3 PES Social Action Plan for the implementation of the Pillar

3

PES SOCIAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PILLAR

We are convinced that the following policy recommendations, matched to each of the Pillar’s 20 principles, will make a difference and change working and living conditions in Europe for the better, especially taking into account the fragilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although they do not exhaustively cover our family’s vision for social and employment policies, they draw on materials and position papers produced by the PES and our partner organisations falling within the scope of the Pillar. For ease of reference, we have listed the proposals following the chapters and numbering of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Next to these policy proposals it will also be crucial that the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights becomes a strategic investment priority in the context of the European Recovery Plan, at the same level as the Green Deal and the Digital Transition, in order to ensure social fairness, social cohesion and prosperity for all. The Pillar needs a legal framework as well as resources in order to be implemented. In the current crisis, social welfare systems are experiencing unprecedented pressure and related public expenditure will exponentially increase. In order to fuel the recovery, the EU investment effort through the Recovery Plan must have a strong social dimension, strengthening social welfare systems and investing in social security, healthcare, education, housing, employment, justice and social services for vulnerable groups in order to combat the social impact of the crisis. Without the financial aspect, the implementation of the Pillar will remain incomplete.

Gothenburg, Sweden, 17 November 2017