European Pillar of Social Rights: SGI Europe welcomes a stronger focus on implementation and Services of General Interest

SGI Europe welcomes the publication of the European Commission's Communication on the European Pillar of Social Rights, which takes stock of the implementation of the 2021 Action Plan and sets out the priorities for strengthening Europe's social model in the years ahead. Rather than launching a new overarching agenda, the Communication rightly places greater emphasis on implementation, affordability, competitiveness and targeted action to address emerging social and labour market challenges.

As employers and providers of services of general interest, SGI Europe particularly welcomes the Communication's recognition that access to essential services is fundamental to affordability, labour market participation and territorial cohesion. The Communication also reflects the integrated approach that SGI Europe has consistently advocated, with an explicit recognition of the contribution that Services of General Interest can make to housing, care, social inclusion and territorial development. This represents an important step towards translating the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights into concrete outcomes for citizens across Europe.

Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, highlighted:

“We welcome the Commission's focus on implementation. Only by effectively implementing the existing framework will it be possible to genuinely assess, on the tenth anniversary of the European Pillar of Social Rights, whether it remains fit for purpose in light of the profound economic, social and technological changes Europe has experienced over the past decade.”

“We are particularly pleased to see a stronger recognition of the integrated role of Services of General Interest. Affordable and accessible housing, healthcare, long-term care, transport, energy and digital connectivity are not only essential services; they are also the infrastructure that enables labour market participation, strengthens territorial cohesion and supports Europe's long-term competitiveness.”

“We also welcome the reference to the forthcoming Right to Stay Strategy. This confirms that the Freedom to Stay is a genuinely cross-sectoral objective, bringing together Single Market, cohesion, competitiveness and labour market policies. SGI Europe will contribute constructively to the forthcoming initiatives announced by the Commission, including the Quality Jobs Act, the activation initiative, the European Care Deal and the Right to Stay Strategy, through this same integrated perspective.”

SGI Europe stands ready to continue working with the European institutions and the European social partners to ensure that these initiatives reinforce implementation, respect national competences and social partner autonomy, and fully recognise the contribution of services of general interest to Europe's competitiveness, resilience and social cohesion.