The Annual Growth Survey of the European Commission suggests the priorities oriented to structural reforms, fiscal responsibility and ambitious investment plan. But as it was pointed out by Minister Pabedinskiene, the social aspect is reflected only in the priority of structural reforms, therefore the investment plan and the implementation of the fiscal responsibility need to have the social aspect be more expressly defined.
When talking about employment, Pabedinskiene emphasised that economic growth promotion is not sufficient in pursuit of creation of more and better jobs, as business environment also needs to be employment-friendly. The complex review of the labour relations, employment support and pension system currently being carried out in Lithuania is oriented towards the latter aspects.
The EPSCO agreed in Brussels on the Council conclusions aimed at promoting creation of more inclusive labour markets, encouraging the member-states and the Commission to work together and to pursue better inclusion of social partners and civil society for the improvement of the quality of workplaces and assurance of sustained integration into the labour market.
In the Conclusions, the member-states are invited to focus more of their attention on the development and implementation of active inclusion strategies, by combining adequate financial support free of unemployment/inactivity traps, active labour market policy and availability of quality empowerment services oriented at early intervention and prevention for persons facing the threat of long-term unemployment.
Council conclusions on the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2014-20 were adopted as well. The member-states are encouraged to review or to develop and harmonize their national strategies in accordance with the new EU Strategic Framework 2014-20 and to implement the latter strategies in cooperation with social partners and other interested parties.
The ministers adopted the Council conclusions on the 2015 Annual Growth Survey and Joint employment report, approved the annual report of the Social Protection Committee regarding the social situation in the EU, joint report of the Social Protection Committee and Commission's services on financing structure and effectiveness and efficiency of resource distribution, etc.
