Editor's note
International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics
Tuesday, 19.03.2024, 07:34
Social dimension in national policies
The proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in
Gothenburg in November 2017 served as a focal “instrument” in turning the
European debates on “social Europe” into tangible national measures. However,
the EU institutions and the member states remain quite confused and
contradictory about their corresponding roles in progressive social policies.
Among most difficult issues is the necessity of reconciling the
free movement of people and workers (as one of the fundamental components of
EU’s single market) with the internal social cohesion concepts in the EU member
states’ welfare policies, both in the countries of origin and in the host
countries.
Alongside the EU’s efforts towards economic convergence,
there is a need to speed up the social convergence with an adequate solidarity
approach. No doubt, the EU’s structural funds and cohesion instruments play a
vital role in this process; but the role of the states is important as well.
Hence, e.g. in forming a new government after recent
parliament elections in Latvia, the expected coalition has to keep in mind such
priorities as adequate education and training policies, measures to reduce
income inequality (e.g. on some accounts, there are about 20% of Latvian that
are living below the minimum level of subsistence) and initiatives to support
new skills. In short, these priorities can contribute both to Latvian national
social cohesion and to social convergence on the Union’s level.
Experts in Foundation Robert Schuman have identified three
areas in which concrete action by the Union is necessary as a “leitmotif of
European action”: promoting upward convergence in social standards and
performance; guaranteeing fair mobility; and making investment in human
capital.
See more in: https://www.robert-schuman.eu/en/doc/questions-d-europe/qe-487-en.pdf
They correctly underline that the European Social Fund
(originated from 1957), had elaborated recently some successful funds and
schemes: e.g. the Erasmus programme and the European Globalisation Adjustment
Fund (EGF). The need for improving workers’ productivity and adaptability to
the globalisation process and the digital transitions makes the investment in
human capital imperative.
In short, the new Latvian parliament and the government have
to keep in mind the realities of “social Europe” while making efficient steps
towards social cohesion in the country.