Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee – New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (own-initiative opinion)
Date: 2025-06-18
Institutions: European Economic and Social Committee
Subjects: EU action, EU employment policy, European social policy, competitiveness, economic policy, equal treatment, labour market, social integration, social security, working conditions








C_202504203EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
C series













C/2025/4203


20.8.2025






Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee
New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights
(own-initiative opinion)
(C/2025/4203)


Rapporteur: 
Sophia REISECKER






Advisor


Wolfgang GREIF (to the Group II rapporteur)
Jukka AHTELA (to Group I)




Plenary Assembly decision


5.12.2024




Legal basis


Rule 52(2) of the Rules of Procedure




Section responsible


Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship




Adopted in section


22.5.2025




Adopted at plenary session


18.6.2025




Plenary session No


597




Outcome of vote
(for/against/abstentions)


147/36/53




 


 




1.   Introduction









1.1.


While the reasons for the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) are still valid and the Action Plan has given impetus to the EU’s commitment to social progress, there are still gaps and challenges, not least in terms of implementation. Although progress has been made towards reaching the headline employment target, progress has been insufficient in other areas, especially as regards reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 15 million. There is much to be done if the EU and Member States wish to meet and fully implement the EPSR’s targets and principles. For the basis of any further actions there is need for a thorough and objective assessment of the implementation of the previous Action Plan.












1.2.


This opinion intends to contribute to the new Action Plan announced by the European Commission (EC) and puts forward recommendations for initiatives at appropriate levels. The EESC believes that its recommendations, on policy and governance, should be given priority when drawing up a new forward-looking EPSR Action Plan focused on implementing and enforcing established social norms and standards and, where necessary, evaluating and updating them in line with evolving societal needs and new geopolitical and economic challenges.












1.3.


Measures should comply with the division of competences between the EU and the Member States as well as with the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality and focus on the contribution to strengthening the overall competitiveness and strengthening sustainability of the European economic and social model. The common understanding that competitiveness and social progress go hand in hand is a basis for concrete efforts to increase employment, social progress and productivity, as stated by the Draghi report.












1.4.


With a view to the multiple challenges Europe is facing, the EESC stresses that the original objectives of the EPSR remain valid and advocates a holistic approach covering fairness, competitiveness, security and inclusiveness within the European social model. The EPSR Action Plan should play its part by promoting an environment where all relevant players, including public authorities, can assume their social responsibilities and companies can use their productivity potential and create quality jobs. This necessitates pursuing inclusive economic growth based on solid foundations of the Single Market, research and innovation supported by structural reforms that increase employment levels and access to skills while ensuring fair and smooth functioning of labour markets and social security systems. At different levels, social dialogue can be an asset in helping Europe to adapt to the changes in working life, as well as being a tool for responsible change management.




2.   Policy recommendations

2.1.   
Equal opportunities and access to the labour market










2.1.1.



Reducing income inequality and boosting gender equality: While a number of initiatives have already been adopted in this area, the action plan should include further measures to encourage Member States to address income inequality and reduce employment disparities between men and women. Europe needs a new strategy for gender equality for the period after 2025, also considering intersectionality. In order to make the most of the Pay Transparency Directive, regular dialogue between Member States and support from the EC in interpreting and implementing the directive are needed.












2.1.2.



Advancing equal treatment: While the EC has indicated that it will withdraw the proposal for an equal treatment directive, which has been under negotiations since 2008, the EESC continues to call for efficient instruments to fight discrimination, including outside the world of work.












2.1.3.



Employment targets and active labour market integration: Steps must be taken to enable labour markets to address labour and skills shortages, while also aiming to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion. Labour market policies must aim to get inactive and unemployed people into work, including by stepping up upskilling and reskilling and offering incentives for better labour market reintegration and adequate activation support for a quick return to employment. The role of efficient public employment services is crucial and requires sufficient resources and appropriate staffing. Specific measures and support should be given to people with disabilities. To advance the purpose of Principle 13 of the EPSR the EESC reiterates its proposal to improve – with due regard for the various competences – the key elements of Member States’ unemployment insurance systems. This would entail the Member States, with support of the EC, to assess and examine standards for those schemes, including higher net replacement rates, benefits of appropriate duration, a higher coverage rate, as well as training and support for job-seekers in the transition into the labour market.












2.1.4.



Updating coordination of social security regulation: The EESC urges Member States to finalise improvement of the coordination of social security regulation. This should take account of the developments in the internal market and the free movement of workers so as to safeguard portable social security rights which allow cross-border workers to contribute to and access social benefits seamlessly within the EU.












2.1.5.



Boosting a just transition policy package: The EESC reiterates its call for an effective policy package for the world of work to provide support in the digital and green transition. This entails anticipating and managing change, using social dialogue and collective bargaining as guiding principles and integrating just transition initiatives into the implementation of the EPSR and the European Semester (1). The Social Economy Action Plan must be fully implemented (2).












2.1.6.



Skills and competences: With rapid technological development, the transition to the green economy and demographic change, the skills and competences of people are key factors in competitiveness and the sustainability of the European social market model. To address these challenges, ambitious reforms in national education and training systems are needed, to be developed in close cooperation with social partners.












