Prime Minister and Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities attend Tripartite Social Summit - Hoofdinhoud

The central topic of the videoconference discussion at the Tripartite Social Summit attended by Prime Minister Janez Janša and the Minister of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Janez Cigler Kralj was “Transforming Europe's recovery into long-term sustainable growth supporting more and better jobs”.

The traditional summit organised a day before the October European Council meeting by the President of the European Council Charles Michel i and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen i is a forum for dialogue between the EU i institutions and the European social partners at top management level.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the convening a summit of this kind confirmed the Europe attitude that social dialogue was one of the fundamental values of the European Union and the member states. In the context of the commitment to strengthen the social dimension of the EU, the Slovenian Presidency emphasises the importance of the European Pillar of Social Rights in particular and its implementation as a fundamental element of the post-pandemic recovery. He recalled the Presidency slogan “Together. Resilient. Europe.”, which reflects our efforts to make the post-pandemic recovery a preparation for greater resilience in the case of similar future trials. Our common goal is to make the EU even stronger, more resilient and better prepared for the challenges to come.

In all these efforts we are putting in the recovery, the operation of all EU institutions should be permeated by the basic idea that no one should be ever left behind, that no one should be forgotten. All our future efforts should be in this direction.

Janez Janša, Slovenian Prime Minister

The recovery period is also a period in which we will try to make Europe more competitive. In this context, the Prime Minister emphasised in particular the importance of lifelong learning. Lifelong learning is what can ensure that we, as Europeans, have enough competences and enough knowledge in the future. It is important to achieve the goal of the action plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights, according to which at least 60% of adults would attend training programmes each year.

The challenges we are facing, also in the context of the digital and green transition, require innovation, new solutions. This spirit of research needs to be more present everywhere, including in lifelong learning programmes.We should take more account of the protection of workers' health and safety, enshrined in the Treaties, as this is a key element of the EU economy and works for the benefit of the people. "We are not talking here about things that are mutually exclusive, but of things that are compatible, and in the end we create a quality workplace that is accessible to the majority who have the knowledge and skills. This results in greater added value, better working conditions, which may also be a prerequisite for higher added value, but it is also an environment that not only promotes but also enables rapid innovation, research, an environment conducive to finding new solutions".

In his appearance, Minister Cigler Kralj emphasised the importance of providing quality jobs and a responsive labour market, which are key prerequisites for Europe's sustainable recovery and growth. "We need public policies that put people first," said Minister Cigler Kralj, adding that "that is why the Slovenian Presidency has placed sustainable work at the heart of its Presidency programme." He also stressed the importance of the involvement of social partners and constructive social dialogue, both during the the pandemic and in the upcoming structural changes in the areas of demographic change, digitalisation and the green transition.