Fact Sheet on the Renewed European Social Agenda
On July 2nd, 2008, the European Commission proposed a renewed version of the European Social Agenda. This package of documents (composed by legislative, proposals, studies, reports, and recommendations) should address the challenges posed by various socio-economic changes taking place in Europe, mainly due to globalisation. These historical changes cover a variety of issues ranging from the nature of work, modern family life, demographic trends, the position of women in society, to immigration, social mobility and the incidence of poverty and inequality.
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) points out that this Communication is far from European social realities. It focuses on making people more productive in the labour market and does not take into account the needs of those systematically excluded from it or from accessing social benefits. The special needs of disadvantaged ethnic minorities, such as Roma, living in poverty or extreme poverty are not addressed in the Communication. ERIO demands that an Agenda for a real Social Europe should be based on a human rights approach and on the promotion of a societal framework offering conditions that will allow the full exercise of socio-economic rights by all people living in Europe.
ERIO believes that the renewed Social Agenda should focus on including the most disadvantaged in Europe. Specific targets should include: to integrate children and young Roma, who attend segregated schools, into mainstream education; to fight against the discrimination of Roma which prevents them access to adequate labour; to implement lifelong learning programmes targeting Roma specially, who are excluded from the labour market; to promote the full integration and full respect of the civil rights of Roma immigrants, both EU citizens and Third Country Nationals; to guarantee Roma have access to adequate health services; and to implement urgent measures to encounter extreme poverty among Roma, especially that affecting Roma children. These are only minimal targets for a real, inclusive Social Agenda.
The European Roma Information Office (ERIO) points out that this Communication is far from European social realities. It focuses on making people more productive in the labour market and does not take into account the needs of those systematically excluded from it or from accessing social benefits. The special needs of disadvantaged ethnic minorities, such as Roma, living in poverty or extreme poverty are not addressed in the Communication. ERIO demands that an Agenda for a real Social Europe should be based on a human rights approach and on the promotion of a societal framework offering conditions that will allow the full exercise of socio-economic rights by all people living in Europe.
ERIO believes that the renewed Social Agenda should focus on including the most disadvantaged in Europe. Specific targets should include: to integrate children and young Roma, who attend segregated schools, into mainstream education; to fight against the discrimination of Roma which prevents them access to adequate labour; to implement lifelong learning programmes targeting Roma specially, who are excluded from the labour market; to promote the full integration and full respect of the civil rights of Roma immigrants, both EU citizens and Third Country Nationals; to guarantee Roma have access to adequate health services; and to implement urgent measures to encounter extreme poverty among Roma, especially that affecting Roma children. These are only minimal targets for a real, inclusive Social Agenda.
