Social cohesion and COVID-19 in the European Union.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit everyone, but some harder than others.1 Disability, poverty, and conflict have made the burden of the disease more complex.2-4 In Europe, throughout the pandemic we have witnessed much creativity, innovation, resilience, and solidarity from individuals, groups, and social services. The European Union (EU) as an organization has almost no competence in the social sphere beyond supplementation and coordination of existing services, but in 2017 the European Parliament, European Council, and European Commission enacted the European Pillar of Social Rights to serve as a guide towards the development of a strong, social Europe (https://www.epr.eu/what-we-do/policy-analysis/european-pillar-of-social-rights/). Additionally, a new Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021–2030, aims at enforcing disabled people's right to participate in all areas of life (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_810). Further, the Commission recently launched a proposal for a new Child Guarantee (https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1428&langId=en&moreDocuments=yes) according to which member states will have to implement strategies to help bring children out of poverty, placing an emphasis on disabled children and access to childcare, inclusive education, and health. Solidarity is a core value for the EU, as exemplified by the European Recovery Fund that targets the regions most affected by the pandemic and the European vaccine procurement initiative, aiming for equal access to vaccines for every member state. Solidarity is also called for in the resettlement of asylum seekers and refugees across all EU countries. But here we failed, given the great political sensitivity to migration at national level. Within member states, inequalities that have been increasing in recent decades have been further compounded by COVID-19. Although governments have taken unprecedented measures to safeguard employment, protect purchasing power, and avoid bankruptcies, at the expense of their budgets, some inequalities in these areas were painful in the short term. The consequences of this for the future and for future generations must not be underestimated. This COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the bond between social and health services5 as well as the importance of social services, which employ 5% of the EU working population. Together with the health sector, these services employ over 11% of the workforce in the EU (25 million people; 24% more than 10 years ago). Moreover, the contribution of millions of volunteers in health and social services across Europe deserves specific recognition. Spontaneous individual and collective initiatives with selfless, unrelenting efforts guided by the desire to assist people in need, have contributed to counteracting social isolation as well as improving and, at times, saving lives. This has done much to enhance social cohesion. Health and social services professionals should be better recognized and valued for their contribution to society. But today, it is feared that cuts in expenditure on health and social services will be repeated once the pandemic is over, and efforts must be made to reduce budget deficits. However, the economic and social impact of the crisis is also expected to lead to a higher demand for social services. Therefore, in its new Recovery Fund, the EU should not only consider digital and ecological transformation, but also the social and human cost. There is, of course, no single social services ecosystem in Europe and, therefore, the services in each member state will require further strengthening and improvement. The EU needs to play a stronger role in the development of social services ecosystems, for example, in funding and guiding policies, monitoring progress, and supporting social dialogue and legislation where appropriate. Such action can effectively strengthen social convergence, cohesion, and resilience across Europe as well as ensure the European Pillar of Social Rights becomes a reality, irrespective of where one lives. Not required.