17 November 2023
On Tuesday 14 November, SGI Europe addressed the thematic debate organised by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), supported by the group of the Socialists and Democrats and the European Parliament, on the issue of eradicating homelessness and put forward a “Housing First” principle in Europe.
While addressing homelessness remains high on the EU agenda, the ongoing EU-wide housing crisis, intensified by high inflation and the energy crisis, is becoming a crucial topic to be addressed. In that context, SGI Europe supports the EESC’s initiative to keep this issue on the political agenda and find a constructive way to communicate, exchange and discuss solutions. For this reason, SGI Europe supports the work of the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness (EPOCH) and calls for ensuring a sufficient exchange between EU stakeholders and Member States to share best practices to address homelessness structurally.
SGI Europe members, as providers of services of general interest and public services, also suffer from the housing crisis, which – amongst others – creates challenging conditions for workers to live in major cities and work in those essential services. Thierry Asselin, Director of Social Policies at Union Sociale pour l’Habitat (member of the French section of SGI Europe), addressed the event with a focus on the urgent need for a “Housing First” principle, calling for long-term schemes for the housing sector which integrates social inclusion services and long-term investment strategies and must be supported by higher political will and good governance.
Finally, SGI Europe underlined the importance of the principle of subsidiarity regarding housing policies. However, in line with the commitments taken by Member States in the European Pillar of Social Rights (principle 19 on “Housing and assistance for the homeless”), we call for all EU policies to contribute to addressing the ongoing housing crisis effectively.
Contact: Henriette Gleau
On Tuesday 14 November 2023, Valeria Ronzitti, SGI Europe General Secretary, attended the General Assembly of SGI Europe’s French section, which took place in the premises of Transdev in Paris.
This meeting allowed SGI France’s members to take stock of the actions conducted by the national section in 2022 and 2023 and discuss the prospects for the crucial year 2024. This was also the opportunity for Mrs Ronzitti to introduce and exchange the potential priorities for SGI Europe for the next year.
In the margins of this meeting, a working lunch was organised, with the participation of Irene MEP Tolleret (FR, Renew), Sabine Martorell (representative of the French section of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions - CEMR), Stéphane Rodrigues (law professor specialised in SGIs), Guillaume Roty (European Commission, DG GROW), and Antoine Grange (Managing director for EU affairs, Transdev).
SGI Europe General Secretary, Valeria Ronzitti, took this opportunity to present and discuss with the members the 2024-2029 priorities for SGI Europe. Amongst other topics addressed, a prominent focus was put on the recognition of SGI providers as actors of the EU sovereignty and EU strategic autonomy, as well as the relevance of the EU on the global stage and the procurement of EU Public Goods.
Contact: Benoit Cassorla
On Wednesday, the European presented a long-awaited Skills and Talent Mobility package, which should help make the EU more attractive to talent from outside the EU. The measures include a new EU Talent Pool to match employers in the EU with job seekers in third countries, as well as measures to promote the recognition of qualifications and learners' mobility. The objective is to address the persisting skills shortages across the EU through up- and re-skilling of workers, internal labour mobility and attracting and retaining through labour migration cooperation.
The most prominent instrument launched is the EU Talent Pool, which should facilitate the recruitment of job seekers from non-EU countries in EU-wide shortage occupations. Building upon the EU Skills Profile Tool for Third Country Nationals (developed with SGI Europe and the EU economic and social partners through the Labour INT projects), the new EU Talent Pool will make international recruitment easier and faster and help employers access a wider pool of skills and talent. The participation in the EU Talent Pool will be voluntary for Member States and will support the implementation of Talent Partnerships.
On top of the EU Talent Pool, the European Commission also put forward a Commission Recommendation on the recognition of third-country nationals qualifications and a proposal for a Council Recommendation 'Europe on the Move' - learning mobility for everyone. With those, the Commission is recommending measures to simplify and speed up the recognition of skills and qualifications of third-country nationals and further boost mobility in all areas of education and training.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
On Wednesday 15 November, the European Commission presented the Autumn 2023 Economic Forecast, highlighting that economic growth across the EU has lost momentum. A rebound is still expected for 2024 and 2025, with inflation trending downward.
More specifically, the Forecast emphasised that the combination of high cost of living, weak external demand, monetary tightening, and risks and uncertainties were the main factors impeding growth in the EU. While economic activity is expected to recover gradually, the European Commission's Autumn Forecast revises EU GDP growth down compared to its summer projections.
Following a robust expansion throughout most of 2022, real GDP barely grew in the first three quarters of 2023. Now, the Autumn Forecast projects GDP growth in 2023 at 0.6% in both the EU and the euro area. On the brighter side, economic activity is expected to gradually increase as consumption recovers on the back of a steadily robust labour market, sustained wage growth and continued easing of inflation.
The Economic Forecast also emphasised that the phase-out of pandemic-related temporary measures, a reduction in subsidies to private investment and a lower net budgetary impact of energy-related actions is expected to lead to a declining EU general government deficit of 3.2% GDP. The EU debt-to-GDP ratio is projected to decline in 2023 to 83%.
Contact: Maxime Staelens
On 9 November, Eurofund published the “Representativeness of the social partners in European cross-industry social dialogue”. The study provides information for assessing the representativeness of the national and supranational social partners at the cross-industry level in the EU. Their relative representativeness legitimises their right to be consulted, their role and effective participation in the European cross-industry social dialogue, and their capacity to negotiate agreements.
The representativeness is an indicator of the legitimacy and efficiency of European social dialogue; in this regard, the study aims to identify the relevant national and European social partner organisations in the field of industrial relations in selected sectors in the EU Member States.
Concluding a lengthy process conducted with the support of the EU cross-industry social partners and their constituents across Europe, the study concluded that the ETUC, BusinessEurope, SMEunited and SGI Europe are the most representative social partner organisations at the cross-industry level in the EU.
The complete study is available at the following link.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
Join us, stay informed
Subscribe to have all the latest news and developments delivered straight to your inbox.