Commission presents European Pillar of Social Rights and launches reflection on the social dimension of Europe by 2025

Today, the European Commission presents the European Pillar of Social Rights. Building a fairer Europe and strengthening its social dimension is a key priority for this Commission. The Pillar sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The Pillar is designed as a compass for a renewed process of upward convergence towards better working and living conditions in Europe. It is primarily conceived for the euro area but applicable to all EU Member States wishing to be part of it. President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, said: “As Commission President, I have been seeking to put social priorities at the heart of Europe’s work, where they belong. With the European Pillar of Social Rights and the first set of initiatives that accompany it, we are delivering on our promises and we are opening a new chapter. We want to write this chapter together: Member States, EU institutions, the social partners and civil society all have to take on their responsibility. I would like to see the Pillar endorsed at the highest political level before the end of this year.” The Pillar is presented both as a Commission Recommendation, effective as of today, and as a proposal for a joint proclamation by the Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The Commission will now enter into discussions with the European Parliament and all the Member States in the Council to work towards broad political support and high-level endorsement of the Pillar. More information on the European Pillar of Social Rights can be found in the press release and memo online. In addition, the Commission flanks the Pillar with a number of concrete legislative and non-legislative initiatives, such as on the work-life balance of parents and carers, on the information of workers, on access to social protection and on working time. More information can be found in this press release and memo. In parallel, following the launch of the discussion on the future of Europe via the Commission’s White Paper presented on 1 March, today the Commission also zooms in on the social dimension of Europe by 2025. Today’s reflection paper on Europe’s social dimension will mark the start of a reflection process with citizens, social partners, the European institutions and governments, that seeks to identify responses to the challenges our societies and citizens face in the coming years. Today’s paper is also an effort to clarify the contribution of the EU level in addressing these challenges. More information can be found in this press release. During the College readout, Vice-President Dombrovskis will present the reflection paper, and then Commissioners Thyssen and Jourová will present the European Pillar of Social Rights and its accompanying initiatives (live here). First Vice-President Timmermans, Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Thyssen will present the package to the European Parliament later this afternoon (live here)