The Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security, Ana Mendes Godinho, undertook to promote the social economy in Portugal and in Europe, stressing that it is “one of the key instruments” for the implementation of the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights.

 

The social economy – the umbrella sector for economic activities not aimed solely at profits and, even though they are in the private sector, share goals with the public sector – is “an active agent of inclusion in the world of work, inclusion in society and combating inequality”, the Minister emphasised, adding that “our national and European commitment to promoting the social economy is a decisive factor in progress”.

 

The Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights will be discussed at the Porto Social Summit on 7 and 8 May, under the scope of the Portuguese Presidency of the Council the EU.

In the opinion of Ana Mendes Godinho, the broadening of the European social model "has emerged at this point in time as the most contemporary and necessary of needs”, so that a Social Europe will be “the assurance that nobody, from Lisbon to Bucharest, from Helsinki to Athens, will be left behind in these times we are living in”.

 

The Minister pointed out that “the social economy can also be a driver of job creation at times of crisis” in an allusion to the MAREESS (Support measures for emergency reinforcement of social and health facilities) programme, under which “17,500 people were hired in just a few months” during this COVID-19 pandemic.

 

*in collaboration with LUSA