In preparation for the EU on Sunday the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, the Commissioner responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, László Andor, the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy and the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland Waldemar Pawlak met European workers’ and employers’ representatives at the bi-annual Tripartite Social Summit. Discussions focused on the current economic and employment situation in Europe and the key policy responses required for a sustained recovery, as well as the important role of the social partners in EU governance.
Mr Barroso said: “The steep rise in joblessness across our Union is the most painful social symptom of this economic crisis. In particular, we hear the message of frustration anger coming from our young people. That is why I want our next country-specific recommendations to address the plight of young people in every one of our member states. We will also continue to press hard for reforms to remove structural obstacles to employment. The roadmap we have presented ahead of the European Council also proposes growth-enhancing measures capable of creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs.”
Speaking to the European social partners, Mr Andor stressed: “Job creation must go hand in hand with recovery. This is my priority. While increasing the pace of structural reforms, improving governance and reinforcing economic policy coordination, we also need to find the right balance between budgetary consolidation and policies that bolster growth and create jobs. As part of this, we need to strengthen the social dialogue at all levels in every country.”
The meeting showed a broad consensus on the importance of close cooperation between EU institutions, governments and social partners at all levels. Participants acknowledged the need to strengthen mutual trust and promote a growth pattern that ensures the long-term economic and social development of the EU. The key role of social dialogue in sustaining recovery and structural change was highlighted, as well as the need to involve the social partners in the national reform programmes implementing the Europe 2020 objectives.
The Tripartite Social Summit meets twice a year, ahead of the spring and autumn European Councils.