Commission prepares next steps towards European Pillar of Social Rights

Today, the European Commission is taking a further step towards establishing a European Pillar of Social Rights with a high level conference in Brussels. Detailed proposals will follow shortly. The European Commission also announced it would co-host an EU Social Summit with Sweden later this year. More than 600 participants from Member State authorities, EU institutions, social partners and civil society, including more than 20 national Ministers and several Members of the College of Commissioners, are discussing the results of the public consultation on this European Pillar of Social Rights. At this occasion, President Jean-Claude Juncker announced today that more detailed proposals will follow shortly. He also informed that the Commission will co-host a “Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth” together with Sweden’s Prime Minister Stefan Löfven in Gothenburg on 17 November 2017. President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Since the start of my mandate, I have made clear that I wanted a more social Europe. We have taken important first steps to achieve that. This year will be crucial. Following the broad public consultation, it is time to establish the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Social Summit in Sweden will help us to deliver the momentum and put social priorities where they belong: at the top of Europe’s agenda.” Prime Minister Stefan Löfven stated: “In these challenging times, we need to show that we can deliver results in peoples’ everyday lives. A more social Europe, with fair working conditions, effective labour markets and a strong social dialogue, should be a priority for all of us. I trust we can take important steps towards this goal at the Social Summit in November.” The Commission has organised a broad public consultation on the Pillar last year, with more than 16.000 contributions. Today’s discussions bring this process to an end and will help the Commission prepare its proposal on the Pillar to be expected in March. The Social Summit in November will be an opportunity for key stakeholders to discuss the policy priorities and initiatives set at European level and to see how the European Union, the Member States and social partners at all levels can deliver on their shared economic and social priorities. It will seek to gather Heads of State or Government, social partners and other key players so they work together to promote fair jobs and growth. Further information is available in the opening speech of Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Marianne Thyssen, the press release and on the website on the European Pillar of Social Rights.