Birth of a new EU agency

© Belga Image Here, the newly-created European Labour Authority can play an important role, ensuring cooperation between national authorities, namely carrying out join inspections”. In the skills area, he said he will “explore the idea of individual learning accounts for people of working age”, adding that “it is crucial to ensure trust in the digital future. There, we need to address the labour conditions of platform workers and (…) new forms of precariousness”. “We need to be ready for future [economic] downturns and ensure that the EU is prepared to react in a socially responsible manner to future shocks (…) A future European unemployment benefit re- insurance scheme requires careful design to ensure rapid responses to shocks while preserving adequate unemployment protection”. Sustainability “Social and environmental sustainability are two faces of the same coin. Decent work, quality education, reduced poverty and inequality need to be at the centre of a European Semester that is refocused on the [UN] Sustainable Development Goals”. “Our international actions need to support a decent work agenda for all. I will work with my colleagues to ensure that international labour standards are put at the core of our trade agreements and in our multilateral work”. “Investment in people needs to be recognised as investment in a better future. The ESF+ is the EU’s prime instrument. It is a tool to support the implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights by providing resources”. “The transition towards a carbon neutral economy will not be social by default. We have to ensure nobody, no region, no country An employment and social affairs specialist From 2009 to 2018, Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner-elect for Jobs and Social Rights, was the Luxembourgish Labour and Employment Minister. Moreover, from 2013 to 2018, his portfolio included Social and Solidarity Economy. And from 2009 to 2013, it included immigration, a portfolio he kept after having been Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Immigration from 2004 to 2009. Nicolas Schmit was involved in the negotiations leading to three EU treaties: he was an alternate member of the European convention for a European Constitution from 2001 to 2003; personal representative of the Luxembourg Primeminister to the intergovernmental conference leading to the Nice Treaty in 2000; and the person in charge of the intergovernmental conference leading to the Maastricht Treaty at the Permanent Representation of Luxembourg from 1990 to 1991. He was also Permanent representative (Ambassador) of Luxembourg to the EU from 1998 to 2004. After having studied politics, French literature and international economics, Nicolas Schmit worked as an official in various economic and foreign affairs departments. Precariousness: addressing the labour conditions of platform workers and new forms of precariousness, and ensuring trust in the digital future. 8 / SOC I A L AG E NDA / NOV E MB E R 2 0 1 9