2.1.7.



Promoting access to and investment in training and lifelong learning: The EESC has already recommended that access to continuous and lifelong learning must be promoted as an individual right for everyone which is recognised at EU level and enabled at national level. This will enable people to keep up with digital and AI developments (3) and cope with changes in the labour market due to the green transition. This is especially important for those furthest from training and the labour market, including NEETs. The EPSR’s targets cannot be met without more public and private investment in education and a greater commitment by employers and the social partners to increased work-based learning and training. Furthermore, the EESC encourages Member States to set up frameworks to provide sufficient financial support to cover the cost of living through entitlements to allowances, especially for longer periods of education and training.




2.2.   
Fair working conditions










2.2.1.



Combating in-work poverty: The EESC considers that the in-work-at-risk-of-poverty rate, caused by multiple factors, must be significantly reduced. This requires a holistic approach, reducing non-standard employment, ensuring adequate minimum wages and facilitating a better transition between jobs, improving working conditions and further investing in training and upskilling, especially in less productive sectors. Appropriate initiatives must be taken at EU level to set common minimum standards in the Member States. The EESC calls for the adequate minimum wages directive to be implemented properly.












2.2.2.



Monitoring and ensuring fair working conditions, creating quality jobs and combating insecure work: A number of measures have already been taken in this area. There should be proper implementation, legal and administrative checks and enforcement at national level to ensure that workers have stable jobs, safe working conditions, including with respect to new risks at work, with adequate and predictable pay and a well-functioning organised voice in the workplace. A greater commitment to addressing fair and decent working conditions is needed, especially in view of the ongoing diversification of contracts, a large number of them in insecure and non-standard work. This applies in particular to the implementation and monitoring of the Platform Work Directive. Further emphasis has to be placed on creating -quality jobs, including through support for training, upskilling, the development of new-technology-based jobs and acknowledgement of entrepreneurship. The EESC proposes setting an additional ‘quality job target’ in the Action Plan and encourages the EC to work with social partners and Eurofound to analyse and develop useful and implementable indicators in this area.












2.2.3.



Ensuring access to high-quality health systems/care and adequate staffing in the sector: The EC should build on the European Care Strategy, encouraging Member States to invest more in the ‘care economy’, in line with the ILO resolution on promoting decent work in the care economy (4). The introduction of EU-wide recommendations to support and guide Member States in their efforts to improve the situation of healthcare professionals by creating decent jobs with fair wages and attractive training models – supported by well-designed migration policies – could be an answer to massive staff shortages. The EESC calls for a mid-term review of the recommendations, based on monitoring the extent to which the Barcelona targets and the general objectives of long-term care reforms have been met. Furthermore, there is a need for initiatives to address job insecurity and workers’ employability through training and foster quality control in the growing sphere of long-term care and assistance, first of all by tackling unfair business practices in this emerging sector where they exist.












2.2.4.



Improving occupational health and safety: To mitigate risks at work, preventative strategies are necessary, including awareness raising. The vision is zero deaths and accidents in the workplace. The fight against occupational diseases must be stepped up, especially regarding carcinogenic products and substances, pathogens or dangerous agents. While continuing to support voluntary agreements, the CMD Directive should be continuously monitored with involvement of the social partners and scientists.












2.2.5.



Addressing new risks at work based on consultation with the social partners: Enhanced health protection at work makes companies more competitive. This also applies to new risks and mental health issues, especially in connection with the use of new technologies. The EESC recommends securing the right to disconnect, which not only protects workers but can increase productivity. The EESC calls on the EC to propose a directive on psychosocial risks. It should set binding obligations to identify psychosocial risks through proper risk assessments, with the involvement of workers and trade unions. Climate change also brings new risks and working in extreme temperatures needs to be addressed.












2.2.6.



Improving employment opportunities and the quality of employment for young people: The EESC has repeatedly called for equal treatment for young people in the labour market (5), not least by addressing the risks linked to non-standard work associated with increased uncertainties, including involuntary part-time and temporary employment. The Action Plan should address the employment situation of young people, especially NEETs (6), from various angles, such as the transitions from education to employment, the need for quality jobs and adequate social protection capable of protecting young people even during periods when they are not working. In the context of the proposed Traineeships Directive, the EESC calls for a robust legal initiative which ensures that trainees who perform work are not excluded from workers’ rights.












2.2.7.



Measures for human-centred AI: Given the pervasive potential of AI and new emerging technologies, an approach geared to avoiding negative outcomes for workers as a result of using these technologies is needed. Legislative initiatives should address gaps in the protection of workers’ rights in the workplace and ensure that humans remain in control in all human-machine interactions (7).












2.2.8.



Ensuring fair mobility of workers: The EESC acknowledges the European Parliament’s (EP) call for a revision of the European Labour Authority’s mandate to substantially strengthen its power. This call would entail allowing it to investigate alleged breaches or the non-application of EU law and to initiate and conduct inquiries into and inspections of cross-border cases on its own initiative, after notifying the competent national authorities.




