Convening by videoconference, the socialist ministers welcomed the Youth Employment Support package announced by European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit, who attended the meeting to discuss the initiative. The package is a vital part of socialists and democratic efforts to ensure a fair recovery for all young women and men, from every background, in every region.
PES EPSCO Chair and Portuguese Minister for Labour, Solidarity and Social Security Ana Mendes Godinho said:
“Previous recessions have hit young generations hard. As socialist and democrats we will not allow that to happen again. We are fighting to make employment for young people a driver for our recovery. This is how we furnish the next generation with the opportunities and skills they need to succeed and how we achieve our sustainability and digital ambitions. We are urging European leaders to back a recovery for young people this week.
“Our political family pioneered the Youth Guarantee back in 2008. Today’s crisis requires further action to support young people into employment, to support education and training. The Youth Employment Support package presented by Nicolas Schmit is that big step forward. This has been a priority for our family and we strongly welcome it. This initiative is another clear signal that socialists and democrats are acting for the next generation.”
Today’s PES EPSCO meeting was the first to be held under the German presidency. Participants discussed socialist and democratic priorities for the next six months, including minimum income schemes, worker participation in company decision-making, and other ways to improve working conditions and secure better wellbeing at work.
The meeting was attended by:
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Ana Mendes Godinho, Chair Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Portugal
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Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, European Commission
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Tomas Novotny, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Czech Republic
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Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister of Labor, Germany
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Rolf Schmachtenberg, State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
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Francesca Puglisi, Deputy Minister of Labour, Italy
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José Luis Escrivá Belmonte, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Spain
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Agnes Jongerius, EMPL Coordinator, S&D group in the European Parliament and Chair of PES Social Europe Network
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Heléne Fritzon, EMPL Coordinator, S&D Vice President, S&D group in the European Parliament
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Luca Visentini, General Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation
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Liina Carr, Confederal Secretary, European Trade Union Confederation
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Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES
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Efi Bekou, Party Representative, Secretary for Social Care Policies, Movement for Change, Greece
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Paulina Piechna-Więckiewicz, Party Representative, Director of the Office of the Parliamentary Group of the Left, SLD-New Left, Poland
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Victor Negrescu, Party Representative, Member of the European Parliament, PSD, Romania
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Laszlo Andor, Secretary General, FEPS
