Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, said there are two major challenges in fighting poverty and social exclusion. First, there is the economic crisis which has hit the EU, and second, the way social policies across member states are structured.
The first priority is getting more people employed in decent jobs, the commissioner said. Recently, President of the Commission Jean-Claude Juncker promised to present a €300 billion plan for investment to bolster growth and jobs by the end of the year. The proposal was met with several questions from stakeholders.
There is also the need for measures that lead people into such jobs. "We can't say we've solved a problem if there's a shift from the poor unemployed to the working poor. We should never forget that there are people who can't participate in the labour market, and these need to be protected. We should not be afraid of change, there is the need of modernisation of welfare states," she said.
"There is the need to analyse the social indicators, and encourage exchange of knowledge. Member states need to have common goals as well as a common approach. The EU has a coordinating role, bringing countries together," she said.
Europe's people are its biggest asset
Ms Danuta Jaziowiecka, Vice Chair of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee at the European Parliament said it is not the time to wait for decisions taken in the European Union. The member states need to listen to the people, and discuss the best way forward.
"People are poor in some aspects. We need to analyse the indicators of poverty, at a local level. The biggest investment of the European Union is the human capital; there are people who are skilled, and are looking for jobs outside the EU," Ms Juziowiecka said. "Europe's people are its biggest asset."
"We need to ensure that member states are proactive; countries need to anticipate risk of poverty and be continuously active on a daily basis. We need to change our perspective. It should not be about tackling unemployment when the problem arises, but rather continuously working to create new jobs, and opportunities."
Ms Juzioweicka noted that a recent commission report revealed that many member states are still unaware of the Europe 2020 strategy.
The 4th Annual Convention of the European Platform against Poverty and Social Exclusion comes to an end today. The convention brought together a number of NGOs, ministers from several member states and stakeholders of the fight against poverty. Members of the Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament was also present. President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, was present at the opening of the convention. The 2020 measures were discussed and analysed, while the challenges present were highlighted.
The participants agreed on an integral approach in fighting poverty; however some members of the audience argued that the EU is focusing on job creation, however has failed to come up with solutions for those who are unable to work, such as persons with disabilities.
Therese Bonnici was reporting from Brussels