The first year-end reviews
Publication of the annual report by the Social Protection Committee.
RD – 11/2019
The Social Protection Committee (SPC) has published its annual report on
the social situation and development of the social protection policy in the
Member States. Based on a number of key indicators, the report analyses the
progress made in the realization of the “Europe 2020 Objective” aiming to
reduce poverty and social exclusion as well as the latest social tendencies
that can be observed. Furthermore, the latest sociopolitical developments as
well as the most important structural challenges in social matters posed in
individual Members States are presented. One of the goals of the SPC Annual Report
2019 is to provide the European Council with an analysis geared at determining
the most important sociopolitical priorities. It is intended to serve the
European Commission when preparing its Annual Growth Survey 2020.
More importantly, the methodology applied and
the different parameters were described to clarify the empirical way of
working. A fundamental tool for extracting information is offered by the
“Social Protection Performance Monitor” (SPPM) and Members States’ reporting.
A review of national reform
programmes 2019 shows that Member States’ endeavours concentrate on the
inclusion approach. Among other things, Members States focus on the integration
of those furthest away from the labour market and on ensuring social security.
Some Members States implement e.g. participant programmes aiming to improve
employability, especially of adolescents, the elderly and the disabled.
Furthermore, they take measures to improve the coverage and adequacy of social
benefits, to set minimum wage rules and level out regional differences.
Owing to the favourable economic environment and
the positive implications of EU and Members States policy, a long-lasting and
far-reaching improvement of the social situation can be observed across Europe.
Although the most recent social developments are mostly positive, SPC’s
analysis also shows that it is unlikely to reach the Europe 2020 Objective in
respect of poverty and social exclusion.
The separate annexe to the report, the "SPPM Country Profile“, helps deal thoroughly with this subject matter with regard to
each Member State.
Background
The SPC is a consultative
political body for the ministers who meet at the Council on Employment, Social
Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO). It serves to bring together
policymakers from all EU-Member States and the Commission in order for them to
react to the various challenges the Member States are confronted with. This
implies the use of the Open Method Of Coordination For Social Protection And
Social Inclusion (social OMC) which aims to achieve the goals the EU has set in
the field of social policy. All major fields of social policy are included:
social protection and social inclusion, retirement income, health care and
long-term care.