2.3.   
Social protection and inclusion










2.3.1.


Detailed proposals are included in other EESC opinions, first of all in SOC/829 on an EU anti-poverty strategy. This includes measures to:






—


strengthen overall efforts to increase employment opportunities by empowering and protecting vulnerable groups;










—


tackle child and youth poverty by fully implementing the Youth Guarantee and the Child Guarantee in the Member States, including appropriate investments in high-quality, affordable and accessible childcare services;










—


fight old-age poverty, social exclusion and loneliness and ensure that pension reforms, while being based on financial sustainability, do not put older people’s standard of living at risk;










—


safeguard services of general interest – public, private and social enterprises – via well-targeted investments;










—


promote Member State policies to ensure access to social housing and housing assistance for those in need, to create an EPSR ‘affordable housing target’ and to combat homelessness;










—


ensure equal access to energy and guarantee the security of energy supply at affordable prices;










—


renew and strengthen AccessibleEU (8).








3.   Recommendations on governance









3.1.



Social partner and civil society involvement: The EESC has always underlined that social dialogue at all levels play a key role in promoting a fair and inclusive society and in enhancing growth, productivity, employment and competitiveness. It is in favour of social stakeholders playing a full part in shaping social policy from inception through design to the implementation process, including in those Member States where this has not yet been adequately guaranteed. The specific role of social partners must be fully respected in social dialogue structures, while acknowledging that civil dialogue, involving a broader set of stakeholders on a wider range of topics, is a separate process. The EESC welcomes the EC’s efforts to allow a large number of European organisations to contribute in social policy fields, such as the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness (EPOCH). EPOCH should continue to be part of the EPSR implementation process. The EESC recommends establishing other theme-based platforms along the lines of this tried and tested model.












3.2.



Mainstreaming social objectives across all policy areas in line with the horizontal social clause Article 9 of the TFEU.












3.3.



Mainstreaming and prioritising gender equality throughout the EPSR: Gender equality should be systematically mainstreamed across all 20 EPSR principles to achieve policy outcomes that benefit everyone and counter persistent gender gaps. The EESC proposes to include gender-specific indicators in the new EPSR Action Plan and accompanying budgets.












3.4.


The EESC notes with great interest the initiative of the Youth Forum of a youth check mechanism to systematically assess and ensure that all policies align with and effectively promote the social rights and well-being of young people across the EU, thereby mainstreaming youth rights and ensuring a comprehensive approach to addressing the diverse challenges faced by young people.












3.5.



Simplifying rules without harming the underlying objectives. The EESC acknowledges the agenda set by the European Commission to simplify and streamline legislation and implement policies more effectively. Such initiatives should be rolled out without undermining the underlying social objectives.












3.6.



Link to the European Semester: The EESC welcomes the fact that steps have been made to recognise and strengthen the link between the EPSR Action Plan and the coordination and reporting provided by the European Semester, as a key component of the EU’s socio-economic governance framework. The Semester should be used for better coordination and monitoring across the full spectrum of EU objectives. The EESC acknowledges the key role of EPSCO in the area of social indicators.












3.7.



EU funding for EPSR objectives: The EESC calls for a conditional increase in the overall allocation of resources to the ESF+. As is the case with the green and digital transitions, where Member States are required to allocate 37 % and 20 % of their expenditure to each area under their recovery and resilience plans, resources should be earmarked for labour market and social spending and investments.












3.8.



Fiscal space to invest in social spending: Member States will not be able to implement the EPSR unless they are able to boost massive and coordinated investment in social spending and social infrastructure. This must be reflected in the European Semester, which has been slightly adjusted to accommodate the EPSR principles. Further steps have to be considered. The EESC has stated repeatedly that more public investment within Member States can be made possible by means of a ‘golden rule’, which would allow for more flexibility in budget rules (9).












3.9.



Social investment: Bearing in mind that the long-term cost of a lack of social investment can often be much higher, the EESC reiterates the multiple positive effects of social investment. Broad-based and well-designed social investments must be accompanied by structural reforms and a key element of the implementation of the EPSR. This can generate significant returns in terms of economic growth through its impact on people and productivity, including stronger innovation capacity, uptake of new technology and employment opportunities, and inclusive and sustainable competitiveness.












3.10.



Reflecting EPSR needs in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF): The development of the MFF is an opportunity to support the EU’s and Member States’ efforts to implement the EPSR while maintaining a focus on the EU’s priorities. This involves using funds consistently and acknowledging the role of the EPSR as a compass for operational programmes and a tool to assess the impact of the Structural and Investment Funds, the ESF+ and other relevant EU budget headings. Social conditionality would ensure that projects actively contribute to overarching social goals. Investment in security and defence are ineffective if society is divided. The social dimension of investment and reforms should be an integral part of the security agenda (10). Necessary social investment must not be put at risk or abandoned for the sake of increased defence spending, by both the EU and the Member States.












3.11.



