Social Europe's Valentine's Day

(B2) They love social Europe and have not hesitated to say so. The event is rare enough to be reported, especially since it brings together countries from "old" and "new" Europe.

Nine Labor Ministers (Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary joined by Luxembourg) spoke out on 14th February in Paris for "A new impetus for social Europe". They reaffirm that "the Europe of 27 cannot be reduced to a free trade area but that it must ensure the essential balance between economic freedom and social rights".

A balance that requires the "effective implementation of the Community social acquis, the principles of equal treatment of workers and the application of national labor law within the framework of the freedom to provide services". The "priority axis of the economic and social policy of the Member States and of the Union" should remain "the fight against unemployment".

In addition to the declaration, which has a mainly symbolic value, the most important feature is appended to a program of measures that the signatories intend to promote. Read carefully. Needless to say, at the Commission, this social call to order does not arouse wild enthusiasm

NB: Portugal and Finland, joined by Sweden, made another shorter, less precise declaration which goes in the same direction.

THE STATEMENT

A New Momentum for Social Europe

"We, Ministers of Labor of Belgium, Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary and Luxembourg We are convinced that, since the signing 50 years ago of the Treaty of Rome, the social dimension has not ceased to be one of the most essential elements of European integration. We welcome the fact that the German Presidency has made this social dimension a core priority in its program and wish to make a positive contribution to it. We affirm the need to strengthen the social model European Union, represented by common principles and values ​​– such as social justice, equality and solidarity – which, beyond their diversity, inspire national social systems and which are reflected in the Treaties. he European Union has been able to achieve considerable results in the direction of social progress on the basis of common objectives and instruments established by the Treaties. It is therefore necessary to link the revival of social Europe to the resumption of the institutional dynamic. To this end, we believe it is essential for the Council, the European Parliament and the Commission to jointly draw up a vision for the future of social Europe, by promoting, with a balanced approach, the reforms and adaptations linked to globalisation, industrial restructuring , technological innovations, demography and migration, in order to strengthen growth, employment and the quality of work while guaranteeing the rights and social protections specific to the European tradition. We consider that the fight against unemployment must remain a priority axis of the economic and social policy of the Member States and of the Union. We recall that, in view of the implementation of the renewed Lisbon Strategy, social policies are also a factor of economic development and competitiveness since they contribute to improving productivity, creating jobs and social cohesion. We reaffirm the need to strengthen economic and social convergence within the Union in order to promote employment, equal opportunities in the labor market, lifelong training, the modernization of social protection . Social Europe will thus offer genuine added value to the world of work and to citizens, in particular those who are made more vulnerable by restructuring and adaptation to globalization. In this approach, the Union will be able to rely on all the tools at its disposal (coordination, legislation, social dialogue, programmes). We stress the decisive role that the social partners, social dialogue and collective bargaining at different levels are called upon to play in this perspective. We believe that the Europe of 27 cannot be reduced to a free trade area but that it must ensure the necessary balance between economic freedom and social rights, so that the internal market can become a regulated area as at the social level.

We call on the European Union to undertake to promote the principles and values ​​of its social model internationally. To contribute to a fairer and more balanced globalisation, it is necessary to generalize the social clauses in the trade agreements of the Union with Third Countries; to encourage, at the multilateral level, consideration of the fundamental principles and rights at work as defined by the ILO; to promote decent work for all.

We propose that the next report on the Social Reality of the European Union lead to a mid-term review of the Social Agenda, with the objective of improving the quality of work and securing career paths in order to concretize the equal opportunity in employment. We hope that this requirement to develop social Europe, a strong element in bringing citizens closer to the European project, can be reflected in the Conclusions of the Presidency at the next European Councils."

APPENDIX - A few ideas for future engagement

1. Employment policies and flexicurity - Combat precarious work and promote the stabilization of employment and the quality of work. - Invest in lifelong training, with the aim of enabling workers to cope with changes in the labor market, also by recognizing an individual right to training. - Ensure, in an evolving labor market, the securing of professional careers through requalification, continuity of rights and income support in transition periods. - Encourage young people's access to the labor market through qualifying training and initiatives for first hiring and business promotion that facilitate their integration into the labor market. - Encourage an increase in the activity rate of “seniors”. - Improve health and safety at work, considering new technologies in risk prevention. - Develop, on the basis of the acquis communautaire, European labor law with a system of minimum social standards applicable in the Union. - Combat illegal work, promoting its emergence. - Guarantee labor mobility in the Union through measures aimed at creating a more integrated labor market in Europe.

2. Social cohesion

- Commit to ensuring that the reforms of the social protection systems target financial sustainability but also the requirement to preserve their social purposes and their universal and united character.
- Provide social protection and a network of services meeting the needs of dependent persons.
- Combat poverty and social exclusion with the definition of minimum resources for citizens of the Union and with specific initiatives for the employment and social integration of disadvantaged people, in particular young people, women, older workers, migrant workers, Roma…
- Eliminate all forms of discrimination in the labor market.
- Develop policies for the professional and social integration of migrant workers and their families as well as other vulnerable groups.

3. Equal opportunity
- Encourage an increase in the employment rate for women.
- Develop policies likely to help reconcile work and family and private life, for both women and men.
- Put an end to the disparities in treatment between men and women in employment, particularly in terms of salary and career development.
- Strengthen fiscal and social support policies for families and children, including through an adequate network of crèches.

4. Better social “governance” of the Union
- Ensure the full and correct application of the Community social acquis.
- Strengthen coordination between social and labor inspection services.
- Establish a Community framework to assess the social impact of all Union policies.
- Promoting collective bargaining, extending social consultation to all levels and supporting European social dialogue.
- Promoting an examination of the various tools for Union intervention in the field of social policy (legislation, open method of coordination, social dialogue) to assess their relevance and effectiveness in the various fields.