The European Union's Economic and Social Committee is the consultative assembly of European "social and economic partners". This phrase refers mainly to representatives of business, employers and trade unions.
Economic and Social Committee's office in Brussels
It was established by the Treaty of Rome of 1957 in order to unite different economic interest groups to establish the Common Market. The creation of this committee gave them an institution to allow their voices to be heard by the Commission, the Council and the Parliament.
The role of the ESC is purely consultative. However, the Treaty of Maastricht considerably enlarged the Committee's domain. Its influence now extends to matters such as social policy, social and economic cohesion, environment, education, health, customers protection, industry, Trans-European Networks, indirect taxation and structural funds. It is questionable, however, whether this expanded scope truly gave it any more authority.
On certain issues the ESC works in partnership with the Committee of the Regions.
See also
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