EU: the Social Rights Pillar, an instrument for increased social convergence

Work by the European Commission on a European Pillar of Social Rights continues. On 27 January the College of Commissioners held the first debate on the concept launched in September 2015 by President Jean-Claude Juncker. Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen indicated that it would be a reference document declaring the principles and key European values for realizing a “Social Triple A rating”.
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In concrete terms the European Social Rights Pillar will serve as a reference against which Member States will be assessed in terms of employment and social inclusion, given the changing realities in the world of work. It will encourage convergence by making the best performing Member States the model to aim for. It will apply to the Euro zone members whilst those outside the zone can participate on a voluntary basis.

“We need to modernize existing EU rules and plug the gaps where necessary as n

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