A stronger economy, social justice and jobs

Event report

Portuguese version below. In the run-up to the Social Summit in Porto the objective of this online citizens dialogue was to discuss the future of Social Europe with around 100 young people mainly from Portugal. The main topics of the debate were getting a job, fair treatment at the workplace and protecting the best possible in society. Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, and Ana Godinho, Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity, and Social Security, Annwered young people’ questions that were presented live in the virtual studio or via the streaming on social media. The debate initiated with a survey on what young peoples’ main differences are in performing a job and the matters for it? Almost 2 October of 5 (38 %) participants responded that ‘low income’ is the most predominant reason for them. The debate reviewed that young people are concerned by unpaid Internships, delivering the right (digital) skills and qualifications for the labour market and asked what at the EU and the Portuguese government are doing to encourage companies to get more young people. When asked what fair working conditions mean to them, 42 % of the participants reacted “a fair paid job”. Questions expanded on minimum wages and where the EU was doing to introduce minimum standards in this area and as well as to reduce the gap between Member States. The young people have been bounded in conducting exchanges from the Commissioner and the Minister on the handling of the economic and social crisis, how to combat climate change and ensure gender equality. It is clear that there are on easy answers. At the end of all participants established to act that the transition to a green and digital economy must take into account fairness, social justice, fight against poverty and gender equality. The debate was simultaneously interpreted into Portuguese and English. Cláudia Semedo, a Portuguese actress, Journalist and television presenter, facilitated the discussion that lasted around 90 minutes. In the run-up to the Social Summit in Oporto, the aim of this online dialogue with citizens was to discuss the future of Social Europe with around 100 young people, mainly Portuguese. The main topics of the debate were getting a job, fair treatment in the workplace and protecting the most vulnerable in society. Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Employment and Social Rights, and Ana Mendes Godinho, Portuguese Minister for Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, answered young people’s questions that were presented live in the virtual studio or via live streaming on social media. Has the debate started with a survey on what are the main difficulties for young people in getting a job and why? Almost 2 out of 5 (38 %) respondents replied that ‘low income’ is the most predominant reason for them. The debate revealed that young people are concerned about unpaid traineeships, obtaining the right (digital) skills and qualifications for the labour market and asked what the EU and the Portuguese government are doing to encourage companies to hire younger people. When asked what is meant by fair working conditions, 42 % of participants answered ‘a reasonably paid job’. Questions followed on minimum wages and on what the EU was doing to introduce minimum standards in this area and also to reduce the gap between Member States. Young people were also interested in obtaining answers from the Commissioner and the Minister on addressing the economic and social crisis, how to tackle climate change and ensure gender equality. It was clear that there are no easy answers. At the end all participants seemed to agree that the transition to a green and digital economy should take into account fairness, social justice, the fight against poverty and gender equality. The debate was interpreted in Portuguese and English at the same time. Cláudia Semedo, atriz, journalist and television presenter, facilitated the discussion which lasted about 90 minutes.