The Commission adopts the European Pillar of Social Rights
by Catherine MALLET
On 26 April 2017 the European Commission adopted the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Pillar sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The Salvation Army responded to the public consultation that was carried out in 2016 in preparation for this Pillar. The Pillar is officially proposed as both a Commission Recommendation (non-binding) and as a proposal for a joint proclamation by the Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Thus there are now ongoing discussions with the European Parliament and the Council to work towards broad political support and high-level endorsement of the Pillar.
The principles and rights enshrined in the Pillar are structured around three categories:
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Equal opportunities and access to the labour market
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Fair working conditions
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Social protection and inclusion
A social scoreboard is also established to track trends and performances across EU countries in 12 areas and to assess progress towards a social "triple A" for the EU as a whole. This analysis will feed into the European Semester of economic policy coordination.
President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said: "As Commission President, I have been seeking to put social priorities at the heart of Europe's work, where they belong. With the European Pillar of Social Rights and the first set of initiatives that accompany it, we are delivering on our promises and we are opening a new chapter. We want to write this chapter together: Member States, EU institutions, the social partners and civil society all have to take on their responsibility. I would like to see the Pillar endorsed at the highest political level before the end of this year."
- Read more details about the proposal including legislative and non-legislative initiatives HERE
- Read the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights here
- Read the Commission Recommendation here