On Wednesday 12 April, the S&D Group at the European Parliament warned that it would not be easily impressed by the Commission’s future initiatives for a social Europe.
In a position it made public on Wednesday, it explained that the reflection document expected from the Commission was expected to indicate its vision in the long-term but that, “Europeans need to see the launch of a more social Europe emerging right now”. It called on the European Commission to, “take responsibility and present legislative, institutional and financial proposals in order to make Social Europe a reality as soon as possible".
Parliament has already given the Commission something to consider, with the plethora of reports that have already been voted on by MEPs that clearly show their demands. This time, the S&D recalls that the Commission proposals should focus on quality jobs, social protection, equal opportunities and fair social mobility.
On the first point, the S&D is calling for a directive on decent working conditions that guarantee every worker access to a whole range of social and working rights, particularly equal wages for equal work. The group is also calling for a minimum wage index to be set up so as to define an appropriate minimum wage in every member state and to introduce binding objectives in this area with an annual examination of growth. It would also like macro-social surveillance and not just macro-economic surveillance. It is also suggesting that resources are provided from the Community budget and, ultimately, through a Eurozone budgetary capacity, to support investment and job creation.
The S&D is also calling for a European legal framework to be set up that guarantees a minimum level of social protection for all Europeans (including healthcare). It warns that, “Parliament’s expectations are high”
At the end of April, the European Commission, is expected to present a legislative initiative on paternity leave, as well as a communication and recommendation on the European pillar of social rights, as a means of introducing a reference framework to encourage upward convergence in the euro area (access to training, quality jobs and social protection) (see EUROPE 11762). (Original version in French by Élodie Lamer)