Public hearing: Delivery of essential services in conjunction with the European Pillar of Social Rights- Brussels, Belgium

The rights and principles forming the European Pillar of Social Rights fall into three areas, one of which is social protection and inclusion, which is to say everything touching upon living conditions in our society. The 20th and final principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights deals with « access to essential services ».

This principle establishes the right to essential services of good quality and gives a non-comprehensive list of those services most important to people’s daily lives. However, it raises more questions than it brings answers to the challenges.

First of all, the concept of essential services does not exist in the Treaties and therefore has no legal value. Why a new concept should be proposed instead of taking over that ofservices of general interest which is included in the Treaty as services of non economic services of general interest (NESGI) and services of general economic interest (SGEI)?

The examples cited by the European Commission to illustrate this principle, namely water, transport, energy, electricity, are SGEIs which are treated by Protocol 26 annexed to the Treaty, which goes beyond the concept of essential services, which speaks of a « right of access to quality services », while the said Protocol also speaks of affordable prices, security, equal treatment, universal access and user rights.

The notion of « essential services » exists with certain international organizations, hence the question whether the European Commission intends to be part of a more global framework beyond that of the EU? Then it will be necessary to specify this frame. 

Registration is open until 26 September 2018.

Register here