Evaluating and developing the Social Scoreboard: The implementation of the EPSR should be based on actions that are measurable and accompanied by ongoing monitoring using the Social Scoreboard. The EESC calls for the Social Scoreboard used in the Semester to be fine-tuned. The social partners and civil society organisations should participate in this debate, with a view to improving existing indicators and if necessary identifying new ones to monitor all the EPSR principles and rights (11).












3.12.



Making effective use of the Social Convergence Framework (SCF): As a tool to map and compare national employment and social policy developments in a structured way, and to track whether social policies are being properly implemented and funded, the SCF could help identify countries at risk of falling short to be examined more closely. It has to be better integrated into the European Semester in order to encourage governments to take action by adhering to respective country-specific recommendations.












3.13.



Promoting ‘Beyond GDP’ as welfare measure: To measure social cohesion, quality of life, the fair distribution of opportunity and resources and to reduce social and cultural exclusion, more suitable and holistic indicators are needed besides GDP. The EESC has already made clear that the European governance process should take a new approach geared towards the well-being of citizens and prosperity. The EESC supports the proposals by the European social partners for new indicators complementing GDP in the social, economic and environmental fields (12), and has called for a ‘Beyond GDP’ scoreboard (13).












3.14.



Making use of public procurement procedures: The EESC urges greater emphasis on the potential contribution of public procurement rules to improving the application and enforcement of existing EU and national labour and social law (14). Common, harmonised conditions and rules for EU public procurement law should put an end to lowest-price competition and ensure that public contracting authorities are obliged to consider social and environmental criteria in line with the EPSR when awarding contracts. The EESC therefore calls for the award requirements in the EU procurement directives to be expanded to include social aspects, including collective bargaining.






Brussels, 18 June 2025.


The President


of the European Economic and Social Committee

Oliver RÖPKE
               





(1)  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee – Towards a just transition legislative proposal and EU policy tools that enable a more social European Green Deal (own-initiative opinion) (OJ C, C/2025/772, 11.2.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/772/oj).

(2)  COM(2021) 778 final and Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – Building an economy that works for people: an action plan for the social economy (COM(2021) 778 final) (
OJ C 323, 26.8.2022, p. 38).

(3)  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Proposal for a Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States’ (COM(2023) 599 final – 2023/0173 (NLE)) (OJ C, C/2023/870, 8.12.2023, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2023/870/oj), 1.9, Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan’ (COM(2021) 102 final) (
OJ C 374, 16.9.2021, p. 38, 2.1.7.

(4)  
            ILO Resolution on Decent Work and the Care Economy moves ahead.

(5)  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the equal treatment of young people in the labour market (own-initiative opinion) (
OJ C 293, 18.8.2023, p. 48, Workers’ Rights for the XXI century (European Youth Forum, position paper 12/2024).

(6)  
            https://www.youthforum.org/policy-library/youth-guarantee-how-to-support-young-people-finding-a-pathway.

(7)  EESC opinion on 
Assessment of the Letta and Draghi reports on the functioning and competitiveness of the EU's Single Market
 (OJ C, C/2025/2004, 30.4.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/2004/oj), 10.3.

(8)  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on Tackling energy poverty and the EU's resilience: challenges from an economic and social perspective (exploratory opinion requested by the Czech Presidency) (
OJ C 486, 21.12.2022, p. 88, 1.1, 1.3.

(9)  
            
OJ C 227, 28.6.2018, p. 1 1.8 and 3.6; 
OJ C 327, 12.11.2013, p. 11; 
OJ C 227, 28.6.2018, p. 95, 1.4, 
OJ C 226, 16.7.2014, p. 21; 
OJ C 262, 25.7.2018, p. 1, 3.14 and 
OJ C 190, 5.6.2019, p. 24, 1.8., 
OJ C 262, 25.7.2018, p. 1, 1.4, 
OJ C 14, 15.1.2020, pp. 1-23, 1.7, 2.7.2.

(10)  Resolution of the European Economic and Social Committee – Charting the EU’s democratic progress: a resolution for the next legislative mandate (OJ C, C/2024/6861, 28.11.2024, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/6861/oj), 7.3.

(11)  The Scoreboard a) lacks disaggregated data based on various characteristics, such as gender, age, ethnicity and socio-economic status, which would measure the impact of policies on various groups in vulnerable situations more effectively; b) should not merely compare Member States in terms of best and worst performers against EU averages. Instead, it should measure progress against ambitious national quantitative targets; c) lacks indicators for key aspects (e.g. on job creation by the social economy for groups in vulnerable situations, on social dialogue, collective bargaining and workers’ participation, on homelessness), other indicators are too limited (e.g. rights of persons with disabilities, missing indicator beyond the employment gap); d) substantial disparities exist between Member States’ data collection procedures, emphasising the need for more to be done to standardise processes and ensure timely, accurate and comparable data; e) in practice it remains subordinate to the Macroeconomic Imbalance Procedure Scoreboard in terms of political priorities.

(12)  
            Supplementing GDP as welfare measure.

(13)  Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on ‘Beyond GDP measures for a successful recovery and a sustainable and resilient EU economy’ (own-initiative opinion) (
OJ C 152, 6.4.2022, p. 7).

