
Annual forum on social security
Social security is a prerequisite for a strong single market.
DB – 10/2024
The
increasing mobility of citizens within the European Union (EU) and the further development of
the European single market make intensive cooperation between national social
security systems increasingly more important. This was the message sent by the
3rd ESIP (European Social Insurance Platform) Annual Forum that was held on October 15 at Scotland House in Brussels. This Annual Forum is ESIP's most
important public event. This year's motto was "A strong welfare state for
a socially robust single market: The role of social security".
The day
was characterised by intensive discussions about how the European single market
can be structured so that it works equally for all citizens. Social security
experts, members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and academics all
participated in three panels and a concluding round table.
Promoting employee mobility
The
first panel "Supporting mobility of workers across the EU and fighting
workforce shortages: Where social protection and labour policies meet"
focused on the shortage of skilled workers and demographic changes. Various
solutions were discussed, including continuous training to ensure that
employees' skills keep pace with the changing demands of the labour market.
Consistent use of the "European Talent Pool" was also highlighted as
was simplifying the recognition of foreign training certificates in order to
accelerate access to the labour market.
Closing the gaps in social protection
The
central topic of the second panel "A single market that works for all: How
do we bridge the gaps in social protection?" covered the need for
increased social investment in Europe. A comprehensive approach to lifelong
learning was highlighted here, starting with early childhood education through
school and vocational training on to active labour market policies that could
secure employment and promote reintegration. Prevention and rehabilitation come
to the fore in old age in order to enable active ageing and social
participation. These measures aim to combat poverty, promote inclusion and
reduce income inequality.
Ensuring access to affordable medicines
The
third panel "A single market for pharmaceuticals: How do we ensure access
to affordable and effective medicines?" focussed on accessing affordable
and innovative medicines. The need to provide capital for long-term, high-risk
investments into research and the development of pharmaceuticals was stressed
here. The importance of the high costs of orphan drugs (medicines for rare
diseases) and the global supply chain problems that make accessing medicines
difficult were also pointed out. The need to drive forward biotechnological
innovations without losing sight of affordable access to healthcare for all
citizens was stressed simultaneously.
The
discussion showed that spending on medicines has increased in many countries in
recent years and this has been driven by high prices and expensive therapeutic
treatments, especially for new products.
This was
supported by the recently published "Rising Pharmaceutical Expenditure - A
Call for Sustainable Solutions" Study, which
was compiled by ESIP in collaboration with MEDEV (Medicine Evaluation
Committee) and presented at the event.
Welfare state vs competitiveness
The
event concluded with a round table held under the headline "The welfare
states & Europe’s competitiveness: Friends or foes?". The discussion
between MEPs Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA), Vlad Voiculescu (Renew), Vytenis
Andriukaitis (S&D) and András Kula (EPP) centred on the question of how to
reconcile the European welfare state with Europe's competitiveness. The
participants regretted that there is still no single market, especially in the
healthcare sector, which makes it more difficult to develop joint competencies.
This lack of coordination leads to asymmetries with regard to economic power,
information and knowledge between the member states. This impairs the single
market with regard to efficiency and fairness.