Following the European Parliament election campaign, PES ministers gathered in Luxembourg to coordinate their efforts ahead of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO). The central focus of the meeting was to discuss the strategy for advancing social priorities over the next five years, as part of the European Council Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029. On the occasion, ministers reiterated their commitment to fully implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Rolf Schmachtenberg, German State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and chair of the meeting stated:
“Our political family is working to ensure that the full implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights is at the forefront of the EU institutions’ work in the next term. We want to see this reflected in the European Council’s Strategic Agenda and the next Commission Work Programme. People’s welfare and social justice must be at the centre of our political action. The EU must advance quality jobs, social progress, fair working and living conditions, social dialogue, and collective bargaining.”
During the meeting, PES EPSCO ministers also addressed key topics on the EPSCO agenda, including the Commission’s proposal for the Revision of the European Works Councils and for a Directive on Traineeships. The ministers called for strengthening the European Works Councils’ rights, highlighting their importance for social dialogue and facilitating a Just Transition within multinational companies. As youth is a top priority for socialists and social democrats, the Directive on Traineeships received a lot of attention among PES parties. PES ministers are strongly committed to preventing exploitative practices and ensuring internships are a positive experience accessible to millions of young people across Europe.
The meeting was attended by:
- Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, European Commission
- Rolf Schmachtenberg, Chair of the meeting, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
- Sebastian Gajewski, Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Affairs, Poland
- Simona Bucura-Oprescu, Minister for Labour and Social Solidarity Protection, Romania
- Borja Suárez Corujo, Secretary of State of Social Security, Spain
- Livia Spera, Vice President, ETUC
- Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES
