Estelle CEULEMANS

On the occasion of the World Day of Social Justice, 20th February, Europe must face up to its responsibilities. Behind the rhetoric of competitiveness, simplification and economic performance, a fundamental question remains: what kind of Europe do we want to build for those who live and work here?

For several years, there has been a strong temptation to portray social justice as an obstacle and social standards as barriers to competitiveness. By constantly talking about ‘simplification’, we end up forgetting what the cost of simplification is: too often, reduced workers’ rights, protections and dignity. Yet there can be no sustainable competitiveness without social justice.

Simplifying must not mean deregulating

Yes, Europe must simplify; simplify its procedures and make its policies clearer and more effective. But simplification must never become a pretext for lowering our social and environmental standards. A Europe that abandons its protections in the name of speed or immediate gain is not a competitive Europe; it is a Europe that weakens itself. Social justice cannot be reduced to administrative rules. It is the foundation of a stable, innovative and confident society. Removing or weakening workers’ rights does not create lasting prosperity; rather, it creates precarity, downward mobility and mistrust.

It is precisely in this spirit that a ‘quality jobs act’ should be framed: an ambitious initiative to ensure that every job created, especially in the context of the green and digital transitions, is a quality job. This means decent wages, safe working conditions, access to lifelong learning and respect for collective bargaining. European public funds cannot finance precarious employment; they must be conditional on high social standards.

For smart, European competitiveness

Europe needs smart competitiveness based on quality, innovation, training and upskilling, not on social dumping. Being competitive does not mean paying less; it means producing better, cleaner and more sustainably. This requires embracing a distinct European model that maintains and improves its social standards rather than aligning with models where labour is merely an adjustment variable. A strong social Europe is not a handicap in globalisation; it is a strategic advantage.

The green and digital transition, while representing a real opportunity to create sustainable jobs, can only succeed if it is fair. It cannot rely on the sacrifice of certain regions, sectors, or workers. Reforming without support, transforming without protection is a recipe for failure. Social justice means investing massively in training, reskilling and securing career paths.

Reindustrialising Europe for real

Reindustrialising Europe is a strategic, social and environmental necessity. But this is not just about relocating final production chains. It means rebuilding complete value chains, including raw materials, processing, manufacturing and recycling, on European soil. Raw material plants, processing sites, quality industrial jobs: these are the core of genuine European sovereignty. This reindustrialisation must be synonymous with quality employment, respect for social rights and workers’ health.

To be credible, this ambition must be backed by massive and sustained investment. The European Union must equip itself with a multiannual financial framework commensurate with these objectives, focused on industrialisation, innovation, the green transition and the creation of quality jobs. Without a strengthened European budget capable of supporting strategic sectors, assisting regions and securing career paths, reindustrialisation will remain a slogan. Through a shared, targeted budgetary effort, conditional on compliance with social and environmental standards, Europe can build a solid and sovereign industrial base.

At a time of automation and artificial intelligence, a reminder is needed: a worker is not a machine. People cannot be replaced, endlessly optimised, or worn down without consequences. Preserving and improving workers’ rights is not a luxury; it is a moral imperative and a condition for collective performance. The strongest companies are those that invest in people and in collective bargaining.

A fair and ambitious social Europe
Social justice is not an ideological option. It is at the heart of the European project. A fair Europe is one that protects, empowers and offers prospects: a Europe that puts citizens back at the centre of its economic and industrial choices. On this 20th February, let us state it clearly: there will be no European prosperity without social justice, no successful transition without solidarity and no sustainable competitiveness without respect for social rights. Europe must choose: a simplification that weakens, or an ambition that unites.

Photo credits: Shutterstock/Saud Visuals