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A stronger economy, social justice and jobs: How can we make the economy work for young people?

A stronger economy, social justice and jobs

In November 2020, the European Parliament and EU Member States in the Council of the European Union agreed on the next long-term budget and the additional COVID-19 recovery fund called ‘Next Generation EU’. Combined, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MMF) 2021-27 and the temporary recovery fund comprise €1.8 trillion. It is intended to support Europe’s recovery from the pandemic and to build a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe that is fit for future challenges and will be an important part of Europe’s economic recovery.

COVID-19 worsened already existing income inequality. Young people especially have been hit hard by the European debt crisis, the 2008 Recession, and COVID-19, and benefitted less from periods of economic growth after the 2008 Recession. Their precarious jobs are often the first to disappear, and they are faced with an increasingly volatile and uncertain job market when leaving school. Youth unemployment remains a key concern in Europe, as does a need for an education that provides young people with the necessary skills to enter the workforce.

Yet this crisis and its recovery fund can be good stepping stones to build an economy that works for young people. So tell us about your solutions to income inequality, and your ideas to solve youth unemployment. Can we build back better or is there a need to radically rethink our entire economic system? What does a social, just economy that works for young people look like?

What people think

200 comments on A stronger economy, social justice and jobs: How can we make the economy work for young people?
Julia Fernández Arribas  • 09 May 2021
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“Alinear competition policy with the European Green Deal”

We propose three points:

1. A revision of the State Aid Guidelines obliging beneficiaries to abide by the principles of “green conditionality” and “do not mean harm”. All aid which encourages the activity of undertakings which contribute to the deterioration of the environment and to the increase in pollution should be rejected.

2. A review of the regulation of anti-competitive behaviour under Article 101 (3) TFEU and the Horizontal Cooperation Guidelines, including clarifications on exceptions and adding regulations to avoid greenwashing practices.

3. Promoting renewable energy auctioning to increase competition and end speculation in the sector. This system of auctioning, operating under a system of competition, helps to reduce the costs and price of renewables. The Guidelines governing State aid and providing for the incorporation of a competitive renewable auctioning mechanism should include clarifications on the principle of “technological neutrality”.

Proposal prepared by Sergio López, Jaime Marín and Laura Serrano in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union organised by Team Europe.

You can read the full proposal here: https://equipoeuropa.org/alineando-la-politica-de-competencia-con-el-pacto-verde-europeo/

Antonii Zhilkin  • 14 May 2021

I would like to call on the European Union, and the Eurogroup in particular, to create an EU-led financial instrument to support all EU Member States in the quick introduction of an Unconditional Basic Income as an urgency measure, to provide prompt and unbureaucratic relief to everyone in Europe whose economic security and existence is threatened by the coronavirus crisis.

From one day to the next, the list of people who lost their source of income and don’t know where to turn is endless. Hairdressers, taxi drivers, restaurant managers, music teachers, gym trainers, hotel receptionists, flight attendants, waiters, tour guides and countless others don’t know how they’re going to pay their bills.

Insecurity is everywhere and can be sensed in every conversation. How long will it last? What shall I do? How much longer will I have to pay for groceries with my savings?

That is why European leaders have to step up and say without delay: We will help! The EU has the means and the authority to do it now.

Politics are already shifting - even in seemingly unlikely places. The United States government just announced a $1000 payment for all US citizens for two months. The UK government is not excluding a similar measure. Extraordinary payments are making headlines in mainstream media. Before we know it, EU leaders will be on to this. Let’s make sure they get it right.

Since the last major crisis in 2008, the EU has pumped trillions of Euros into the failing financial sector. Now it is time to support the people.

Basic income is an unconditional monthly payment for every person, in an amount which guarantees a basic level of everyday security. The system is easy, quick to introduce and requires minimum bureaucracy.

Crises can bring out the best or worst in us. Let's go for the best. Many people are using this as an opportunity for creativity and solidarity. The EU must also do this.

The entire economic system is changing right now. Dogmas fall, narratives shift. Leaders are looking for solutions. They were very creative when they were saving the banks, and they can be creative now, in a moment when 22% of Europeans already at risk of poverty are now in danger of spiralling further. We must make sure the EU acts.

Jan  • 13 June 2021

Universal minimum salary throughout Europe.

Jakub  • 14 June 2021
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Public transport adapted to the needs of residents. Fight against the problem of transport exclusion. Easier travel/access is an incentive to travel. The movement generates new jobs, and professional activity leads to easier access to official institutions, doctors and shops. Movement creates traffic and the movement generates money for employers, workers and commercial and professional services. Opportunities for the development and labour activation of people who do not have their own means of transport or who live in a significant distance from large urban centres.

Ivona Radić  • 15 June 2021

Hello,

My idea is that the recent university graduates and students studying to become Maths, Physics, Languages, Biology (etc) teachers should get the opportunity to teach high school seniors for their graduation exams. When I was a high school senior, I could not afford extra preparatory classes for Maths, Croatian, English, and the electives, nor were they offered at my school. Since I went to Economics High School, we never covered any of the lessons required in our final exams (if you wanted to take A levels, you were on your own). I had to study on my own, no teachers, no guidance, no books. Students studying to become Maths, Physics, Psychology, Croatian, English (or any other subject) teachers could get practice by teaching in school, they could also get ECTS points that are required for practical work in the last semester anyway. Recent graduates could land their first jobs. They could only teach high school seniors (students in their last year of high school). It's a win-win situation for both young teachers and high school seniors who need preparatory classes, no matter what high school they went to. I had friends who wanted to study medicine and had to study Biology, Physics, Chemistry on their own. They also took A levels, something our school doesn't prepare us for. How could have they equal opportunities compared to people who could simply afford private classes?

Thank you for reading. I think this idea is brilliant. I even wanted to turn it into a full project at a local/regional, and possibly a national level in Croatia, but it was rejected. I don't know about the education systems in other countries, but in my country, I was on my own. Education should be SUFFICIENT, free, and available for everybody. I understand that high schools are different for a reason, but I always felt like I didn't get the education that I wanted. In East Croatia, this would solve the ongoing issue of education and unemployment (at least for young teachers).

Giorgi Kakhniashvili  • 17 June 2021

Wish everyone had a legal opportunity to work abroad and reach their dreams, as me, from my point of view. Non european union countries have a few opportunities for young and hardworking people.

Yarkın Badıllı  • 19 June 2021

I'm from Turkey and we are not member of EU. Many of the young people in our country can not find a job and cannot receive adequate education.
For a better future, I suggest that a budget be allocated to all the countries that are members of the European Union and that an employment program be created for us and a program without strict rules. I also suggest that we take a test after work for a while. or I want to be evaluated according to our performance data during the work. I recommend that citizens who pass this test get the citizenship of that country.

Tingi  • 23 June 2021

The ECB should have a dual mandate for Inflation control and maintaining low unemployment like the US Fed. The EU has had higher unemployment than the US on average for decades, and raising interest rates when inflation slightly overshoots the 2% target is not going to help. Additionally, the failure of the commission to enact the single financial market and a universal deposit insurance scheme has meant that the economies of southern European countries are still being held back by bad loans, and there is a lack of trust in local banks in many cases. Furthermore, the maintenance of a strong Euro leaves countries such as Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, and Greece with uncompetitive exports compared to EU countries like Hungary, Poland and Czechia which can and do devalue their currencies to stimulate exports. Without proper fiscal integration, it is unlikely that there will be the necessary growth and reforms to create jobs for youth in the periphery, causing further brain drain. Though the joint debt issue is a step in the right direction, it is likely going to be much too slow for the regions hit hardest by covid lockdowns. Overall I would suggest better coordination between the ECB, the European Commission, and likely an increased role for the EU parliament (as it is often more friendly to the needs of youth and workers than the other institutions, and also does not have the issue of one or two obstinate countries being able to block all proposals. The parliament is also directly elected by Europeans for the task of representing them in free and fair elections whereas certain national elections may be slightly less than free).

Studer Noam  • 23 June 2021
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The idea of an ethical charter for European trade. If the country with which the EU trade does not comply with the Charter, then trade is suspended or subject to higher taxes. The Charter does not need to be too restrictive, but it must become an instrument to sanction countries commenting on mass crimes against minorities or their populations.

Nektaria Panagiotopoulou  • 26 June 2021
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As a Greek I wouldally love if Greece got out of economy crisis. Everytime I check out the news bodying bad haped to the economics and my country is supported by tourism, but as a high school teenager I want a future without people tellin me that my country is under an economic crisis. And the thing is that we (the new generation) are not the use of it. I know I couldn’t vote when I was little, but now we must do something to change all of this! Our future patterns must see a better Greece, with jobs, opportunities and a dream in their life. We must choose as a young generation who our lead will be next TO SAVE the economy, I want to see my country just like New Zealands president, HAPPY and without a pre-wrote lecture for the priorities! I Wanna see REAL events that promote Greece’s economy. And last but not least, I wanma see my country RISE just lime when the Olympics came back to Greece!
Thank you
16,5 yo teenager, third and last Grade of High School, Nafpaktos Greece

J  • 29 June 2021

Removing all import fees on used cars from other EU countries.

Jason Sherlock  • 30 June 2021

Elimination of Institutional Racism for Irish Travellers and the Roma Community, both in Ireland and Europe.

Ricardo J.  • 03 July 2021

Very simple and easy: Companies should be taxed based on their revenue and size. Big four talk about promoting but in reality are only promoting tax avoidance. Money who in the end is missing in Portugal, Greece, Czech Republic etc. in the healthcare, education etc.

People should not be higher taxed than companies, specially single or without children, like Luxembourg is doing.Help people have a good income, tax big multinational international companies and punish very several the tax avoidance companies and those who promote or advise these.

