In its own-initiative opinion on the new European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomes the European Commission’s initiative and urges a renewed and ambitious approach. The EESC highlights the need to reinforce the social dimension of the EU, particularly in light of ongoing green and digital transitions and persistent inequalities. It calls for a stronger focus on social investment, quality employment, inclusive labour markets, fair mobility and accessible social protection systems. The Committee underlines the importance of involving civil society and social partners at all levels and recommends establishing clear targets, effective monitoring and adequate funding to ensure the full implementation of the EPSR principles.
Download — Tuairim ó rannóg de chuid CESE: New Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights
The legislative proposal, subject of this opinion, aims at amending Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 by postponing of two years the deadline set in article 48 for the fulfilment of due diligence obligations by economic operators.
Download — Tuairim ó CESE: Battery due diligence policies
In this opinion, the EESC is presenting several recommendations to mitigate the effects of the cost-of -living crisis. These include:
investment in people and the economy, fair taxation, quality and affordable public services and targeted support for the most vulnerable;
short- and long-term industrial policy and efforts to boost competitiveness;
stronger use of social dialogue, collective bargaining, and civil dialogue to address labour market challenges;
wage and minimum wage increase as way of protection;
more investments in education as a powerful preventive tool against exclusion, marginalisation, and inequality
Download — Tuairim ó rannóg de chuid CESE: How to address the loss of purchasing power and the risk of rising inequalities, exclusion and marginalization
The opinion focuses on the legislative proposals package "Omnibus IV" whose measures ease compliance obligations and thus free resources for growth and investment across the Single Market for small-mid caps.
Tuairimí atá idir lámha (updated on 12/06/2025) - Bureau decision date: 25/03/2025
Europe’s energy system is increasingly unbalanced due to intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar, often relying on fossil fuels for stability. Achieving balance is key for energy reliability, climate goals, economic growth, and technological innovation. This opinion explores how Member States can integrate renewables while ensuring system stability and advancing decarbonisation, focusing on managing intermittent energy effectively.
Download — Tuairim ó rannóg de chuid CESE: Towards a balanced European energy system
reaffirms its unwavering commitment to gender equality and women’s rights as fundamental pillars of democracy, social justice and inclusive growth and stands firmly alongside all the players striving to advance equality for all women and girls, in all their diversity;
endorses the Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society, which aligns closely with the values and priorities repeatedly expressed in EESC opinions;
recognises that the implementation of these principles requires coordinated and sustained action to which it is committed;
stands ready to contribute actively to the realisation of this roadmap and to work with the European institutions and Member States, to transform these principles into practice.
Tuairimí atá idir lámha (updated on 11/06/2025) - Bureau decision date: 05/12/2024
Download — Tuairim ó rannóg de chuid CESE: Regenerative agriculture as a target towards enhancing sustainable food production, supporting climate and biodiversity objectives
Download — Tuairim ó rannóg de chuid CESE: Reindustrialisation of Europe – opportunity for businesses, employees and citizens in the context of the cost-of-living crisis
Ensuring the European healthcare sector is well-equipped to respond to cyber-attacks will be a top priority for the newly elected European Commission.
On 15 January 2025, the European Commission published a European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers, COM(2025) 10 final.
The European Commission Communication on the "European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers" aims to strengthen the security of our health systems and to improve the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers across the EU as healthcare systems increasingly become targets of cyber and ransomware attacks, in a comprehensive action plan.
Download — Tuairim ó rannóg de chuid CESE: European action plan on the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers
This exploratory opinion will focus on the comprehensive evaluation of the Public Procurement Directives that the Commission has envisaged to carry out; such evaluation will look into whether the current rules are fit for purpose or not. The EESC opinion aims at contributing to this exercise reflecting the perspective of civil society.
Tuairimí atá idir lámha (updated on 07/06/2025) - Bureau decision date: 28/04/2025
In this exploratory opinion, requested by the European Commission, the EESC outlines priority actions and flagship initiatives for the 2025–2030 period. It urges the Commission to quickly develop its next action plan with meaningful consultation of persons with disabilities and their organisations and calls for stronger, more binding measures than those from 2021–2025, with direct impact and dedicated funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework to ensure effective implementation and support.
Download — Tuairim ó rannóg de chuid CESE: The Future of the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities post-2025
Pietro Vittorio BARBIERI (Civil Society Organisations - GR III/Italy), Peter SCHMIDT (Workers - GR II/Germany), Christa SCHWENG (Employers - GR I/Austria)
Plenary session number
598
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Tuairimí atá idir lámha (updated on 06/06/2025) - Bureau decision date: 25/02/2025
