The international seminar about “The European Pillar of Social Rights – what progress has been made?”, organized by the National Foundation „CORESI” and NTUC Cartel ALFA in partnership with EZA and funded by the European Union, took place between 20th and 23rd of May in Predeal, Romania. The seminar was in a face-to-face format, with 47 participants.
The event brought together trade union representatives, leaders and experts from Romania, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Moldova and Ukraine. The participants shared their knowledge and experiences related to topics of the seminar, addressing the importance of the European Pillar of Social Rights and how the Member States can use it to guide social policy.
The agenda was followed according to the scheduled program and based on the participants’ feedback and questionnaires; the organization of the event was very satisfactory. At the same time, presentations incited interest and a lot of debate, showing it was found meaningful and relevant for the activity of participants and their organizational projects. During the last day of the seminar, the participants had the opportunity to visit the County Council in Brașov where they met with the president of the County Council and other experts, learning about the impact of the European funded projects coordinated by the institution.
The broad topics discussed during the seminar were:
The European Pillar of Social Rights and the implementation progress
The European Commission's 2023 report indicates advancements in areas like gender equality, youth employment, and social protection, although challenges remain.
The progress has been mixed. Efforts have been made to improve labor market inclusivity and social welfare programs, yet issues such as wage disparities, precarious employment, and regional inequalities persist. The Romanian government has been working on reforms, particularly in social services and labor market policies, but the pace of change has been slow.
Despite these challenges, there is a sense of cautious optimism. EU funding and policy support continue to drive positive changes, and increased public awareness and engagement with social rights issues suggest a growing commitment to achieving the Pillar's objectives. The ongoing monitoring and collaboration at both EU and national levels are crucial for sustaining this momentum.
Adequate fiscal policy to promote the well-being of the people
Fiscal policy plays a crucial role in promoting the wellbeing of the people by ensuring economic stability, equitable growth, and adequate social protection. Recent trends in fiscal policy across the EU show a commitment to balancing fiscal discipline with social investments, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments have increasingly focused on sustainable growth, green investments, and social welfare enhancements.
Fiscal policy has seen progress, albeit with challenges. The governments has implemented measures to support economic recovery and social welfare, such as increasing minimum wages and social benefits. However, issues like budget deficits and tax collection inefficiencies remain significant hurdles.
There is a cautious optimism regarding fiscal policy trajectory. Continued EU support, along with national reforms aimed at improving fiscal governance and investing in human capital, signal potential for positive change. The focus on aligning fiscal policy with the broader goals of social wellbeing and sustainable development offers hope for long-term improvements.
The role of social partners in promoting the European Pillar of Social Rights
Social partners, including trade unions, employer organizations, and civil society groups, play a vital role in promoting the European Pillar of Social Rights. They are instrumental in advocating for fair labor practices, inclusive social policies, and effective implementation of social rights at national and EU levels. By engaging in social dialogue, these partners help shape policy decisions, ensure diverse stakeholder perspectives are considered, and drive initiatives that enhance social and economic wellbeing across Europe. Their collaboration is crucial for achieving the Pillar's goals of equality, fair working conditions, and social protection.
The policy has been moving slowly despite significant ambitions. The country has set some of the most ambitious targets in the EU for reducing the risk of poverty or social exclusion, aiming to lift 2.5 million people out of these conditions. However, the pace of implementing necessary reforms and achieving these targets has been sluggish, highlighting the need for intensified efforts and sustained commitment from all social partners.
Moldova’s labor changes and the EU integration
The Republic of Moldova has recently implemented several labor changes as part of its efforts towards European integration. However, these reforms have been unsatisfactory to union demands. Labor unions have raised concerns that the new policies undermine workers' rights, particularly in areas such as paid parental leave and maternal leave, which were previously strong points in Moldovan labor law. While aligning with European standards is crucial for integration, unions argue that it should not come at the expense of existing social protections that support workers and their families. Maintaining these benefits is essential for ensuring a balanced and fair labor market as Moldova progresses towards EU membership.
Ukraine’s challenging path to European integration
The war has significantly changed the situation in all spheres of public life in Ukraine, including labor relations. Under martial law, restrictions on constitutional rights and freedoms of workers and citizens have been introduced, which trade unions reluctantly accepted as only a temporary measure.
Despite the war and enormous difficulties in Ukraine, there’s a visible will of the public opinion and the authorities to make steps toward European integration. Despite external and internal difficulties, the country is continuing the implementation of European labor law into the national legislation of Ukraine, as provided in the Association agreement concluded in 2014.
Conclusions
During the seminar our invited speakers presented their materials and offered the participants the chance to comment upon them, to ask questions and to reflect on the data reported. The round-up for the conclusions of the three days of exchanges of ideas and best practices lead to a few points and directions for action that the participants agreed upon:
-Better engage trade unions in promoting the goals of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
-Watch closely the European Scoreboard that the Commission has put at the disposal of all interested parties to grasp any progress made.
-The EU integration, as it is the case for Moldova and Ukraine, should rely on a strong social policy and commitment to the European Pillar.
-The main tasks of the unions in the digital transformation are:
-Promote a strong fiscal policy at the national, regional and local level with the focus on uplifting the workers from precarious positions (reducing the risk of poverty and social exclusion).
-Promote the ratification of ILO conventions and watch closely their transposition in their local legislation.
-Promote the principles of the EU with a strong focus on social rights.