is responsive to changes in labour markets.

This is done mainly through the European employment strategy (EES), which fosters cooperation between countries, the coordination of national policies and the participation of local authorities, unions and employers’ organisations.

Financial support for employment policy is provided through various instruments, including the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

The ‘Employment and social innovation’ strand under the ESF+ for 2021-2027 will support innovative approaches and actions to create employment and promote social inclusion, building upon its predecessor’s successes.

All EU employment and social policies are governed by the European Pillar of Social Rights, a set of social rights proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission in 2017. It sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems in three chapters:

equal opportunities and access to the labour market,
fair working conditions,
social protection and inclusion.