(Madrid, October 7, 2016) .- The Spanish Business Confederation of Social Economy (CEPES) and 'Social Economy Europe' have asked the European Commission to draw up a plan of action for the European business sector, which has 2 million companies and organizations and 14.5 million jobs in Europe.
The European Parliament and, especially, the Intergroup Social Economy, currently comprising more than 80 MEPs from six political groups, has spent many years working actively for greater political, legal and institutional recognition of the Social Economy and commissioning effective policies to promote their companies and organizations.
During the meeting, it was recalled that the European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee have already asked the European Commission of the need to develop a European Action Plan for Social Economy and also reaffirmed that the European Social Economy should be an agent strategic Union, contributing positively and constructively to the challenges last September 14 the President of the European Commission, Jean Claude Juncker, announced during the debate on the State of the European Union for the next 12 months so.
Pedreño stressed that the Social Economy "not only shares" the goals set for 2017 by the President of the European Commission, but "the Social Economy can contribute to the challenges it has set Europe and contribute to sustainable economic growth and all, create quality jobs, reduce rampant social inequality, strengthening solidarity among European or encourage investment in productive and innovative projects. "
Swedish Socialist MEP and co - chair of the Intergroup, Jens Nilsson said the socioeconomic importance of the Social Economy for the EU, in line with the Report of the Council of the European Union on "the promotion of the social economy as a key driver of economic development and social Europe. " He also announced sending a letter to the President of the European Commission, signed by 7 co-presidents and vice presidents Intergroup Social Economy, requesting the inclusion of a European Action Plan for the Social Economy in the work program of the European Commission 2017.
The Swedish Minister of Public Administration, Ardalan Shekarabi, explained how his government is committed to the development of the social economy through 'partnerships' public-private to provide effective major socio - economic challenges facing the country answers.
The adviser to the Minister of Employment and Social Economy of Luxembourg, Nadine Muller, defended the need for policies Social Economy in different countries and that the measures taken by the Council of the Union in its report note coordinated December 2015 as a basis for the preparation of this Plan.
The adviser Slovak Finance Minister Michal Polak, announced the progress of the next European Social Economy Conference to be held in Bratislava on 30 November and 1December.
The director of Innovation and Advanced Manufacturing European Commission, Salwomir Tokarski, highlighted in his speech the commitment of the European Commission for the whole of the Social Economy, which provide include as a key player in the major socio-economic initiatives The EU.
Also they involved the vice president of Group III of the Economic and Social Committee (EESC), Ariane Rodert, which highlighted the key role of the EESC in favor of the Social Economy, emphasizing the celebration of the European day business of the Social Economy, last July 1. Finally, the German Green MEP Sven Giegold, closed the event noting progress in strengthening cooperation between Member States and the European Commission to enhance the role of the Social Economy in building a more social and cohesive European Union.
Pedreño impact on "the European Social Economy has much to contribute and, therefore, wants and should be part of the EU agenda for the coming months and years", because "the data support is a key actor a more prosperous, just and sustainable "EU.
He also stressed to representatives of the European institutions that "it is time to be ambitious with the Social Economy" and, therefore, it is necessary to perform a "European Action Plan for Social Economy serve to combine European and state actions about priorities and shared goals and common interest. A plan to strengthen, expand and extend all efforts towards all players in the social economy and include specific measures to provide answers to the obstacles and challenges facing companies in Europe Social Economy ".
About CEPES
The Spanish Business Confederation of Social Economy Spanish Business Confederation of Social Economy (CEPES) is the largest institution representing the Social Economy in Spain, becoming a platform for institutional dialogue with public authorities. Its 28 members represent the interests of more than 42,800 companies, represented 12.5% of employment and with a turnover around 10% of GDP. Partners with more than 200 regional structures are national or regional organizations and business groups, representing the interests of Cooperatives, Societies Labor, Mutuals, integration enterprises, special employment centers, associations in the disability sector and Fishermen .
About Social Economy Europe:
Created in November 2000, Social Economy Europe is the representative organization of the social economy thanks to the strength and broad legitimacy of its members. ESS consists of 13 European organizations of cooperatives and mutual insurance companies, health insurance companies, foundations, integration enterprises, institutions joint social protection and ethical and alternative banks, together with the representative organizations of the Social Economy of Spain, France and Portugal of the Belgian regions of Wallonia and Brussels and the European Network of Cities and regions for the Social Economy.
Social Economy Europe works in areas of common interest to its members and acts in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, ensuring the added value of the work of the organization.
Social Economy represents 10% of European companies and 6.5% of employment.