Hugo Rufino Marques  • 03 July 2021
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Taking into account the market needs of today’s businesses, education systems should be designed and reformed together with the business sector by providing young people with a more diverse and specialised offer of education for the needs of the labour market, as well as a paid traineeship to apply their knowledge. In order to avoid abusive use of trainees by companies, this measure should be accompanied by an ethical agreement for European trade, restricting the activity of companies and penalising countries that fail to comply with it.

Neven  • 04 July 2021
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Same work more money and smaller prices on fuel and food and similar things.

Semih Altindal  • 08 July 2021
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My idea would perhaps be some tax cuts or the more children the less child benefit

Man  • 11 July 2021

I want to see EU treating each country-member equally and not minding its economical condition. An idea is is to fund countries more poorly developed economically to make their economy thrive like the developed countries of EU.

Nicholas  • 12 July 2021

I believe the EU needs to unite all its regulatory bodies. Companies having to get approval and go through each countries' extensive and different bureaucracy leads to less economic output and losing out to international competition. Uniting all of europe's economy so that getting a product approved in Germany, means it is also approved in Italy, would greatly benefit EU companies and consumers.

Romi Bauer  • 14 July 2021
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Romania needs state and EU aid to bring Romanian products to the market! Collection centres for agricultural products must be organised to reach the market!

Delannoy
 • 14 July 2021
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Europe should help poor countries (European and non-European) to modernise their transport infrastructure so that goods and people can better circulate and build real European trade and trade routes.

Response to Delannoy by Marcel  • 15 July 2021
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Yes absolutely. A sort of silk to European route is needed to maintain the EU’s soft power vis-à-vis China and Russia, especially in Africa and Central Asia. At the same time, it would allow the export of European goods and impose European infrastructure standards at global level.

Jens
 • 14 July 2021
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Companies based in the EU that do not produce in the EU should provide a support fee for jobseekers
EU population.
All productions outside the EU are super dependent (medicinals, etc.)
Young people need jobs.
You should also be able to buy the goods!
Sustainable production in the EU.
(Today Portugal, Spain, etc.)
should be encouraged.
If you have any questions, please write by e-mail
Thank you
Jens

Yannis  • 14 July 2021

Many companies offer substantially lower wages to interns and trainees. Many people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds avoid attending a non-paid or a low-paid internship due to financial constraints. However, those employment opportunities are often the harbinger of a brighter future as an unpaid internship contract may transform into a full-time job offer. Thus an EU-wide instrument should be created that will enable people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to participate in unpaid internships by giving them a stipend. It could be similar to Erasmus placement but also valid for jobs inside the same country.

Abdullah
 • 14 July 2021
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It is better to lose first than to lose something in the end.
“European society has the heavy debts of individual citizens and residents, as well as endless taxes! My idea is based on the foundations of maintaining economic growth in the European Union during this global crisis, the Coronavirus virus, which is/1. Cancellation of all individual debts of a citizen or resident of the Federal Government and their replacement by the imposition of works with a previously limited nominal salary; 2. Abolishing taxes on basic goods and imposing many taxes on non-essential products!

Abdullah  • 14 July 2021

It is better to lose at first than to lose everything something in the end. “European society is tired of the high debt of the individual citizen and resident, as well as of endless taxes!! My idea is based on the foundations of maintaining economic growth in the European Union during this global crisis called the Corona virus, which is / 1. Forgiveness of all individual debts of a citizen or resident of the Federation and replacing them with the imposition of works with a previously limited nominal salary; 2. Cancellation of taxes on basic goods and the imposition of many taxes on non-essential products!!

Andrea  • 14 July 2021
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Establishment of the Charter of European Workers’ Rights. It shall include:
(1) a European minimum wage, equal for all states. The latter can, at national level, increase it (
2) the abolition of unpaid internship contracts (
3) an equal measure for all Member States against mobbing (
4) set the working week at 35 hours (equal pay) for all European countries. Member States may, at national level, further
decrease it (5) introducing a contractual obligation to provide at least 50 % of their work by teleworking for all tasks where possible, by establishing a harmonised allowance for teleworking workers (
6) setting up European employment centres located in each country and absorbing national ones.

Hanna  • 15 July 2021

Equal payment for men and women. Binding wage for both sexes.

Ángel Núñez  • 15 July 2021
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Just as official language schools have mechanisms to rate the level of knowledge within an equal rank in different countries, European ingraduates should advance in order to ensure that the official degrees (those already recognised by the national authorities of each country as an official grade or public grade, depending on the country) would have an official effect in all countries of the Union and not simplim, even though they function as early equivalents. Starting by unifying these details of higher education as a whole, gradually starting to unify other types of education present throughout the EU (vocational training, baccalaureates, sign languages, etc.), as well as helping those who have worked for free movement within the territory to actively seek employment on the basis of their interests and not on the need to find equivalent to their country’s qualification; If you do not know that your title is the same in all of them.

Max Ernst  • 15 July 2021

An infrastructure fund to build tram, metro and rail networks across the continent. Strong anti-corruption measures would be necessary to qualify.

Max Ernst  • 15 July 2021

Bringing manufacturing back to Europe would help reduce unemployment, and we could be certain it conformed to emissions standards.

Sabine  • 16 July 2021
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Less taxes for students and opportunities to get education in courses in every age

Mariana  • 17 July 2021

Give more oppurtunities to young people, learning oppurtunities like internships or actual jobs.
Make good public universities.

Rolf van der Burgt  • 17 July 2021

If a person cannot find a job he/she must try to find a job and give prove that they did job interviews to get a loan to live from until they find a job with an equal, better or worse(in some cases) loan. I know in real life it has not worked out well, so far, but I implement the idea of Trotsky, Marx. The true communism. A politician should have no greater loan than a farmer. We all are needed to form a, and keep a growing community.
Therefore is the idea: the state pays your job not by money but by goods. The goods that are necessary to live (i.e. Hello Fresh for weekly dinner meals). This idea can only work if it gets distributed in the whole EU or world. This would fight inequality and makes poorness a no longer existing term.
Everyone works for the community (farmer-food, architect-houses, builder-makes it) all for the things we need, we need no money; we need each other.

Response to Rolf van der Burgt by george  • 23 September 2021

Dear Rolf,
Communism and stalinism failed already. Why do you want to try to repeat it? Why is no one talking about the megapowers that the central european bank has to steal from the savers (by not paying any interest or even charging to keep money with them) and hard working in order to give to the huge financial insitutions to speculate on the stock and housing markets for almost nothing.

Louis Le Guyader  • 19 July 2021
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In some countries in the EU and outside the EU, 4-day weeks appear. For certain physical jobs, where they are very mindful, it would be useful for everyone to give the opportunity, or to oblige European companies to spend a week of 4 working days. More time for either or his loved ones, an increase in job offers and better health/productivity. Benefits at all levels of society. Exceptions must obviously be made in the case of emergencies, police, customs, etc. (if you have any suggestions, please feel free)!

Brahim Baalla  • 23 July 2021

Around the EU hundreds of thousands of young citizens (most of them underage) earn huge amounts of money on a daily basis while working on social media as influencers and/or content creators. Some of them think on this activity just as a way to enjoy their spare time while making some extra money, while others tend to invest their earnings in the improvement of a possible career.
I suggest the EU Commission to push and help European and national lawmakers in order to update their tax systems, which often make this kind of "enterprises" very difficult to build and develop. Most of these problems can be found just by looking at how these people are supposed to struggle every year in order to find a way to declare their income, maybe while trying to fit within standards which have been created for regular workers by lawmakers who weren't even able to wonder how a social media would work.
Moreover, national authorities around the EU should improve their control over marketing activities within the social media environment: in fact, multiple times young content creators or their (often way younger than them) massive audiences have been deceived by sketchy (or even illegal) marketing strategies.

Adriana  • 27 July 2021

Universal basic income regardless of what your situation is + Controlling housing prices by establishing a maximum €/m2 and making sure that is proportional to the medium income people receive.

Bertalan Tóth  • 03 August 2021

My opinion is , thatzhe European Union need to introduce the euro in all Eus member States, amd I think it would strengthen the economy much more. On the other hand, introduction of a basic income throughout the all EU. I believe this forawqrd steps are being developed the economy.

Antonis  • 10 August 2021

Life is an art form, many artists are struggling to live and work as artists, we need an institution that establishes a minimum wage for all artists just like any other job. Let us not forget the enviroment that we live, art is a core valure in Europe, art was born in Europe. A small step to make our cities, , our society, our everyday to have meaning, that we are all Europeans as one. We need to built a new “Parthenon” a new “Pantheon”. Establishing a minimum wage for artists (photographers, painters, arhitects etc.) We will install a new era and a new wave for art in Europe.

