From 23 to 25 November 2017 took place in St. Julians, Malta, a seminar about “The contribution of workers’ organisations to the European Pillar of Social Rights”, organized by UHM (Union Ħaddiema Magħqudin), with the support of EZA and of the European Union.
65 representatives of workers’ organizations from Malta, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Poland, Cyprus, Denmark, Slovenia, Romania, Austria and Lithuania participated in the seminar.
What was the most important aspect of the project?
The most important aspect of the project was the debate around the added value brought by the EU Pillar for Social Rights in the development of the European Union. Particular attention was dedicated to explaining the different principles covered by the EU Pillar and their impact on national systems. The different and high-level profiles of the speakers involved have allowed for a comprehensive discussion and have provided a full picture of the situation, particularly explaining the role and involvement of EU institutions such as the EP and the EESC. At the same time, specific areas covered by the EU Pillar such as Education, Labour Market, Information on Employment Conditions and Welfare have been depicted through the presentations and at the roundtable discussion which took into consideration the interests raised and the positive feedback from all stakeholders. The panellists agreed that further steps are needed to better define workers’ organisations possible contributions in practical terms: this could be through the deepening of social dialogue and policy initiatives conducted at national level that have a potential for replication. Throughout the seminar, it was possible to better understand how workers organisations could contribute to deliver to positive effects of the EU Pillar, particularly how to transform its principles into reality. In addition, several speakers identified specific challenges for workers’ organisations in relation to both the policy scenario and also in relation to the changes of the labour market.
Participants were also involved in a leadership-related activity that was delivered through a role-play session whereby the most important elements of leadership such as communication, vision, problem-solving were actively dealt with. Following the role-play, all participants took part in a debriefing session where the aspects emerged during the role-play were linked with leadership within an organisation.
Finally, the contribution provided by youths was another important aspect of the project. This came both through their active participation to the discussions during the seminar and also through a specific focused session. Thanks to the latter, young workers’ representatives had the chance to discuss and focus on a specific area related to precarious employment and connectivity.
Why was the project important just now?
The project dealt with an issue which is currently high on the EU Agenda. The EU Social Summit took place a few days before the implementation of this project. It was organised by the European Commission and the Swedish Government with over 600 participants from all member States. It is the first time in 20 years that a specific summit was dedicated to the social aspects of EU integration and the Juncker Commission specifically proposed it to keep on building on the EU Pillar for Social Rights.
In the light of the recent EU policy developments, it was very important for unions and workers’ Organisations to learn about the EU Pillar for Social Rights so as to better identify the areas where to contribute. It is expected that following the EU Summit, there will be further debate and consultation at national level and EU level, hence the importance of building the capacity of workers’ organisations and young workers’ representatives to take an active role in the development of this policy area is crucial.
The seminar was therefore an ideal forum for workers’ representatives to better understand their role and possible contribution to the issue and during the discussions, the following key areas were identified:
- Access to information on working conditions. Workers’ Organisations can play a pivotal role within their national or regional contexts and put forward proposals and actions that are in line with this principle. During the seminar an example of an online solution provided free and easy access to contracts for employments was provided.
- Quality of life, working life balance and social services. The participants agreed during the discussions that Workers’ Organisations could lead social dialogue processes to implement free childcare schemes for the working population.
- Wages was another important topic discussed and Workers’ Organisations can further contribute to the debate on minimum wage, by introducing innovative calculation methods for the calculation of the amounts in each country which could take into account the specific aspects of each territory hence moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach.
The following topic fields were discussed
- The position of the Church on the EU Pillar for Social Rights
- The position and contribution of the EESC to the EU pillar for Social Rights
- The European Social Pillar mirroring a new reality
- European Pillar for Social Rights: Focus on Education and Learning
- European Pillar for Social Rights: Focus on Employment Issues
- European Pillar for Social Rights: Focus on Fair Working conditions & Information about Employment Conditions
- Round table: A framework for welfare system reforms during working life and after: how the European Pillar for Social Rights can contribute to further rights and better welfare
- The Development of European Social Policy
- European pillar of social rights – quo vadis? The overwhelming ambition for a social Europe
- Workers’ Organisation Leaders Workshop: Tools for effective leadership
- Precarious employment and quality of life
Dr. Alfred Sant, MEP and Former Prime Minister of Malta delivered a keynote speech which provided a very clear and complete picture of the historical and political development of social policies at EU level. Dr. Sant pointed out specific critical aspects of the EU policies and suggested possible areas of interventions from the workers’ organisations. Mr. Oliver Roepke, member of the workers’ group of the EESC gave important comments on the EU Pillar of Social Rights, highlighting not only the role of the EESC during the formation of the pillar, but also identifying the issues where workers’ organisations could actively contribute. Member of the European Parliament David Casa illustrated the evolution of the EU Pillar for Social Rights from a European Parliament Perspective and illustrated its main innovative aspects.
The link between welfare and EU Pillar for Social Rights was deepened especially during the roundtable discussion where Prof. Philip von Brockdorff, Dr. Therese Comodini Cachia MP, Mr. David Gingell and Mr. Evarist Bartolo (Minister for Education and Employment) debated around possible systems that can contribute to increase the quality of life of workers and pensioners.
Project results
- The participants had an in-depth overview of the EU Pillar for Social Rights
- The participants were exposed to different types of solutions to the problem discussed, both at local or international levels
- The participants appreciated the issue and the different challenges linked to macro economic scenarios at EU level
- The participants understood more of the impact of the different principles of the EU pillar and how their organisations can contribute to their implementation