EESC opinion "Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021"| Avis du CESE "Stratégie annuelle 2021 pour une croissance durable"

 

 

Dear Ms/Mr FROTA, At its 558th plenary session, held on 24 and 25 February 2021, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted an opinion on the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021. The EESC welcomes the appropriate steps taken in the strategy to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of the European Green Deal but is disappointed that the strategy proposed devotes too little attention to social issues. Moreover, the EESC warns against phasing out support measures, such as the escape clause, too early and advocates the establishment of new fiscal rules that reflect social and economic realities after the pandemic. New instruments to combat tax evasion, undeclared work and the shadow economy are also called for. The EESC welcomes the fact that the Recovery and Resilience Facility regulation confirms the importance of genuine civil society involvement in the development of national recovery and resilience plans. The CESE advocates the establishment of a binding conditionality principle requiring governments to involve social partners and other civil society organisations in planning and implementing national plans. The EESC opinion available in all official EU languages, its key points and other related documents can be consulted via this link: Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021; Stratégie annuelle 2021 pour une croissance durable