Maximilian Weiss  • 10 August 2021
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Ladies and gentlemen,
my idea is not new, but good for a social and fair economy in the EU. My idea is based on basic income. Why only one basic income at national level? I find the best way forward across the EU and help everyone. Now you may wonder how to finance it and what is this EU-wide basic income. First, funding, for which there are many ways, such as increasing Member States’ contributions. However, as many Member States certainly reject this, which I find shameful, it is necessary to look at other sources of revenue. However, as the EU is already doing, it would be possible to finance start-ups, with a shareholding of around 5.00 % in the company (which is still open to debate). This would in any case be financing the other, that is to say, that individual Member States participate in it. Some countries are already discussing basic income. Sooner or later, we will all have it. The EU could also introduce an EU-wide digital tax, where companies like Amazon, Google, Facebook, Bytedance,... As these businesses do not pay at all in some countries, it would only be fair if they had to pay at least one EU-wide digital tax. It would also be possible to bet super richness to the cassa. From a certain asset, the person should participate. For a basic income of around EUR 1000,00, the EU would have to pay around 365 billion euros. As this is currently lacking a place because of the coronavirus outbreak, I understand it. Nevertheless, it would be a topic for the future that surely helps many boys, but also older people, from the crisis. More studies would have to be carried out, but these already show that basic income can be realised. However, this basic income should also impose a few requirements. Such as, for example, an obligation of at least 15 hours per week (with the exception of housekeepers, these should be excluded from the scheme or people who are fit for work). And from an income of more than 1 million, it could be decided that no basic income is paid here, as this person did not need it. Such a basic income would bring many benefits, e.g. more people would certainly have lost their lives because they are no longer able to live in poverty. I can defeat the rumour that people become fun by a basic income, as several studies have shown that a basic income motivates people more than lustelessness. Of
course, I could go into more detail here, but that would go beyond the framework.
I hope, however, that my idea has fallen, and I wish you a lot of fun to discover.

Jakov Munjaković  • 11 August 2021

The EU should extend their economic power over local governments to make more resolute and decisive moves to combat very expensive housing, lack of funds and opportunities for young people, but most of all it should incetivise their participation in local politics, so that they become conscious of the government they are electing and to see the results of their vote.

Poor Croatian Teen  • 11 August 2021

Equal rights for equal Europe! Set up a minimum salary across European Union. Salary in Croatia is 3400 hrk in 2021! Shame on Europe! So divided. Cant live decently. Please vouch for us! Young generations. Thanks.

Response to Poor Croatian Teen by Sokratis  • 20 August 2021

Although Croatia might have a problem with their minimum wage, it would be problematic to set one standard for the entire EU. All countries have different economies and different living standards. For example, Greece should have half the minimum wage of let's say the Netherlands, because the Netherlands have double the living cost.

Chiper Roberto Marian  • 15 August 2021
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I think the EU Parliament should focus on making the diversity of people a normal thing and banish or informing it the hate amoung people based on the difference between people

Laura Castillo Casanova  • 15 August 2021
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Lowering the retirement age, which would bring benefits such as lower youth unemployment, getting people with fresh knowledge and ideas to work, with greater knowledge of today’s world, digitalisation, etc., lower wages because they do not have to pay so many length-of-service increments, would join healthier people who would not apply for so many leaves, and older people who already have very automated work would withdraw, do not propose new ideas and are tired. This would mean a huge productivity growth for companies as their employees would be more productive without having to incur training costs on the part of the company, as well as requiring less incentives. Increasing firms’ productivity, decreasing youth unemployment and leaving older people out of work would lead to growth in the economy and a healthier and healthier society. Pension expenditure would be rapidly covered by the contribution of young people to social security, as well as by the increase in the contributions of other employees by increasing the company’s productivity, which would increase their wages and hence their pay. Another point in favour is that, when young people get a stable salary, they will invest in housing, cars, they will have children... which will ultimately also be reflected in the economy as progress.

Munteanu Mihai  • 17 August 2021

I want to see a minimum wage implemented across all of the EU.

Kacper
 • 18 August 2021
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Let’s focus on corruption in Poland.
Wants to live in the country with dignity and calmness, and for so far the current government is denying me this opportunity

Sokratis  • 20 August 2021

It is clear that the youth of today is plagued by unemployment and the economies of Europe have become increasingly service based, with exceptions. So, it would be best to try and revamp national industries, bringing them back from Asia, and spreading EU production to all member states, depending on what each country is good at. For example, Germany has a good production line, while the Med is better for growing crops/tourism and Eastern Europe can offer workers, instead of using migrants

Laura Profitós  • 20 August 2021
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Currently, the pension system in Spain consists of a pyramid system in which active workers, through their contributions to the SS, pay money into the public pension fund. Two key factors are changing and making this system unsustainable in the medium term. First, the pyramid is reversed, the volume of people they receive from this fund is increasing and the number of young people they would have to contribute to work is reduced. Secondly, in addition to the above, those who have recently retired or retired in the following 5/10 years have, for the most part, been on high wages over the course of their lives, resulting in higher contributions and thus in a high pension, on the other hand, for a few years, active workers who have recently entered the system, generally have lower wages (sometimes even lower than pensions) and therefore pay less and have less money to support the scheme.
This has been discussed in recent years but still needs to be addressed. Following other models established in the EU such as Denmark, a mixed system with a compulsory private programme for active workers should be considered. Since the percentage to be charged per pensioner is lower, the new model would lead to greater economic stability.

Rubén
 • 20 August 2021
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Many young people have limitations on independence from family residence, such as the financial constraint, but these limitations increase when you are a young person with disabilities, as factors such as mobility, accessibility, etc. are at stake, leading to a lot of insecurity for the young person.
For this reason, I propose that the governments of the Member States construct housing properties accessible to people with disabilities only, where people with disabilities are rented for living in one of these apartments.
Furthermore, in order to make this initiative more accessible and striking for the disabled, I propose that these holdings have various types of social workers (employment technicians, rehabilitation technicians, special education teachers, social educators, spicologists, etc.) and cleaning services, who will offer their services at the lowest possible price to residents.
Finally, in order to increase revenues and make this initiative more profitable, I propose to enable the ground floor of this estate as a small leisure centre open to the public and a bar/restaurant.
In this way, governments will support the autonomy of people with disabilities by providing them with sufficient housing and resources to live independently and self-sufficient and create new jobs with sufficient income to make the recovery of the money invested in this initiative quite viable.

José Juan Núñez Timermans  • 20 August 2021

The EU should provide funds to the Member States so that they
connect all regions via rail, especially those that are underpopulated
and difficult to access, and not necessarily via high-speed lines.
There are exporting provinces, such as Almeria, that do not have the
necessary infrastructures to promote exports, as well as tourism,
two of the economic and job creation pillars of the province. The
poor connections by land, sea and air cause an impoverishment of
the peripheral regions that are eminently rural and, therefore, the
'brain drain' occurs and young people go away to find jobs. | #StandForSomething

José Juan Núñez Timermans  • 20 August 2021

In Southern Europe the EU is sometimes used as an excuse to carry out social cuts which society does not understand and national politicians blame Brussels for them. They cut the expenditure in sectors such as Education or Health, although public expenditure corresponding to the Administration is not touched. The EU, in its recommendations and public statements, should connect with society and demand reforms in those aspects that the society truly demands (that hardly ever appear in the media): less political spending, administrative mergers, fewer impediments and bureaucracy to entrepreneurship, more research in R&D&I, anti-corruption laws, etc. Only in this way can the EU be a social entity in the eyes of the average citizen, and not only an economic and distant entity. In short, the EU should have an impact on those aspects that politicians in Member States deliberately ignore, as they usually ignore the general interests and try themselves to benefit, or to keep the status-quo. | #StandForSomething

José Juan Núñez Timermans  • 20 August 2021

There should be a European Unemployment Service, so that any vacancy can be filled by any European citizen, and not just by those national citizens. Thus, citizens, by being able to access job offers anywhere in Europe and online, from home, would feel more European and would be able to access endless opportunities. | #StandForSomething

José Juan Núñez Timermans  • 20 August 2021

There are people with functional diversity who want to access education but, unfortunately, they cannot: the current system is not adapted for them. The adaptation of educational courses and programs for these people should be encouraged, so that they can study and work on what they want without facing any type of barrier. | #StandForSomething

José Juan Núñez Timermans  • 20 August 2021

The age at which a person is considered to be young should pass from 30 to 35 years, as, unfortunately, in southern Europe quite a few young people are still living with their parents at that age. | #StandForSomething

Dominik  • 23 August 2021
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Make a digital Euro open source or stop trying to introduce it. There is a strong concern that there will be a total loss of privacy when buying and the risk of misuse of this information. There is a concern that the digital euro will be misused to monitor citizens and their purchases, with people buying them calculating social scores in the distant future or being otherwise discriminated against. To avoid this, I want the source code to be public and consulted with the best IT security techniques, otherwise it can become a dangerous tool of a totalitarian government that would give it even greater control over the population than was possible in the past.

Tupinier  • 23 August 2021
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Automation will destroy a significant part of today’s jobs. A correct transition between these two economies requires a tax on robots. It will not only slow down this transition by incentivising companies to keep their employees; But it will also make it possible to finance the retraining of people who have lost their jobs as a result of robotisation.
The transition will therefore be fairer and economically sustainable.

Claudia Perucha Martínez-Atienza  • 23 August 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Since the Spanish Youth Association of Talento for the Future, different working teams are developing policy papers on SDGs to agree on the future of Europe. In the Working Group on Social Policies, Disability, Migration and Equality we have put forward some very enriching proposals covering all these issues within the EU from a young perspective. It is inclusive, reflecting the profiles of the different people we make up. You can contact us for more information. Thank you!

Sebastian  • 25 August 2021

PUBLIC HOUSING! How are we young people supposed to start a familly when more then half of our income goes to rent or debt credit that we used tu buy a home? Build more public housing.

Sebastian  • 25 August 2021

EU institutions should have more oversight over EU funded projects in Eastern Europe. A lot of eu funds are lost due to corruption.

Camille
 • 26 August 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

I think it is important to create a Europe of energy: that electricity transmission system operators (such as RTE in France) are 100 % nationalised for our security and safety.

Paweł  • 27 August 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Russia’s economic blockade, until Crimea and other parts of Ukraine have been retreat. The same applies to the land seized in Georgia.

Balázs Bischof  • 31 August 2021

As I can see from one of the poorest region in EU, there is a huge problem in financial aids.

For example, here is the avarage real wage is half or less than the EU avarage, however the price (food, services, etc.) is almost the same.

