More social investment – but not social rights, standards or integrated poverty strategy based on participation
16/12/2015 – Following our proposals for the Annual Growth Survey (AGS) sent to President Juncker in October, and a press release at the end of last month upon its adoption, this paper sets out EAPN’s fuller response, based on discussions with members. This response lays out EAPN’s view on the opportunities & concerns with the AGS package, sent today to President of the European CommissionJean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EUropean Parliament Martin SCHULZ, President of the European Council Donald TUSK and President of the Council of the European Union Xavier Bettel.
The Key messages of EAPN’s Response to the Annual Growth Survey Package 2016 are:
- Mainstream Europe 2020, the poverty target and an integrated strategy in the Semester, and clarify links to SDG goals.
- Promote social investment in people, quality services and social protection not austerity.
- Create quality jobs and support all groups through integrated active inclusion, without punitive conditionality.
- Back social rights and standards and ensure an adequate income throughout the life cycle, beyond employment.
- Develop obligatory guidelines, mapping and resources to support engagement of organised civil society at all stages in the Semester.
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Other useful resources
- EAPN letter to European Commission President Juncker “Annual Growth Survey 2016: Progress on social investment – but not on social rights, standards or an integrated poverty strategy based on participation” (16/12/2016)
- EAPN’s press release 30/11/2015 EAPN’s initial response to Annual Growth Survey | More social investment but where are social rights and standards?
- EAPN letter to European Commission President Juncker on its contribution to the Annual Growth Survey – Economic Governance must deliver on social objectives with real participation from civil society (21/09/2015)
- Annual Growth Survey 2016