(14)  
            
OJ C 374, 16.9.2021, p. 38, 1.23, 2.5.3.




ANNEX I

LEGISLATIVE FOOTPRINT

LIST OF INTEREST REPRESENTATIVES FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The following list is drawn up on a purely voluntary basis under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur. The rapporteur has received input from the following interest representatives (organisations and/or self-employed individuals) in the preparation of the opinion SOC/822 New Action Plan on EPSR implementation:






European Committee of Regions




Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission




Eurofound




Eurodiaconia




European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)




Members of the European Parliament




PANTEIA




Social Platform





Mission to Finland






Employers’ organisations: The Federation of Finnish Enterprises (Suomen Yrittäjät), Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK)




Workers’ organisations: Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava), The Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK), The Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK)




Civil society organisations: Into ry (Outreach Youth Work and Workshop Activities), SOSTE Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health, The Finnish National Organisation of the Unemployed




Public Authorities: Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health





Mission to Slovenia






Employers’ organisations: Association of Employers of Slovenia (ZDS), The Chamber of Craft and Small Business of Slovenia (OZS)




Workers’ organisations: Confederation of Trade Unions of Slovenia (PERGAM), Confederation of the Public Sector Trade Unions of Slovenia (KSJS), The Association of Free Trade Unions of Slovenia (ZSSS)




Civil society organisations: Zavod Pelikan, Slovenska univerza za Tretje življenjsko obdobje




Public Authorities: State Secretary of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, State secretary for internationalization, entrepreneurship, development resources and tourism





Public Hearing on New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the EU Anti-poverty Strategy (1)



Panel 1 - New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights






Business Europe




SMEunited




European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC)




Social Platform




Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission




PANTEIA





Panel 2 – The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy






United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights




Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission




Member of the European Parliament




European Network of Public Employment Services




Tilburg University




European Anti-Poverty Network






(1)  
            https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/agenda/our-events/events/joint-public-hearing-new-action-plan-implementation-european-pillar-social-rights-and-eu-anti-poverty-strategy.





ANNEX II
The following amendments, which received at least a quarter of the votes cast, were rejected in the course of the debate (Rule 74(3) of the Rules of Procedure):

AMENDMENT 3


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 2.1.7


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Promoting access to and investment in training and lifelong learning: The EESC has already recommended that access to continuous and lifelong learning must be promoted 
as an individual right for everyone which is recognised at EU level
 and 
enabled
 at 
national level
. This will enable people to keep up with digital and AI developments[
1
] and cope with changes in the labour market due to the green transition. This is especially important for those furthest from training and the labour market, including NEETs. The EPSR’s targets cannot be met without more public and private investment in education and a greater commitment by employers and the social partners to increased work-based learning and training. Furthermore, the EESC encourages Member States to 
set up
 frameworks to provide sufficient financial support to cover the cost of living through entitlements to allowances, especially for longer periods of education and training.


Promoting access to and investment in training and lifelong learning: The EESC has already recommended that access to continuous and lifelong learning must be promoted 
in order to ensure that all individuals have access to quality
 and 
inclusive lifelong learning
 at 
every stage and transition of career and life[1]
. This will enable people to keep up with digital and AI developments[
2
] and cope with changes in the labour market due to the green transition. This is especially important for those furthest from training and the labour market, including NEETs. The EPSR’s targets cannot be met without more public and private investment in education and a greater commitment by employers and the social partners to increased work-based learning and training. Furthermore, the EESC encourages Member States to 
consider
 frameworks to provide sufficient financial support to cover the cost of living through entitlements to allowances, especially for longer periods of education and training.




 










[1]






SOC/774 point 3.2.
















[1]


OJ C, C/2023/870, 1.9, OJ C 374, 16.9.2021, p. 38–49, 2.1.7.












[2]


OJ C, C/2023/870, 1.9, OJ C 374, 16.9.2021, p. 38–49, 2.1.7.









Reason

As regards lifelong learning it is proposed to use a formulation based on SOC/774 Digital skills and education package. As there are divergent national training models it should be clearly left for Member States to consider the usefulness of any new frameworks.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


95




Against:


110




Abstentions:


5





AMENDMENT 4


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 2.2.1


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Combating in-work poverty: The EESC considers that the in-work-at-risk-of-poverty rate, caused by multiple factors, must be significantly reduced. This requires a holistic approach, 
reducing non-standard employment
, ensuring adequate minimum wages and facilitating a better transition between jobs, improving working conditions and further investing in training and upskilling, especially in less productive sectors. Appropriate initiatives 
must be taken at EU level
 to 
set common minimum standards in the
 Member States. The EESC calls for the adequate minimum wages directive to be implemented properly.


Combating in-work poverty: The EESC considers that the in-work-at-risk-of-poverty rate, caused by multiple factors, must be significantly reduced. 
In-work poverty is a complex issue.
 This requires a holistic approach, 
promoting fair and diverse forms of work
, ensuring adequate minimum wages and facilitating a better transition between jobs, improving working conditions and further investing in training and upskilling, especially in less productive sectors. Appropriate initiatives to 
support efforts of
 Member States 
and social partners should be considered in this regard
. The EESC calls for the adequate minimum wages directive to be implemented properly.





