Debate: Action Plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, in preparation of the Social Summit in Porto in May
Date: WEDNESDAY, 10 MARCH 2021
Speaker: Nicolas Schmit
Language: EN

In December last year, you voted on a detailed and ambitious resolution setting out your proposals. These have been very much taken into account and have contributed to our work. So why do we need this action plan? Firstly, because European citizens expect and want action – action in the social fields. The Eurobarometer published last week showed that 9 out of 10 Europeans say social issues matter to them personally. Secondly, the action plan is a call for collective action in the face of common challenges. We have just had a long discussion on the recovery and methods for sustainable growth and a sustainable recovery. Resolute action by Member States supported by the EU allowed us to limit the rise in EU unemployment, thanks to an instrument called SURE. Still, some sectors and vulnerable groups in society have been disproportionately affected. Our latest winter economic forecasts show a glimmer of hope for a resumption of growth in spring. We must maintain our unity as we move from crisis-fighting to recovery policies.  Thirdly, the pillar must stand at the centre of our approach to the transformation of our economy and society. We simply will not achieve a green and digital Europe and recover from the current crisis without promoting social rights, without guaranteeing equal opportunities for all.  With a new long—term budget and the Next Generation EU recovery package, we have put in place the largest—ever investment package financed through the EU budget, and I have highlighted the link between the national recovery and resilience plans and the implementation of the social pillar in the previous debates too. Social rights, upward social and economic convergence and social cohesion need to drive investments and reforms in the national recovery and resilience plans. The action plan also breathes new life into the pillar’s 20 principles. It puts forward three EU—level targets for 2030. These are, or should be, an expression of common ambition. At least 78% of the population aged 20 to 64 should be in employment by 2030. For some Member States, this means a huge effort because some are even under 70%. At least 60% of all adults should participate in training every year. Here too there is a big gap, especially in certain Member States. And the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion should be reduced by at least 15 million by 2030. I have just remembered that one big Member State has left us recently.  We believe these targets are realistic and that they should be the minimum level we reach. Our action plan invites the European Council to endorse them. This matters because it’s not only through employment and social policies that we will achieve these targets. We need to put social progress at the heart of all our policies. We also invite Member States to define their own national targets, taking into account their starting position.  We do not simply set targets and objectives and leave it at that. The action plan provides clear tools and policy measures to achieve these goals. We have put forward specific actions at EU level to support this. Some of them have already been tabled, like the proposal on the framework for adequate minimum wages or the reinforced youth guarantee. Some, such as the European child guarantee or the strategic framework on health and safety, are in the pipeline and others will follow this year and in the years to come.  Last week, we adopted a Commission recommendation on effective active support for employment. Let me stress the importance of this recommendation that provides guidance to Member States with a view to accompanying labour market transitions and supporting quality job creation. It is based on the policy package and covers hiring and transition incentives, upskilling and reskilling, and enhanced support by employment services.  We have also adopted the directive on binding pay transparency measures and a new disability rights strategy. There will be no sustainable recovery without guaranteeing gender equality and concrete measures for the most vulnerable, especially persons with disabilities.  Delivering the pillar is not the sole responsibility of the Commission. It is and must be a common endeavour of all EU institutions, Member States, social partners, regional and local authorities, and civil society. That is why our action plan recalls all the tools that we make available to support the efforts of other actors, namely the Member States. It recalls the financial resources available, presents initiatives to support social dialogue, underlines the need to enforce the legislative  Dear Madam President, honourable Members, together we are on the road to Porto, as the President has just said, and we will strive for an endorsement of the action plan and its new targets at the highest political level. We have a unique opportunity to set the course for a fairer, more inclusive and more resilient Europe. The Commission counts on your support. As the Portuguese Presidency would say, it’s time to deliver.