Following the publication of this Commission’s first Work Programme of this mandate on 12 February 2025, PES Employment and Social Affairs ministers adopted a joint declaration on a Quality Jobs Package.
The push for Quality Jobs Package is led by Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness Roxana Mînzatu (PES) in the European Commission. The idea was put forward by PES common candidate Nicolas Schmit during the 2024 European elections. Quality jobs are the key to mobilising workers, filling vacancies, attracting and retaining talent, and sustaining continued economic success. They are key to ensuring that workers are treated fairly and rewarded for their efforts in the twin digital and environmental transitions.
Through this declaration, PES Employment and Social Affairs Ministers offer their policy proposals for an ambitious Quality Jobs Package and their support to Executive Vice-President Mînzatu.
Commenting on the joint Declaration, Chair of PES network of Employment and Social Affairs Ministers, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil (DE) said:
”The EU is currently shaping its competitiveness strategy. As Mr. Letta and Mr. Draghi stated before, I am convinced that this competitiveness must rest on quality jobs.
The European economy’s success rests on the quality, knowledge, training, and know-how of its workforce. Quality jobs are the key to mobilising workers, filling vacancies, attracting, and retaining talent, and sustaining continued economic success. They are also essential to workers’ wellbeing. As PES Ministers of Employment and Social Affairs, we welcome Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu’s announcement of a Quality Jobs Package, and we will support her in delivering all the needed legislative initiatives.”
The declaration was signed by all PES Employment and Social Affairs Ministers present, with the exception of Ministers from the incumbent Polish Presidency and the incoming Danish Presidency of the Council. This is in line with the requirement for Presidencies to act as an honest and neutral broker, whose task it is to mediate and forge compromises.
*To read the full declaration click here
