adopting digitalisation and AI (artificial intelligence) could revolutionise the way public services are provided, offering innovative solutions for dealing more efficiently and more quickly with people’s needs;
AI can help make these services more accessible, in particular to the most vulnerable people in society;
the possibility to automate complex and repetitive processes could increase efficiency while reducing workload for individual workers.
stresses that no time can be lost in adopting and implementing all necessary measures to reduce emissions (mitigation) and adapt to the new conditions (adaptation), including introducing prices on emissions and a carbon tax. A long-term strategy must be adopted to safeguard public health;
considers that investment linked to climate change is an historic economic opportunity to support and seize the enormous innovation and development potential in the EU Member States and that the correct response to climate change is to seize the new opportunity that the technological and innovation potential in this area presents for the economy;
considers that coordinated action is imperative in order to respond to climate change. This will involve a collective commitment at national, subnational, EU and global level, in all areas such as economic and social areas, with clear, well-defined roles and responsibilities at all levels of the decision-making process;
stresses the urgent need to adapt strategies for work-life balance taking into consideration the shifting demographics, new forms of work, flexible working arrangements and rising care demands, in view of the 2027 revision of the Directive (EU) 2019/1158 on work-life balance for parents and carers;
notes that ageing populations require increased resources for care services and recommends the Council ask the Commission to develop a Care Toolbox with indicators for long-term care;
emphasises that needs-based measures should provide affordable, accessible, high-quality services benefiting workers, families, companies, and public authorities.
launch the proposal for a comprehensive European Action Plan on Rare Diseases (APRD) with SMART targets that can be achieved by 2030 to enable the diagnosis of rare disease patients within one year;
set up a Steering Group for the European APRD composed of experts from Member States, EURORDIS members and the EESC to ensure coordination and cooperation, monitoring and supervision of the APRD;
encourage agreements with Member States on the content, updating, application and monitoring of national plans for RD.
welcomes the proposal for updated guidelines on employment policies, aimed at fostering a competitive and sustainable economy, reflecting new labour market needs;
highlights the importance of upward convergence and of enhancing the European Semester’s role in coordinated economic policy responses;
stresses the need to strengthen social partners' roles through social dialogue and collective bargaining and the involvement of civil society in employment reforms and policy-making.
notes that the EU and Member States shall aim to promote a high level of employment, improve living and working conditions and achieve proper social protection, including under comparable conditions, for the self-employed;
encourages the EU and Member States, within their respective competences and in keeping with national practices, to adapt social protection systems to cover non-standard work, ensuring sufficient benefits for decent work and a decent life for all workers;
calls for Member States to shift the focus of social protection from workers alone to all Europeans, offering a minimum income for those unable to work, while promoting a return to employment for those who can work.
establish a common framework for fiscal transparency that would set clear, consistent standards for all EU-funded programs, ensuring uniform reporting and easy access to financial data across Member States. The EESC focuses on promoting best practices rather than introducing new regulations;
promote the adoption of participatory budgeting, where citizens have a direct say in public spending decisions, particularly at the local level. The EESC also advocates for incorporating participatory elements into EU-level budgeting processes;
develop accessible digital tools to streamline budget data access, using technologies like data analytics and AI to improve public understanding and engagement with financial information;
stresses that Member States should facilitate inclusive engagement, openness and transparency with civil society, including current host communities and potentially interested host communities, in all areas of RWM. Available funding should be used to increase the capacity of civil society groups, particularly local communities close to nuclear installations, to participate independently in projects and studies to assess participation and transparency practices in RWM.
highlights the increasing challenge of labour and skills shortages in the transport, energy, infrastructure, and digital technology sectors. These sectors are crucial for the prosperity and ecological sustainability of the EU and are central to the European Green Deal as well as to the future competitiveness of the EU.
