What we want all EU Commissioners to agree on 3 June

On 3 June, all 28 members of the European Commission will engage in an orientation debate on social policy. We expect this debate to bring concrete proposals to finally implement the social “triple A” rating promised by its President Jean-Claude Juncker in front of the European Parliament in July 2014. Here are some suggestions:

Firstly, the Europe 2020 strategy’s target to reduce the number of people experiencing poverty or social exclusion by 20 million must be implemented as a top priority, and should not be dropped from the EU agenda. As stated by Commissioner Marianne Thyssen during our General Assembly on 5 May, “employment, education, social inclusion and the fight against poverty are all integral elements of Europe’s growth strategy. They must stay high up on the political agenda”. We want to see a real commitment made to the Europe 2020 poverty reduction target and concrete proposals on how the EU will support and guide member states’ actions.

Secondly, we expect the debate to move beyond merely discussing the dramatic social situation, with extreme levels of poverty, unemployment and inequalities. We expect ambitious proposals for social standards in the EU including with regards to adequate income (and income protection) and social, care and health services. One proposal we would like to see put in place is an EU framework directive on minimum income ensuring that everybody – whether in employment or not – is able to live in dignity. Another proposal would be to support member states towards establishing adequate minimum wages for all, to tackle the rise of in-work poverty.

Thirdly, investing in people must include social investment. Social investment should be backed up by EU structural funds and financial instruments including the new European Fund for Strategic Investment (EFSI). Social investment should also be a focal point when deepening the Economic and Monetary Union by providing it a strong social dimension, and in the Country-Specific Recommendations put forward by the Commission to member states.

Nine months after his commitment to a social “triple A” rating in front of the European Parliament, we expect President Juncker to honour his word. We call on all Commissioners to ensure that the debate on 3 June leads to specific, far-reaching proposals that go beyond employment policies, to truly deliver on this promise.

Let’s engage,

Pierre Baussand, Director