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07/07/2021

Employment and Social Developments in Europe review published yesterday by the EC

Yesterday, the Commission’s services have published the 2021 edition of the Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review(link is external). The ESDE review shows that the social impact of the COVID-19 crisis has been diverse.

The outbreak of COVID-19 in Europe has affected all of us – our countries, our communities, our families. It has also affected all of Europe’s industries, including the mining industry. In the past months our sector’s top priority has been to ensure the health and safety of our employees and to secure supplies of raw materials into the diversity of Europe’s supply chains amidst border closures and lockdown measures.

Crisis Management Plans are very much part of our established industry infrastructure so companies deployed them early on and adapted throughout the spread of the pandemic. The implementation of safe workplace practices to limit the spread of COVID-19 required a speedy assessment of the exposure risks and then the implementation of a hierarchy of controls. This meant putting in place first control measures to eliminate risk of, and where this was not possible minimize workers exposure.

Companies and local authorities have collaborated to ensure the wellbeing of the people in the regions where they operate. To adapt to this new situation, companies in the mining industry look at various future scenarios with respect to their operations and are continuously updating and adapting.

Like most businesses, the mining industry is seriously affected by COVID – 19 but the safety of people comes before anything else. The sector’s permanent goal is to operate only when its people are safe and healthy, while safeguarding jobs and providing vital support to local communities and other stakeholders. This is especially true today.

Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, said: “The 2021 Employment and Social Developments review provides evidence that the pandemic has affected people and regions in different ways. We must keep this in mind as we shape a recovery that is inclusive and sustainable. With major transitions still ahead, we need a labour market policy that favours mobility, gives all workers the best possible opportunity, creates quality jobs and helps companies to find the best skilled people.”

Read the main findings(link is external) of the Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) Report ‘Towards a strong social Europe in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis: Reducing disparities and addressing distributional impacts’ here.

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