AK EUROPA, together with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), SOLIDAR, Social Platform and the European Policy Centre (EPC), points out the central importance of the European Pillar of Social Rights for the future of social Europe. At the beginning of 2024, a study prepared by the EPC was published as part of a joint project to outline the implementation of the Pillar to date and provide recommendations for future EU policy.

The organisations involved in the project are now publishing a series of videos entitled “A Pillar for our Rights – Your Future is Social”, in which Judith Vorbach, AK EUROPA, is also involved. The aim is to call for continued efforts to fill the European Pillar of Social Rights with life through concrete measures in the coming EU legislative period, so that (social) Europe actually reaches the people. The topics are covered in six videos by the collaborating organisations, with an additional joint video. Spoiler: the video from AK EUROPA  will deal with wage and social dumping in the EU. AK EUROPA will present all topics and the corresponding videos on social media (X/Twitter, LinkedIn) in the coming weeks.

In addition, one of the four sections of the recently published AK EUROPA List of Demands is dedicated to social Europe. With its List of Demands, AK is addressing political decision-makers at the beginning of the new EU legislative period.

Development of social minimum standards
The principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights must be enshrined in further EU directives. Unemployment insurance and minimum income systems help to cushion the social impact of difficult economic situations. It is therefore essential to reduce stigmatisation, simplify access and improve the level, duration and coverage of benefits. The exploding costs in the housing sector must also be counteracted: state intervention is needed to promote social housing.

In the area of gender equality, further work is required to implement the Pay Transparency Directive in order to overcome the gender pay gap. A horizontal anti-discrimination directive is also still outstanding. A strong new strategy for gender equality must be developed for the period after 2025, with the cooperation of the member states, social partners and civil society.

A better world of work
Cross-border wage and social dumping is unfortunately an ongoing issue in the single market: it is still difficult to effectively counter unfair competition, to protect employees from poorer working conditions in the case of cross-border postings and to successfully assert labour law claims. A lack of transparency requirements in subcontractor chains favours social fraud. Better cooperation between national authorities and increased powers for the European Labour Authority (ELA) are required, among other. 

The implementation of the Minimum Wage Directive, which must be transposed into national law by 15 November 2024, aims to contribute to greater fairness in the EU labour market. Positive developments in respect of minimum wages have already been observed, but there is still a lot to be done. Despite the urgent need for implementation, only a few member states have amended their national legislation so far.

In order to counteract the worsening labour shortage in the health and care sector, and at the same time to create EU-wide standards for these professional groups and ensure high-quality care, the Commission should develop a directive on health care professions and a directive for live-in carers.

Addressing the labour and skills shortage from an employee perspective
The digital and green transition offers opportunities for workers, but also presents them with major challenges. To ensure that these can be overcome successfully, access to vocational education and training, educational counselling and career guidance must be provided at all stages of life. An EU job guarantee should be created to make the transition fair. A job guarantee at local level can help to achieve environmental goals and sustainable jobs, as well as support social convergence. It would also make it possible to make better use of the skills and experience of older unemployed people in the labour market.

Further information
AK EUROPA: List of Demands
AK EUROPA: The Social Pillar and the future of the EU social agenda
AK EUROPA: A Pillar for our Rights. Your Future is Social
AK EUROPA: Looking back. Social policy achievements of the past EU legislative period
AK EUROPA: The La Hulpe Declaration. Commitment to a social Europe – without Austria
AK EUROPA: Towards strong minimum social standards for social progress in Europe