So our work earn same as other countries, but not in wage only in price. I think (hope) the one of the largest economy in the world can find a solution to redivide the country aids in a more effective way.

Maazi  • 04 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Making it easier for young Europeans to meet to innovate and create. A platform to identify European youth initiatives (associations, social enterprises, project...) and not just large associations and NGOs. This would allow young Europeans to find themselves around joint projects in different countries and to be able to think together about the world of today and tomorrow.
It would also help to better understand the language, culture, issues... of other young people across Europe.

Lyubomir Rusev  • 06 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Motion of Internships at national institutions with funding provided for the time period, notably between years of study long both help young young people with expertise and ease with costs for their studies.

Tomasz  • 06 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Make sure employers want to be harsh to hire young people and not to worry “and something there”. Depression, underestimated self-esteem is not going to disappear. If young people were able to have a job at all, and it would make sense for them to feel they needed, it would help them to do so mentally.

Iván  • 06 September 2021

- ECONOMY = TECHNOLOGY
European DataBase, european Silicon Valley, european semiconductors, IoT and BI.
- Split public EU institutions among every country, not just Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, France and not in huge cities.
-Create laws when a technology is in an advanced study status, not 5 years later

Alicia Olmo
 • 06 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Recycling regulation of clothes. Used clothes containers must be managed exclusively by organisations of people with disabilities, thus promoting integration into the labour market. It would cover the whole process from collection to processing, recycling and reuse.

Joffrey Piérart
 • 07 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Standardise minimum wages within the EU area to avoid competition from posted workers or wage disparity within the same economic sector. This could perhaps resurrect some craftsmen

Crozatier
 • 07 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Apply uniform taxation across European countries in order to reduce tax evasion within the European Union. For countries that cannot do so, we need to refinance their economies so that they are sustainable on a healthier basis (and not let them fall down, at the risk of falling the other countries with it).

Samson  • 08 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

A tax exemption from employers’ charges for undertakings which hire employees in a single parenthood situation and which provide them with an adjustment of working hours in accordance with the hourly obligations assumed by a single parent.

Cécilia Samson
 • 08 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

A reduction in employers’ contributions in general for small and medium-sized enterprises, in order to enable employers to hire more and avoid: overload of work on a single employee, burn-out, acceptance of unacceptable working conditions. Highlight: the well-being of individuals at work and thus greater profitability. The possibility for each employee to take full advantage of their personal time = well-being at work and better profitability

Cécilia Samson  • 08 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

We live in a society where the free choice of jobs is not the same for everyone. It is a social, economic and human injustice.
Depending on the personal situation of each individual (without even turning to diplomas), an individual will have the freedom to refuse employment under unacceptable conditions when another individual will not.
Everyone should go on this equal footing to be able to exercise their freedom to say ‘no’ at the unacceptable level. At present, the economic and parental situation, or even the origins of a person, are depriving him of his right and freedom to say ‘no’ unacceptably. A single person with a dependent child will not have the same freedom as a single person, let alone a single person with financial support from the family. Giving
everyone a sense of equality to be able to refuse freely, with the support of a community, is to restore the individual’s dignity, trust and love. It is to offer him whatever a better future, as it is to give him the opportunity to follow the path it has chosen and not the one imposed on him by a system with the smallest eating.

Samson
 • 08 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

A single tax and tax scale in Europe. Stop the disparities between each European country. Stop to higher schools, excluding prizes, which create unhealthy competition in the labour market. Top on the promotion of diplomas on the labour market, except for specialised occupations which cannot be learned from experience and mentoring.
Set up a system based on transmission, merit, by creating support for employers who hire people without experience and commit to training and upskilling them, also creating an institution that would make it possible to monitor the upskilling of these employees physically and digitally.

LADISA Gianni  • 08 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

In the 21st century, the European Union can no longer approach the economy as a simple combination of capital and labour. The economy is basically trade between people. We never pay only men. And this economy cannot be based on the idea of infinite growth without interfering with the limits of our environment. Running after growth, profit, almost religious belief in run-off is a serious mistake. Economic theories, like any other theory, need to be challenged and new models constantly tested. Absolute equality gives Communism too liberticide, absolute free trade gives a society that does not protect its citizens who become servicers of money, rather than using it as a tool. There is no doubt that inequality must be tackled, but it must also be aimed at general well-being without constantly waiting for the market to solve all our problems. And abandoning growth at all costs will also allow us not to face up to the globe of “green growth”. It should be remembered that energy is characterised by a ‘change in the condition of a system’. In fact, more economic trade = more growth = more energy spent. And everywhere (even in France where electricity is nuclear), more energy = more fossil resources = more CO2 = more climate change.
Thus, overcoming the paradox of infinite growth will put us on the road to the real fight against climate change.

Mirko Giuggiolini  • 08 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

To impose at Community level the absence of price differences arising from the gender of the customer, in the context of the services offered by commercial activities.
In
several European countries, as well as in Italy, a woman from hairdressing spends on average twice or three times as much as a man, even if she has short hair. This is just one example of how gender equality is in practice very distant. One step to start could be to impose equal prices for equal services, irrespective of the gender of the customer, by tolerating increases or decreases only on the basis of variations in the trader’s costs for the provision of that service.

Iván  • 08 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

A single tax system. After the adoption of the currency, it is the last one that is missing. Have the same perception in taxation

Margaux H
 • 11 September 2021
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Impose the 4-day weeks in the “intense” environment in which you work in a break/work is physical/dangerous (UNHCR, building, etc.).

María del Carmen  • 12 September 2021

The European Comunity should oblige Spain as well as other members to guarantee the independence of justice above politicians and political parties.
Meanwhile, in Spain, if we continue with this process of blocking justice started by our government our democracy will die.
Citizens are not slaves of politicians.
And what is more, WE ARE NOT SLAVES OF OUR SOCIAL-COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT.

Leszek
 • 13 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Equalise the value of work regardless of the type of currency. At present, thanks to the exchange rate differential, the value of work in more developed countries is much higher than in those that are in favour of development. A similar status is still maintained, with no real prospect of economic improvement in such countries. In real terms, however, the workload and effort devoted to work does not differ for any of the citizens of the Union. When travelling abroad, there should be no significant price difference and every EU citizen’s income should be the same at a fair level.

Chiara Cavallera  • 13 September 2021

Make the procedures for activating internships in European companies/Institutions for new graduates easier, with less burocracy. Support companies that accept, train and hire trainees from all over Europe. Upgrade the Erasmus Plus traineeship program.
We need to apply our theoretical knowledge in several work contexts to specialize and become experts. In this way, we can give the best of ourselves.
We need a wide range of opportunities where we can improve our skills and space to enter the world of work.
We are European citizens, we are European workers.

Maciej  • 13 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Social equality in each country. Today, the most important state is more important for its citizens, and on the other side the same. One Union citizen of all origins,status

Milosz  • 13 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

A list of products needed for the functioning of EU countries should be drawn up and these sectors and supply chains should be made independent by transferring their production to the EU.
The production of semi-finished products should also be imported into the EU in order to become independent from third countries (mainly the PRC).

Almaz Mirzayeva (YEA)  • 13 September 2021

Idea from a Young European Ambassador:

Since youth unemployment is one of the main concerns in Europe, and there is a need for an education that provided young people with necessary skills to enter the workforce, I think it is better to start from school years. There should be specific classes/workshops related to developing those skills for last year high school students. For example, in this classes students should enhance their technological skills, learn how to write CV, resume, motivation letter and learn about demanding jobs. By doing this, they will be able to develop the necessary skills before starting their university studies. For instance, if a bachelor student wants to apply for an internship program, he /she will be able to prepare a strong application, and by doing internships and gaining experiences, later he/she will be ready to enter the job market

Aglika Nikolova  • 14 September 2021

Equal minimum salary within EU (knowing the difference between the EU countries it looks impossible to unify that, we have countries with minimum salary more than 3k and others below 300 - the void is huge, but we can at least make an effort) More 4h and hourly paid job opportunities - reglamented and encouraged by the government in the private sector. More annual paid leave, universal basic income - to fight the pauvrety and assure equal start to all individuals. In order to evolve and flourish the humans need time to develop, not only thinking about their primary necessities and live their lives in fear and under constant oppression.

Lita  • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

The consolidation of own industries and the position of dependence on countries outside the Community block.

Gheorghe
 • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

The return of the European Union to the Economic Union! The EU has no right to decide what can be done in a country!

Virgil Florinescu  • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

I think of a local administrator who is very close to the citizen, who has real, practical answers, with contact points where you have concrete answers. Then I think of people living on the streets, perhaps part of them could be integrated if there are real programmes, these people can contribute to the well-being of society in one way or another. Since it is a social institution, a reform of the INPS must be effective and non-discriminatory.

Georgescu Dan
 • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

99 % taxation of revenue in excess of EUR 1 000 000.

Octavian  • 15 September 2021

Dear EU leaders,

Now more than ever we can se the effects of high stress on the young generations (low natality, disengagement and even depression).

We should ask ourselves what is more important, financial gains based on the lack of property availability and skyrocketing debt or the wellbeing of our children.

A decent place to live and raise your children is not a luxury but a basic necessity. Now young people get into debt for 20-30 years to afford a small flat and postpone having a family due to financial stress.

We should work together to make houses accessible for young families so they can live a better life.

Those generations will take care of the elderly and make a better world for all of us.

Gheorghe calota
 • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

For social justice and reducing disparities, each country’s development is needed in the EU minimum wage.
From here, each country can use its mareasca.
This will also reduce labour migration.

