PES Network adopts Opinion Paper on the new European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan

As the triple (green, digital, demographic) transitions, along with labour and skill shortages, are set to place new demands on labour markets, the new Action Plan presents an opportunity to take stock of progress achieved and address new challenges. The Opinion paper puts forward priority areas and possible initiatives, building on Public Employment Services' daily experience helping jobseekers and employers navigate labour market transitions.

While the EU is close to achieving the employment target, progress on skills and poverty reduction has been uneven. The paper emphasises the need for systemic approaches to achieving all headline targets by 2030. It calls for specific objectives and actions to support groups underrepresented on the labour market, combined with visible monitoring and a clear framework for skills and Active Labour Market policies.

EU funds (particularly the European Social Fund Plus) are to remain instrumental in supporting the new Action Plan implementation. The Network calls for a commitment to employment and skills in the future Multi-Annual Financial Framework through dedicated funds, whilst prioritising social investment and reflecting upon welfare states' sustainability.

The opinion paper also encourages prevention-focused approaches to address challenges early on. This includes boosting career guidance services, developing new types of job retention schemes, preventing long-term inactivity. Ensuring continued delivery of physical services and preventing digital exclusion, while grasping the opportunities provided by digital services, will also be key in this context.

Looking towards the delivery of the New Action Plan, the paper highlights the potential for strategic partnerships in key sectors in industrial policy, for anticipating shortages and needs for upskilling and reskilling. It also calls for keeping track of the new Action Plan's implementation and for further supporting PES cooperation in this context.

Read the full paper here to find out more about innovative practices in PES.

Get the PES Network's latest news, events and publications on its priority topics for 2025-2026. Sign up to receive the PES Network newsletter.

You can also follow the latest developments from PES Network members in the PES Network LinkedIn group. Click here to join.