European ministers today reached agreement on measures to strengthen Europe’s social economy.
A recommendation approved by the employment and social affairs council aims to “create favourable conditions for social economy organisations to thrive and grow” and includes measures to ensure people working in the sector have decent pay and conditions by promoting collective bargaining.
European Trade Union Confederation Deputy General Secretary Claes-Mikael Ståhl said of the proposal:
“At a time when corporations are making record profit margins through price speculation, efforts to promote socially responsible business practices are much-needed.
“The Council is right to strengthen Europe’s social economy, which places the needs of people above profit at any cost and reinvests profits rather than siphoning them off into the pockets of wealthy shareholders.
“This recommendation will also help to make sure that the sector lives up its name by promoting the need for social dialogue and collective bargaining for fair pay and working conditions.
“Too often we find that employers in the social economy are not practicing what they preach. Following good groundwork done by EU Commssion, the Council has made clear today there are no exceptions to workers’ rights.
“It’s imperative ministers now act on the recommendation in their member states by promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining as the best way to fair pay and conditions in all parts of the economy.”
