EU Policy Update March 2018

1. 8a EU Policy Update March 2018 Amana Ferro Senior Policy Officer European Anti-PovertyNetwork www.eapn.eu www.eapn.eu

2. 8a Outline • The Context • EPSR – Latest Developments • EPSR – EAPN Position Paper & Priorities • EAPN Action and Next Steps

3. 8a The Context • ELECTIONS: Italyin March (Five Star 1st party, Berlusconi & Tajani comeback, right coalition?), Hungary in April (is Fidesz’s time up?), Sweden in September (will the Social Democrats hold?), Germany has new Grand Coalition government under Chancellor Angela Merkel • BREXIT: progress on Article 50 negotiations very slow, with difficulties over Northern Ireland status • GREXIT: modest return to growth, balanced accounts, reduced (while still high) unemployment - ECB & IMF still pushing for austerity to ‘secure gains’ • MIGRATION: proposed reform of the asylum system by June 2018: preventing mass arrivals; tackling root causes of migration, resolving internal deadlocks  • DECEMBER COUNCIL:increase resilience against economic shock (European Monetary Fund – legal entity); tackle gender pay gap; improve Erasmus+ and recognition of qualifications; reinforcing Europe’s defence capabilities; adoption of the European Pillar of Social Rights • EUROPEAN COMMISSION WORK PROGRAMME: the only follow up on social issues is the implementation of the EPSR – Scoreboard in the European Semester + Social Fairness Package • THE FUTURE: new European Commission and Parliament (elections May 2019); post Europe 2020 strategy – link to the EU funds, SDGs, Social Pillar? What future for Europe – 2speed Europe?

4. 8a European Pillar on Social Rights – Latest Developments • Inter-institutional Proclamation: – officiallyadopted in Gothenburgon 17 November 2017 by the European Council and the European Parliament; endorsed by the Council on 14-15 December 2017 • GothenburgSummit: EAPN PresidentSérgio Aires attended as part of the Social Platform delegation; feedback webinarorganised for EAPN members • Role of civil society: explicitlyhighlighted by President Juncker in hispress release on the occasion: “most of the tools to deliver on the Pillar are in the hands of Member States, as well as social partners and civil society.“ • Member States still reluctant: Hungary explicitly, others (Poland? Ireland?) more covertly. • Reminder of the main elements of the Pillar: • 20 policy principles in different social policy areas • a Social Scoreboard of 12 indicators, to monitor the implementation of the principles • number of key legislative and non-legislative initiatives to deliver on the principles (on access to social protection, access to information on employment rights, working time, and work-life balance. • Implementation is underway: mainly by mainstreaming the Pillar (Social Scoreboard)through the European Semester, but also separate action on the specific areas above .

5. 8a European Pillar on Social Rights – EAPN Position Paper Reminder of Key Messages: • Clarify interpretation of key social standards related to Active Inclusion: EAPN priority areas • Ensure policy coherence in the European Semester and roadmap for implementation • Make the Social Scoreboard effective • Propose ambitious legislation to guarantee rights to social protection and minimum income • Prioritize good governance and participation for people experiencing poverty Reminder of EAPN priority areas (of the 20 policy domains): Minimum Income: empower beneficiaries and ensure adequate income support for those who can’t work Social Protection: should apply to all workers, and for those who cannot work or access decent jobs Access to Services: right to equal access to quality, affordable services, eg all public services (water, energy, transport, digital inclusion.) Fair Wages: adequate minimum wages set in a positive hierarchy to adequate minimum income Right to quality education, training and lifelong learning: equal right to ensure skills and to participate fully in society - second chance opportunities, income support, discrimination combatted. .

6. 8a EAPN Action and Next Steps: Implementation in the Semester Active engagement with European Institutions and National Governments to lobby for the EPSR principles (particularly the 5 priority ones for EAPN) and Social Scoreboard to be fully integrated in the processes of the European Semester, plus monitoring at EU and national level: • Annual Growth Survey and Joint Employment Report:input letter to President Juncker with Key Messages, quick reaction, and full response to the Package • Country Reports: national input based on Poverty Watch; review in EU ISG meeting (March 2018); written email feedback; EU synthesis report; national & EU advocacy on messages • National Reform Programmes:national input based on Poverty Watch & Country Report; review in EU ISG meeting (June 2018); written response to questionnaire; EU synthesis report; national and EU advocacy on Key Messages • Country-Specific Recommendations: input to assessment table prepared by the staff team, national and EU advocacy • Integrated Guidelines: input to European Parliament report, on an ad-hoc basis • All year: letters to Council, organising EU and national events, engaging with advisory opinions (EESC, SPC, EMCO), lobbying and advocacy at national and EU level; organising events

7. 8a EAPN Action and Next Steps: Social Fairness Package • Due to come out: 13 March 2018 • Expected to contain: • Overarching communication, outlining the European Commission vision for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights • Proposal for a Council Recommendation on extending access to social protection for all workers, regardless of employment status (EAPN responded to the public consultation) • Proposals for follow-up on European Labour Authority and European Social Security Number • Proposal for a Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions (revision of the Written Statement Directive) • EAPN Action • Prepare Briefing for members once the Package is released • Prepare full response assessment with members (on relevant areas) • Disseminate the response and our concerns, lobby for the implementation of the Key Messages

8. 8a EAPN Action and Next Steps: Timeline March – June 2018 National level: deliver at least 5 national events on the Social Pillar (ie Spain on 22 March) engage with / lobby key contacts (Government, SPC, EMCO, ESOs, desk officers, other). • March–June: implementation through the European Semester – Country Reports, NRPs, CSRs • March – Social Fairness Package: briefing, full response, dissemination (as above) • March – Social Scoreboard: set up email cluster group of interested members • 20 March – meeting EC Vice-President for Social Dialogue Valdis Dombrovskis(Brussels) • 22-23 March – Spring Council: send letter with Key Messages from Country Reports • 17 April – DG Employment conference on the Social Pillar and the European Semester (Brussels) • 27 April – Annual Convention Inclusive Growth: prepare Key Messages;actively engage with the plenary, workshops, side-event, and follow-up, including evaluation • May – Position paper on Quality and Inclusive Education: draft /adopt position, dissemination • June - EAPN Policy Conference: likely to focus on the Social Pillar, and specifically access to social protection; organisation of, and participation in, internal debate and public event • 27 June - Bulgarian Presidency high-level Social Pillar event (27 June, Sofia)

9. 8a EAPN Action and Next Steps: Discussion • Q & A on the presentation • What national engagement so far? • Exchange around organizing national events • Amendment / adoption of the 2018 draft Action Plan • Set up Social Scoreboard email cluster • Exchange of views on the EAPN Policy Conference

10. 8a Thank you for your attention! For more information, please contact Sian Jones EAPN Policy Coordinator sian.jones@eapn.eu