On 8 and 9 July 2021, SGI Europe participated to the informal meeting of the Ministers of Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Protection (informal EPSCO) in Brdo pri Kranju, Slovenia. On this occasion, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, addressed the sessions on “Towards more resilient labour markets” and “Towards more inclusive labour markets”.

Addressing the resilience of labour markets, Mrs Ronzitti said:

“The existing articulations between education, training programmes and the labour market are still insufficient. This is largely reflected in the increasing skills shortages experienced by many of our members in essential utilities facing the green, digital and demographic transitions such as transport, waste management, water energy or housing.”

“Strong collective bargaining and social dialogue systems will be needed to face the green, digital and demographic transitions.”

During the discussion on “Towards more inclusive labour markets”, Mrs Ronzitti commented:

“There is now a clear need for national governments to foster a quality offer of services of general interest as an essential element for an inclusive society. The European Pillar of Social Rights have clear principles for the access to a wide array of key services from childcare to long-term care, housing and to the wider realm of essential services.”

“SGI Europe has been calling for years for EU institutions and National Member States to operate a change in paradigm, with recruitment and investment in these services no longer just seen as a cost but as productive long-term investments.”

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