Speech by Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment
Ministers, Vice-President of the European Commission, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to be with you today at the Porto Social Forum to discuss employment and social policies in a broader, global context.
The European Social Charter and the EU Pillar of Social Rights are two mutually reinforcing frameworks. Together, they set out a vision of Europe where economic progress and social justice advance hand in hand. The Charter provides legally binding standards in areas such as labour rights, social protection, housing, health, and non-discrimination. The Pillar translates these principles into the EU policy agenda, through legislation, funding, and governance. The combined message is clear: social rights are not aspirational - they must become a lived reality for people across Europe.
Social rights are human rights, on an equal footing with civil and political rights. Recognising this indivisible and interdependent nature is fully aligned with global frameworks such as the Vienna Declaration and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Recent Council of Europe Declarations, in Reykjavik and Vilnius, reaffirm this indivisibility.
These rights are the foundation of social justice and of sustainable democracy. Implementing the rights enshrined in the Charter - such as the right to decent housing, access to education and healthcare, and fair employment conditions - fosters social cohesion and reduces inequality. They are not optional add-ons. They are legal obligations, and they build societal resilience, particularly during times of crisis, whether economic downturns or armed conflict.
We now have growing evidence that delivering on social rights is fundamental to sustaining trust in democracy. If democracy is to be credible, it must be seen to deliver the goods and services that allow people to live a decent life. Eurofound’s latest research highlights this very clearly. Its Living and Working in Europe 2024 report shows that financial insecurity is closely linked to declining trust in institutions. Those most affected by the cost-of-living crisis report the lowest levels of trust in governments and in the EU. This demonstrates a vital truth: formal democracy without meaningful protection of social rights is not real democracy. That is why the Council of Europe has called for a “new democratic pact” - one that puts social rights at the centre of democratic resilience.
Looking ahead, the Council of Europe will organise the second High-Level Conference on the European Social Charter on 18-19 March 2026 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova. This gathering of Ministers and key stakeholders will be an opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to social rights, assess progress on Charter reform, and confront emerging social challenges, including the crucial link between social justice and democracy.
Social justice is not a cost - it is an investment. By reducing inequalities, it strengthens trust and cohesion, which are essential both for democratic stability and for economic growth. When rights such as non-discrimination, housing, social protection and healthcare are guaranteed, we create the social cohesion that strengthens the single market and the conditions in which businesses can thrive.
This is also why social rights are essential for sustainable competitiveness. Competitiveness is strongest when it rests on fairness, inclusion and equal opportunities. Workers who enjoy decent conditions, fair wages and effective social protection are more productive, more innovative, and more adaptable. In today’s globalised world, a rights-based level playing field is also crucial. It prevents social dumping, builds trust in economic relations, and ensures that competitiveness is not pursued at the expense of workers’ dignity and wellbeing.
Above all, global employment and social policies must put people at the centre. Economic systems must serve people - not the other way around. The Charter embodies this principle: the rights to work, fair remuneration and protection against poverty are not optional. They are the foundations of dignity.
Europe has shown that competitiveness and fairness can go hand in hand. This model, combining inclusion with economic strength, can and should inspire global frameworks.
As we look ahead to the UN Second World Summit for Social Development, Europe must stay true to its vision: competitiveness built on fairness, and globalisation grounded in rights. The message of the European Social Charter is simple but powerful: when social and employment policies are anchored in rights, societies are more resilient, economies more competitive, and democracies more sustainable.
Thank you.