SOCIAL PROTECTION : JOINT REPORT RECOMMENDS ADDITIONAL POST-CRISIS MEASURES.

Anticipating further long-term measures to avoid the undesired effects of the current crisis on pension schemes as a whole and complementing the socio-economic safety nets in countries where gaps exist in these protection systems are two of the main recommendations of the proposed 2010 joint report (Council-Commission) on social protection and social inclusion, presented by the European Commission, on 4 March. The text, which focuses on drawing lessons from Europe's response to the crisis, is to be discussed at the Social Affairs Council, on 8-9 March, and will then be transmitted to the spring European Council, on 25 and 26 March.

Welfare systems and specific short-term policies have been vitally important in mitigating the social and economic impact of the crisis, says the report. In future, however, efforts should concentrate on the following areas:

- It is important to continue to benefit from the added value of the EU's role in mutual learning, exchange of good practice, and policy coordination through the open method of coordination on social protection and social inclusion (social OMC).

- A regular and systematic assessment of the contribution of the EU's economic and employment strategy to social progress will be necessary. The new flagship initiative, the European Platform against Poverty' announced in Europe 2020', will address this concern.

- Recovery will take time. Reversing rising unemployment -...