With a programme focused on the recovery and strengthening of Europe, the French Presidency aims to upgrade the European economic and social model and defend the European values and interests.

The programme of the new Presidency has three ambitions:

• A more ‘sovereign’ Europe with protected boarders, better security, and an improved asylum policy in line with Europe’s values.
• A new European model for growth with a focus on digital and green transitions and the creation of high-quality jobs.
• A humane Europe that gives voice to the citizens, defends the rule of law, and fights again every discrimination.

CESI welcomes every policy initiative that can lead to a more inclusive, resilient, and social Europe and expects that the new Presidency will pay particular attention to well-functioning and inclusive social dialogue, the mitigation of the profound social- and employment-related Covid fallout, and the protection of labour and the most vulnerable during the green and digital transitions.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “The programme of the French Presidency includes some very important interventions in the field of employment that could upgrade working conditions and the labour markets of the Member States. Policy negotiations on adequate minimum wages in the EU, decent working conditions in the platform economy, a socially fair environmental-digital transition, the encompassing application of the principle of equal pay for equal work, and a better participation of persons with disabilities in the labour market are expected to be at the core of EU policy making in the coming months. And in all these developments, hearing all trade unions and social partners will be crucial.”