The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, stressed this Monday at the Forum Europa in Brussels that it is necessary to continue advancing in the inclusion of people with disabilities and proclaimed that “the economy should serve the people and not the other way around”.
Ribera expressed herself in these terms during an informative meeting organised by New Economy Forum in the EU capital, where she was asked if people with disabilities will have her help to advance in inclusion and to improve accessibility.
In this regard, EVP Ribera was “aware” that there are millions of people with disabilities in Europe “who need to be included in the workforce”. In addition, she valued the fact that in this mandate there are departments of the European Commission with specific competences on skills, work, education and social rights, “including the inclusion of people with disabilities”.
And for the former Vice-president of the Spanish Government, it is important to keep in mind the connection between training and the possibilities of accessing the labour market.
She also stressed the need for a “comprehensive” social vision when talking about economic growth and industry. “How can we ensure that when we think about opportunities around industry, manufacturing in Europe, we also think in terms of people, and not just in terms of business opportunities?”, she mused.
Ribera acknowledged that “business opportunities, financial opportunities, investment in our field” is something very positive. But she concluded that “the economy should serve people and not the other way around”.
