
‘A Union that strives for more’
Commission Work Programme 2020
IF – 02/2020
Under the
title ‘A Union that strives for more’, the European Commission published its
Work Programme for 2020 on 29 January 2020. The EU is to become more
climate-neutral, digital and fairer for the citizens of the Union at various
levels. 43 new Commission initiatives have been created to drive forward the
ongoing evolution of the European Union.
Short and long-term objectives
The work
programme consists of six overarching priorities, which include relevant issues and
initiatives for social security. These are largely based on the political guidelines put forward by Commission President
Ursula von der Leyen and the European Council’s Strategic Agenda
2019-2024.
Various
initiatives in the Commission programme that are relevant to social security
are described in the following overview.
Various
initiatives in the Commission programme that are relevant to social security
are described in the following overview.
Green and sustainable = European Deal
The first
priority focuses on the ‘European Green Deal’, which has been widely discussed
in the media (see article Jan 2020). These climate-neutral measures impact
almost all major sectors of industry, business, agriculture including food and
product safety as well as the world of work and, ultimately, workers. A high
level of awareness of the issue is evident throughout the programme. The
communication can be viewed here.
Digitalisation as an opportunity for the world of work
‘A Europe Fit
for the Digital Age’ is the second priority. It focuses on the handling of
digital data, the development and use of artificial intelligence and digital
services, including the relevant aspects of legal conformity. It will include
initiatives such as a White Paper on Artificial Intelligence, a European
digital strategy, an action plan for digital literacy to make everyday working
life easier by acquiring new skills, and improving the working conditions of
platform workers.
Uniting social and economic policy
The aim of
the third priority, ‘An Economy that Works for People’, is to ready the social
market economy for digital change and climate change in order to reconcile
social justice, sustainability and economic growth. Action plans for
implementing the European pillar of social rights by 2021, fair minimum wages
for workers in the EU and the introduction of a European unemployment
reinsurance scheme are to be initiated which takes into account respective
national expectations.
A European way of life for health, disease and old age
The priority
‘Promoting our European Way of Life’ addresses security issues, the fight
against terrorism and health issues, such as the European Cancer Plan and a
pharmaceutical strategy. The aim of the last priority, ‘A New Push for European
Democracy’, is to boost citizen participation and co-determination by
initiating a Conference on the Future of Europe.
This priority
area also includes initiatives to address the impact of demographic change,
such as a Green Paper on Ageing and a Report on the Impact of Demographic
Change. A Gender Equality Strategy on women’s rights is expected as early as
the first half of 2020, reflecting the wishes of Commission President Ursula
von der Leyen, who has made equality a priority for her term of office.
The full
Work Programme can be read here.