1. “Social Pillar: from Ideas to Impact”
15/05/2017
Frank Sioen
European Network on Independent Living - ENIL

2. Overview What is the European Pillar of Social Rights?
What were the different steps leading up to the proposal?
What is the content of the current proposal?
What will be the impact of the Social Pillar on future European and national policy?
Initiatives accompanying the Pillar

3. What is the European Pillar of Social Rights?
A collection of social rights on the topics of employment, different types and patterns of work, working conditions and social protection such as benefits
The EU wants the Social Pillar to be a benchmark for social rights across Europe
Member states should aim to implement the Pillar and afford all citizens these social rights
However, it is a recommendation, not a law and it may be difficult to implement

4. What were the different steps leading up to the proposal?
09/09/2015: Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced the European Pillar of Social Rights in his state of the union
08/03/2016: The first outline of the Pillar was presented
Until 31/12/2016: Public Consultation
26/04/2017: Commission Proposal

5. The first outline (1.1)
20 Principals in 3 chapters
CHAPTER I : EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS TO THE LABOUR MARKET
CHAPTER II : FAIR WORKING CONDITIONS
CHAPTER III : ADEQUATE AND SUSTAINABLE SOCIAL PROTECTION

6. The first outline (1.2) Disability in the chapter on Social Protection
Persons with disabilities shall be ensured enabling services and basic income security that allows them a decent standard of living. The conditions of benefit receipt shall not create barriers to employment.
Access to quality and affordable long-term care services, including home-based care, provided by adequately qualified professionals shall be ensured
Nothing in areas such as education or support to employment

7. Public Consultation ENIL participated to the consultation
ENIL position paper
Sending a questionnaire to ENIL members to draft a response to the online consultation
Attending and speaking at consultation meetings
Main ENIL demands
Mainstream disability to all areas
Rights instead of benefits
Community based services (including PA), not long term care
Fully accessible services
EU definition of disability
Enforceable Social Pillar

8. What is the content of the current proposal? (1.1)
Commission Recommendation
Again 3 Chapters and 20 Principals
Improvements
Right to quality and inclusive education
People with disabilities have the right to income support that ensures living in dignity, services that enable them to participate in the labour market and in society, and a work environment adapted to their needs.
Everyone has the right to affordable long-term care services of good quality, in particular home-care and community-based services.

9. What is the content of the current proposal? (2.2)
Missed opportunities:
No mention of PA (Budget)
Access to services
Measures to support access to these services shall be available for those in need.
No EU definition of disability
No enforcement mechanism

10. The Pillar is a recommendation→
What will be the impact of the Social Pillar on future European policy? (1.1)
The Pillar is a recommendation→
Given the legal nature of the Pillar, these principles and rights are not directly enforceable: they require a translation into dedicated action and/or separate legislation, at the appropriate level.
→ Direct impact will be limited, but the Pillar will guide new EC proposals

11. What will be the impact of the Social Pillar on future national policy
The Commission will propose to the Council and the Parliament to jointly adopt the Pillar on 17 November
Until 17 November the EC will negotiate with the Parliament and the Council
→ Direct impact will be limited, but the Pillar will guide new EU (EP) and National ((European)Council) legislation

12. Initiatives accompanying the Pillar
Together with the Pillar the Commission launched 3 initiatives to put the Pillar into practice at EU level
WLB package ( combination of legislation and guidance)
Consultation on access to social protection
Consultation on modernising the rules on labour contracts
→ More concrete impact

13. What can you do?
Mail your MEP to encourage the Parliament to take a strong position on the recommendation proposed by the Commission
Need for a monitoring mechanism
EU-wide definition or recognition of disability
Need to include PA(Budget) in WLB package
Use the Pillar as an advocacy tool at national level

15. Thank you! frank.sioen@enil.eu ENIL www.enil.eu
ENIL Brussels Office
Mundo J, Rue de l’Industrie 10, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: 0032 (0)