ESIP calls for clarification in follow-up of State of the Union speech

On 13 September 2017, Jean-Claude Juncker gave his very anticipated annual speech on the State of the European Union. ESIP was all ears on this occasion, as the European Commission was setting out the political direction of the EU institutions’ work. 

President Juncker’s speech is welcomed by ESIP as more ambitious than last year’s.

Let us now take a closer look at those elements of importance for the functioning of social security across Europe.

 A momentum for social policy in the European Union is arising with the recent proposals for Work-Life Balance and the Labour Mobility Package, including social security coordination. It is also a time full of challenges where the EU institutions should work to fulfill the aspirations of EU citizens who themselves have expressed their interest for EU action in the social field1.

Within the proposal of the Commission’s President for the future of Europe, ESIP welcomes in principle the establishment of a common Labour Authority as a promising proposal to support Member States in fighting social fraud and ensuring fair working conditions. Further clarification will be necessary regarding whether this authority will be created within the European Platform tackling undeclared work or as a separate agency. In addition, ESIP supports the President’s call to adopt the European Pillar of Social Rights, bearing in mind the necessity to respect the subsidiarity principle. Finally, ESIP welcomes the recognition from the President that national social systems will remain diverse.

 To follow up on this speech, ESIP now awaits for detailed and concrete proposals. ESIP will continue to ensure that these proposals support the sustainability of national social security systems and adequate protection of insured persons. 

 


 1  "Voters believe the EU should be more social. A majority of respondents (61%) think the top priority for the EU should be ensuring social protection, whereas 39% of voters are in favor of ensuring fiscal stability and competitiveness."  in Can Economic and Social Europe Be Reconciled? Citizen Views on Integration and Solidarity, Maurizio Ferrera, Alessandro Pellegata http://www.resceu.eu/events-news/news/can-economic-and-social-europe-be-reconciled-citizens%E2%80%99-view-on-integration-and-solidarity.html

 © European Union 2017 - Source : EP.