Minister Haatainen to attend Porto Social Forum: Economy and social dimension go hand in hand

Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen will participate in the Porto Social Forum on 26–27 May 2023. The meeting will discuss the EU’s social dimension, effects of the green and digital transition on the labour market, investments in skills and education, and child poverty.

The forum is a follow-up to the Porto Social Summit held in May 2021. At that time, EU leaders affirmed their commitment to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The rights and obligations included in the pillar support the functioning and fairness of the labour market. The European Commission, the European Parliament and the social partners also endorsed the social commitment of Porto.

“Strengthening the social dimension supports wellbeing and reduces inequality throughout the Union. The Porto Social Forum offers an opportunity to strengthen our resolve to implement the Pillar of Social Rights comprehensively,” says Minister of Employment Haatainen.

“The crises of the recent years show that the economy and the social dimension go hand in hand. We must keep the social dimension at the heart of EU policy during the transformation caused by the green and digital transition and other future challenges,” Minister Haatainen says.

Minister Haatainen will also participate in other events organised in connection with the Porto meeting.

Discussion to focus on upskilling and combating poverty

One of the forum’s main themes will be the European Year of Skills 2023 and its role as a promoter of the twin transition to a green and digital economy. The European Year of Skills aims to encourage working-age people to identify and develop their skills and to help companies find solutions to the shortage of skilled labour.

Poverty reduction and child poverty in particular will be on the agenda in Porto. Recent crises have increased the cost of living, which puts pressure on people already at subsistence level. 

Reducing poverty in families with children is an important objective also in Finland, as the consequences of poverty affect education, health and labour market status in adulthood. The risks of social exclusion are often intergenerational and cumulative. The implementation of the European Child Guarantee in Finland is based on the cross-sectoral National Child Strategy and the action plan formulated for the Strategy each government term.

Inquiries:
Piritta Jokelainen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 353, [email protected]
Jenni Heikka, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 163, [email protected]
Satu Leino, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 498, [email protected]