Andrei  • 15 September 2021

The social justice that the EU strives to achieve cannot be reached without ensuring economic justice for all. In order to do this, I suggest limiting the power that large corporations have over their consumers and workers alike. European-wide unionisation should not be hindered, while fair competition must be enforced, especially in modern, tech-heavy markets. In addition, fair and uniform taxation standards should be adopted across the EU.
In order to address the issue of youth unemployment, traning programmes and workshops should be implemented across the EU, that all follow a set of standards set by the Comission. These workshops would help students better identify their future career path, develop necessary soft skills and certain technical capabilities. In addition, steps must be taken to remove the stigma surrounding vocational and technical schools, in order to motivate people to take them up. Finally, work must be made more attractive and available. On the one hand, a European minimum wage must be implemented, while the EU should offer guaranteed jobs to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Daniel
 • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Force freight forwarding to pay the same freight rates, thus forcing a uniform pay system for drivers. Ban the sale of freight from the stock exchange on the stock exchange under the threat of imprisonment, for example, for 5 years. Reduce the period to a maximum of two weeks of payment to carriers for the route made.

Octavian
 • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

The euro must be linked to bitcoin. Without a standard, we have no health in this union. With monetary policy, the current need for money comes to be satisfied with goods such as dwellings and others that they are invaded by those who are looking for a solid ban. The experiment of an uncovered coin has been carried out sufficiently! The results are clear! It was time to get back to us.
Bitcoin! 1971

Liviu  • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

The introduction of the minimum wage at the same level in all European countries.

Constantin
 • 15 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

The same minimum wage across all EU countries

Jana  • 16 September 2021

There should be more democratic oversight mechanisms in EU parliament and institutions. The european parliament is too much marxist oriented. History teaches us that socialism is not vialble answer to social problems.
For example commisioner's Timmermans program 'Fit for 55' is crazy utopia. We as European citizens want to develop our economies and compete with China and USA and not reverse technological progress. This is crazy marxist idea which is dangerous to EU future!
The second issue is the role of Germany in EU that is dangerously too hegemonic. Smaller states voice is not taken into account. The trend is not sustainable in long run and will end in tragic EU dissolution.

Richard Marin  • 16 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

EN.
Setting up a body similar to IRS in the US for all EU Member States.
EN.
Created a similar to IRS from USA entity to EU.

Mircea Postolache  • 16 September 2021

Employers should be forced to pay the normal salary for the job even if they hire poor workers from the east or far-east.

Pawel
 • 16 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

One Europe and each country requires a residence and work permit. Why? I change my country of residence on average every year. Why do I have to change the number plates in auth every time?

Adam
 • 16 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

The massive infestation from third countries continues to prove that immigration is unwilling to teach local language or work, and we must therefore reduce European social aid for those who are unwilling to develop personally. The European Union does not protect European industry or employment to a minimum, but is merely an outlet for the chin industry. Home businesses and jobs are being closed and the industry is moved to Asian nations, leading to increased unemployment and social assistance costs. Europe has ceased to be a labour market and the EU’s approval of steel is an outlet. The fact of undermining not only economic stability, but above all energy stability, is a silent permit for the construction of the burrows 1 and 2, where it has seriously damaged the European good by Germany.

Timiș
 • 16 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Increasing birth rates, a strong economy is not possible without an increased and educated workforce in the EU. Immigration from outside Europe has proven a fiasco, I need state allowances for bringing up children to be subsidised by the EU to a standard equal to or higher than Germany or Austria in all EU countries. This will increase the birth rate in the member countries, and in the next 16-18 years it will implicitly create a skilled workforce on market requirements.
We are subsidising agriculture, animal husbandry and renewable energy, all the more we need to subsidise the birth of children!
More skilled labour, = a stronger economy.

Manuel Rodriguez Larrey  • 17 September 2021

Creation of a Fiscal Union as the next step in European Integration.

Gabriele
 • 17 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

ensure decent pay for young workers, shortening recruitment procedures through public competition, facilitating the alternation of study and work.

Luka Chlaidze  • 17 September 2021

It’s important for social justice to give the opportunity for every Erasmus students to work in Europe even one or two years, because the students who are from European Union can study and work in the same time. Equal opportunities for everyone are very important it’s not enough to give someone theoretical education most important is to show the young people who are not from EU how social justice works in real life.

Niculescu
 • 17 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Major investments in industry, infrastructure, restoring the commercial transport and fishing flora, adjusting legislation to the laws of a competitive EU country that resembles our own.

Bogdan
 • 17 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

One Constitution and a single law for the whole of the Union

Cristea Maricel
 • 18 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Good morning
I believe that the main problems that should be solved are the following:
discussion and adoption of an EU Constitution (instead of the current Treaty)
— The creation of the United States of Europe (such as the federation.
— Immediate unification of legislation on: Work in the EU; Equal health and medical care and LIBERA of all EU citizens.
— Unification of the EU wage and pension system
— Unification of the EDUCATIONAL system at EU level
— Creation of an EU Army
— Unifying and creating an EU UNIC Police System

Ziyarat Karimova  • 19 September 2021

Young European Ambassador from Azerbaijan

I would like to raise an idea about equal job opportunities around Europe for everyone regardless citizenship.
If European Universities are accepting more and more students from different countries other than Europe respectively job opportunities also should be accessible accordingly. Huge amount of non-European citizens graduating from European universities have challenges on the way of finding jobs and face plenty of restrictions or circumstances.
I call upon responsible authorities to take it into their consideration and provide equal job and internship opportunities without putting Eu-citizens as a priority and having the equal requirement for everyone

Dumitru Balmez  • 19 September 2021

EU is our country and our home. We love Europe and its diversity. We need each other and we are stronger together. Let's have uniform laws and equal protection for all people in EU. Same rights for any EU person everywhere in the EU.

Bozidar  • 21 September 2021

There is currently no balance of power in the EU due to Brexit and economic downfall of most of the member states except Germany and some other northern countries. The role of Germanic people (north of Europe) becomes dangerously too hegemonic. History teaches us that Germany would love to control Europe politically and economically together with Russia. The main driver of this trend is the Euro currency which serves only strong, export oriented countries. The democratic oversight over European institutions is very weak at best. These political and economic trends make EU existence in the long run questionable. Even stricter European integration is not an answer as small and weak countries already feel like economic colonies. I think the solution is to stick to the basic European freedoms: free movement of goods, people, services, and capital. EU bureaucracy should be drastically limited, the Euro should be withdrawn and national currencies should be restored.

Guglielmo Cosentino  • 21 September 2021

The best way to guarantee a better future in the world is to invest in us young people. Young people are the engine of the world and accompanied by experienced people we can truly make the EU the first power in the world, we don't want pensions or incomes, we just want the opportunity to prove our worth and the opportunity to practice what we study. I propose greater cooperation between EU nations to employ young people from all over Europe and not just the most powerful nations. We want a job to make our beautiful Europe a better place.

Małgorzata  • 22 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

The development of a standard of pay for work. Across the EU, the tariffs for specific occupations should be at the same level. There may not be several times more than one Member State earning the same job.

Response to Małgorzata by Jolanta  • 22 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Only who will pay such a rate? State? You may invest in your own company and hire staff at the rates you propose. And official rates? This was already, but you are sure you are too young to remember. Living at the same level for all is utopia and is called socialism. I do not want to work in a corporation, eat in corporate restaurants and live in the company’s premises. And the setting of official rates and the progressive, over-regulation is precisely intended to do so.

Adam  • 22 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Reduce the maximum length of the first hearing held under the Civil Code to a maximum of 6 months. Standardised cash compensation in the event of delays, e.g. EUR 100 per month up to 1, EUR 150 for each month over the year.

Julia  • 22 September 2021

Hello,

I am the person who would like to develop my skills in the field that I am interested but I don’t have possibility because I don’t have enough experience. I think that company should create some jobs for young and other people who have experience but want to change qualification and industry to train them on the specific position. There are a lot of talented, smart, bright and comprehended people who learn very fast and could be very good employees. The UN and USA could create the app where company would put that kind of job offers and everybody could look through them and apply for the jobs they are interested in. The wages could be lower at the beginnings but enough for normal living whiteout stress that I can buy the apple or bread before next payment and with experience gained and good results achieved the salary could get risings.

Patrynia
 • 22 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

As a working mother receiving money from the state, be it for a crèche or for a child, I am not satisfied with this idea. This money is irrelevant when you do not have access to a public crèche. These places are too few. And part-financing of private crèches only increases the tuition fees, as such institutions know that such financial assistance is available. Child-raising money should run until the child’s 2 years of age, but could then be offset from tax in order to mobilise society to work. I believe that you, especially Poland, are too free to use their money. They will build a power plant for billions, which they will not use as a result, hold envelope elections for PLN 70 million, which are not being reached. No one takes responsibility for this and the penalties or compensation are again paid by Poles in the form of new taxes and levies.

Julia  • 22 September 2021

Hello

Companies should create jobs for people who are calm, unconfident, shy, more jobs for people who prefer to work from home. Companies should create the apps where people could find this kind of jobs.
UN and USA should create some new degree of health assessment for people who have problems with health for example have Crohne dissease or Irritable Bowel disease, and enable them to work in some companies. To create organization that enable to find jobs for this kind of people based on their healthy problems and their skills. This kind of people want to work and are very talented and have great skills. There are also Some people are very stressful at work, depressed, unconfident, mentally or physically weak, shy and other and they need some occuption in order to not to be dangerous for the other people. Because when they have some things to do they do not have time to thing too much and the work give them satisfaction of themselfs and they feel that they are worth something as human.
People should work shorter during the day and than would have more time for family, their interests. Then employees would be more rested , healthier and be more productive at work.

