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Do you know the parable of a group of blind men who are asked to determine what an elephant looks like by feeling different parts of its body? One blind man who feels a leg says the elephant is like a pillar. This is pretty much how I feel about the 2016 European Commission’s proposal for a social pillar – or a pillar of social rights, as mentioned in its 2016 work programme. How many interpretations of it can there be? Depending on who is talking about it, I sense quite different approaches.

Let’s start with the European Commission itself. Its description of the proposed social pillar is far from clear: “the initiative will address gaps in existing legislation and identify common principles and reference benchmarks with a view to greater convergence of employment and social performance over time.” I am not surprised that I received a question from a specialised journalist asking me what on earth this means. Consulting the College of Commissioners’ report of its orientation debate of 6 October on the social pillar does not shed any light on the situation. Worryingly, I’ve heard in the Commission’s corridors that it will only focus on employment issues.

As I can’t get a clear answer from the Commission, it is worth looking around to see how other players in the Brussels sphere understand the social pillar.

For BUSINESSEUROPE, a social pillar should ensure Europe’s competitiveness and take into consideration existing social policies. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) thinks that it should improve working conditions and establish social standards like those that we have been calling for, including adequate minimum income and unemployment benefits.

If you ask me, if the Commission is serious about addressing the EU’s social situation then the pillar must go beyond employment policy and address all elements needed to ensure people’s wellbeing such as social protection and social security, health, education, housing and social services. But do you know what? I am far from revolutionary in calling for this; it is already included in the EU treaty (article 9) of which the Commission is guardian! The treaty states: “in defining and implementing its policies and activities, the Union shall take into account requirements linked to the promotion of a high level of employment, the guarantee of adequate social protection, the fight against social exclusion, and a high level of education, training and protection of human health.”

I guess that article 9 is the elephant in the room. It’s time for the Commission to acknowledge it so that we can combine our efforts to achieve a strong social pillar for people in Europe.

Let’s engage!

Pierre Baussand, Director