Brussels, 23 October 2017

Responding to the EU Employment and Social Policy ministers' unanimous agreement on the text of the Proclamation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, which gives the authorisation to Member States to sign it at the Gothenburg Summit on November 17, Esther Lynch, Confederal Secretary at the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), said:

"Labour Ministers have done the right thing today and put aside differences to agree the European Pillar of Social Rights.

"The ETUC urges Member States to sign the European Pillar of Social Rights next month in Gothenburg, and then get started on implementing it. The commitments they are making only have value if they are put into practice. Working people across Europe expect swift action to put in place new laws such as improved parental and carers' leave, more security at work and better working conditions, access to social protection and a European Labour Authority.

"The current Commission and Parliament only have 18 months to make a difference. There's no time to waste."