Reinforcing Social Europe during COVID-19

Starting 18^th of June in Croatia, the current holder of the Council Presidency, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit and the Commission services will participate in a series of webinars in Member States to gather feedback ahead of the Commission's Action Plan on the further implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Action Plan itself will be presented in early 2021.

The Pillar is Europe's main compass to make our societies more resilient. Given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on our economic and social fabric, its principles are more relevant than ever in making sure that people are at the centre of the recovery in the short, medium and long term.

The next stops on Commissioner Schmit's virtual roadshow tour are Budapest on 7 July. Further events will be added on a rolling basis, and stakeholders are also invited to submit their written contributions, ideas and commitments to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights before 30 November 2020 through the website Have your say on reinforcing Social Europe.

European Social Partners Framework Agreement on Digitalisation signed

On 22 June, the European Social Partners Framework Agreement on Digitalisation was signed by BusinessEurope, ETUC, CEEP and SMEunited to support the successful digital transformation of Europe’s economy and to manage its large implications for labour markets, the world of work and society at large.

The agreement supports the successful integration of digital technologies at the workplace, investment in digital skills, skills updating and the continuous employability of the workforce. The agreement enables employers and unions to introduce digital transformation strategies in partnership in a human oriented approach at national, sectoral, company and workplace levels, including on the modalities of connecting and disconnecting and respect of working time rules and appropriate measures to ensure compliance.

See the agreement here.