Social Europe

  • EU Forward Project
  • YouTube
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • Newsletter
  • Membership

A Binding Social Agenda For The European Union

Anna Diamantopoulou 3rd July 2014

Anna Diamantopolou, Binding Social Agenda

Anna Diamantopolou

The recent European Parliament election results revealed a reality that is uncomfortable and challenging both politically and socioeconomically. At the political level, we are witnessing in practice the rise of euroscepticism, nationalism and anti-Europeanism.

At the socio-economic level, inequalities among and within Member States are evident, demonstrable and rising. Considerable institutional deficiencies, high rates of unemployment, slow growth and a gradual weakening of its geopolitical power and significance (compared to other strategic players), are clear, present and undeniable threats.

Despite the aforementioned problems the EU is still representing at a global level the European dream; it embodies peaceful coexistence, democracy, human rights, a social state and relative welfare.

The European Social State is one of the most important achievements of the European Union. All models, the Anglo-Saxon, the central, and the southern European have in their nucleus the basic principle of (at least) a minimum protection of social cohesion.

The economic crisis Europe faced in 2009endangered, weakened (and still threatens) social cohesion in many countries while it brought to the surface the brewing conflict between north and south. The protection and reform of the welfare state is a national responsibility and priority. Undeniably though, within a monetary union there is a direct interdependence of monetary policy as well as economic and social policy.

The European Commission in the near future should be in the position to propose a binding social agenda (BSA). An Agenda that embeds, links and integrates a multitude of policies within a well defined, coherent and comprehensive context and desired targets, in the following areas:

European Labor Conditions: Define the minimum standards for European Labor Conditions taking into account all new forms of labor (e.g. teleworkers, part-time workers) including the following:

    • ‘A guaranteed wage floor’,
    • basic social security services, and
    • equal training opportunities

Demographic policies: Demographic change (ageing populations, low birth rates, changing family structures and migration) is one of the major factors shaping Europe’s future. Hence, it is imperative to review, re-examine and tailor existing EU policies to prepare for the future. Demographic policies should support demographic renewal by offering incentives and creating better conditions for families while improving reconciliation of working and family life through a “family care strategy”, in which childcare has a prominent role. Furthermore, an awareness campaign to explain and communicate the strategy and its benefits to the citizens is an essential step for its acceptance and success.

Re-design of immigration policy: Both the economic crisis and the instability in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East increased both legal and illegal immigration flows to Europe and we keep witnessing human tragedies in the Mediterranean Sea. It is necessary, for ensuring protection of fundamental human rights throughout the European territory, for Europe to review the entire institutional framework of EU immigration and asylum policies by reexamining the Dublin II Agreement. In addition, the adoption of a selective immigration policy of key professionals based on a needs-assessment basis as a European policy is a complementing and worthy consideration. We should also be troubled and concerned by the apparent lack of success of multiculturalism policies as implemented so far in Europe.

European Health Insurance Card: A symbolic and tangible act (very much like the euro) of significance and benefit. Let us envision how Europe would be like if each citizen carried in his/her pocket euro notes and the European Health Insurance Card. This is something that people understand and relate to as they experience it in their daily lives. Almost 200 million Europeans already have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), according to the latest figures available for 2013. This represents more than half of the insured population in the EU. The number of EHIC holders is steadily increasing, with 8 million more citizens carrying it in 2013 compared to the previous year (+4%). Therefore, let’s build on solid ground with an innovative, strong awareness campaign to communicate to European citizens in all corners of the EU the availability and benefits that a cardholder is entitled to.

Improve pension portability: Improve pension portability to facilitate EU worker mobility by setting and implementing minimum requirements for the acquisition and preservation of pension rights for citizens who go to work in another Member State. It is a fair and just policy for people who move from sector to sector or from country to country.

Improve social cohesion: A plethora of voices from Member States PMs to academics to analysts and politicians, strengthen the tidal wave to move from the doctrine in which recovery is primarily seen as a result of fiscal consolidation to a fiscal adjustment program that is not indiscriminately based solely on spending cuts, but incorporates growth-enhancing policies and relevant policies directed towards supporting the unemployed and people on lower incomes. This proposal not only enhances social cohesion but also contributes to the success of the fiscal adjustment program itself. Institutionally the aforementioned proposal could be facilitated if Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs could participate and contribute in the crucial Ecofin decision making meetings.

The sacred cow: Perhaps this is the time to sacrifice the sacred cow of subsidizing training programs and allocate a substantial component of the available funds to a bold and “blanketing” way to creating and strengthening an ecosystem of entrepreneurship by funding start ups and providing necessary training and skill formation.

Towards 2019, and within this 5-year cycle, Europe should be equipped with an agenda and an accompanying roadmap in its quiver to respond effectively to the major global challenges ahead, especially on issues that impact on social equality and solidarity. We should move from well intentioned, non-threatening wishes and generalities to commitment and binding policies for all! Until now we have proceeded with the European social agenda in a kind of soft and neutral way without strong supporters, foes and opponents. Hence progress may have ben hampered. Only binding commitments to agreed policies can reverse this course and guide us towards our common future.

Anna Diamantopoulou

Anna Diamantopoulou is President of DIKTYO Network for Reform in Greece and Europe (www.todiktio.eu), a former EU Commissioner and former Greek Minister.

