The European Ministers for Social Affairs will hold discussion on the 'European pillar of social rights' during an informal two day meeting in Sofia on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 April, in an effort to examine the implementation of the principles contained in the pillar.
During the working party on the first day, they will particularly be examining the No.1 principle in the pillar involving education and life-long training and on the second day, principle No.4 relating to active support for employment.
It should be recalled that the first principle particularly asserts that everyone has a right to an inclusive and quality education and to maintain and obtain skills that allow for “full” participation in society and to provide assistance in the context of labour market transitions. The 4th principle stipulates that everyone has, “the right to swift assistance adapted to their needs, to help them improve their employment opportunities or un-waged activity”, with emphasis on young people and the unemployed.
During the working lunch on the first day, Ministers will discuss the contribution of the social dialogue to income growth in Europe and implementation of the principles in the European pillar of social rights. A high level group meeting will take place at the end of the afternoon on the theme of future social and employment policies in Europe.
The second day will provide an opportunity for ministers to draw up a balance sheet for the implementation of the recommendations from the Council on the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market and the “youth guarantee” (see EUROPE 11983) and a look at what possible future steps should be taken.
The European pillar of social rights was adopted by European leaders at the Gothenburg Summit last November (see EUROPE 11906, 11907). It is becoming more important, especially with the strengthened social section in each country’s recommendations (see EUROPE 11976). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)