A meeting to discuss the European pillar for social rights, which seeks to ensure social progress, has been met with criticism by Employment and Education Minister Evarist Bartolo.
The aim of such a pillar is to improve the day-to-day lives of people living within the EU's borders, by ensuring widespread employment and safeguarding social rights.
Minister Bartolo questioned who will be paying for the aims laid out by the pillar for social rights. He said this in relation to the EU's impositions such as insisting on a balanced budget and keeping a member state's deficit below certain levels. He said that to promote social rights, one needs a growing economy and low unemployment rates - to do this a country needs to spend, he said.
The meeting was addressed by Civil Liberties, Social Dislogue and Consumer Affairs Minister Helena Dalli, and Finance Minister Edward Scicluna. Dr Dalli questioned whether the EU has lost its social soul, adding that the 27-member bloc's credibility will continue to be questioned should it fall behind on social rights.
Professor Scicluna highlighted political and economic divergence as the eu was trying to respond to the financial crises, and stressed the need to be allowed to invest in projects which promote employment without the need for EU clearance.
The European Commission presented a policy document to launch the public consultation. The idea was originally presented by President Jean-Paul Juncker's Commission on 8 March 2016; the consultation period will continue throughout 2016.
In the document, it was said that this boost to promote social rights came about in response to the long financial crises the EU has been enduring. This has highlighted disparities between member states, high unemployment and therefore a loss of social rights.
In addition to this, the pillar aims to move towards a "deeper and fairer Economic and Monetary Union," according to the Commission document. Defining the role, scope and legal nature of the European pillar of social rights, the document reads:
"The purpose of the pillar is to express a number of essential principles to support well-functioning and fair labour markets and welfare systems. As indicated by President Juncker, the pillar will be developed within the euro area, while allowing other EU member states to join if they want to do so.
"The pillar will thus build on, and complement,mother existing EU-level social acquis, and the principles it contains will have a specific focus on addressing the needs and challenges confronting the euro area. Once established, the pillar should become a reference framework to screen the employment and social performance of participating member states, to drive reforms at national level and more specifically, to serve as a compass for renewed convergence within the euro area."
The principles outlined in the document are equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions and adequate and sustainable social protection.
The questions for which the Commission seeks public consultation relate to three areas: on the social situation and EU social acquis, on the future of work and welfare systems and on the European pillar of social rights.
The Commission representation in each member state is hosting meetings in order to present its document, and gather feedback. The Commission representation in Malta will be doing so on 2 September, with a conference expected to take place mid-January 2017. A number of key members from civil society, NGOS and a number of other entities are being consulted with in order to gather as much meaningful feedback as possible.