Karolina
 • 22 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

1. A 6-hour working day will make it possible to combine work with the development of passion. During 6 hours of work, the worker is more motivated to perform his/her duties without unnecessarily dragging or prolonging them.
2. Funding for start-ups (but not start-ups) and equipment. Often for those setting up their own businesses, the provision of a job or the first means to disrupt business is a barrier.
3. Increasing the number of projects for re-orientation – creating a database where relevant information on co-financing courses, courses loans or job vacancies in a given company can be found in one place. Many entrepreneurs complain about the lack of trained staff and the cost of recruiting a new employee is quite high. Such a portal would help identify the needs of entrepreneurs and target workers who change jobs and are only entering the labour market.

Szymon
 • 22 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Uniform pay, for all professions across the EU. If in one country the monthly salary, e.g.: the electricity is EUR 2000, in other countries, the same or the equivalent in local currency.

Rafał
 • 22 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

I propose to reduce the statutory working week to 4 days or 5 days after 7 hours of work. As shown by pilot schemes in other countries, the reduction in the size of the post can increase productivity at the same time as reducing expenditure in the form of variable costs and reducing emissions of harmful substances from production processes. Working in this way can also contribute to improving the worklife balance and thus the quality of life and health of citizens.

Krzysztof  • 23 September 2021

Housing shouldn’t be a tool to make money. Open market created situation where we cannot afford to buy a flat or a house while thousands of them are empty just to increase the value of them. There should be more regulations for that on a European level.

Response to Krzysztof by Dawid  • 25 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Yes, that is a problem, but there is no easy solutions. Maybe extra high taxes for third and every other property would be free prices, but it could also go the other way and lead to an increase in rental costs. At the same time, we must reconcile this with the strengthening of the right to property ownership. Today it is impossible to buy/build a house without loan, which costs are massive. It is easy to loose your home. There should be low-interest loans with stable costs for this purpose.

Sergio
 • 23 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

In order to enhance the portals and tools mentioned in the previous paragraph, it is proposed to create a European digital platform that integrates all of them. All EU exchanges, training, volunteering, traineeships and work opportunities could be easily found on this platform. As a guide, such a platform could have the following sections:
• Information about the EU and the programmes addressed on this portal: Information about all EU training, employment and exchange programmes, alerts on deadlines and requirements.
• Country information: The way in which information is currently available on EURES.
• Individual profile: The platform should allow the creation of a profile with the tools currently available in Europass. Such information could allow users to apply to the opportunities advertised on the portal. Processing data could also provide personalised recommendations that match your profile. Many of these synergies already exist today between Europass and the Eures Network.
• Search engine for training opportunities: It should include training and educational exchange opportunities under EU programmes, as well as scholarships and grants awarded by other bodies and pursuing similar objectives.
• Search engine for volunteering, traineeships and work opportunities: Incorporating the selection of jobs, traineeships and volunteering currently available on Eures and the European Youth Portal.
• Participation: This section would find news, events and opportunities through which users can get involved and learn more about the EU.
Incorporating these functions into a single platform would facilitate access to such information. It would also be important to link the platform to the educational institutions from which these programmes are requested (Erasmus, Erasmus +, etc.) so that students can view the offers offered by their universities online and thus improve their accessibility. Making the platform a central element of such applications would increase the use of the platform and thus increase knowledge about EU programmes.

These proposals have been set up in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union, a Team Europe initiative.

Sergio
 • 23 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

Understanding the elements of education policy that affect the rate of entry into the labour market of young people is relevant when it comes to guiding the reforms that Member States undertake in their respective education systems.
It is therefore proposed that the Commission foster a process of dialogue between the relevant national and regional educational institutions. The individuals designated by these institutions, organised in working groups, could exchange information on their respective education policies and develop, with the help of experts, relevant analyses on how to improve the school-to-work transition.
It would be essential for this process to be open to other actors who could provide their knowledge in this area, such as networks and bodies at European level devoted to the study of Member States’ education policies. The working groups organised in this way could reach conclusions on the reforms needed in each Member State to improve the education-labour transition. These proposals could be taken up in the form of recommendations from the European Commission, which would be a relevant guide for Member States when undertaking their reforms.
Finally, emphasis is placed on the importance of having information about students’ performance, not only in specific subjects as provided for in the PISA report, but also about professional competences. It is therefore proposed to develop skills assessments of EU students to complement the information provided in PISA.

These proposals have been set up in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union, a Team Europe initiative.

Sergio
 • 23 September 2021
This is an automated translation. ()

We propose the creation of a European Programme for Youth Labour Continuity, which, within the framework of the Youth Guarantee, Recommendation 2014/C 88/01, and other youth employment initiatives already proposed by the European Union, is able to ensure the retention of youth talent in companies, through tax incentives for companies and affiliated entities, and employment benefits for young people accessing it, with the help of national employment systems as coordinating agents.
This European Youth Labour Continuity Programme would be composed of several dimensions. On the one hand, young people in higher education or higher education graduates could access it if they wish to take up a traineeship. Companies and entities may join the programme if they wish to offer traineeships.
Young people will benefit from accessing a network of companies and entities that assure them to continue their career advancement. They may choose to carry out this process in the same undertaking, or rotate between different undertakings under the Programme, with the certainty that they are registered in the Programme and also have priority in accessing the opportunities offered by companies and entities registered in the Programme.
Companies will get tax incentives in the form of reduced recruitment and social security costs for their workers, as long as they comply with the requirement to prioritise access to employment opportunities for young people registered in the programme, in addition to the requirement to offer permanent contracts to young people who have completed traineeships. They will also have access to a centralised network of other companies and entities registered in the programme, as well as young people who are part of the programme.
This proposal would not replace the Youth Guarantee or other existing youth employment initiatives in the European Union, but would work in parallel and complementary, offering more opportunities for young people to access quality employment. It could be financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF +), as well as by the recent Next Generation EU.

These proposals have been set up in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union, a Team Europe initiative.

Sergio
 • 23 September 2021
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We propose an amendment to Recommendation 2014/C 88/01 and the Youth Guarantee scheme, so as to encourage Member States to encourage employment contracts for non-curricular traineeships, through existing recruitment arrangements that guarantee sufficient quality or by creating a form of traineeship. Traineeships are currently used in Spain, and although with limited success, implementation at European level could increase its effectiveness in quality assurance.
The form of a traineeship consists of a professional agreement aimed at giving an employee experience according to his/her level of education. In this case, the aim would be to guarantee young graduates a period of in-work training that corresponds to their higher education, as part of the Youth Guarantee. In addition, this type of recruitment would be limited to 2 years, thus ensuring that young people who have successfully completed this traineeship are promoted.
Traineeships would fall within the quality framework of Recommendation 2014/C 88/01, in compliance with the principles laid down therein, such as the conclusion of the written agreement, equal working conditions with other employees (ensuring adequate financial remuneration, social security contributions and appropriate working hours, including holidays), and promoting cross-border mobility (due to the possibility of being paid for the work carried out). In order to comply with these principles, it would be necessary to provide for the recruitment of trainees to guarantee a salary equivalent to that of another worker performing the same duties.
It is essential that companies and traineeship providers ensure these quality standards and are given the necessary incentives to adapt to this type of recruitment; they will be tax incentives, reduced recruitment costs and contributions for the young trainee. To this end, the European Union could use the European Social Fund and the recent Recovery Funds, adjusting incentives to the type and size of company or entity.

These proposals have been set up in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union, a Team Europe initiative.

Sergio  • 23 September 2021

Proponemos una reforma a la Recomendación del Consejo sobre un marco de calidad para el período de prácticas (2014/C 88/01), de forma que se amplíe la jurisdicción para incluir a las prácticas curriculares. Actualmente, la Recomendación hace mención explícita a que “no incluye la experiencia laboral que forma parte de planes de estudios de la educación formal o de la educación y formación profesionales” , generando ambigüedades en cuanto a la calidad que se puede esperar de las prácticas curriculares, a pesar de ser estas fundamentales en cuanto proporcionan experiencia laboral previa a la salida al mundo profesional.
La inclusión de las prácticas curriculares en el marco de calidad supone un paso adelante en la gestión de la transición educación-trabajo y las implicaciones que esta tiene para el empleo juvenil. Aunque la reforma a la Recomendación 2014/C 88/01 aquí propuesta no supondrá obligaciones ni derechos vinculantes para los Estados Miembros, de facto puede servir como una hoja de ruta para que estos regulen las prácticas curriculares a nivel interno, dotándolas de más calidad.
Supondría un velamiento explícito por la mejora en la calidad de los períodos de prácticas, sean curriculares o no curriculares, a través de los principios mencionados en la Recomendación: celebración de un convenio de prácticas por escrito, objetivos didácticos y formativos, condiciones laborales aplicables a los trabajadores en prácticas (incluyendo la remuneración económica), derechos y obligaciones, duración razonable, reconocimiento adecuado de los períodos de prácticas, requisitos de transparencia, prácticas transfronterizas, uso de los Fondos Estructurales y de Inversión Europeos, etc.
Además, la incorporación de las prácticas curriculares a la Recomendación 2014/C 88/01 les dará a las universidades y a los centros de educación superior el rol de “interlocutores sociales”, cobrando un papel más activo en la aplicación de los principios de dicha Recomendación y en la gestión de las prácticas curriculares a nivel europeo.
Cabe destacar que en materia de desempleo juvenil se encuentran tasas dispares entre los países de la Unión Europea; sin embargo, algo que casi todos los Estados miembros tienen en común es la obligatoriedad de un período de prácticas durante los estudios superiores. De esta manera, incluir dichos períodos en la Recomendación 2014/C 88/01 proporcionaría cierta cohesión entre Estados Miembros.
Estas propuestas han sido creadas en el marco del Foro x el Futuro de la Unión Europea, una iniciativa de Equipo Europa.

