What changed between the plenary report and the adopted text

Removed:EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Removed:The European labour market is undergoing major changes. These changes create challenges and new opportunities that affect all Member States and all Europeans.

Removed:Social market economy is based on social justice and social fairness. We should help our society to face the changes in an effective manner to become more resilient in order to reach to the highest standards of quality of life and promote well-being. As we go through the green and digital transitions, as well as an ageing population, we understand that the European economy, the employment relations and the social affairs will have to adapt accordingly and very rapidly.

Removed:Today, a record high of 241,5 million are employed in the EU. However, the international financial crisis and currently the pandemic crisis make it often difficult for working people to address their everyday needs. A fair minimum wage for workers employed in the EU can allow for a decent living. Some of the main challenges that we try to address and highlight in the report are: the request for decent living for workers and a fair minimum wage, tackle the continuous rise of youth unemployment, help low skilled workers to benefit from lifelong learning, securing the principle of equal pay for equal work and the bridge of gender gaps, affordable housing, social inclusion of persons with disabilities and access to labour market, the upgrade of the healthcare infrastructure and the affordable access to it, the fight against diseases and most importantly the fight against cancer as described in the agenda of the European Commission. These challenges were aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis that makes this strategic report to call for action imperative.

Removed:Just transitions means switch to a greener and digital economy that affects horizontally and in-depth regions, cities and local population, but also different sectors and workers.

Removed:To ensure just transitions, it is of utmost important that social aspects apply in the upcoming decision-making. Only if we invest in human capital and ensure sufficient protection for every worker we can make sure that no one is left behind. The achievement of just transitions is directly linked to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its 20 key principles.

Removed:The aim of this report is to emphasize the most important challenges the European labour market, regions, sectors and workers are going to phase in the next ten years and describe the key initiatives to be taken in this respect. Therefore, the rapporteurs call for a core social agenda to be adopted during the Social Summit in Porto next year (Porto agenda).

Removed:The report is divided into three parts: Governance framework for Social Progress; Financial means for Strong social and sustainable Europe; Porto Agenda: targets and proposal.

Removed:While the first part focuses on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the adoption of a Sustainable Development and Social Progress Pact, the second part points out the financial instruments to achieve a just transition, like the European Social Fund, the Youth Guarantee, the Child Guarantee, the SURE instrument and the Just Transition Fund.

Removed:In the third part, the rapporteurs call for the aforementioned Porto Agenda that emphasizes different mandatory targets and proposals on:

Removed:1. DECENT WORK AND SUSTAINABLE AND INCLUSIVE LABOUR MARKETS

Removed:2. SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

Removed:3. ROBUST SOCIAL WELFARE SYSTEMS

Removed:4. FAIR MOBILITY

Removed:Each of these sections presents a number of targets to be achieved by 2030. While every worker should earn a decent living wage, the rapporteurs call for a broad coverage ratio of collective bargaining. Collective bargaining is at the heart of a functioning of social market economies and one of the best ways to promote decent wages in the EU. Collective bargaining cannot only regulate wage levels but also working conditions and can have a strong correlation between workers ‘participation at the workplace and companies’ performance and revenues.

Removed:At the same time, youth unemployment should be cut at least in half, an ambitious target not to be neglected.

Removed:Another aspect is gender equality. The gender pay gap should be eliminated and female representation in senior management positions of listed companies shall be promoted.

Removed:In addition, the report calls for affordable housing for every person and a social protection floor.

Removed:We think that a reference to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on health workers and especially the carers and a holistic strategy dedicated to them but also the improvement of health infrastructure in the EU and the access to it can make the EU territory more responsive to the needs of workers.

Removed:Finally, we believe that cross-border and seasonal workers ‘rights must be promoted. The report highlights the importance of the European Labour Authority (ELA) in this regard and calls for the upgrade of its competencies in terms of quick coordination with national authorities, inspections and broader responsibilities.

Removed:28.10.2020