Social issues, Equality and attractiveness of the transport sector
Greening mobility and digitalisation should leave nobody behind: it is crucial that mobility is available and affordable for all, that rural and remote regions are better connected, accessible for persons with reduced mobility and persons with disabilities, and that the sector offers good working conditions, reskilling opportunities, and provides attractive jobs. The European Pillar of Social Rights is the European compass to make sure that the green and digital transitions are socially fair and just.
To provide a forum to strengthen dialogue amongst and with Member States, the European Commission has set up an Expert group on horizontal social issues in transport (E03732), composed of Member States' authorities. It supports the Commission's objectives to ensure that the transport sector remains competitive as well as environmentally friendly and socially fair and inclusive.
The most important asset of the transport sector is its highly skilled workforce. The transport sector is facing a number of challenges: digitalisation, automation and the use of alternative energy sources are transforming the transport system and challenging its traditional features.
The COVID-19 pandemic has also hit the transport sector significantly and its recovery poses additional challenges, notably linked to acute staff shortages. In its sustainable and smart mobility strategy, the Commission commits to making the sector more attractive for workers through different actions. It also insists on making mobility fair and just for all.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are major priorities for the Commission. The Commission will apply equality mainstreaming to its transport related policy initiatives. To this end, a practical Handbook for Equality Mainstreaming in Transport has been published. The Commission will also continue to support stakeholder cooperation and exchange of good practices on the ‘More Women in Transport – Platform for Change’, to help increase the number of women in transport professions. It also raiser awareness on equality issues through a network of Diversity Ambassadors in Transport. Any initiatives in transport will be compliant with the Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy and Disability Strategy.