The letter from the PES to President Juncker is the latest in an ongoing dialogue with the Commission president on the need for a more social Europe.
The PES expects an ambitious proposal to deal with zero-hour contracts, to address the new forms of work such as online platforms, and to guarantee high social standards for the most vulnerable workers.
The signatories of the letter are PES president Sergei Stanishev, Luxembourg’s labour minister Nicolas Schmit, and the chairs of two PES networks, the Financial and Economic Network and the Social Europe Network, Maria João Rodrigues and Pervenche Berès.
PES president Sergei Stanishev said:
“We are glad that social concerns are back on the political agenda. It is crucial to make sure that principles proclaimed in the European pillar of social rights are turned to reality, as we set out in our European Social Action Plan.
“Strong policies also require strong implementation. The Commission should create a strong European Labour Authority with real power and adequate funding.
“It is time to reinforce our social model, to reduce inequalities, to guarantee strong social standards to all. The EU needs a social turn, now.”
