4 March 2022
In light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in support of the conclusions of the special meeting of the European Council of 24 February 2022, the European cross-industry social partners (SGI Europe, ETUC, BusinessEurope, SMEunited) issued a joint statement. Read more.
The European Movement International, a network of organisations advocating for European integration, launched this week a petition for peace, freedom and democracy, condemning the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. You can sign up and join the call on the following page.
On Wednesday 2 March, the European Commission published a communication on the European Growth Model aiming to provide input ahead of the discussions on the subject, which will take place at the informal European Council meeting of heads of state or government on 10-11 March in Versailles. On the same day, the Commission also adopted a communication providing Member States with guidance on the conduct of fiscal policy in 2023. SGI Europe issued the following press release on the day of publication, commenting on the proposals put forward.
By acknowledging that the European economy is undergoing unprecedented transformations and facing major uncertainties in a deteriorated and highly uncertain geopolitical context, the communications recall the shared objectives about the twin green and digital transition whilst strengthening resilience. The Commission highlights the link between investments and reforms by recognising them as the two essential pillars to create the proper social and economic context with incentives for households and businesses to accelerate the green and digital transition fully.
On the subject of fiscal policy, the Commission indicates the ongoing review of the EU economic governance framework as an opportunity to find the right balance between investments, reforms and sound public finances. It sets out five key principles whilst reflecting on the implications for the fiscal recommendations that the Commission will issue in May 2022, given the 2023 budgetary plans.
According to the communication, stability and convergence programmes should indicate how Member States' medium-term fiscal plans ensure a gradual downward path of public debt to prudent levels and sustainable growth through gradual consolidation, investment and reforms.
Contact: Antonio Astolfi
On 23 February, SGI Europe responded to the public consultation on the Directive on Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) of the European Commission. You can find our complete response here.
The Commission's proposal aims to facilitate the planning and buying of tickets for journeys that combine different transport modes and integrate public transport and rail services better to achieve seamless multimodal passenger transport and deliver the EU Green Deal.
For SGI Europe, Multimodal digital mobility services and the combination of public transport with new and sustainable mobility services are essential to reach a higher modal split and the objectives of the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 Package.
SGI Europe's response highlighted the need for the proposal to promote a level playing field in which all service providers have to provide the same level of information on other transport providers. A non-discriminatory manner must be safeguarded, and the principle of reciprocity applies to private and public providers.
The adoption of the proposal by the European Commission is foreseen for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Contact: Ariel Carpanini
On 28 February 2022, the Platform on Sustainable Finance published its final report on the social taxonomy, which the European Commission will now analyse in view of deciding if the Taxonomy Regulation will be extended to social objectives.
In line with the Platform on Sustainable Finance mandate, the purpose of the report is to propose a structure for a social taxonomy. In line with fundamental EU documents such as the European Pillar of Social Rights, the suggested structure of the social taxonomy consists of three objectives: decent work (including value chain workers), adequate living standards and well-being for end-users, and inclusive and sustainable communities and societies. Each objective also contains sub-objectives.
SGI Europe believes that, throughout the post-pandemic recovery, the social taxonomy should represent an opportunity for Europe to increase the investments in sustainable economic activities, including essential services and social infrastructure.
At the same time, SGI Europe considers that there is an unbalanced assessment of the impact of the Taxonomy on the services of general interest and public services providers, especially at the local level, compared to the big enterprises from the private sector. Technical assistance and capacity building at the EU level are of significant importance. It should be accessible for all providers of SGI, including those operating at the very local level, which often are small or medium-sized operators.
In this regard, on 23 February 2022, SGI Europe organised the 8th awarding ceremony of its CSR Label, hosted in Paris with the support of EDF. Ahead of the awarding ceremony, SGI Europe organised a special event dedicated to the EU Taxonomy, a first step towards creating the new learning framework for SGI providers.
Contact: Stefan Enica
On 28 February, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs of the European Parliament, in association with the ENVI Committee, organised a hearing on the social and employment aspects of the Green Deal and the 'Fit for 55' package. Speakers addressed the social and labour market impacts of the low carbon transition, challenges related to the adoption of the Social Climate Fund, and the lack of capacity of certain Member States to implement the Green Deal.
In their interventions, speakers stressed the need to support the most vulnerable groups in society and the importance of strategic energy autonomy. They raised the fact that the transition can create new injustices and vulnerabilities and aggravate existing inequalities. Several speakers during the hearing presented the disparities in access to innovations such as automated mobility or electric vehicles on the grounds of age, income levels, education or occupation. Members of the European Parliament also pointed out the implications for rural areas and carbon-intensive regions not just from an economic point of view but equally regarding place identity and community well-being. SGI Europe fully endorses the ambition of the European Commission to make the European Green Deal the "new growth strategy" and welcomes the increasingly closer connection made, by the European institutions, between the climate and the social dimension of European Policies.
In its position paper on social and labour aspects of the just transition towards climate neutrality, SGI Europe argued that reconciling both dimensions calls for involving social partners in creating just transition strategies dealing with socio-economic challenges, optimising employment and competitiveness opportunities for workers and enterprises, and contributing to inclusive and fair transitions. It is equally crucial to increase awareness and understanding of the employment opportunities and challenges of the green transition, facilitate knowledge and experience exchange across institutions and sectors, and promote the principles and values of sustainability across sectors at all levels.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
On Monday 28 February 2022, SGI Europe attended the webinar "How to adapt the European framework for public procurement to make it an accelerator of the ecological and social transition in the territories?", organised by France Urbaine and Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur and focused on the link between sustainable development and public procurement.
The event consisted of two panels, where representatives of local authorities, EU institutions and different European networks exchanged views on the importance of sustainable public procurement.
In the opening speech, Magali Altounian, Deputy Mayor of Nice, emphasised the possible adaptation of public procurement to make it fit for purpose. In tackling social challenges, local and regional authorities play an important role, which the French presidency is placing at the heart of the Future of Europe. After the pandemic, public procurement should serve as a lever to reach a green transition. This should be made by encouraging social and environmental clauses.
Yves Le Breton, Chief executive of the National Agency for Territorial Cohesion of France, pointed out the economic question of public procurement, which is a tool for the development of social economy and interesting also in the context of RRF. As relocalisation, industrialisation, digital transformation are the core of the RRFs, support for different measures has to come within the debates with the small communities that often lack sufficient support. In the ensuing discussion, SGI Europe has consequently argued about the importance of better including social partners and the local levels in the dialogues about the RRFs.
Contact: Manca Pocivavsek
Join us, stay informed
Subscribe to have all the latest news and developments delivered straight to your inbox.