Sergio
 • 23 September 2021
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Although the Regulation contains several references to the youth population, we believe that the following proposals can maximise FRR’s contribution to tackling youth unemployment:
1. By the Member States:
• Implement specific measures on youth unemployment using the Recovery and Resilience Plans, with sufficient funding. The European Parliament report on FRR can serve as a guide, as it was proposed that at least 7 % of the funds should be spent on policies for children and young people (Articles 3, 15 and 16).
• Develop measures targeting the youth population within the other five axes of the FRR, such as the green or digital transition. In particular, the latter axis can have a major impact on youth unemployment, for example through digital skills education programmes.
• Improve the training of public employees in the management of European funds to ensure that all the money allocated is budgeted and executed. Moreover, it should also be ensured that measures on youth unemployment reach all local authorities, including those in depopulated areas.
2. For the EU: expand the functions of the ‘EU Youth Coordinator’. In addition to those foreseen in the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027, the Coordinator should also: (a) to be a contact point for national ministries, national youth organisations and the RECOVER ‘Task Force’ to ensure that the youth population is a priority in the Recovery Plans, and (b) to monitor the implementation of measures aimed at the youth population in the FRR.
3. For the EU and the Member States: involve youth organisations in the implementation and evaluation of the recovery plans. Although the Regulation already includes several references in this respect, they do not imply defined commitments. The EC must ensure that the dialogue with social actors also includes organisations representing youth, in line with what is published in the guidelines for drawing up the Plans and the requests of the European Parliament’s report (Articles 14, 15 and 16).

These proposals have been set up in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union, a Team Europe initiative.

Sergio
 • 23 September 2021
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Although the measures towards the NEET population set out in Council Recommendation 11320/20 are very positive, they should be extended, incorporating the following proposals:
● Establish a more ambitious reduction of the NEET population rate. The current target of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, which is to reduce this rate to 9 % of the population aged 15-29 by 2030, could be increased. In addition, specific targets should also be considered for those countries with a higher NEET rate.
● Explore measures to avoid a return to NEET status after having passed through the Youth Guarantee. Inter alia, in line with Recommendation 4 of the ECA report (2017), Member States should ensure that the offers received match the claimant’s profile and labour market needs. Another possible measure would be for the NEET population to be continuously equipped with a specific mentoring or career guidance service, as a support tool to prevent a return to that status.
● Ensure more investment in the NEET population. Under the agreement of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF +), only those countries whose NEET population rate is above the European average are obliged to allocate 12.5 % of the Fund to this population. A similar rule should be considered for countries with a lower NEET rate than the European average but still high (e.g. above 75 % of the European average).
● Develop a framework strategy for NEET care within the Youth Guarantee. This document should include the most relevant measures, based on success stories, for better governance, design and implementation of programme activities targeting the NEET population, without undermining the subsequent adaptation to the context by local or national authorities.
These proposals have been set up in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union, a Team Europe initiative.

Sergio
 • 23 September 2021
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We believe that the recommendations in principles 15 to 19 of Council Recommendation 11320/20 are necessary, but not sufficient. That is why we suggest the following actions:
● Ensure that the remuneration of the job offer is adequate to maintain decent living conditions for the claimant, taking into account: (a) their personal situation and economic needs, and (b) the average cost of living in their area of residence.
● Prioritising offers that bring more security and stability to the career. For example, those where the working day is full-time or where the contract is long-term. In addition, consideration should be given to the use of incentives for the permanent incorporation into the company of young people covered by the Youth Guarantee, or to establish a minimum of months of contract equal to that needed to access unemployment benefits.
● Establish mechanisms to ensure compliance with the above actions. Among others: make this compliance an ex ante requirement, make it legally binding on employers to comply with certain quality standards, or set up a monitoring committee at local level to assess young people’s experiences, and which in turn is a body to which young people can rely in case of labour abuse. Social partners and youth organisations should be represented in this committee.
● Implement a continuous evaluation of the programme, with indicators measuring the achievement of the objectives, the characteristics of the population receiving job offers, etc. If it had been established earlier, perhaps some of the problems identified in the ECA report in 2017 would have been anticipated. The evaluation should also involve the effective involvement of the social partners, especially youth organisations.
● Revise the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan to include a specific target on youth employment and its quality. The current target of 78 % for the population aged 20-64 can statistically hide the specific challenges of youth unemployment.
These proposals have been set up in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union, a Team Europe initiative.

Viorel  • 24 September 2021

How about River cruising bussines. be designated department to check while the salary are below any other country as well the working hours. ... Cand should be hired minimum 70% of EU crew on adboard.And the most important should be only EU contracts.

Alexandru  • 24 September 2021
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There is a lot of money that escapes Community taxes in the river industry, especially in the cruise ship industry, only a standard EU contract with benefits valid in the EU and a minimum of 70-80 % employees in the EU should be accepted. This means that fees will be returned to the EU. Plus jobs

Adrian  • 24 September 2021

For a good economy in europe is to apply a series of measures in all the country for the underground economy. In every country the money from tax evasion and money laundry( and they are alot) they have to get back in the economic circuit of every country . Every country need a control level of tax evasion and money landry .

Ovidiu Marian  • 24 September 2021

My work experience in Germany as a foreigner from East European Country of origin showed me that there are a lot of problems at the work place.
The biggest problems are related to mobbing by german citizens of the foreigners. I've spoke with other citizens from other countries that told me similar experiences so this is not an isolated case.
There should be a workers union based by country of origin per country where you are working so that mobbed / bullyed workers can speak with conationals that can then contact the employer so that actions are taken. I do think that punishing the employer is not the solution but adressing the agressors which are people also irelevant of beeing employed by some company.

Ovidiu Marian  • 24 September 2021

There is a big problem in the job market in Germany.
This is represented by Arbeitszeugnisse, this is like a recommendation by your former employer.
The problem is that instead of pointing out strong points of the employer this are used to punish the employee.
This should be banned.
Also resumes include all the former Employers names of the Companies where one worked.
I think it would increase the protection for the employees if the resumes would be required to be anonimized ( at least the names of former employer Companies ) and also guarantie a better integration and possibly a better work environment.

Ovidiu Marian  • 24 September 2021

Bullying in germany is very often encountered at the work place.
1. Bullying should be punnished. I mean the agressors should be liable to be called to justice for compensation and not the employer. Also the direct Manager should have a concrete responsability to avoid such behaviour by the employees under him and also be himself liable to be called to justice.
2. The ending of a contract should be eased because people that can not be fired / let lose will probably encounter bullying.
3. For foreign workers from other european countries should exist at least 1 worker union from each foreign country to which the foreign workers can comunicate about there problems with the work and integration in the country they work.
4. Arbeitszeugnisse should be banned because they are used to punish former employees so they do not find a new job very easy.

Oliver Z.  • 24 September 2021

Why there is allowed for countries inside EU to be basically fiscal paradises, places where corrupt people, bureaucrats, politicians, ghost firms and corporations can hide their money without paying taxes?

Oliver Z.  • 24 September 2021

Why you let companies that were built, created but the states or with help of the states to come to Europe even if now they are private in papers(see China)
and kill all EU companies that are not allowed to be helped by the states? Not to mention the conditions of people that work in these factories and companies.
Why EU doesn't force companies to make available all data about the services and raw materials and products chain so anyone can see if that company respects the environment, labor laws and they do a sustainable work and not encourage slavery, pollution, corruption and so on.

Ionut  • 24 September 2021

1. There are a lot of money that are going to fiscal paradises, EU should have laws to prevent that. Make the companies pay they fair share in the country they operate.
2. Increase capital gains tax.
3. Stop stock buybacks, they make no contribution to the productive capabilities of the firm they only serve to make the rich shareholders more rich.
4. Incentivize workplace democracy, we all like democracy lets extend it to where we work.
5. Houses should be treated as a human right not as a way to invest money, decommodify the housing market.
6. Stronger support for unions.

Traian  • 24 September 2021

Economia de Piata Nu e Cea Mai Indicata pentru Viata Omului. Faptul ca Preturile Nu au O Limita Superioara fata de Puterea de Cumparare a Majoritatii Oamenilor, dice la Crize Politice si Sociale Grave, la Dezecilibrul Economic.

Bakyuura  • 24 September 2021

I would like for students to have more job opportunities.

There is a catch 22 situation: Students go on a job interview, they are tuned down due to lack of experience. How are they going to work their way up if there is no starting point?

Lydia Kam
 • 25 September 2021
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1. Reduce the salary of politicians and public figures.
2. Create sites on the internet where youth will be able to search for a job across the countries of the EU
3. Reduce the taxes on start up companies and small businesses and increase the taxes on multinational companies
4

RADU RAZVAN STRAUT  • 25 September 2021

1. Facilitation of allocation of EU funds by use of a minimum bureaucracy selection process for accession of funds and a thorough post-factum verification of use of EU funds and implementation with severe criminal sanctions for fraudulent use of funds;
2. Increase of the number of judges and personnel of the EU Court of Justice to issue solid interpretation of EU law and its transposition in the national law in a timely manner (less than 1 year);
3. Acceleration of an EU rapid response force complementary to NATO security guarantees with a budget of 1% of GDP of each Member State in excess of the 3% deficit target.
4. Limitation of national populist measures by implementation of a Unique EU Social and Labor Code comprising the maximum limits of support one MS can put in place (including the cases of unilateral termination of the labor agreement);
5. A solid support program for families and/or single parents targeting a substantial increase of the birth ratios in all MS.

