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SOCIAL DIALOGUE AND SOCIAL SHIELD FOR PEOPLE-CENTRED POLICIES Social dialogue as a tool of democratic legitimacy for a social, green and feminist Europe Informal meeting of Ministers of Labour and Social Policies of the European Union, 13 and 14 July 2023, Madrid Main Conclusions of the meeting The 13th and 14th of July, the Ministers of Employment and Social Policy of the European Union met informally in Madrid. The theme of the meeting was “Social dialogue and social shield for people-centred policies: social dialogue as a tool of democratic legitimacy for a social, green and feminist Europe” and included three main topics: social dialogue, care policies and social protection. Session 1 The first discussion, on national and European experiences in social dialogue, led by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labour and Social Economy of Spain, Yolanda Díaz, drew the following conclusions. First, the shared commitment to the implementation of the recently adopted Social Dialogue Recommendation. Some of its main points were specifically stressed, such as the need to reinforce social partners and the importance of its capacity building, the convenience of establishing incentives and of reaching an adequate financing of social stakeholders or the establishment of indicators to help monitoring the implementation of the Recommendation. The designation of a national coordinator for each General Directorate of the European Commission was also appreciated. It was also underlined that social dialogue at national and Union level needs to be reinforced, for which new European binding social dialogue agreements would be welcomed (such as the one currently being negotiated on telework and the right to disconnect), as well as the possibility or concluding European collective agreements in transnational corporations that work in Europe. Some topics were highlighted as especially relevant to be addressed through social dialogue, for instance, the digital transition, mental health, vocational training and skills or the green transition. This last area could be addressed through green collective bargaining, in order to support a fair green transition and ecological perspective in all companies. Third, there were several proposals to enhance the role of social partners in the European Union agenda, such as the possibility of creating an alert mechanism to exceptionally involve social agents in the design of key policies at a national or European level, as well as the convenience of fostering the participation of social agents in the legislative process and drafting of the European Commission Work Program, with constant and fluid communication between the European Commission and social partners. The reinforcement of other instruments, such as the Social Dialogue Committee or the Tripartite Social Summit, would also be essential for this aim, as particularly privileged spaces for social dialogue. 1 Session 2 The second debate, led by the Minister of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda of Spain, Ione Belarra, focused on “National experiences and advances in EU care policies: social dialogue and civil society” and showed the following conclusions. The COVID-19 crisis put the health and social protection systems of all member states to the test, and made the European Union take decisive action with expansive economic policies, understanding the key weight of the relationship between the public sector at all levels, stakeholders and our citizens. In that framework, the care system showed shortcomings that need to be addressed so that the European population does not see its rights and well-being limited because of age or dependency situations. With the European Care Strategy as a reference, a commitment has been made to a change of model, centred on the person and developed in the community, which attracts labour talent and improves the conditions of formal and informal care workers, the majority of whom are women. In this perspective, social dialogue is also key for a new approach to care policies. On the one hand, in relation to the principle of subsidiarity and taking into account the key role of local and regional administrations, as pointed out by the European Committee of the Regions, it is important to create spaces for the exchange of good practices and peer review in order to improve service provision. On the other hand, there is also a need for building and strengthening this new model through a permanent and effective dialogue with civil society and experts. This should also look at how to integrate into the care system the needs and expectations of the people who receive care. Finally, we must understand that the care system and the people who provide care and their well- being are inseparable. This sector is an important source of employment that cannot be relocated and is essential for sustaining life. Moreover, if we have a quality care employment, this sector can become a real boost for the EU economy, using social dialogue to improve the working conditions, training and rights of care professionals, as well as the conditions of those informal carers who have traditionally been invisible. In conclusion, the social dialogue that frames the change in the model of care policies crystallises some of the great common challenges for employment and social rights in the near future of the European Union. These challenges will have to be tackled jointly and in close cooperation between all the actors involved. 2 Session 3 The last session led by the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, José Luis Escrivá, addressed the challenges of our social protection systems under the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Ministers and Heads of Delegation discussed the importance of prioritizing investments and reforms that improve the resilience of people in the face of economic and social uncertainties. That is, investments and reforms with high returns over time since there is mounting evidence that well-targeted social investments have a multiplier effect that generates greater well-being, something that was also illustrated by the high-level group on the future of social protection and the welfare state, in a report presented in Spain last April. For instance, tackling poverty and inequality enables us to collectively fight for a better future. On the other hand, investment in human capital is a privileged example of social investment with a high potential that generates returns not only through higher growth, productivity, jobs, and wages, but also by helping to reduce poverty, inequality, and health care spending. Aware of this evidence and taking advantage of the Presidency of the European Council, Spain has been working with the incoming Belgian Presidency on a proposal to preserve social investment in Europe, within the new European governance framework. Both presidencies have coordinated an intense work program for the coming months that will also identify specific social investment projects with high returns, focusing on specific targeted policies and generating evidence of their returns. The next milestone will be the launching of an informal working group where all participants were invited. Spain also announced the conference on minimum income and social investment to be held in Aranjuez on October 16th, where we will also have the opportunity to review the European minimum income schemes, especially in the areas of coverage and take-up of these benefits and the social and labour inclusion of the beneficiaries of these returns. Along with social investment, Ministers also discussed about other aspects of social protection, such as the need to improve the protection of self-employed workers in Europe. The lessons learned after the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary to implement reforms that allow us to close the existing protection gaps and ensure the effectiveness of the principles of formal and effective coverage, adequacy and transparency established in the 2019 Council Recommendation, in the framework of social dialogue. Spain carried out an important reform of the self-employment contribution system last year and, based on this experience, our Presidency will organize a high-level conference on this subject prepare Council conclusions for the EPSCO Council in November. In short, the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union wants to contribute to promoting the political and social agenda of the European Union at a decisive moment for the future of Europe. And during the different sessions, we expressed a clear and common desire to jointly move forward towards a European social model of sustainability, dialogue and inclusion. 3 Saatja: SGRSI <[email protected]> Saadetud: 18.07.2023 19:00 Adressaat: SGRSI <[email protected]> Koopia: <[email protected]>; VELASCO RINCON M.TERESA <[email protected]>; IGLESIAS SANCHEZ-CERVERA, JAIME <[email protected]> Teema: Main Conclusions - Informal EPSCO, Madrid Dear friends and colleagues, Thank you so much for joining us in Madrid last week and for your active participation in the meeting. Please find attached a document with the main conclusions to the three sessions of the Informal EPSCO. Very best and have a great summer, Unit for International Relations Ministry of Labour and Social Economy Paseo de la Castellana, 63 28003 Madrid (Spain) E-mail: ________________________________ Antes de imprimir piensa en tu responsabilidad y compromiso con el MEDIO AMBIENTE! 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