The role of cities and regions to fight youth unemployment through apprentices, basic standards for rural areas, working conditions of mobile workers and child-friendly measures adopted by cities were the main issues discussed during a debate on social affairs with Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights.
Romy Karier, member of Clervaux Municipal Council and Rapporteur on Youth Employment Support underlined the need to strengthen support for SMEs as they provide most jobs and since they suffered a major hit from the pandemic. Karier said the local and regional authorities had an important role to play to fight unemployment "We need to mobilise local and regional authorities to serve as catalysts for apprenticeships by supporting and stimulating local business environment. I fully support the President Tzitzikostas' proposal for local job fairs"
Radim Sršeň, member of Dolní Studénky Municipal Council spoke about the vulnerability of rural areas and the need to provide further support. "We should introduce basic quality standards of infrastructure and services for rural areas." Sršeň appealed to further engage people in local development through bottom up and integrated approaches.
Emil Boc, Mayor of Cluj-Napoca spoke about workers' rights insisting that working and living conditions of mobile workers had to be improved. Referring to statistics that several EU citizens lack digital skills and were thus at risk to lose their jobs, Boc outlined the need to diminish the digital gap. In order to support the tourism sector and facilitate travel, Boc mentioned the possibility of having a mutual COVID19 test which is recognised #EU-wide.
Sari Rautio, Chairperson of the City of Hämeenlinna shared the work done in Hämeenlinna to become a child-friendly city. She appealed for exchange of good practices across cities on this topic.