Michał  • 25 September 2021
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Teachers, doctors, nurses, medical rescue workers and many other public trust professions should be rewarded in a decent way throughout the European Union. It should not be the case that people need to give up their passionate, impoverished work simply because they will not be able to live in dignity for their remuneration.
This is a huge loss for the community when a person who could carry out his/her work very well and efficiently because he would do it with passion is unfortunately wasted elsewhere.
A minimum wage should be set, i.e. comparable to other countries of the European Union, e.g. for teachers, in order to avoid situations where a pupil sometimes earns twice as much as his/her teacher during the holiday period in a simple job that does not require any specialist knowledge and qualifications. Such situations are not motivating the teacher and make the profession unattractive.
The same applies to other professions of public trust. This needs to be changed as these professions are important for society.

Justyna  • 26 September 2021
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I welcome the need to support the creation of organisations for people with disabilities (children and adults) and anywhere like Switzerland where she has been working for many years.

Oleksandra Petrakova (YEA)  • 26 September 2021

I would like undergraduate students to have a decent payment for their internships so they could pay for their livings while getting a relevant work experience, rather than wait for graduation working for McDonald’s.

Laura Serrano Folguera
 • 26 September 2021
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FIGHTING POVERTY BY ENSURING A MINIMUM INCOME

Introduction

The EU is recognised globally as an area of well-being and recognition of decent living conditions for its inhabitants, as set out in numerous Community texts. Indeed, the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) states, in principle 14, that ‘everyone lacking sufficient resources has the right to minimum benefits adequate to ensure a life in dignity (...) and to effective access to goods and services that enable them to live’. What is taken at regulatory level contrasts with the reality of the EU, where there are still a large number of people in a situation of economic vulnerability. In total, 92,4 million Europeans live at risk of poverty and social exclusion, representing 21.1 % of the population. Of these, 1 out of 3 suffer from material deprivation or severe poverty.

Description of the problem

While it is true that the Commission’s new Action Plan for the implementation of the EPSR contains relevant proposals in the fight against poverty, the strategy is presented as insufficient to achieve the target of reducing by 15 million people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by 2030 and whether Europe aims to become an inclusive society benchmark.

In particular, the measure aimed at ensuring a minimum income system in all Member States in order to guarantee a decent life and eliminate poverty, takes the form of a potential Council Recommendation on a Minimum Income Initiative, which would not be available until the end of 2022. The lack of binding nature of such rules makes it optional to implement a minimum income policy, which becomes almost an obligation, given the slow progress made in achieving European poverty reduction objectives and bearing in mind that its effectiveness is widely supported by international organisations and research. In turn, the fact that several countries already have their own minimum income programme makes it essential to extend this anti-poverty policy to all other Member States in order to prevent the growth of the double intra-state poverty gap.

Proposal

We propose the introduction of a Framework Directive on an Adequate Minimum Income, obliging Member States to establish (if not already in place) a minimum income programme to ensure decent living conditions in all households, with the aim of giving effect to Principle 14 of the EPSR. In summary, this Framework Directive should have the following characteristics:

Require adequacy criteria: a minimum income must guarantee a life in dignity; accessibility: be accessible to all in need and be available as long as necessary; and capacity building: it should enable individuals to fully participate in society, regardless of their working capacity, and to leave the minimum income scheme as quickly as possible. In this regard, in the wording of the Directive, consensus must be reached on what is considered to be a ‘life in dignity’ on the basis of objective indicators that can be adapted to each Member State in particular.
Combine minimum income benefits with incentives for the (re) integration of beneficiaries into the labour market in order to avoid “poverty or inactivity traps”.
Respect the EU treaties and the principle of subsidiarity, using Articles 153, 1 (b) and 153 TFEU as a legal basis for their adoption through the “ordinary legislative procedure”, as has recently been done with the proposal for a Directive on adequate minimum wages.

Use part of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF +) to support Member States in setting up or strengthening these adequate minimum income programmes; as proposed by the European Parliament in a 2017 resolution.

For each Member State, periodically review and, if necessary, update the minimum income programme aid allocation, adjusting it to the cost of living for each type of household and region.

For each Member State, regularly assess the development of minimum income programmes with specific objectives and link them to those already established in the EPSR Action Plan and the recommendations of the European Semester.

* This proposal has been created in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union *

Laura Serrano Folguera
 • 26 September 2021
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THE EUROPEAN SEMESTER AS A CATALYST FOR SOCIO-ECONOMIC RECOVERY

Introduction
Following the current economic, health and social crisis caused by the coronavirus, the levels of poverty, unemployment and inequalities have increased exponentially, thus pointing to the lack of a social protection system that guarantees prosperity for all Europeans. The European Pillar of Social Rights was implemented in 2017 with the aim of promoting decent work and the acquisition of new skills through 20 principles, which are particularly relevant to the social and economic recovery from the devastating consequences of the current crisis.
In order to ensure economic growth that benefits all individuals in society and promotes a European socio-economic recovery, it is essential to support and align the European Semester and the country-specific recommendations with the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Description of the problem
The European Semester was set up to coordinate macroeconomic, fiscal and social policies in recent years seeking to implement the objectives of the Social Pillar. Following the major economic and social impact caused by the coronavirus crisis, it is crucial to include social policies in the European economic governance action plan to reduce growing inequalities and poverty levels.
To this end, the European Commission implemented the Social Scoreboard as a method for assessing the incorporation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in each Member State and its progress over time. Based on the data analysed, a report is made with country-specific recommendations to be implemented throughout each European Semester. However, on many occasions it has been found that the ratio of compliance with the country-specific recommendations (CSRs) is not high enough in addition to not establishing specific recommendations to help the most vulnerable segments of the population.
In addition, the European Commission created an action plan to implement the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. However, this action plan does not cover the implementation of the 20 principles of the Social Pillar in the long term, but focuses on action only during the 2019-2024 mandate, demonstrating a lack of a long-term vision.

Proposal
In order to have a good socio-economic recovery after the crisis and implementation of the Social Pillar in line with the European Semester, we consider that this mechanism for coordinating economic, fiscal and social policies should be strengthened in the areas covered by the Pillar and, in particular, in the social and environmental fields. To this end, we propose the following ideas on how the European Semester can cater for all European citizens following the principles of “leaving no one behind” and “do not meaningfully harm”.
Groups in vulnerable situations are more prone to poverty and social exclusion and whose situation has been particularly aggravated by the crisis. It is therefore necessary to work towards their social inclusion by incorporating Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) at local level aimed at addressing the rising levels of inequality and poverty particularly present in these groups.
Since the start of the European Semester in 2011, 5 % of CSR have not experienced any progress, 27 % of them have seen minimal progress and only 6 % of CSR have been fully implemented, mainly in financial areas. It is therefore of great importance to analyse how the CSR implementation ratio in the Member States increases, especially in environmental and social matters and in a local way. Financial incentives as part of the European Resilience and Reconstruction Facility implemented at the start of the Semester in 2021, can be used to increase the national implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Greater involvement of different actors in society in the European Semester. In order to ensure the principle of “leaving no one behind”, it is necessary to carry out different consultations with different actors in society such as national governments, businesses and civil society.

* This proposal has been created in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union *

Laura Serrano Folguera
 • 26 September 2021
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A MINIMUM LABOUR FRAMEWORK FOR THE PLATFORM ECONOMY

Introduction

The digitalisation of the economy is transforming the world of work. Digital labour platforms are a distinctive part of this change, between which we can find two groups: web-based platforms where workers work remotely or online, and location-based platforms where workers are physically present to perform their tasks.

Such platforms offer opportunities as we have seen in recent years. However, they give rise to some problems. As regards workers, the problems relate in particular to regularity of work and income, working conditions, social protection, use of professional skills, freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

Description of the problem

The terms and conditions of the services are set out in pre-emption contracts defined unilaterally by the platforms, which include aspects relating to working time, remuneration, customer service protocols, applicable law and data ownership, among others. In general, such contracts do not define the contractual relationship between the platform and the worker as an employment relationship, regardless of the real nature of the relationship. As a result, workers do not have access to many employment protections and rights for employees. This underpins the problem of ‘false self-employment’.

There are major shortcomings as regards sickness insurance and benefits for accidents at work, as well as unemployment and invalidity insurance and old-age or old-age benefits. Despite limited access to social protection, drivers and delivery sets working through apps face various occupational safety and health risks.

With platforms operating in multiple jurisdictions, coherent and coordinated policies are needed to ensure that they offer decent work opportunities and foster the growth of sustainable businesses. Pending an international decision, we recommend that the European Commission start a debate to create a directive that will affect at least all platform workers in Europe.

Proposal

Many governments, businesses and workers’ representatives, including trade unions, have started to address some of these issues, but their answers are varied.
We call for European social dialogue and regulatory cooperation between digital labour platforms, workers and governments, which could eventually lead to a more effective and coherent approach towards a set of objectives to ensure that:
The employment status of workers is correctly classified and in line with national classification systems. (avoid bogus self-employment)
There is transparency and accountability of algorithms for workers and companies. (workers are often forced to accept tasks they do not want because they are afraid of downgrading and seeing their income reduced)
Self-employed platform workers can enjoy the right to collective bargaining. (as already started in several countries including Spain)
All workers, including platform workers, have access to adequate social security benefits by broadening and adapting policy and legal frameworks where necessary.
Platform workers can access the courts of the jurisdiction in which they are located if they so wish.
In order to achieve these objectives, we recommend that the Commission create common European legislation with immediate effect in the Member States that meets the above points. The aim is to eliminate all possibilities for companies in this sector to use the legal recourses of each national legislation to continue with this unfair situation. The creation of such legislation can be based on the individual progress made by Member States, such as Spain, and on the recommendations of international organisations such as the ILO.

* This proposal has been created in the framework of the Forum x the Future of the European Union *

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