On November 12, Roxana Mînzatu, Vice President-designate for People, Skills, and Preparedness, presented her vision to the European Parliament during a hearing with key committees.  

She outlined an ambitious plan to strengthen social rights, improve education, create quality jobs, and foster preparedness across the EU. Acknowledging the broad scope of her portfolio, she emphasised her commitment to listening to citizens in all Member States and fostering engagement through an EU-wide social policy dialogue.  

Notably, the Committees on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Culture and Education (CULT) suggested renaming her portfolio to “Quality jobs, education, skills, and social rights,” reflecting the priorities they believe should define her mandate.  

Mînzatu’s approach centered on three key priorities.  

First, preparedness, which includes enhancing education and lifelong learning, addressing skills gaps in critical sectors like STEM, and promoting skills portability through EU initiatives like Erasmus+.  

Second, quality jobs, where she aims to enforce social regulations such as the Minimum Wage Directive and the right to disconnect, ensure fair labour market transitions, and strengthen worker protections through the European Labour Authority and modernised social security systems.  

Third, social fairness, which focuses on addressing child poverty, improving gender equality, promoting affordable housing, and investing in children’s education and mental health.   

She also highlighted the need to tackle mental health challenges in the workplace, address the impact of AI on jobs, and ensure equal opportunities in emerging industries such as renewable energy.  

However, some initiatives lacked enough ambition in terms of forward looking perspectives on current pending issues and added value, such as the final adoption of the directive for quality traineeships, currently under negotiation in the European Parliament and Council, and the second Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights, set to be published in 2025 according to von der Leyen’s mission letter. 

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger welcomed Mînzatu’s proposals and called for further action in key areas:  “Roxana Mînzatu’s hearing demonstrated her strong commitment to tackling Europe’s pressing challenges – from quality jobs and fair transitions to skills portability and gender equality. Her focus on social dialogue is especially encouraging. However, a robust Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights will be crucial to turning these ambitions into tangible benefits for workers. CESI stands ready to collaborate and ensure the voices of Europe’s workers are heard in shaping these policies.”   

Mînzatu’s roadmap presents a significant opportunity to strengthen social rights and improve the lives of workers across Europe. CESI remains committed to supporting these efforts through constructive engagement and social dialogue.