At a time when people face profound economic, social and security challenges, Europe cannot accept declining living standards and the affordability crisis as the new normal.
In this context, PES Ministers Employment and Social Affairs Ministers met online and reiterated that quality jobs and good working conditions are central to the wellbeing of people and economies across Europe, as well as for rebuilding people’s trust in Europe and its social model.
Participants discussed key priorities for Social Europe. Alongside exchanges on the upcoming Social Summit 2027 and the Pay Transparency Directive, Ministers adopted the Party of European Socialists’ Declaration on the Quality Jobs Act, setting out their common vision for the European Commission’s forthcoming initiative.
The PES EPSCO Ministers have worked together in recent weeks to develop a Declaration that supports Commissioner and Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu in delivering on an ambitious Act. The initiative is central to the PES family’s commitment to strengthening workers’ rights and ensuring that Europe’s social model delivers for everyone.
Korinna Schumann, Chair of the PES Employment and Social Affairs Ministers and Austrian Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, said:
“Quality jobs are about much more than statistics; it is about people. We call for fair wages, safe working conditions, equal opportunities, a real voice for workers and a healthy work-life balance. The Quality Jobs Act must deliver tangible improvements in people’s everyday lives, protect workers from exploitation and ensure that no one is left behind.
We need strong European legislation that puts people first, strengthens collective bargaining and gives workers the security and opportunities they deserve.”
To tackle inequalities, low wages and the gender pay gap, the Quality Jobs Act must complement a wider framework of social legislation and initiatives, including the Fair Labour Mobility Package, the Anti-Poverty Strategy, the Adequate Minimum Wage Directive, and the Pay Transparency Directive. In their Declaration, PES EPSCO Ministers call for jobs that:
- Put people at the centre and empower workers;
- Provide fair pay;
- Ensure a work-life balance;
- Guarantee equality and safety;
- Are supported by adequate EU funding.
We cannot allow that deregulation attempts and Omnibus provisions undermine workers’ rights, trade union rights, and social protection in Europe.
Read the full Declaration here.
Ministers also discussed the Pay Transparency Directive, a key instrument for achieving gender equality in the EU labour market. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to push for its full and immediate implementation across the EU. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the PES family’s priorities for the upcoming Social Summit in 2027 initiated by the European Commission and held together with European Council President António Costa to mark the tenth anniversary of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Ministers welcomed the opportunity to put Social Europe at the core of the political agenda and reiterated the need for ambitious targets and legislation to advance the European Pillar of Social Rights.
List of participants:
- Korinna Schumann, Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Chair, Austria
- Michael Schäfer, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
- Sebastian Gajewski, Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Affairs, Poland
- Petre-Florin Manole, Minister of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities, Romania
- Borja Suárez Corujo, Secretary of State of Social Security, Spain
- Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission
- Gaby Bischoff, S&D Vice-President, Chair of the PES Social Europe Network, S&D Group in the European Parliament
- Esther Lynch, General Secretary, ETUC
- Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES
