Brussels, 27/01/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is preparing to update the European social acquis in an effort to adapt them to the situation in the 21st century. On Wednesday 27 January, the college of commissioners held its first orientation debate on the “European Pillar of Social Rights”. It is expected to launch a public consultation on the results of its reflections, in the next few weeks.
The idea of setting up a European pillar of social rights was officially launched last September by the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, in his State of the Union address. Following an initial orientation debate, Commissioner Marianne Thyssen (Employment and Social Affairs) indicated that the Commission intended to present “an autonomous and legalistic reference document, outlining the key principles and values shared at an EU level”. This document could provide the framework for assessing employment and social inclusion performances, given the different developments on the labour market and, more generally, provide guidance for the renewed convergence process in the eurozone. Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner for the Euro and Social Dialogue said that it also sought to underpin social convergence, which corresponded to “bringing our economies and social standards closer together and closest to the best performers”.
Following its first orientation debate, the Commission is planning to launch a public consultation to define the action areas and most appropriate skill levels. Currently, four different areas are planned: labour relations between employers and employees, working conditions, social protection and social services and education. In the area of labour relations, the reference framework could, for example, reaffirm workers' basic rights, whatever their status (insofar as labour relations relate to new professional models and flout the traditional concept of “employer” and “employee”). Commissioner Thyssen indicated “This involves a long-term debate. At the same time, we will continue with our agenda. This particularly includes a deepening in the European Semester at a social level, as well as the 'skills' and 'mobility' packages and revision of the rules on health and workers' security”.
The Commission will continue its reflections and hopes to present its “pillar” by the beginning of 2017 at the latest. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)