Fairness issues can score.

Around 200 European citizens will meet in Dublin at the end of February as part of the conference on the “Future of Europe”. The European citizens' panel for "A stronger economy, social justice and jobs / training, culture, youth and sport / digital transformation" has already met twice to work on the final recommendations - once in September 2021 in Strasbourg and once online in November 2022.

Employment and social together

The five main working areas for the committees are: “Working in Europe," "An economy for the future," "A just society," "Training in Europe," and "An ethical and secure digital transformation." Once finalised, the recommendations will be discussed at the conference’s plenary session that will be held on March 11th & 12th.

A right of equality

The November meeting regarding the action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights resulted in various proposals being made. The citizens and therefore the member countries are obliged to actually implement the measures included in them. Many want real gender equality and entitlement to an equal salary and transparency also has a significant importance.
The committees also agreed that equal opportunities should apply to everyone, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, religion or people with disabilities. A more inclusive Europe is the desire here.

The session will take place with the panellists physically present and in full compliance with the public health measures in place in Ireland. Hybrid facilities will also be available for remote connection by the participants.

Smart working - the byword for the modern working mode?

Our way of working has been turned upside down since the pandemic started. Whereas people working in home offices used to be exotic, this is now considered a common form of work. At its last meeting, the committee addressed the conflict between professional and private lives. Smart working, generally working more independently with a lighter workload and less technical support, is said to be on the rise. Smart working can spread in established companies as well as being practised by individuals (i.e. the self-employed).

 Consequently, the panel has called for the harmonisation of smart working regulations at European level and verification of compliance as well as a reduction in working hours and an increase in efficiency through technology. More far-reaching would be a demand for harmonisation of "smart working" at European level by officially defining the working hours, availability and rest periods (right to be unavailable) and verifying compliance. However, as these are only suggestions, there will certainly still be a need for discussion here.

You can find the details about the proposals here.