PES ministers for employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs from around Europe met in the Party of European Socialists’ EPSCO network to discuss progress towards implementing the PES social action plan and supporting increased social investment in the EU.
Chairing the PES EPSCO network, Nicolas Schmit said:
“Our push for a more social Europe is gaining ground. This provides several important opportunities to put into action the social action plan that we drafted in response to last year’s proclamation of the European pillar of social rights.
“That’s why we wrote to President Juncker last week to remind him of the urgent need for actions to follow words when it comes to zero-hour contracts, vulnerable workers, and extending social protections to new forms of work such as digital platforms.
“We all agree that strong social policies require strong implementation. So the proposed European Labour Authority must have sufficient powers and financial support to supervise implementation of these important measures, if it is to really make a difference to the lives of Europe’s citizens.”
The discussions among PES ministers took place ahead of the EU Council of Ministers meeting later today.
In attendance were:
- Nicolas Schmit, Minister for Labour, Employment, Social and Solidarity Economy, Chairperson, Luxembourg
- José António Vieira da Silva, Minister for Labour, Solidarity, and Social Security, Portugal
- Anja Kopač Mrak, Minister for Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Slovenia
- Ylva Johansson, Minister for Employment, Sweden
- Irene Wennemo, State Secretary for Employment, Sweden
- Christophe Rouillon, vice-president of the PES group in the European Committee of the Regions
- Luca Visentini, ETUC secretary general
- Liina Carr, ETUC confederal secretary
- Yonnec Polet, PES deputy secretary general