Despite slow economic growth, the social situation in Europe remains tense. Unemployment rates have been slowly decreasing on average, but they remain at a high level in many Member States. There is a strong divergence across the EU with unemployment rates ranging from 2.4% in the Czech Republic to 20.2% in Greece. In addition, the latest figures of Eurostat show that 109.2 million people, representing 21.7% of the EU population, are at risk of poverty and/or social exclusion.

With the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, EU Member States and EU institutions promised to strengthen Social Europe. Adequate unemployment benefits and minimum income benefits in all Member states are enshrined in the Pillar’s principles 13 and 14.

Commission president-elect Ursula von der Leyen has announced in her “Political guidelines for the next European Commission 2019-2024” to put forward an action plan to fully implement the European Pillar of Social Rights. Trade unions demand the introduction of European minimum standards for unemployment insurance schemes and minimum income schemes. This could help overcome poverty and contribute to upward social convergence in the EU. European minimum standards do not aim at harmonizing the various systems of the Member states, but at building a common ground, that cannot be undermined.

At this event, we will discuss why poverty and unemployment need European answers.

If you have accessibility needs, please contact us and we will do our best to cater for them.

The discussion will take place in German and English with simultaneous translation.

After the discussion, we invite you to a buffet reception.