Tripartite Social Summit - confirms role of the social partners in the recovery

Tripartite Social Summit 21 October 2021

(21 October 2021) On the eve of the European Council, the tripartite social summit took place. The trade union side had a clear message: Workers have been at the forefront of the pandemic. We expect higher pay and better working conditions of workers and improvements for our communities. Social dialogue and collective bargaining deliver and Commission and Council should do more towards governments that do not involve the unions. 

The tripartite social summit is a half-yearly event before the European Council meets. It brings together representatives of workers, employers, the European Commission, the Council and the Presidency. Commission President Von der Leyen and Council President Michel stressed the importance of the involvement of the trade unions and employers at the national and European levels in developing the recovery plans. The Slovenian Prime Minister Jansa and labour ministers of Slovenia, France and Czechia joined discussions on achieving a successful, lasting and socially fair recovery and social partners’ role in national recovery and resilience plans, dealing with the twin climate and digital transitions and ensuring sustainable work (including skills, active labour market policies, social security systems).  The trade union side was very critical of the lack of involvement of the trade unions in the recovery plans including in Slovenia. The work of the Social-Economic Council is in disarray due to unilateral decisions of the government regarding labour market policies. ETUC General secretary drew attention to the lack of support for the EU for the waiver of Intellectual property rights on vaccines. Amongst others, he stressed that the EU needs to continue improving investment in health and public services, not only in a situation of emergency but in a structural way, within the recovery strategies of the EU. Other union speakers demanded more action to deal with high energy prices for workers and our families. 

This message was repeated by the EPSU General Secretary. He stressed we can not accept a return to austerity. European people expect more funding for and investment in our public services and social protection systems. Speaking on behalf of the combined European Trade Union Federations he underlined that there should not be debates and decisions about us, about workers, our families and our communities, without us.  He underlined that public funding should be used for quality jobs and for companies that have collective agreements and pay their fair share of taxes. The current Just transition funding is not enough - and the Fit for 55 package, Digital Market, Digital Services and Artificial Intelligence Act do not involve workers and trade unions sufficiently and do not address workers concerns adequately.  This does not do justice to the tremendous challenges before us.

Apart from European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, Commissioners Schmit and Dombrovkis participated. Employers were represented by BusinessEurope, Services of General Interest Europe (former CEEP) and SME United (Small and Medium Sized businesses). The ETUC delegation included representatives of the French, Czech and Slovenian unions. It took place 20 October 2021 online.

For the contribution of the ETUC

For the Press release of the Council

 

  • Tripartite Social Summit 21 October 2021
  • Tripartite Social Summit 21 October 2021