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June 2017

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Public services, Public services, Publications

Extending social protection rights 

Youth employment - News

CEMR highlights challenges and priorities in ensuring fair access to social protection for all forms of employment 

Read full position paper here

In June 2017, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) responded to the European Commission’s first-phase consultation of social partners on access to social protection within the framework of the European Pillar of Social Rights. CEMR welcomed the initiative but emphasised that further detail is needed to ensure effective and fair implementation across Europe. 

CEMR underlined that while improving access to social protection is beneficial, implementation must remain balanced between workers’ rights and employers’ needs. The organisation cautioned that additional measures, such as parental leave provisions under the Work-Life Balance Directive, may create significant costs for local governments and should be carefully planned. 

A key challenge lies in ensuring similar social protection rights for similar work, while recognising that not all workers lacking access face the same risks. The main issue arises when individuals have no coverage at all, not when they are already protected through another job. 

For self-employed workers, CEMR identified several priority areas for EU action under social protection, including: 

  • sickness and accident-at-work benefits, 
  • old-age and invalidity benefits, 
  • maternity and paternity benefits. 

In terms of employment services, CEMR stressed the importance of strengthening guidance, counselling, training, and reintegration measures to support workers in transition. 

While CEMR agreed that all self-employed workers should, in principle, be included in such an initiative, it pointed out the particular difficulties faced by small and micro-businesses. A tailored approach is needed, with careful assessment of different employment types. 

CEMR reaffirmed that responsibility for social policy and social insurance design remains with Member States, and that self-governance by social partners must be respected. Any EU initiative on access to social protection should therefore act as a framework for guidance and support, while preserving national competencies and diversity. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

GAUDRON Marine
In Impact community Cohesion, Impact community Cohesion, Latest, Publications, Territorial development, Territorial development

Shaping the future of cohesion

Head Banner - Cohesion Post

CEMR outlines 14 key reforms for a more inclusive, place-based EU policy 

Read full position paper

As the EU prepares the next programming period, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) is calling for a stronger role for local and regional governments in shaping and delivering cohesion policy. 

In a new position paper, CEMR presents 14 key recommendations to improve the way EU funds are managed on the ground, making them simpler, more flexible, and better suited to the needs of Europe’s territories. 

Key priorities include: 

  • A guaranteed budget for cohesion policy to meet EU goals like the Green Deal and the Sustainable Development Goals. 
  • Stronger partnerships between the EU, national, and local authorities, with clear responsibilities and joint agreements. 
  • Simpler rules and more flexibility to reflect local realities, especially in rural or less-developed areas. 
  • Improved access to funding through a “one-stop-shop” system and support for small municipalities. 
  • A new capacity-building tool to help local authorities manage and deliver EU funds more effectively. 

CEMR also warns against replacing grants with loans and calls for more manageable audits and controls, especially for small projects. 

Why it matters: 

Cohesion policy is a key pillar of EU solidarity, helping to reduce inequalities and support green and social transitions. But local governments often face too much red tape and too little say in how the funds are used. 

With these recommendations, CEMR urges EU institutions to design a place-based, inclusive cohesion policy, one that truly works with and for Europe’s territories. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Latest, Public services, Public services, Publications

Revision of written statement directive 

Social Dialogue - News 2021

New obligations on short-term contracts could burden local employers 

Read full position paper

As the European Commission considers revising the Written Statement Directive (91/533/EEC) to reflect the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) calls for a balanced and flexible approach that takes into account the realities of local and regional government employment. 

In its official response to the Commission’s first-phase consultation of the social partners, CEMR acknowledges that the Commission has correctly identified many relevant issues. However, it expresses concern that expanding the scope of the directive, particularly to cover all atypical and short-term work contracts, could result in disproportionate administrative burdens for local authorities. 

“The introduction of written statements for contracts under one month or eight hours would place a burden on employers that is not proportionate to the benefits for employees,” the response notes. 

CEMR stresses that: 

  • Most local government staff already fall under the existing rules; 
  • Local authorities need flexibility in handling casual and supply contracts, especially in sectors like education; 
  • Contractual elements should remain a matter for national decision-making, not EU regulation; 
  • There is a risk in conflating very different work arrangements, such as traineeships, digital platform work, and genuine self-employment. 

