Event report

How can the economy and social affairs be united in the EU and what competences do the EU need in this area in order to continue to be able to act in the future? These topics were discussed on Thursday, the 2nd. December 2021, Tanja Bergrath, Head of the European Office of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Brussels, Christian Bäumler, member of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and Arne Franke, Head of Division of the Europe Department of the Federal Association of German Employers‘Associations (BDA) with more than 90 interested citizens during the last online Citizens’ Dialogue in 2021. Topics such as health insurance, pensions, unemployment benefits, occupational health and safety regulations, care measures, social assistance, student support and child benefit are all covered by the social policy framework. However, the competence lies primarily with the Member States. What role can and must the EU play in this context? Our media partner, the online youth magazine "treffpunkteuropa.de", reports on his website about the online citizens’ dialogue "Do we need a European Social Union? The EU in the field of economic and social tension" of 02.12.2021. Here is a small excerpt: “[...] [with the Rome Treaties in 1957] the social security systems of the Member States were harmonised [for the first time] and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) was established. According to Christian Bäumler, himself a member of the EESC, this is mainly a common dialogue space for workers and employers in Europe. Although social policy remains mainly with the Member States, the EU declared the European Pillar of Social Rights in 2017. It sets certain standards, objectives and recommendations, but is not legally binding. This includes, for example, the right to unemployment benefits, but also work-life balance. [...] The EU’s objective [should, according to Christian Bäumler] be made binding these European minimum standards and to overcome the necessary unanimity in the Council on social issues. These steps would be necessary to create a social union. The Arne Franke of the BDA sees differently. In order to create a genuine social union, the European Treaties would have to be changed unanimously, and there would be no chance at the moment because of the political situation. “We should use our energies to create a social Europe, not to bring our energy to possible treaty changes,” he says. [...] In contrast to a social union in which the EU sets legally binding standards and the Member States no longer have veto rights in social policy, Franke is in favour of a social Europe. This means, in particular, using the existing instruments to boost growth and innovation in the EU. For Tanja Bergrath of the DGB, it is particularly important that dumping wages are counterbalanced in Europe. A “race-to-the-bottom” in the field of social services was not intended for the joint development of prosperity and overcoming social disparities in Europe. On the contrary: It now needs mandatory criteria, such as a European minimum wage. [...]. In the context of the Pillar of Social Rights, the European Commission has already made a proposal for this. However, this does not oblige Member States to set statutory minimum wages in general or their actual level. [...] Christian Bäumler was in favour of a self-confident EU approach to social issues. It must be clear that “there is only money from Europe if certain standards are respected”. This should apply to a European minimum wage, but also to other European labour rules. Bäumler is primarily committed to more binding, internal participation processes of employees in companies. [...] In response to the question of a trade union secretary of the IG BCE from Lusatia — a traditionally coal mining region in Germany, which will be subject to a special transformation by the coal phase- Arne Franke warns against the loss of international competitiveness. Finally, social policy is a cross-cutting issue and should therefore be taken into account in the design of the response to the climate crisis. [...] Europe should become a global leader in climate protection — this view was shared by all speakers in the digital Citizens’ Dialogue. With Fridays for Future, a movement has already managed to translate its concerns into political action, says Tanja Bergrath and is optimistic despite social grievances in Europe. Greater participation on the ground, including in companies, could contribute to greater social cohesion across borders in Europe. The EU must actively intervene in this area, but the social backing of such measures needs to be strengthened. [...] Economic and social policy must work together to maintain an economic and socially strong Europe in the future. However, it is unclear whether courageous and binding rules on a genuine European Social Union can be implemented so quickly. It is certainly also due to the extent to which we can see the existing differences between the different social systems in Europe as an opportunity to get the best for our continent." The online Citizens’ Dialogue was moderated by Inga Wachsmann, freelance moderator. Short news and photos live from the online Citizens’ Dialogue can be found on our social media channels on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The event took place in cooperation with the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the Federal Association of German Employers (BDA). A broad and open dialogue is important to us, so we work with a large number of political and civil society partners. The event is part of the citizens’ dialogue series “Europe — We Must Talk!” and was promoted as a cross-border project by the Federal Foreign Office and supported by the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government. For more information on our nationwide Citizens’ Dialogue series “Europe — We Must Talk!” and all current dates, please visit www.eud-buergerdialoge.de .