Reason

It should be underlined that in-work poverty is a complex phenomenon. It should be underlined that the availability of different forms of employment play a central role as part of the holistic approach. There is no agreement within the EESC on setting common minimum standards at EU level and thus the wording needs to be more nuanced.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


94




Against:


128




Abstentions:


6





AMENDMENT 5


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 2.2.2


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Monitoring and ensuring fair working conditions, creating quality jobs and combating insecure work: A number of measures have already been taken in this area. There should be proper implementation, legal and administrative checks and enforcement at national level to ensure that workers have 
stable
 jobs, safe working conditions, including with respect to new risks at work, with adequate and predictable 
pay
 and a well-functioning organised voice in the workplace. A greater commitment to addressing fair and decent working conditions is needed, especially in view of the ongoing diversification of contracts, 
a large number
 of 
them in insecure
 and 
non-standard work
. This applies in particular to the implementation and monitoring of the Platform Work Directive. Further emphasis has to be placed on creating quality jobs, including through support for training, upskilling, the development of new-technology-based jobs and acknowledgement of entrepreneurship. The EESC 
proposes setting an additional ‘quality job target’ in the Action Plan and
 encourages the EC to work with social partners and Eurofound to analyse and develop useful and implementable indicators in this area.


Monitoring and ensuring fair working conditions, creating quality jobs and combating insecure work: A number of measures have already been taken in this area. There should be proper implementation, legal and administrative checks and enforcement at national level to ensure that workers have 
sustainable
 jobs, safe working conditions, including with respect to new risks at work, with adequate 
pay, transparent
 and predictable 
wage-setting mechanisms
 and a well-functioning organised voice in the workplace. A greater commitment to addressing fair and decent working conditions is needed, especially in view of the ongoing diversification of contracts, 
with due regard to the needs
 of 
workers
 and 
employers
. This applies in particular to the implementation and monitoring of the Platform Work Directive. Further emphasis has to be placed on creating quality jobs, including through support for training, upskilling, the development of new-technology-based jobs and acknowledgement of entrepreneurship. The EESC encourages the EC to work with social partners and Eurofound to analyse and develop useful and implementable indicators in this area.





Reason

Instead of referring to ‘stable jobs’, the focus should be on ensuring workers’ employability. The diversification of contracts should be expressed in a more positive, balanced and constructive manner. Finally, there is no agreement on proposing an additional target on ‘quality jobs’. Furthermore, instead of referring to transparent wages, reference can be made to what is stated in Principle 6 of EPSR, namely that ‘All wages shall be set in a transparent and predictable way according to national practices and respecting the autonomy of the social partners’.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour


93




Against:


125




Abstentions:


5





AMENDMENT 7


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 2.2.5


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Addressing new risks at work based on consultation with the social partners: Enhanced health protection at work makes companies more competitive. This also applies to new risks and mental health issues, especially in connection with the use of new technologies. The EESC 
recommends securing the right to disconnect, which not only protects workers but can increase productivity. The EESC calls on
 the 
EC
 to 
propose
 a 
directive
 on 
psychosocial risks. It should set binding obligations to identify
 psychosocial risks 
through proper risk assessments,
 with the 
involvement of workers and trade unions
. Climate change also brings new risks and working in extreme temperatures needs to be addressed.


Addressing new risks at work based on consultation with the social partners: Enhanced health protection at work makes companies more competitive. This also applies to new risks and mental health issues, especially in connection with the use of new technologies. The EESC 
reaffirms its support for
 the 
Commission
 to 
launch
 a 
non-legislative initiative
 on 
mental health at work and on the prevention of
 psychosocial risks 
at work in accordance
 with the 
Strategic Framework on OSH 2021-2027
. Climate change also brings new risks and working in extreme temperatures needs to be addressed.





Reason

There is no agreement within the EESC on the need for legislation on psychosocial risks. Therefore the EESC should express its support for the Commission to launch a non-legislative initiative on mental health at work and on the prevention of psychosocial risks at work in accordance with the Strategic Framework on OSH 2021-2027. Furthermore, as reflected in several EESC opinions, there is no agreement on the legal right of workers to disconnect.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


93




Against:


127




Abstentions:


2





AMENDMENT 8


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 2.2.6


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Improving employment opportunities and the quality of employment for young people: The EESC has repeatedly called for equal treatment for young people in the labour market[1], 
not least by addressing the
 risks linked to 
non-standard work associated with increased uncertainties, including
 involuntary part-time 
and temporary
 employment. 
The
 Action Plan should address the employment situation of young people, especially NEETs 
[2],
 from various angles, such as the transitions from education to employment, the need for quality jobs and adequate social protection capable of protecting young people even during periods when they are not working. 
In the context of the proposed Traineeships Directive, the
 EESC 
calls for a robust legal initiative which ensures that trainees who perform work are not excluded from workers’ rights
.


