CEEP Addresses EU Macroeconomic Policies

At the Macroeconomic Dialogue at Political Level organized by the European Council, CEEP General Secretary Valeria Ronzitti presented public services employers’ plan to relaunch the EU economy.

Three main priorities should be tackled:

Negotiated structural reforms

For social partners, being fully involved in the EU economic governance and the European Semester to foster ownership of the reform process remains a priority.
But a lot still needs to be done at national level. If social partners are not an integral part of the definition of the reforms and of their implementation, the exercise could become meaningless. We really welcome the increased involvement of the European social partners in the European Semester, but a lot still needs to be done at national level.” 

A comprehensive approach to investment

There is a persistent reluctance to see investments in social infrastructures – healthcare and education – as a real engine for growth. However, the “political climate” seems to be favourable for a change in the mind-set, with the Netherlands Presidency acknowledging modern and high quality education as indispensable for a strong economy, and the Commission establishing a Social Impact Fund and setting up payment-by-results schemes to scale up the provision of social services.
CEEP is also committed to taking part in the efforts to change the mind-set towards those sectors with a very high investment potential.”

An encompassing competitiveness policy

I will conclude by addressing a clear recommendation to the Netherlands’ Presidency knowing that the Council will start considering the establishment of National Competitiveness Boards during this semester: the definition of competitiveness needs to clearly include high quality public services. Missing this point would undermine our ability to reinforce Europe’s growth potential.”