What are the 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights? (easy-to-read version)

Easy to read is a way
to make information easy for everyone
to read and understand.

The European Union (EU) is a group
of 27 European countries
working together.

The European Union wants to make Europe
a fairer place, inclusive and full of opportunities
for everyone.

To make this happen, the European Union set up 
the European Pillar of Social Rights.

The European Pillar of Social Rights 
explains what every European Union country
should do to make sure everyone gets a good job, 
and other rights.

Rights are what you are allowed
to have and do by law.

The European Pillar has 20 parts, 
called ‘principles’.

These parts have been agreed
by all 27 European Union countries.

Everyone has the right to good education and training
throughout their whole life.

Men and women must be treated
in the same fair way 
in every part of life.

This includes being treated in the same fair way:

•  when you are looking for work;

• when you are in work;

• when getting paid for the work you do.

Equal opportunities means that everyone
has the same fair chance to take part
in the world around them.

Everyone has the right to be supported
to get work or set up their own business.

All workers have the right to:

• fair and equal treatment at work;
• get support and training;
• feel safe and secure in their job.

All workers have the right to fair pay,
for a decent standard of living.

All workers have the right 
to clear information about their work.

Workers also have the right
to clear information about the reasons
why they lost their job.

All workers have the right to speak up
about decisions that affect them at work.

All workers who are parents or carers
have the right to take time off work
to help the people they look after.

All workers have the right to be protected at work.

Workplaces should be safe and healthy for everyone.

Personal information must stay private.

All children have the right 
to get good care and education

All children have the right
 to protection from poverty.

Everyone has the right
to the basic things they need to live.

Everyone without a job
has a right to unemployment benefits.

This is money to help you afford
the basic things you need to live.

People who cannot afford basic services
have the right to extra help 
from the government. 

Women and men 
have equal rights to a pension.

A pension is money for you
to live on when you retire.

Everyone has the right to affordable,
good-quality healthcare.

People with disabilities
have the right to support to:

• live with dignity;
• take part in the world around them.

Everyone has the right
to affordable long-term care.

That is care for people 
who have a health condition or serious disability.

Everyone has the right to a good-quality,
affordable place to live.

Everyone has the right to basic services.

Basic services include getting access to things
like water, electricity, banking and internet.