As Europe commits to green and digital transitions, this will inevitably shift the labor market with simultaneous job creation and loss. Acknowledging this, on the 15th of February, the Ministers responsible for Employment and Social Policy, The European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, alongside Members of Parliament, civil society and social partners – including the Social Platform-, gathered to discuss these transitions impact on the labor market, and the European Union’s supportive role in the process. The agenda of the meeting focused on three topics: investing in skills, supporting and facilitating secure employment transitions, and strengthening social dialogue.
Relevant to these topics, The Ministers accorded the significance of investing in the identification and anticipation of training needs, particularly for young people and reskilling adults. Additionally, the Ministers noted the fundamental need for measures to support and provide security during career transitions, as well as a commitment to encourage social dialogue at all levels. Throughout the meeting current initiatives to address these topics, such as the European Skills Agenda and the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, were identified, parallel to sources of EU finding.
Present at the event, the Social Platform President, Piotr Sadowski, also emphasized that these twin transitions must leave no one behind. To ensure this, European Support must not focus solely on creating jobs, but be accompanied by a strengthening of our social protection systems to create safety nets for all people.
Relatedly, Eurodiaconia has emphasized the importance of continued vocational education as a key response to structural changes in the labor market as side-effects of the digital and green transition. In our policy paper, “Access to quality employment for people in vulnerable situations: Overcoming barriers and discrimination through a rights-based and person-centered approach”, we identify key recommendations to promote access to employment for all people as a pathway for social inclusion and a full participation in society.
To access our policy paper, “Access to quality employment for people in vulnerable situations: Overcoming barriers and discrimination through a rights-based and person-centered approach”, click here.
To read more about the EPSCO Meeting and their resolutions, you can visit their site here.