Improving employment opportunities and the quality of employment for young people: The EESC has repeatedly called for equal treatment for young people in the labour market[1], 
including
 risks linked to involuntary part-time 
work. A general framework for equal treatment in
 employment 
and occupation is given by Council Directive 2000/78/EC, which is still fit for purpose[2]
. 
As there are many needs from both workers and employers to temporary work, the
 Action Plan should address the employment situation of young people, especially NEETs from various angles, such as the transitions from education to employment 
and entrepreneurship
, the need for quality jobs and adequate social protection capable of protecting young people even during periods when they are not working. 
The
 EESC 
also endorses reviewing the recommendation on traineeships
.










[1]



OJ C 293, 18.8.2023, p. 48–57

, Workers’ Rights for the XXI century (European Youth Forum, position paper 12/2024)
.












[1]



OJ C 293, 18.8.2023, p. 48–57.














[2]




https:// www
.
youthforum
.
org/policy-library/youth-guarantee-how-to-support-young-people-finding-a-pathway
.












[2]




SOC
/
721, OJ C 293, 18.8.2023, p. 48–57



, point 5
.
1.











Reason

As regards equal treatment, it is proposed to refer to Directive 2000/78 on non-discrimination in employment and the statement made in SOC/721 (also mentioned in footnote 8). Furthermore, reference should be made to the needs of both workers and employers to temporary work as well as the importance of addressing also transitions to entrepreneurship. There is no consensus on the request for a call of robust legislative initiative on traineeships. Instead, support should be expressed to the revision of the Council recommendation on traineeships. Finally, the reference added to footnote includes numerous far reaching proposals by Youth Forum that were never properly discussed in the stages of preparing this opinion.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


90




Against:


131




Abstentions:


4





AMENDMENT 9


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 2.2.7


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Measures for human-centred AI: Given the pervasive potential of AI and new emerging technologies, an approach geared to avoiding negative outcomes for workers as a result of using these technologies is needed. 
Legislative initiatives should address gaps in the protection of workers’ rights in the workplace and
 ensure that 
humans remain in control in all human-machine interactions[1].




Measures for human-centred AI: Given the pervasive potential of AI and new emerging technologies, an approach geared to avoiding negative outcomes for workers as a result of using these technologies is needed. 
It is important to
 ensure that the 
development, deployment
 and 
use
 of 
AI always follows
 the 
‘human in command’ principle
.












[1]






EESC opinion on Assessment of the Letta and Draghi reports on
 the 
functioning
 and 
competitiveness
 of the 
EU’s Single Market, 10.3
.






 





Reason

It is proposed to keep the text at a more general level and refer to the need to ensure that the development, deployment and use of AI always follows the ‘human in command’ principle.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


90




Against:


130




Abstentions:


5





AMENDMENT 10


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 2.3.1


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Detailed proposals are included in other EESC opinions, first of all in SOC/829 on an EU anti-poverty strategy. This includes measures to:


Detailed proposals are included in other EESC opinions, first of all in SOC/829 on an EU anti-poverty strategy. This includes measures to:










—


strengthen overall efforts to increase employment opportunities by empowering and protecting vulnerable groups;












—


strengthen overall efforts to increase employment opportunities by empowering and protecting vulnerable groups;














—


tackle child and youth poverty by fully implementing the Youth Guarantee and the Child Guarantee in the Member States, including appropriate investments in high-quality, affordable and accessible childcare services;












—


tackle child and youth poverty by fully implementing the Youth Guarantee and the Child Guarantee in the Member States, including appropriate investments in high-quality, affordable and accessible childcare services;














—


fight old-age poverty, social exclusion and loneliness and ensure that pension reforms, while being based on financial sustainability, do not 
put
 older people’s standard of living 
at risk
;












—


fight old-age poverty, social exclusion and loneliness and ensure that pension reforms, while being based on financial sustainability, do not 
disproportionately affect
 older people’s standard of living;














—


safeguard services of general interest – public, private and social enterprises – via well-targeted investments;












—


safeguard services of general interest – public, private and social enterprises – via well-targeted investments;














—


promote Member State policies to ensure access to social housing and housing assistance for those in need, 
to create an EPSR ‘affordable
 housing 
target’
 and to combat homelessness;












—


promote Member State policies to ensure access to social housing and housing assistance for those in need, 
also keeping in mind the need for affordable
 housing and to combat homelessness;














—


ensure equal access to energy and 
guarantee
 the security of energy supply at affordable prices;












—


ensure equal access to energy and 
ensure
 the security of energy supply at affordable prices; renew and strengthen AccessibleEU[1].














—


renew and strengthen AccessibleEU[1].






 










[1]



OJ C 486, 21.12.2022, p. 88–94, 1.1, 1.3.












[1]



OJ C 486, 21.12.2022, p. 88–94, 1.1, 1.3.









Reason

Proposals to nuance the text in particular as there is no agreement on a new target on affordable housing.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


88




Against:


134




Abstentions:


5





AMENDMENT 14


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 3.8


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Fiscal space to invest in social spending: Member States will not be able to implement the EPSR unless they are able to boost 
massive
 and coordinated investment in social spending and social infrastructure. This 
must be
 reflected in the European Semester, which has been slightly adjusted to accommodate the EPSR principles. Further steps 
have to
 be considered
. The EESC has stated repeatedly that more public investment within Member States can be made possible by means
 of 
a ‘golden rule’, which would allow for more
 flexibility 
in budget rules[1].