Harvard University Press Advertisement

Social Europe Ad - Promoting European social policies

We need your help.

Support Social Europe for less than €5 per month and help keep our content freely accessible to everyone. Your support empowers independent publishing and drives the conversations that matter. Thank you very much!

Social Europe Membership

Click here to become a member

Most Recent Articles

u421983ae 3b0caff337bf 0 Europe’s Euro Ambition: A Risky Bid for “Exorbitant Privilege”Peter Bofinger
u4219834676b2eb11 1 Trump’s Attacks on Academia: Is the U.S. University System Itself to Blame?Bo Rothstein
u4219834677aa07d271bc7 2 Shaping the Future of Digital Work: A Bold Proposal for Platform Worker RightsValerio De Stefano
u421983462ef5c965ea38 0 Europe Must Adapt to Its Ageing WorkforceFranz Eiffe and Karel Fric
u42198346789a3f266f5e8 1 Poland’s Polarised Election Signals a Wider Crisis for Liberal DemocracyCatherine De Vries

Most Popular Articles

startupsgovernment e1744799195663 Governments Are Not StartupsMariana Mazzucato
u421986cbef 2549 4e0c b6c4 b5bb01362b52 0 American SuicideJoschka Fischer
u42198346769d6584 1580 41fe 8c7d 3b9398aa5ec5 1 Why Trump Keeps Winning: The Truth No One AdmitsBo Rothstein
u421983467 a350a084 b098 4970 9834 739dc11b73a5 1 America Is About to Become the Next BrexitJ Bradford DeLong
u4219834676ba1b3a2 b4e1 4c79 960b 6770c60533fa 1 The End of the ‘West’ and Europe’s FutureGuillaume Duval
u421983462e c2ec 4dd2 90a4 b9cfb6856465 1 The Transatlantic Alliance Is Dying—What Comes Next for Europe?Frank Hoffer
u421983467 2a24 4c75 9482 03c99ea44770 3 Trump’s Trade War Tears North America Apart – Could Canada and Mexico Turn to Europe?Malcolm Fairbrother
u4219834676e2a479 85e9 435a bf3f 59c90bfe6225 3 Why Good Business Leaders Tune Out the Trump Noise and Stay FocusedStefan Stern
u42198346 4ba7 b898 27a9d72779f7 1 Confronting the Pandemic’s Toxic Political LegacyJan-Werner Müller
u4219834676574c9 df78 4d38 939b 929d7aea0c20 2 The End of Progess? The Dire Consequences of Trump’s ReturnJoseph Stiglitz

ETUI advertisement

HESA Magazine Cover

What kind of impact is artificial intelligence (AI) having, or likely to have, on the way we work and the conditions we work under? Discover the latest issue of HesaMag, the ETUI’s health and safety magazine, which considers this question from many angles.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Eurofound advertisement

Ageing workforce
How are minimum wage levels changing in Europe?

In a new Eurofound Talks podcast episode, host Mary McCaughey speaks with Eurofound expert Carlos Vacas Soriano about recent changes to minimum wages in Europe and their implications.

Listeners can delve into the intricacies of Europe's minimum wage dynamics and the driving factors behind these shifts. The conversation also highlights the broader effects of minimum wage changes on income inequality and gender equality.

Listen to the episode for free. Also make sure to subscribe to Eurofound Talks so you don’t miss an episode!

LISTEN NOW

Foundation for European Progressive Studies Advertisement

Spring Issues

The Spring issue of The Progressive Post is out!


Since President Trump’s inauguration, the US – hitherto the cornerstone of Western security – is destabilising the world order it helped to build. The US security umbrella is apparently closing on Europe, Ukraine finds itself less and less protected, and the traditional defender of free trade is now shutting the door to foreign goods, sending stock markets on a rollercoaster. How will the European Union respond to this dramatic landscape change? .


Among this issue’s highlights, we discuss European defence strategies, assess how the US president's recent announcements will impact international trade and explore the risks  and opportunities that algorithms pose for workers.


READ THE MAGAZINE

Hans Böckler Stiftung Advertisement

WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. The background to this is the implementation of the European Minimum Wage Directive, which has led to a reorientation of minimum wage policy in many countries and is thus boosting the dynamics of minimum wages. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50 % of the average wage. However, for Germany, a structural increase is still necessary to make progress towards an adequate minimum wage.

DOWNLOAD HERE

S&D Group in the European Parliament advertisement

Cohesion Policy

S&D Position Paper on Cohesion Policy post-2027: a resilient future for European territorial equity”,

Cohesion Policy aims to promote harmonious development and reduce economic, social and territorial disparities between the regions of the Union, and the backwardness of the least favoured regions with a particular focus on rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition and regions suffering from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps, such as outermost regions, regions with very low population density, islands, cross-border and mountain regions.

READ THE FULL POSITION PAPER HERE

Social Europe

Our Mission

Team

Article Submission

Advertisements

Membership

Social Europe Archives

Themes Archive

Politics Archive

Economy Archive

Society Archive

Ecology Archive

Miscellaneous

RSS Feed

Legal Disclosure

Privacy Policy

Copyright

Social Europe ISSN 2628-7641