This week, the European Commission is launching an action plan to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights, following calls for increased social support in light of the Covid-19 crisis. The plan is reported to focus on labour market issues such as the skills gap and access to social protection and healthcare, and is likely to be packaged with a proposal to address the gender pay gap in the run up to International Women’s Day next Monday.

Announced in 2015, the European Pillar of Social Rights was launched in November 2017 under the Juncker Commission, seeking to address rising inequalities following the 2007-2008 financial crisis. The pillar sets out 20 key principles promoting equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion.

Since then, a new crisis has emerged that has stretched the boundaries of social Europe to their limits. The most recent Eurobarometer indicates strong support amongst citizens for a social dimension in light of the Covid-19 crisis, and while improvements have been made, such as the creation of the European Labour Authority as well as in areas such as parental leave and work-life balance, the EU continues to face an uphill battle in ensuring a stronger European social dimension through delivering on the European Pillar of Social Rights. 

Key Texts

• European Commission: 
  – A Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions
  – A Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions Factsheet
  – European Pillar of Social Rights in 20 principles
• European Parliament: 
  – Resolution on the Conference on the Future of Europe (June 2020)

Upcoming Dates

• 4 March: EMPL Committee Meeting
• 8 March: Plenary debate on equal treatment in employment and occupation in light of the UNCRPD
• 15 March: Informal video conference of employment and social policy ministers

The European Movement International position

As we highlight in our Policy Position on the Social Pillar, the action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights has the potential to be a vital instrument for bringing about social justice and equality as well as real upward social convergence between and within Member States. Considering the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on Europeans, it is more important now than ever to ensure an action plan to address these issues.

Europe’s recovery must be grounded in social policies and services to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our health, employment, economy, and on equality and democracy in our societies, and this should not happen at the cost of the most disadvantaged people, regions, or countries.  In our Policy Position on the Social Pillar we welcome the Commission’s commitment to equality and social rights, while outlining important areas that should not be compromised. To have a lasting positive effect on citizens, the Social Pillar must be at the heart of the decisions on the future of Europe.