“Enjoying equal access to the job market with fair working conditions and adequate and sustainable social protection should be within reach of all Europeans citizens. The Social Pillar presented by the European Commission is a good initiative that aims to consolidate and update these basic social rights and pave the way to a sustainable social market economy. The social market economy should be in the heart of Europe”, declared David Casa MEP, EPP Group Spokesman in the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, just as the Commission is set to release its proposal on the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Announced by Jean-Claude Juncker in 2015 and presented after wide consultation, the package will contain non-legislative and legislative measures to meet the major challenges of the 21st century such as globalisation, an ageing population and digitisation.

As part of this package, the European Commission will also present several measures regarding the work-life balance initiative.

"Women, even if they are more educated than men, are often phased out of the labour market because of the impossibility to reach a proper balance between their private and professional career. This reality is translated by the fact that they have to leave their work in order to take care of their children or other dependants. The proposals made by the Commission are a good basis which now need to be discussed in order to meet the expectations of European citizens who want to work and enjoy their family life at the same time”, declared Constance le Grip MEP, EPP Group Spokeswoman in the Women’s Rights Committee.

“The EPP Group welcomes the package on the social pillar presented by the Commission but we need to keep in mind the importance of Member States’ competences and social dialogue patterns. Indeed, the EPP Group will fight proactively for its values to be kept in this package and is committed to working hand-in-hand with the Commission to make a Europe that protects our social rights”, concluded Casa and le Grip.