Pillar of Social Rights: Council gives green light for proclamation by the institutions

Today in Luxembourg, EU Employment and Social Policy ministers agreed unanimously on the text of the Proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and gave the authorisation to sign it on behalf of the member states at the Gothenburg Summit.   

The President of the Council, Jevgeni Ossinovski, Minister for Health and Labour of Estonia, said: “The ministers were unanimous in their support for the Social Pillar. We all recognise that in the face of globalisation, digitalisation and the changing nature of work, our social systems need to change but remain robust. The proclamation summarises what Europe believes in and what makes it unique: a continent of equality, fairness and support for the vulnerable.”   

The Pillar is a political commitment and provides guidance to the member states and the EU institutions; it aims at strengthening the social acquis and delivering more effective rights to citizens. It focuses on employment and social aspects and at making the European social model fit for the challenges of the 21st century. The objective of the Pillar is to contribute to social progress by supporting fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. 

It sets out 20 principles and rights, divided into three categories:

• equal opportunities and access to the labour market
• dynamic labour markets and fair working conditions
• public support /social protection and inclusion. 

The proclamation covers for instance policy domains such as housing, education, social and health care and employment. 

Next steps

The European Pillar of Social Rights will be proclaimed jointly by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. Since there is consensus between the three Institutions on the joint text, the proclamation will be signed by the three institutions during the Summit for fair jobs and growth in Gothenburg on 17 November.

• Interinstitutional proclamation on the European Pillar of social rights
• The European Pillar of Social Rights in 20 principles

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