While supportive of fair and transparent working conditions, CEMR does not currently support new EU-level legislation in the areas identified and advises further analysis of the impact on public employers. Should EU-level social partners initiate negotiations under Article 155 TFEU, CEMR affirms its willingness to support the process. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, Gender equality, Gender equality, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Impact community Society, Impact community Society, Migration and inclusion, Publications

Strengthening work-life balance 

Work Life - News

Improving equality, labour participation, and social cohesion through better policies on leave, childcare, and flexible work 

Read full position paper

Work-life balance remains one of the most pressing challenges in Europe, with direct implications for gender equality, labour market participation, and social cohesion. Despite progress in recent decades, women remain underrepresented in employment, face higher risks of poverty, and continue to carry a disproportionate share of care responsibilities. Addressing these issues is not only a matter of fairness but also an economic necessity, as women’s employment is a key driver of growth. 

Policies that support better reconciliation of work and family life are crucial to close the gender employment gap. Several measures stand out: ensuring high-quality and affordable childcare, promoting equal sharing of parental leave, developing flexible working arrangements, and adopting gender-sensitive budgeting practices. 

Childcare plays a central role in enabling equal participation in the labour market. Meeting the “Barcelona objectives”, with at least 90% of children between the ages of three and school age having access to childcare, is essential. Investment in childcare infrastructure reduces the burden of informal care, often borne by women, and creates conditions for greater economic independence. 

Equally important are leave provisions. While maternity leave remains a cornerstone, extending its duration may sometimes hinder women’s reintegration into the workforce. Alternatives such as affordable childcare, telework options, or flexible work schemes can provide more balanced solutions. Paternity leave, especially when non-transferable, is vital for promoting equal responsibility between parents, while parental leave policies must go further in encouraging fathers’ participation. Carers’ leave also deserves attention, particularly as ageing populations increase the demand for informal care. 

Flexible working arrangements, including telework, temporary reductions in working hours, and adaptable schedules, can further support families. Properly implemented, they improve retention, motivation, and productivity, while helping both women and men manage family responsibilities. 

Finally, transparency in pay structures and the regular monitoring of gender equality measures at all levels can help reduce persistent wage gaps and ensure progress is visible. Sharing good practices and setting benchmarks allows countries and regions to learn from one another and target actions where they are most needed. 

Work-life balance is not just a matter of private concern but a cornerstone of social and economic development. By strengthening childcare, modernising leave policies, and encouraging flexible and equal working arrangements, societies can ensure greater gender equality, reduce poverty risks, and boost long-term growth. Achieving these goals requires commitment across all levels of governance, with local and regional authorities playing a decisive role in turning principles into everyday realities. 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

BENNIS Hamza
In Employment, Employment, Impact community Labour, Impact community Labour, Latest, Publications

European pillar of social rights 

Work - News

Updated CEMR-EPSU framework supports inclusive employment and service delivery 

Read full position paper

As the European Commission advances its agenda on the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR), the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) reiterates that success hinges on meaningful involvement of local and regional governments, alongside social partners. 

CEMR emphasises that the diversity of Europe’s social and labour systems must be fully respected. Rather than setting additional minimum standards at the EU level, the Pillar should serve as a reference framework, offering benchmarks and guidance while preserving subsidiarity and national ownership. 

The organisation underlines three main priorities for strengthening the social dimension of the EU: 

  • Skills for the future: Preparing for digitalisation, demographic change and migrant integration through targeted investment in education and lifelong learning. 
  • Inclusive labour markets: Supporting active participation of underrepresented groups, including women, older workers, and migrants, to strengthen social cohesion and economic resilience. 
  • Gender equality: Promoting flexible working conditions, better work-life balance, and innovative employment practices to increase women’s participation in the workforce. 

CEMR warns that increasing EU-level regulation in sensitive areas like minimum wages or employment contracts risks undermining national and regional competencies. Instead, the focus should be on empowering local actors to deliver tailored social and employment policies that reflect local realities. 

David Simmonds, CEMR spokesperson on local and regional governments as employers, concludes: 

“The best way to achieve the goals of the Social Pillar is to recognise the diversity of our territories and fully involve the local level in shaping and implementing social policies. This is the path toward a more inclusive and democratic Social Europe.” 

Read the position paper here 

For more information, contact: 

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