Weekly Discussion - The 'social dimension' of Europe

Today, the EU released its reflection paper on the social dimension of Europe and also key proposals of the European Pillar of Social Rights. These documents and proposals are supposed to lead to debates about what the EU can and should be able to do in the field of social policy, or if it should do anything at all in the future.

In the reflection paper, the Commission has proposed 3 potential options about the future of the social dimension of Europe:

1. The "social dimension" should be limited to freedom of movement
2. Those who want to do more in the social field can do more
3. The EU27 could deepen the social dimension together

These are just prompts for discussion, feel free to ignore them or use them:

• Should the EU be involved in the "social dimension" of Europe at all, or should this be the reserve of the member states?
• If you agree the EU (either 2-speed or as 27) should do more in this area, what rights actually should be guaranteed at an EU level?
• Which of the above options in the reflection paper should be pursued?
• How can the EU better communicate any social policies that currently exist or may exist?

On a side note, apologies for the delay on this and other things. Exams are coming up for me quite soon, and I've been busy with preparing for them.