A seminar on the topic “The European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR)” was held from 8 to 11 June 2025 in Leiria, Portugal. It was organised by the LOC/MTC (Liga Operária Católica - Movimento de Trabalhadores Cristãos - Catholic Workers League - Christian Workers Movement) with EZA and funded by the European Union. Representatives of workers' organisations from Portugal, Germany, Spain, France and Italy participated in the seminar.
Américo Monteiro thanked everyone for their assistance in organising the seminar and welcomed the attendees and speakers who were invited to the individual sessions. He presented the topic, the importance of the debate and the seminar programme.
In the first session, “The European Pillar of Social Rights: the present and future of social rights in Europe”, François Martin-Chave, a member of the youth commissions of the CFTC (French Confederation of Christian Workers), talked about the EPSR, explaining what it is and how it aims to respond to the legitimate aspirations of European workers for greater justice and dignity. He emphasised the importance of education, the concept of life-long learning, the work-life balance and a fairer distribution of family responsibilities. He highlighted the aim of greater pay equality, inclusion and solidarity, the involvement of civil society in decision-making, social dialogue, the ecological transition associated with these objectives and that technological progress should serve human progress. The EPSR should be binding, and more opportunities should exist to monitor its implementation.
In the second session on “The applications of the 20 principles and rights of the EPSR and its 3 chapters”, Dr. Carla Murteira, Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Coimbra, described in her analysis the context in which the pillar was created at that time as a proclamation of European social rights, the success of which cannot be assessed to date. A weakening of neo-liberal economic policy can only be achieved with social policy measures, and the pillar is failing to do this. In Europe, the reduction of labour costs has become the key factor in putting the brakes on social policy. We should be concerned at this entire ideology of anti-social economic policy, an economic model that limits the scope for social policy. The idea of social protection, of protection from the markets, is interesting, but the EPSR will not achieve this. She highlighted a “tension between economic policy and social protection”, and an excessive investment in human capital as opposed to the protection of the individual. Collective rights are completely lacking, hence the pessimism.
The third session featured a panel discussion on “How is the European Pillar of Social Rights perceived, how has it been implemented to date, and what impact does it have on industrial and social relations and on the lives of workers”. Wifried Wienen of the KAB (Catholic Workers’ Movement) Germany stated that no initiative can be ascertained regarding the EPSR in Germany and that it is not a talking point. It is only being discussed by a handful of experts. The KAB is concerned about the extent of precarious employment and workers without permanent contracts in the sectors of product distribution, ordering processes, courier services and truck drivers. Some awareness-raising activities were carried out at important times of the year, e.g. Christmas. Maria Del Mar of HOAC (Workers' Brotherhood of Catholic Action) Spain pointed out that almost half of the Spanish population does not earn enough to earn a decent living. Social exclusion is over 25%. There is economic growth, but no reduction in poverty. Unemployment rates may have fallen, but insecurity has increased. Some positive measures have been implemented, but they are insufficient. How can people be poor if they have jobs? A large shadow economy exists comprising people who take on secondary employment in addition to their ‘normal’ jobs to ease financial pressure. António Brandão Guedes from Base/Fut (United Workers' Front), Portugal reflected on the report on occupational health and safety. He stressed that the legislation in Portugal is still only ‘on paper’ and that more attention must be devoted to this issue. The report was prepared by EZA member organisations from Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece, and highlights the increase in fatal accidents, occupational diseases and mental illnesses arising from working conditions. The problem is all the more serious because no adequate social security exists and there is great insecurity and hardship.
The fourth session focused on “What actions can we identify from the practical reality of workers’ lives to improve social and living conditions in Europe? Values and challenges to ensure that no one is left behind.” Rafael Allepuz Capdevila, a graduate of the University of Barcelona and ACO (Catholic Workers’ Action) representative in Spain, began his talk by noting that wages are not linked to people but to jobs, which is why women are more discriminated against and lose out because they work in the lowest-paid sectors. It is necessary to increase progressive taxation and not VAT, which disadvantages the poor. The life situations of people with a migration background are similar to those of women and people over 55 who are no longer considered for employment. There are four factors that reflect the reality of life and its consequences: 1 - Employment opportunities; 2 - The unemployed population; 3 - Structural unemployment; 4 - Long-term unemployment. Some of the challenges to be confronted: Europe is a mosaic of situations, there is no balance between labour and capital, huge inequality exists in the workplace and the highest wages are rising faster than the lower ones. 11.6% of the working population in Spain is in poverty, even though they live on their wages. We must adapt education to needs, curb the informal economy, stop the privatisation of public services, improve social protection, achieve efficient public administration, place people at the centre, contribute to the common good and promote social dialogue and civic participation.
The fifth session was group work organised in three groups, who worked in a coordinated structure and in different languages on the topic of “The European Pillar of Social Rights – your views and those of your member organisations”. Each of the groups addressed one of the following chapters of the EPSR: 1. Equal opportunities; 2. Fair working conditions; 3. Social protection and inclusion. Various aspects were highlighted following the presentation and discussion during the seminar. The reflections were then presented in plenary, the different points of view were clarified, some compromises were identified, and it was decided to continue the work in the various organisations and to circulate the results of the discussions.