Helsinki, 3 May 2023
An informal meeting of EU employment and social affairs ministers will take place in Stockholm on 3–4 May 2023 and an informal meeting of EU health ministers on 4–5 May 2023. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen and Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru will represent Finland at the meetings.
The EU employment and social affairs ministers will discuss the matching of skills and jobs and the social dimension of the EU.
In addressing the labour market mismatch, Finland considers it important that there are opportunities available to people to update their skills on a continuous basis. In addition to formal education, it is essential to learn on the job. By improving the quality of jobs and organising work duties sensibly, it is possible to increase the availability and sufficiency of skilled labour at workplaces. It is also important to promote the prevention of discrimination in recruitment and the mobility of labour. In the EU, 2023 is the European Year of Skills, which emphasises the importance of skills and their development in working life.
The social dimension is a key priority for the EU. Finland’s goal is to improve wellbeing in the Union in general and to narrow the gap in living standards by reducing poverty and inequality. The discussions held by the ministers will be based on the final report of the High-Level Group on the Future of Social Protection and of the Welfare State in the EU, which was published in February 2023.
Health ministers to discuss access to medicinal products
The health ministers will discuss access to medicinal products in the European Union. They will address the issue from the point of view of supply preparedness and crisis preparedness. They will also discuss how to ensure affordable access to innovative and established medicines.
Finland supports the EU’s joint efforts to ensure access to medicinal products. EU-level measures support national preparedness.
The ministers will also share their views on the healthcare situation in Ukraine and the issue of Member States’ support for recovery.
No official decisions will be made at the informal meetings.
Source – Finnish Government