On October 23, at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, the relevant EU ministers unanimously endorsed the creation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

This outlines the Social Pillar as 20 principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems in light of challenges such as an ageing society, globalisation and digitalisation that face the 21^st century.

These principles and rights are structured around three categories:

1. equal opportunities and access to the labour market
2. fair working conditions
3. social protection and inclusion

The principles and rights are not directly enforceable, but require measures or legislation to be adopted at the appropriate levels. They are however serving as a compass for a renewed process of convergence towards better working and living conditions among EU Member States.

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