This week the European Commission held a much awaited orientation debate on social policy in the European Union. For some of us we wonder if there really is a social policy in the European Union. There is much talk of Europe needing to have a social triple A rating for its social wellbeing and lots of excitement about the use of the European Social Funds to address poverty and social exclusion. But sometimes we are not really sure what the real policies that are being pursued by the European Commission are – they can seem at times intangible and out of reach. This was the sense this week when the conclusions on the debate on social policy were headlined as referring to the Single Market.
The Single Market may in itself be a positive driver for EU integration. But is that the reason why we need better social policies, so we have a good single market? I hope not. I hope the EU is working for better social policies because these will bring higher living standards for EU citizens, because they will ensure that people live with dignity, that child poverty is reduced, that roma people, migrants and other vulnerable groups are able to access education, health care, housing and employment. That is what Eurodiaconia and its members are working towards every day, both practically and politically.
A ‘hands on’ approach is needed where concrete and deliverable social policies are promoted and proposed by the European Commission. Ensuring adequate minimum income could be a start as could ensuring accessible, available and affordable social services. These should be the foundations of a social policy in the EU. I hope that in the next discussion hel by the College of Commissioners, foundations are firmly held and the building of a more social EU quickly follows.
Have a good weekend,
Heather