Social Platform contributions to the informal EPSCO in Milan on July 17-18, 2014
KEY MESSAGES
Rebalancing economic and social stabilisation in the EU
Contribution to Workshop II: EMU-wide automatic stabilizers: towards a common Unemployment Benefit Scheme? (July 17)
- Stabilisation as part of a long-term approach
A common Unemployment Benefit Scheme (UBS) would offer short-term support during significant economic shocks that leads to social shocks such as high unemployment. However we still need a long-term approach to avoid a social crisis from happening and to support the sustainability of the European Social Model.
- Minimum requirements and common standards for member states
If a concrete proposal for a European UBS would be put forward, it should include minimum requirements and common standards on how member states should translate such a scheme into concrete unemployment benefits, while taking into account the different national contexts.
- Complementing member states’ responsibilities
An E(M)U-wide automatic stabiliser such as a UBS should only support and not replace member states’ own national responsibility to put in place adequate and well-functioning social protection systems.
Maximising the potential of social economy and social enterprises
Contribution to the plenary session: The importance of the social economy (July 18)
- The European institutions and member states should continue the work launched with the Social Business Initiative (SBI) to support the recognition and development of social economy and social enterprises
- Unlock the employment potential of social economy, in particular in the social and health services sector
- Pursue an adequate “ecosystem” for the development of social economy and social enterprises, both at EU and national level