Social Agenda Issue 52 - EN

Social investment breakthrough The 2018 European Semester cycle intends to boost investment, including in people Equalityof opportunities is verymuchat theheart of theemployment and social affairs-related country-specific recommendations put forward by the European Commission on 23 May, as part of the 2018 cycle of the European Semester process of EU-level economic and social policy coordination (see box). Equal opportunities in education and training, to start with. In the words of European Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, “the rapid pace of technological progress calls now more than ever for reforms to up-skill and re-skill European workers. Young people are entering an increasingly dynamic and flexible labour market, while older people have to work longer. This means we need to invest in people throughout their careers, so that everyone can choose their own desired career path”. Within this education priority, the quality issue is prominent: “Skills mismatches are still too high across Europe. Too many people face unequal access to quality education, due to their socio-economic status or migrant background. Also, other vulnerable groups face too many obstacles”. Recommendations in this area will be addressed to a majority of EU countries. More specifically, to Bulgaria, Hungary, Slovakia and Romania concerning the integration of disadvantaged groups (children, Roma people…) and to Austria, Belgium and France, to improve the employment prospects of people with a migrant background. Glass ceiling Equality of opportunity is also about equality between women and men. Care services and family benefits are essential for combining family life with career aspirations. Italy, Poland and Slovakia in particular will be called upon to break the “glass ceiling” in this respect and help get more women into work. In the face of income inequality and persisting in-work poverty, the Baltic countries, Croatia and Spain in particular will have to focus more on social inclusion by improving the effectiveness of their social protection systems. By and large, the EU countries have taken steps to reform their Drawing attention: Equality of opportunities is at the heart of the proposed employment and social affairs-related country- specific recommendations. ECONOMIC POLICY COORDINATION © Belga Image 2 4 / SOC I A L AG E NDA / J U LY 2 0 1 8