EU Renewed Social Agenda: A confusing patchwork with questionable added value

The European Commission today presented a heavy and fragmented package of more than 13 different initiatives in the framework of the Renewed Social Agenda.

While welcoming the essence of most of the items addressed - such as the communication on skills and the Green Paper on Education and Migration - EUROCHAMBRES questions the coherence of these measures and their potential impact on the European business community.

"We understand that this package is an attempt by the European Commission to respond to some specific concerns of citizens, and in this respect we can only welcome it," said Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary General of EUROCHAMBRES.  "But we question the rationale of the whole package, which appears like a patchwork of a dozen of initiatives, randomly put together without any clear coherence."

"Besides, it is not clear what impact this package will have on European businesses.  Let's take for example the Directive on Equal Treatment Beyond the Workplace.  What does 'beyond the workplace actually mean?  What will be the implications and costs for businesses?  We ask the Commission to carry out assessments of the impact on SMEs of the four other directives against discrimination that it has introduced over last eight years before it goes ahead with this new legislative proposal," said Mr Abruzzini.

The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry represents over 19 million enterprises in Europe – 96% of which are SMEs – through members in 45 countries and a European network of 2000 regional and local Chambers.