Fiscal space to invest in social spending: Member States will not be able to implement the EPSR unless they are able to boost 
adequate
 and coordinated investment in social spending and social infrastructure 
while ensuring financial viability and sustainability
. This 
is
 reflected in the European Semester, which has been slightly adjusted to accommodate the EPSR principles. Further steps 
should
 be considered 
to make use
 of 
the
 flexibility 
provided by the SGP
.












[1]







OJ C 227, 28.6.2018, p. 1 1.8 and 3.6; OJ C 327, 12.11.2013, p. 11; OJ C 227, 28.6.2018, p. 95, 1.4, OJ C 226, 16.7.2014, p. 21; OJ C 262, 25.7.2018, p. 1, 3.14 and OJ C 190, 5.6.2019, p. 24, 1.8., OJ C 262, 25.7.2018, p. 1, 1.4, OJ C 14, 15.1.2020, p. 1–23, 1.7, 2.7.2
.






 





Reason

The text should refer to the existing possibilities for flexibility in line with the SGP and also take into account financial viability and sustainability.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


92




Against:


127




Abstentions:


8





AMENDMENT 15


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 3.10


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Reflecting EPSR needs in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF): The development of the MFF is an opportunity to support the EU’s and Member States’ efforts to implement the EPSR while maintaining a focus on the EU’s priorities. This involves using funds consistently and acknowledging the role of the EPSR as a compass for operational programmes and a tool to assess the impact of the Structural and Investment Funds, the ESF+ and other relevant EU budget headings. 
Social conditionality
 would ensure that projects actively contribute to overarching social goals. Investment in security and defence are ineffective if society is divided. The social dimension of investment and reforms should be an integral part of the security agenda[1]
. Necessary social investment must not be put at risk or abandoned for the sake of increased defence spending, by both the EU and the Member States
.


Reflecting EPSR needs in the next multiannual financial framework (MFF): The development of the MFF is an opportunity to support the EU’s and Member States’ efforts to implement the EPSR while maintaining a focus on the EU’s priorities. This involves using funds consistently and acknowledging the role of the EPSR as a compass for operational programmes and a tool to assess the impact of the Structural and Investment Funds, the ESF+ and other relevant EU budget headings. 
This
 would ensure that projects actively contribute to overarching social goals. Investment in security and defence are ineffective if society is divided. The social dimension of investment and reforms should be an integral part of the security agenda[1].










[1]


EESC Resolution: 18.9.2024, 7.3.












[1]


EESC Resolution: 18.9.2024, 7.3.









Reason

There is no need to juxtapose defence spending and social investment in this opinion.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


90




Against:


129




Abstentions:


8





AMENDMENT 16


Tabled by:

ARDHE Christian
BLIJLEVENS René
CLEVER Peter
DANISMAN Mira-Maria
KRAWCZYK Jacek
MINCHEVA Mariya
MISSLBECK-WINBERG Christiane
POTTIER Jean-Michel
SAMMUT BONNICI Dolores
SCHWENG Christa
SMOLE Jože
SÕBER Kristi
SOETE Paul
YGLESIAS Isabel

SOC/822


New Action Plan on EPSR implementation


Point 3.14


Amend as follows:







Section opinion


Amendment




Making use of public procurement procedures: The EESC urges greater emphasis on the potential contribution of public procurement rules to improving the application and enforcement of existing EU and national labour and social law[1]. 
Common, harmonised conditions and
 rules 
for EU public procurement law should put an end to lowest-price competition and ensure that public contracting
 authorities 
are obliged
 to 
consider
 social and environmental criteria 
in line with the EPSR when awarding contracts. The EESC therefore calls for the award requirements
 in 
the EU
 procurement 
directives to be expanded to include social aspects, including collective bargaining
.


Making use of public procurement procedures: The EESC urges greater emphasis on the potential contribution 
through proper implementation
 of 
existing
 public procurement rules to improving the application and enforcement of existing EU and national labour and social law[1]. 
These
 rules 
already allow
 authorities to 
address societal challenges and consider
 social and environmental criteria in 
public
 procurement. 
[2]












[1]



OJ C 374, 16.9.2021, p. 38–49, 1.23, 2.5.3.












[1]



OJ C 374, 16.9.2021, p. 38–49, 1.23, 2.5.3
.










 










[2]






See e.g. Commission Notice ‘Buying Social - a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement’ (2nd edition) (https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/45767)
.









Reason

The EESC is going to prepare a specific opinion INT/1092 – Review of the European public procurement legal framework (planned to be adopted in December 2025). Therefore this opinion should not touch upon issues linked to the review of public procurement directives. At the same time, it should be acknowledged what is already possible within the framework of the existing public procurement rules.







Outcome of the vote:





In favour:


92




Against:


130




Abstentions:


5







ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/C/2025/4203/oj
ISSN 1977-091X (electronic edition)