Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs from the Party of European Socialists (PES) met in Brussels ahead of the EPSCO Council to consolidate a common line on key issues shaping Europe’s social future. By adopting two Ministerial Declarations – “Delivering on a Strong EU Social Agenda“, “Combating Child Poverty in Europe – PES 11-Point Action Plan” – they reaffirmed their strong commitment to deliver on quality jobs, tackling poverty, especially of children, the right to housing and social funding. They reiterated that the EU cannot compromise on the social dimension being at the core of the Union, especially in times of crisis. They also expressed their full support to Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu, spearheading various upcoming key initiatives in the social sphere.
Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission; Korinna Schumann, Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria, Chair; Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES
With negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) underway, ministers also sent a clear and united message: Europe must not weaken its social foundations.
A central part of the discussion concerned the uncertainty surrounding the European Social Fund (ESF). While the Commission’s July proposal refers to the Fund, essential details on its purpose, priorities and financing remain absent. Ministers warned that leaving such a crucial pillar undefined risks sidelining Europe’s commitment to quality jobs, skills, inclusion, and equal opportunities.
They reiterated that the ESF must remain a distinct, ambitious, and well-funded instrument, not a symbolic placeholder. At a moment when inequalities are rising and workers face profound transitions, Europe cannot afford to dilute its most important social investment tool.
Korinna Schumann, Austrian Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection and chair of the meeting, stressed:
“At a time of profound transformations, Europe needs strong tools to support workers, fight inequality and invest in social progress. The European Pillar of Social Rights and the European Social Fund cannot be empty shells. They must remain the core of the EU’s social model, with proper financing. This is especially crucial for the wellbeing of children across Europe: with around one in four of them being at risk of poverty or social exclusion, we must double down on ending poverty in Europe and providing basic needs like housing, healthcare, education. Our line is clear and united: this will always be at the centre of our work.”
Ministers also discussed the upcoming EPSCO Council, including the Commission’s initiative on “simplification, implementation and enforcement in the employment and social fields.” While supporting efforts to streamline procedures, PES ministers insisted that simplification cannot become a backdoor to deregulation or a weakening of workers’ rights, especially amid growing lobbying pressure from certain business groups.
Gaby Bischoff, Vice-President, S&D Group in the European Parliament; Jūratė Zailskienė, Minister for Social Security and Labour, Lithuania; Bärbel Bas, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany; Michael Schäfer, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany; Borislav Gutsanov, Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Bulgaria
Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu discussed with ministers the forthcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap, which will pave the way for a Quality Jobs Act in 2026. Ministers reaffirmed their determination to push for an ambitious and progressive package that strengthens fair wages, job security and working conditions across Europe and must include legislative measures.
Ministers additionally covered the 28th Company Regime and underlined that labour law provisions should not be part of the 28th Regime as well as that labour and social standards must be protected.
Those present at the meeting included:
- – Korinna Schumann – Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria, Chair
- – Roxana Mînzatu – Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission
- – Borislav Gutsanov – Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Bulgaria
- – Kaare Dybvad – Minister for Employment, Denmark
- – Bärbel Bas – Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
- – Michael Schäfer – State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
- – Jūratė Zailskienė – Minister for Social Security and Labour, Lithuania
- – Sebastian Gajewski – Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Affairs, Poland
- – Petre-Florin Manole – Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Romania
- – Luka Mesec – Minister for Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Slovenia
- – Gaby Bischoff – Vice-President, S&D Group in the European Parliament
- – Esther Lynch – General Secretary, ETUC
- – Yonnec Polet – Deputy Secretary General, PES
