The EPSCO Council, which consists of employment, social, health and consumer policy ministers in the EU Member States, met in Brussels on 9 March and approved a number of conclusions on the European Semester 2015, the modernisation of social protection systems, and how to make labour markets more inclusive. On behalf of the current Latvian Presidency of the EU, the meeting was chaired by Mr Uldis Augulis, Latvia's minister for Welfare.

The European Semester 2015
The EPSCO council members welcomed the 2015 Annual Growth Survey (AGS), based on three pillars: a coordinated boost to investment, a renewed commitment to structural reforms, and fiscal responsibility. Their conclusions on the annual growth survey and the joint employment report (JER) call for more dynamic labour markets; for example, in tackling unemployment or supporting the creation of quality jobs. The JER features the second Scoreboard of employment and social indicators, a key element to strengthening the social dimension of Europe 2020 and the European Semester.

The conclusions reasserted the need for better governance within the European Semester. In particular, the EPSCO Council recommended member states “to better involve national parliaments, social partners and civil society”. As previously highlighted by the European Social Network (ESN), this perpetuates the bad habit of failing to recognise the importance of regional and local social services, notably in decentralised countries. The EPSCO Council also welcomed this year’s earlier publication of the country reports, which inform the European Commission’s Country Specific Recommendations in May.

Financing and modernising social protection systems
The Council examined the Social Protection Committee (SPC)’s report on ‘Social Protection Systems in the EU: Financing Arrangements and the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Resource Allocation’. Key messages from the report emphasise the major role played by adequate and sustainable social protection systems, including new skills and competences, benefits and care services, prevention and activation, in the economic recovery. The report proposes a framework to assess and compare social protection systems to build a broader evidence base and adopt an integrated approach to social monitoring. The EPSCO’s conclusions on the modernisation of social protection systems highlight the need for comprehensive social inclusion strategies. ESN welcomes the acknowledgement but regrets that no mention was made of the role of local public authorities and public social services in ensuring successful implementation.

Inclusive labour markets
According to the EPSCO Council’s conclusions in this area, inclusion into the labour market is again defined as the best way out of poverty and towards a better quality of life, provided there is adequate social protection. Only through a combined and integrated approach with regards to employment and social aspects, will governments be able to reach the EU 2020 targets. Taking account of the ageing population, the ESPCO Council stresses the importance of measures related to prevention, rehabilitation, accessibility and independent living.

ESN’s contribution
In light of the increasing need for a coordinated approach between economic and social policy at EU level, the European Social Network (ESN) launched a reference group on the European Semester in 2014. Over the years, we will assess the CSRs and NRPs and present recommendations to address the issues faced by public social services.

Documents: 

• ESN report on connecting Europe to local communities.