Political message about the Pillar for Social Rights
Today we commit ourselves to a set of 20 principles and rights. From the right to fair wages to the right to health care; from lifelong learning, a better work-life balance and gender equality to minimum income: with the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU stands up for the rights of its citizens in a fast-changing world.
President Juncker on the proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, 17 November 2017
The European Pillar of Social Rights is about delivering new and more effective rights for citizens. It has 3 main categories:
Equal opportunities and access to the labour market
As called for by President Juncker in his State of the Union Address on 13 September 2017, the European Pillar of Social Rights has been proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission at the Social Summit for Fair Jobs and Growth in Gothenburg on 17 November 2017. This proclamation reflects the unanimous support by all EU institutions for the principles and rights under the Pillar.
Delivering on the principles and rights defined under the European Pillar of Social Rights is a joint responsibility of the European Union institutions, member states, social partners and other stakeholders. The European institutions will help set the framework and give direction on the way forward for implementation of the Pillar through legislation where needed, in full respect of member states' competences and taking into account the diversity of their situations.
The discussion on the social dimension of Europe is part of the broader debate around the Commission’s White Paper on the Future of Europe. In this context, the Commission published a reflection paper on the social dimension of Europe. It zooms in on the upcoming transformations of the European societies and their world of work, while setting out a number of options for our collective response.
Latest
European Pillar of Social Rights - booklet
Booklet with the full text of the European Pillar of Social Rights, as jointly proclaimed by the European Parliament, the Council and the European Commission.
In his first State of the European Union speech in September 2015 President Juncker laid out his vision for a European Pillar of Social Rights. The pillar aims to take into account the changing realities of the world of work and will serve as a compass for the renewed convergence within the euro area. This initiative is primarily conceived for the euro area, but open to all member states wishing to participate.
Since President Juncker announced the European Pillar of Social Rights, there has been a wide debate with EU authorities, member states, social partners, civil society and citizens on the content and role of the Pillar and how to ensure fairness and social justice in Europe.
On 8 March 2016, the Commission presented a first outline of the Pillar of Social Rights and launched a public consultation. The Commission received more than 16,500 online replies and nearly 200 position papers. The consultation culminated in a concluding Conference "Going Forward Together' in January 2017, counting more than 600 participants. The final outline of the European Pillar of Social Rights builds further on the results of the consultation.
