EAPN is campaigning together with the Social Platform to demand progress on developing a horizontal EU framework which will ensure social standards are met and ensure universal access to affordable, quality services, as a basic element of the EU social model.
The right to decent housing, education, social and employment services and health are essential to provide real quality of life for all (known as Social and Health Services of General Interest). Equally vital are getting affordable access to basic utilities like energy (fuel), water, transport etc (Services of General Interest).
Currently the EU is putting all its efforts into liberalizing and privatizing these services of general interest, so as to promote competition in the internal market. They argue that these services are of “economic interest”, that privatization and liberalisation will benefit the “consumer” through increased “choice”… but EAPN asks – Who really benefits? What has been the real impact on the poor and socially excluded? What real choice do they have?
EAPN is campaigning together with the Social Platform to demand progress on developing a horizontal EU framework which will ensure social standards are met and ensure universal access to affordable, quality services, as a basic element of the EU social model.
- EAPN action against the Services Directive: In defense of quality universal services
- EAPN Key concerns
- Key action areas
- Services and Social Services: a general overview
See here related key documents.