Brussels, 02/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 2 May, the whole college of commissioners met European social partners for the first time in such a format, in order to discuss the social dimension of the proposal for an economic and monetary union (EMU). Although the Commission has not yet presented its proposal on this dimension, it is expected to do so very soon. Its president, José Manuel Barroso, nonetheless intimated that all ideas relevant to social issues and to the use of EMU are already on the table.
After a “blueprint” presented in November 2012 and two communications in March 2013 with a view to continuing the debate on the future of EMU, the Commission no longer plans to propose truly innovative ideas regarding the social dimension. That, at least, is what Barroso said in his comments after the meeting with social partners. Other than the options that are already known and currently being discussed in the EU Council - such as “deeper coordination and surveillance of employment and social policies”, the “taking into account of the social impact of major economic reforms and the earmarking of EU funding” - the Commission, in its next communication to “further strengthen the social dimension”, will not, he said, propose “new burdensome procedures”.
Although those attending the meeting are somewhat divided over how to give concrete substance to this EMU dimension, they were all able to sign up to Barroso's comments which state that, “in the EU's social market economy, the social dimension is as important as the market”. Bernadette Ségol (European Trade Union Confederation) took the view that minimum social norms should be set in place in all member states and there should be an end to austerity. Markus Beyrer of BusinessEurope, however, was of the opinion that, in the EMU, it will be necessary to strike a balance between solidarity and responsibility. One side believes it is necessary to change direction while the other believes one should continue along the same road as “there is no alternative” to addressing the situation of national budgets and continuing with structural reforms. (JK/transl.jl)