EESC CORNER: Employers argue that National Recovery Plans must be drawn up in partnership with CSOs and social partners

The situation on the ground is very serious. Many companies are collapsing, others are struggling to survive. People are losing their jobs, and uncertainty is on the rise. We are facing a flood of unilateral and uncoordinated measures being taken by the member states, which have huge consequences both for employers, individuals and the single market as a whole. Therefore, it is crucial that business is provided with the best possible support in order to survive, grow and embark on the twin – green and digital – transition.

EU leaders have given the green light to the EU’s unprecedented budget deal to overcome the worst recession in a century due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Up to €1.8 trillion will be spent by 2027 to boost the EU economy whilst making it more sustainable and digital, partly thanks to the €750 billion Next Generation EU recovery instrument.

In this regard, the Employers´ Group of the European Economic and Social Committee released a statement in December 2020, emphasizing that the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility must be implemented properly and in a timely fashion and that National Recovery Plans must be drawn up in partnership with Civil Society Organisations and Social Partners.

Financial support from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility will be channelled to the member states after the adoption of their National Recovery Plans, which are currently being prepared. In this regard, it is essential that relevant stakeholders, including social partners and civil society organisations, are involved in the consultation on the National Recovery Plans at all stages of their development, drafting and implementation. The reality on the ground must be reflected in the National Recovery Plans. If this is not the case, we cannot expect light at the end of this very long and dark tunnel. The manner in which the National Recovery programmes are designed and implemented will determine how well we overcome the crisis, how businesses can survive and how our economies can grow in the future.

Jana Hartman Radová

EESC Member, Group I – Employers