European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan

In a joint commitment, signed at the Porto Social Summit on 7 May 2021, the EU Institutions, the European social partners and civil society organisations welcome the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan.

The EPSR Action Plan was presented by the Commission in early March 2021. It sets out concrete actions to further implement the 20 principles of the Pillar. It also proposes headline targets, including a reduction in the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million, including at least 5 million children.

Caritas Europa analysed the Action Plan from the perspective of its members working with people in vulnerable situations on the ground. We welcome this and additional initiatives, such as the proposal for a Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages, the Reinforced Youth Guarantee and the Child Guarantee, but we would also like to see more ambitious EU and national targets regarding poverty reduction in line with the SDG targets. Moreover, Caritas is deeply disappointed by the lack of focus or recognition in the Action Plan about the importance of social services for turning the 20 Principles into reality. We are also hoping for an initiative for a framework directive on adequate minimum income systems.