Brussels, 20/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On 30 January 2008, the European Commission adopted a communication entitled “Proposal for the Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2008”. This fourth report, which was drafted in collaboration with the EU member states, looks at a series of themes identified in the 2007 edition, namely: (1) child poverty, (2) inequalities in health, access to healthcare and the development of long-term care; (3) extending active life; and (4) private retirement schemes. The report also suggests improvements to the open method of coordination for social protection and social inclusion in order to strengthen the effectiveness of the process, one reads on the DG Employment and Social Affairs site of the Commission. The latter will officially present the report to the press on 25 February. It will be examined by the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) on 29 February in Brussels.
In its joint report 2008, the Commission underlines a number of key messages:
(1) Social and economic policies can and should be mutually supportive. In order to achieve sustainable development in Europe, the Commission considers it fundamental to prevent and combat poverty and social exclusion through further modernisation of social protection in a framework of sound fiscal policies, combining both social adequacy and economic sustainability. Also, integrated policies - mainstreaming gender equality - must be pursued taking into account the objective of fully including the most vulnerable members of society. The Commission considers that permanent efforts are needed during the next cycle of the Lisbon Strategy and beyond.
(2) Employment rates have risen for all categories of older workers. Active inclusion measures, pension and labour market reforms have improved incentives to work but still more people need to work, the Commission states, saying they should stay economically active longer. In particular, pension reforms can promote active ageing by raising employability, reducing early retirement schemes, increasing flexibility in retirement and strengthening incentives to work longer, provided that labour markets are opened up to older workers.
(3) Awareness of the risks associated with different pension schemes should be raised.
(4) Out of the 78 million Europeans living at risk of poverty, 19 million are children. The Commission believes it is appropriate to ensure equal opportunities for all, and successful education outcomes for each child in order to prevent poverty and exclusion being passed on to the next generation. The Commission therefore considers it necessary to strengthen inclusion and anti-discrimination policies, not least in relation to immigrants and their descendants and to ethnic minorities.
(5) Social policies have a major impact on health, and health is a determinant factor of life opportunities. Action is necessary to reduce persistent and considerable inequalities in health. Interventions need to adopt a health-in-all-policies approach, the Commission states, saying social protection can ensure equitable access to healthcare and prevention according to need, including when access is most difficult.
(6) When it comes to long term care, home care or care in a community environment should be given preference over institutional care but, the Commission comments, the provision of such care remains a challenge for many member states.
(7) Common social objectives fixed in 2006 remain valid and it is crucial to continue with their implementation to ensure that the Lisbon strategy is a success.
For further information: http: //ec.europa.eu/employment_social.spsi/joint_reports_en.htm (G.B.)