Social ministers remind Europe about how the reduction of poverty is an “essential EU commitment”

On March 10, the Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs met at the EPSCO Council to discuss the 2014 European Semester and to exchange views on the progress regarding the Europe 2020 strategy. Social Platform welcomes the EPSCO Council’s request to member states to review and strengthen their efforts to reduce poverty, as it is an “essential EU commitment”. It is in line with our call on the EU to urgently prioritise and act on the social targets of Europe 2020.

On the social situation in the EU, it was also pointed out how policies need to improve the social situation across the Union and that this has to become a widely shared priority. It is therefore positive to see how the social ministers are pointing out how the impact of structural reforms need to be assessed in order to take into account social and employment concerns.

Concerning the Stocktacking of the Europe 2020 Strategy – related to the Mid-term Review foreseen for 2015 – the importance of having the employment and poverty reduction targets was stressed. It is however clear for the EPSCO that more has to be done to ensure coordination among financial, economic and social priorities under the Strategy.

In their conclusions on the 2014 European Semester, the ministers recalled how social protection has an important protective, preventive and stabilising role to plan in helping to increase the chances for moving closer to the Europe 2020 poverty target . They also reiterated how the involvement of social partners and other stakeholders is crucial for the implementation of reforms pursued in the context of the European Semester.

Looking ahead at the European Council meeting of this week, we are urging the EU and its member states to use the outcome of the discussions and conclusions of this EPSCO Council as a basis for renewed action on the Europe 2020 social objectives and for bringing back a reinforced inclusive pillar to the strategy.

Prior to the EPSCO Council meeting, Social Platform sent a letter to the ministers for employment and social affairs, calling for the prioritisation of well-designed policies to confront social challenges.

Quality framework for traineeships

The EPSCO Council also adopted a recommendation on a quality framework for traineeships. The recommendation was however condemned by different youth organisations, including the European Youth Forum.

2014-03-14

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