European Commission's consultation on the European Pillar of Social Rights

In her political guidelines for 2024-2029, President von der Leyen announced a new European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. The new Action Plan is included in the Commission Work Programme for 2025, which is also the year in which the review of the 2021 Action Plan is taking place. The new Action Plan will build on the achievements and lessons learned from the 2021 Action Plan.

In this context, the Commission is consulting social partners on the matter and organised on 10 July 2025 a dedicated hearing.

Participants to the hearing included the European Commission (DG EMPL); trade union representatives, as well as employers (Business Europe; SME United; SGI Europe; HOTREC; CEEMET; etc).

Main outcome of the hearing

• The COM intends to publish its Action Plan during 2025
• Employers explained that now is time to implement and enforce. New legislation at EU level on Social Affairs should be avoided.
• Concrete examples of simplification were provided, namely with regard to the Pay Transparency Directive or the Transparent and Predictable Working conditions
• HOTREC highlighted that a balance between a productive, resilient, innovative period and employees needs to be found. It also explained why new EU legislation on subcontracting should be avoided. Abuses should be overcome with enforcement and encouragement of labour inspections
• Priorities rely on the enhancement of skills; reducing inactivity rates in Europe and overcoming the gender pay gap and the pension pay gap.
• For all these actions, EU funding is needed: ESF + / Erasmus +
• In this way quality of jobs is secured
• Trade unions stressed the need to have more EU legislation, namely on subcontracting; AI at work; psychosocial risks. They agree that EU funding is needed to support social partners’ actions.
• Both employers and trade unions agree that all Commission initiatives need to be well coordinated: Competitiveness Compass; Quality Jobs Roadmap; Union of Skills; Single Market; European Pillar of Social Rights.
  

HOTREC's reply
Please see enclosed HOTREC's written contribution to the consultation.