Ladies and Gentlemen,
The European Pillar of Social Rights is an expression of our concern for people: for their dignity, security and opportunities for development in a rapidly changing world.
Europe will not win the global competition with low wages or by lowering standards. It will win by investing in people and protecting workers during times of transformation: digital, green, but also, increasingly, demographic. Education that meets the needs of the labour market, access to training throughout one’s working life, and stable, high-quality employment are the foundations of an innovative and resilient economy.
It is essential that the implementation of the Pillar is pragmatic and based on social dialogue. It is important that it promotes job creation and increased competitiveness, rather than placing an excessive burden on businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.
The European Pillar of Social Rights is not an add-on to economic policy; it is an integral part of it. It helps to build Europe that is at once competitive and fair, modern and based on solidarity.
This is the Europe we want to pass on to future generations.