New EU employment guidelines: Committee of the Regions insists on “territorial dimension and role of “green economy
The digital, green and social economies show significant potential to create the jobs of tomorrow but they are not sufficiently mentioned in the new employment guidelines drafted by the European Commission. In order to achieve the targets set out in the guidelines the Committee of the Regions (CoR) highlights the need for a better integration of local and regional authorities in the shaping of Europe 2020, the EU long-term strategy for jobs and growth. This is pointed out by an opinion of the CoR adopted during its 112th plenary session and drafted by Mauro D'Attis (IT/EPP), Councillor of Brindisi Municipal Council.
In its new set of Integrated Guidelines - consisting of economic and employment guidelines - the European Commission takes into account the legacy of the economic crisis in areas such as unemployment and social exclusion, and puts them in line with the new approach to economic policy making. The employment guidelines focus on four main points: boosting demand for labour, enhancing labour supply and skills, enhancing the functioning of the labour market and ensuring fairness, combating poverty and promoting equal opportunities.
Mauro D'Attis, Councillor of Brindisi Municipal Council, sees the guidelines as “one of the most important political acts, at a time when the European Union and its member states continue to grapple with an unacceptable high rate of unemployment affecting both younger people and adults. He argued that "Local and regional authorities are at the very end of the decision-making chain and people's first point of contact with the institutions and politics. We are calling on the European Union to set up a framework that enables local and regional authorities to harness the new financial resources under the Juncker Plan and to enable not only large projects but also local initiatives.
Mr D'Attis also emphasised how the role of the green economy in growth and jobs had been scaled back and that there was little mention in the Commission's proposal of the social economy. "In the CoR's view these two sectors can be of great help in boosting growth and creating new jobs. Especially young people, who still suffer from a high unemployment rate of more than 22% should be better prepared for these jobs of the future. Neither is there any mention of the role that self-employment and independent entrepreneurship can play.
Furthermore the CoR calls for actions to improve the digital economy by reducing the digital divide and wants the European Social Fund (ESF) to play a more flexible and targeted role. Measurable outcomes on employment, inclusion and cohesion should help to make the ESF a natural tool for employment and social policies.
Background:
The Treaty of the Functioning of the EU notes that Member States should treat their economic and employment policies as matter of common concern and should coordinate their action within the Council of the EU. In this regard each year the Council has to adopt economic policy and employment guidelines, which together form the Integrated Guidelines. First adopted in 2010 these guidelines, underpinning the Europe 2020 strategy, remained unchanged until now.
Further information:
Video Interview with Mauro D'Attis
CoR Opinion: "Employment Guidelines"