The Declaration commits to maintaining the European Pillar of Social Rights at the heart of the national and EU political agendas and keep it as the main compass to guide social and economic progress, based on enhanced competitiveness and productivity, equal opportunities, quality employment and fair working conditions, and reduced poverty.

The declaration was signed by Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament), Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Oliver Röpke (President of the European Economic and Social Committee), Alexander De Croo (President of the Council of the EU) as well as representatives from European social partners and the Social Platform as voice of European NGOs.

It was however rejected by BusinessEurope – the largest European social partner on the employer side – as well as by the Swedish and Austrian governments.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger, who represented CESI at the La Hulpe summit, said: “The La Hulpe Declaration on the Future of the European Pillar of Social Rights represents an important commitment to ensure that the Pillar is here with us to stay – unlike the failed Europe 2020 strategy a decade ago. A political backing by institutions including the European Parliament and the European Commission is highly encouraging, especially given the encompassing and ambitious objectives laid out in the Declaration.”

He added: “I congratulate the Belgian Presidency for pushing the Declaration through even against the political will of some actors. The rejection of the Declaration by BusinessEurope and two Member States is discomforting. For the future of the European cross-sector social dialogue this is not a positive sign, and for still applicable unanimous decision-making in the Council in social policy matters it is problematic too. I hope the concerned actors will still get back to seeing the importance of backing the European Pillar of Social Rights in its entirety. Before the EU elections in June, this would be an important sign of an added value of the EU in employment and social affairs for citizens, workers and their families.”