Tabled by EUCDW, EPP Women and ESU to the EPP Political Assembly
The European People’s Party (EPP):
Observes that Europe’s labour markets are undergoing rapid technological, economic and demographic change, and we must recognise the profound impact this has on citizens. Vulnerable groups, young people and older workers in particular require targeted support to manage these transitions, as they are among the most exposed to economic insecurities.
As they encounter job losses, wage reductions and heightened pressure, declining purchasing power, households across Europe are under pressure. This trend undermines social cohesion and further fuels anxiety as living costs are rising and wages are stagnating.
Research shows that mental health is one of the biggest societal problems. Especially disadvantaged groups – including persons with disabilities and low‑skilled workers – experience poor well‑being and lack sustainable opportunities. We acknowledge that workers’ well‑being is vital for Europe’s labour‑market future.
We observe societal and demographic changes that demand support for workers as digitalisation and AI reshapes the world of work. Many citizens lack access to essential training and high‑quality education. We recognise that the education and training of young workers must be better aligned with the skills demanded in today’s labour market. We acknowledge the direct impact of working conditions on families. We must improve women’s work-life balance. Care responsibilities should not fall solely on women. We advocate for policies that promote equal participation by men and women in childcare and elderly care. At the same time, older workers continue to face discrimination, despite their essential role as the institutional memory of our companies and our society. We remain concerned that they encounter limited access to training, career progression and employment opportunities.
Call for Action
The EPP calls upon the EPP Member Parties and the European institutions to:
- Endorse this resolution to emphasize the need for social justice and equal treatment in Europe’s evolving labour market.
- Pursue the Labour Mobility Package, as this policy aims to safeguard workers’ rights and ensure fair competition.
- Combat age discrimination in training, hiring, and workplace practices by strengthening legal protections and encouraging inclusive workforce policies and by giving incentives to those who choose to keep working after the retirement age.
- Renew ambitiously the Youth Guarantee, ensuring that young people are equipped with the digital, green and core skills needed in Europe’s transforming labour markets, and that no young person is left without a meaningful offer of work, training or education.
- Protect older workers from discrimination and ensure their full participation in the labour market through tailored support, lifelong learning and age‑friendly workplaces.
- Simplify procedures for the validation and recognition of academic and professional qualifications, supporting young people’s entry into the labour market.
- Encourage employers to invest in continuous training for employees of all ages and to adopt age-inclusive recruitment, retention, and promotion strategies.
- Promote lifelong learning as a universal right, ensuring that education and training opportunities are accessible, affordable, and relevant for workers of all ages.
- We call on Member States to address the identified labour‑market pain points in their national reports and to embed lifelong learning within education and labour‑market policies, ensuring that workers’ skills and potential are recognised and supported at every stage of their careers.
- Build, on existing cornerstone European legislation, a pan-European parental leave policy, and alternative support options for mothers after birth, in order to enable parents to bond with their children during crucial early years without sacrificing their professional future.
- Promote flexible work arrangements such as teleworking for all employees, irrespective of gender or location, to support working parents’ work-life balance equally in urban, rural, outermost and insular areas.
Conclusion
The EPP recognises that the challenges outlined in this resolution demand urgent and coordinated political action. Ensuring that vulnerable groups, young and older workers can adapt to a rapidly changing labour market is essential for Europe’s economic strength and social cohesion. We therefore reaffirm our commitment to promoting equal treatment, strengthening skills and safeguarding fair opportunities for all workers. Only by supporting people through these transitions can we uphold social justice and ensure a resilient and competitive European economy. The EPP stands ready to lead on this priority and to work with all partners to deliver concrete and future‑proof solutions for Europe’s workforce.
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