6.4.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 152/117
1.7.
On the basis of several opinions (1) and the pillar of social rights, the EESC supports measures on EU and MS level fostering cooperation between health systems in respect of EU-values like dignity and fair competition and aiming at upward convergence of health and social systems. 1.8.
During the pandemic, we saw the necessary expansion, on an unprecedented scale, of European and state activity to assist both individual businesses and individuals.
The EESC underlines that it is important to move from emergency measures to productive investments for an inclusive and sustainable recovery in the medium and long term; also in order to avoid the danger that fiscal and monetary policies could be subject to high inflationary risks that may lead to a stagflation. 1.9.
The EESC welcomes the European Commission’s efforts to support national media literacy campaigns in cooperation with the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) and with the Media Literacy Expert Group, thus further contributing to the fight against disinformation including anti-vaccination disinformation that causes unfounded fears and serious harm. 1.10.
The Committee is in favour of efforts to enhance international cooperation and build Europe’s strength in international institutions.
The EESC points out that any weakening of Europe’s position and involvement in international organisations creates scope for other countries outside the EU to act in a way that is unfavourable to the values the European Union stands for.
2.
General comments 2.1.
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed some of the existing dysfunctions of the health sector, many states and EU institutions, as well as some economy sectors.
All this further added to the severity of the crisis and social imbalance. 2.2.
The Commission welcomes the move by the European Union and its institutions to continuously assess processes during the pandemic, both in terms of the unprecedented burden on health systems and the impact on the European Union as a whole.
The Commission stresses that this past period should also be assessed as an emergency test of the democratic and unified operation of the EU. 2.3.
The EESC acknowledges the enormous effort made by the various EU institutions coordinating vaccination aid, national institutions providing social protection and support programmes, and companies which have done all in their power to protect their employees and operations and which have risen to the challenge of achieving rapid normalisation in terms of employment and the supply of essential products.
At the same time, we note that there is still much to be done to ensure full stability and balance in the labour market. 2.4.
The EESC stresses that the first and main lesson that we have learnt is that, especially in the time of pandemics that are regional and/or supranational in nature, we need to work together on a European level to find joint tools not only to respond from the point of view of health, but also to manage the emergency and accompany the transition to a speedy but inclusive and sustainable recovery.
The Committee underlines the positive approach of the European institutions in putting in place new and innovative financial tools agreed with a solidarity-based approach based on common interest. 2.5.
The worst possible situation would be the outbreak of another crisis before the situation has fully stabilised.
It is therefore a priority for the European Commission to take action today to build up the resilience of economic, social and health systems for the future.
The EESC agrees with this strategy and the need to take a critical look at lessons learned and to strengthen crisis management in the European Union. 2.6.
The European Commission lists ten important lessons from the pandemic, but only briefly mentions the ‘uneven impact of the crisis, with vulnerable groups and small and medium companies amongst the hardest hit’.
Recommendations need to look critically at what has been done so far, what has worked well and what needs to be improved. 2.7.
As we emerge from the crisis, labour shortages in vitally important ‘low skilled’ occupations are also proving to be a major issue.
The crisis also exposed our vulnerability to the fragmentation of global supply chains and the need to rethink industrial strategy in relation to the manufacture of essential products.
(1)
OJ C 13, 15.1.2016, p. 40, OJ C 14, 15.1.2020, p. 1.