SGI Europe addresses the impacts of the twin transition at the informal meeting of EU Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs

Today (15 February), SGI Europe took part in the informal meeting of ministers for work, employment and social affairs (EPSCO) organised in Bordeaux by the French presidency of the Council of the European Union. This informal ministerial meeting brought together the 27 ministers responsible for labour, employment and social policy around central themes of the French Presidency, in particular the impact of climate change and digitalisation on the labour market.

During the meeting, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, said:

"Green and digital transitions must be tackled together, and not as two distinct phenomena. The twin transition provides a golden opportunity to rethink our use of digital technology as a driver for innovation and design new services reducing the carbon footprint."

"The transition will have to be "just". It is of prime importance to accompany enterprises, workers and local communities in managing the green transition. Climate policies cannot be deployed in a context of growing inequality: the implementation of the EU climate action will have to integrate this dimension at its core to foster its acceptability for all EU citizens."

"In this context, we need a strong focus on creating new sustainable jobs, adapting the workforce's skillsets, and expanding access to essential services for fair transitions. SGI Europe calls in that regard for proper implementation of the proposed Council Recommendation on the social and labour aspects of the just transition towards climate neutrality."

"We are at a crucial moment for Member States to seize the opportunities of the recovery and resilience plans to build a new model of economic growth that is both digital and sustainable. SGI Europe also supports the proposal for a social imbalance procedure, as it could complement the EU economic governance and better reflect the social objectives of the recovery.

Finally, this new economic growth model must be supported by strong social partners. They are the best placed to ensure relevance and ownership of reforms and investments."

(photo: © Ministères Sociaux / DICOM / Tristan Reynaud / SIPA)