European Pillar of Social Rights

European Pillar of Social Rights is a set of social rights and principles established by the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council to promote social justice and human rights in the European Union. The European Pillar of Social Rights aims to create a more social Europe, as envisioned by Jean-Claude Juncker, Martin Schulz, and Donald Tusk, and is closely related to the Europe 2020 strategy and the European Social Model. The pillar is based on the principles of solidarity, equality, and fairness, as outlined by Pope Francis, Angela Merkel, and François Hollande, and is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Introduction

The European Pillar of Social Rights is a key initiative of the European Union to promote social cohesion and economic growth, as discussed by Mario Draghi, Christine Lagarde, and Wolfgang Schäuble. The pillar is composed of 20 principles and rights, which are divided into three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion, as outlined by International Labour Organization, European Trade Union Confederation, and European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation. The European Pillar of Social Rights is closely linked to the European Semester and the Country-Specific Recommendations, as explained by Pierre Moscovici, Valdis Dombrovskis, and Jyrki Katainen, and is supported by the European Social Fund and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.

History

The idea of a European Pillar of Social Rights was first proposed by Jean-Claude Juncker in his State of the Union address in 2015, as reported by BBC News, The Guardian, and Le Monde. The proposal was then discussed by the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council, with input from European Trade Union Confederation, BusinessEurope, and European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, as noted by The Financial Times, The Economist, and Die Welt. The European Pillar of Social Rights was officially proclaimed by the European Parliament, European Council, and European Commission in Gothenburg in 2017, as announced by António Costa, Bohuslav Sobotka, and Beata Szydło, and was welcomed by International Labour Organization, United Nations, and Council of Europe.

Principles

The European Pillar of Social Rights is based on the principles of equality, fairness, and solidarity, as outlined by European Convention on Human Rights, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and Treaty on European Union, as interpreted by European Court of Human Rights, Court of Justice of the European Union, and European Ombudsman. The pillar promotes social justice and human rights, as advocated by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and European Disability Forum, and is inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Social Charter. The European Pillar of Social Rights also recognizes the importance of social dialogue and collective bargaining, as emphasized by European Trade Union Confederation, BusinessEurope, and European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation.

Rights and Principles

The European Pillar of Social Rights includes 20 principles and rights, which are divided into three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions, and social protection and inclusion, as outlined by International Labour Organization, European Trade Union Confederation, and European Centre of Enterprises with Public Participation. The pillar promotes the right to fair wages, safe working conditions, and social security, as guaranteed by European Convention on Human Rights, Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and Treaty on European Union. The European Pillar of Social Rights also recognizes the importance of education and training, as emphasized by European University Institute, European Association for International Education, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Implementation and Monitoring

The implementation and monitoring of the European Pillar of Social Rights is a shared responsibility of the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council, as explained by Frans Timmermans, Maroš Šefčovič, and Valdis Dombrovskis. The European Pillar of Social Rights is closely linked to the European Semester and the Country-Specific Recommendations, as discussed by Pierre Moscovici, Jyrki Katainen, and Margaritis Schinas. The European Commission is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the pillar, as reported by European Court of Auditors, European Ombudsman, and European Data Protection Supervisor.

Impact and Reception

The European Pillar of Social Rights has been welcomed by International Labour Organization, United Nations, and Council of Europe, as noted by The New York Times, The Guardian, and Le Monde. The pillar has also been supported by European Trade Union Confederation, BusinessEurope, and European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, as reported by The Financial Times, The Economist, and Die Welt. However, the implementation and monitoring of the pillar remain a challenge, as emphasized by European Court of Auditors, European Ombudsman, and European Data Protection Supervisor, and require the continued commitment of the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council, as well as the support of national governments, social partners, and civil society organizations, such as Caritas Europa, European Anti-Poverty Network, and European Women's Lobby. Category:European Union