Social pillar
(Brussels) The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), “welcomes the initiative of the European Commission to propose a European Labour Authority” to strengthen the rights of almost 17 million European citizens working in another EU country”, other than that of which they are nationals. The COMECE encourages the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union “to swiftly review the proposal allowing the institution to start working before the 2019 European elections”. The statement released by the Brussels-based ecclesial body on this matter is available at http://www.comece.eu/. This European Labour Authority “could play an important role. It could help Member States to better implement the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights and promote the European social market economy as laid down in the EU treaties”. “In an increasingly interconnected European labour market, the new agency – COMECE stated – could help EU citizens working in another EU country to become fully aware of their rights and tackle irregularities”. COMECE also “welcomes” the proposal for a Council Recommendation on access to social protection for workers and self-employed. In the upcoming weeks, COMECE and its Social Affairs Commission “will analyse both EU initiatives and address the proposals in its forthcoming publication on the future of work”.
