It launches a broad consultation on a European Pillar of Social Rights which aims to put forward essential principles to support well-functioning, fair labour markets and welfare systems.
The key areas covered are:
- equal opportunities and access to the labour market,
- fair working conditions and
- social protection.
The initiative is targeted at the euro area, while allowing other EU countries to join if they wish.

KEY POINTS

Equal opportunities and access to the labour market

This is seen as crucial in enhancing employment opportunities and improving the employability of individuals. Areas covered include:

skills such as language, literacy and numeracy, as well as education and life-long learning;
flexible and secure labour contracts to facilitate entry to the labour market and promote career transitions, while allowing employers to respond to changes in demand;
secure professional transitions, including multiple jobs and career interruptions;
active support for employment for those who need to develop skills, qualifications or gain work experience;
gender equality and work-life balance, including adequate leave and care arrangements for children;
equal opportunities, including for disadvantaged groups not already covered by legislation.

Fair working conditions

There is a need to establish a balance of rights and obligations for both workers and employers to ensure the flexibility and security which can facilitate job creation and job take-up. Areas covered include:

conditions of employment, including new decentralised, self-organised forms of work and avoiding abuses in periods of probation;
wages ensuring a decent standard of living and contributing to tackling in-work poverty;
health and safety at work, not least in the context of less stable employment relationships, new working patterns and an ageing workforce;
social dialogue and involvement of workers: autonomous and representative partnerships with the capacities to reach collective agreements.

Adequate and sustainable social protection

This includes access to services essential in ensuring dignity in life and protection against life’s risks. This allows citizens to participate fully in the employment market, and in society itself. Areas covered include:

integrated social benefits and services — the alliance of social benefits, active support and social services is key to effective support;
health care and sickness benefits — an ageing population and high treatment costs put pressure on the financial sustainability of health systems;
pensions — the twin challenge of rising longevity and a shrinking working-age population;
unemployment benefits allow job search, provide economic security and stability during economic downturns;
minimum income — current challenges include low benefit levels and non-take-up due to complexity;
disability — people with disabilities are at much higher risk of poverty and social exclusion than the general population;
long-term care — changing family structures and women’s increased participation in the labour market contribute to increased demand;
childcare — a key issue for work-life balance, encouraging parental employment, especially for women;
housing — lack of adequate housing and housing insecurity is a major concern across the EU;
access to essential services, such as electronic communications, transport and financial services.

The communication is accompanied by two staff working documents describing key economic, labour market and societal trends on which the Pillar is based, and outlining the relevant achievements of the EU so far.

Consultation process

The consultation process has 3 main aims:

1.
To assess the existing achievements of the EU, the extent to which rights remain relevant to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, or whether new ways should be considered.
2.
To reflect on new trends in work patterns and societies, due to the impact of demographic change, new technologies and other factors, and identifying best practices.
3.
To gather views on the form the European Pillar of Social Rights should take, and on the particular needs of the euro area. The consultation should also help EU countries not in the euro area to determine whether to participate in the Pillar.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

‘Towards a European Pillar of Social Rights’ on the European Commission's website

MAIN DOCUMENT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Launching a consultation on a European Pillar of Social Rights (COM(2016) 127 final of 8.3.2016)

RELATED ACTS

Commission Staff Working Document: The EU social acquis Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Launching a consultation on an European Pillar of Social Rights (SWD(2016) 50 final of 8.3.2016)

Commission Staff Working Document: Key economic, employment and social trends behind a European Pillar of Social Rights Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions Launching a consultation on a European Pillar of Social Rights (SWD(2016) 51 final of 8.3.2016)

last update 27.06.2016

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