Press Release: The future of the Economic and Monetary Union: Commission proposes ideas to deepen social integration

The European Commission adopted on the 2 October 2013 a Communication on the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The Communication was a further contribution from the Commission to the debate on deeper integration within the EMU, and suggested ways to reinforce existing rules on economic governance to better anticipate and address employment and social policy challenges.

The Communication focused on three areas:

• reinforced surveillance of employment and social challenges and strengthened policy coordination;

• enhanced solidarity and reinforced action for employment and labour mobility;

• stronger social dialogue

In an initial response the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) welcomed the introduction of key social indicators in the European Semester but deplored the powerlessness of these indicators to change economic governance rules.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: Memo, MEMO/13/837: Strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union: frequently asked questions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-837_en.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: Speech, SPEECH/13/774: Strengthening the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-774_en.pdf

EurActiv, 27.09.13: EU agencies push case for solidarity as ‘Social Union’ proposal nears http://www.euractiv.com/socialeurope/agencies-support-need-progress-s-news-530730

ESO: Background information: May 1st: Keep up the momentum to bring a strong social dimension to the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/may-1st-keep-up-the-momentum-to-bring-a-strong-social-dimension-to-the-eu/

ESO: Background information: Speech: Reconstruction in Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/speech-reconstruction-in-europe/

ESO: Background information: A social dimension for the EMU: why and how? http://www.europeansources.info/record/a-social-dimension-for-the-emu-why-and-how/

EurActiv, 02.10.13: Commission floats ‘ideas’ to deepen the EU’s social side http://www.euractiv.com/socialeurope/commission-floats-ideas-deepen-e-news-530832

ETUC: Press Release, 02.10.13: Communication on the Social Dimension of the EMU “Social indicators must be binding” says ETUC http://www.etuc.org/a/11601

EUObserver, 02.10.13: Social 'scoreboard' to feature in eurozone governance http://euobserver.com/economic/121638

Social Europe Journal, 01.10.13: The EU Social Dimension: The Charge Of The Light Brigade http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/10/the-eu-social-dimension-the-charge-of-the-light-brigade/

Deutsche Welle, 03.10.13: EU 'scoreboard' to tally austerity's social costs http://dw.de/p/19t6p

Der Standard, 03.10.13: EU leadership aims to establish Eurozone unemployment fund (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief/4197061-eu-leadership-aims-establish-eurozone-unemployment-fund

Social Europe Journal, 17.10.13: A Trojan Horse For Social Europe http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/10/a-trojan-horse-for-social-europe/

Notre Europe: Viewpoint / Tribune, 31.10.13: Endowing the EMU with a social dimension http://www.notre-europe.eu/media/lemotsocialdimensionemudelorsfernandesoct2013en.pdf?pdf=ok

Social Europe Journal, 04.11.13: Measuring The EMU’s Social Dimension http://www.social-europe.eu/2013/11/measuring-the-emus-social-dimension/

EurActiv, 12.05.14: EU prepares first 'social monitoring' report http://www.euractiv.com/sections/social-europe-jobs/eu-prepares-first-social-monitoring-report-302050

---