Luxembourg, 9 October 2023
EU ministers for employment and social affairs gathered in Luxembourg to discuss the 2023 European Semester and the impact of new technologies on labour. They reached a political agreement on a recommendation on developing a supportive framework for the social economy. They also approved Council conclusions on mental health and precarious work, on equal access to adequate and desegregated housing for Roma, and on social protection for the self-employed. Furthermore, ministers held a debate on the consolidation and strengthening of European social protection systems.
European Semester and policy debate on a fair digital transition
Under the European Semester heading, ministers held a debate on the impact of new technologies on labour and the European pathway towards a just digital transition. In particular, ministers stressed the need to balance the opportunities with the risks such as the deepening of the digital divide and the need for skills and life-long learning and the importance of labour and social rights. They referred to opportunities and risks related to artificial intelligence and digitalisation, including algorithmic management. In addition, they reflected on how the European semester can help member states take appropriate action towards a fair digital transition, highlighting the role of social partners and social dialogue.
Furthermore, they endorsed key messages on employment and social challenges, as identified by the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee. The main findings were that despite Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the energy crisis and inflationary pressures, the EU economy performed relatively well in 2022 and the labour market remained resilient. The European Pillar of Social Rights sets the framework to accompany positive employment dynamics with social protection and inclusion policies supported by social investment.
EU ministers adopted the 2023 employment guidelines: the guidelines from 2022 are maintained, while the recitals are adjusted to take into account the 2030 headline and national targets on employment, skills and poverty reduction.
The European Semester remains an effective coordination tool for fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth, competitiveness, employment and adequate social protection and social inclusion.
- Steering note by the presidency – policy debate on a just digital transition
- Key messages from the Employment Committee
- Key messages from the Social Protection Committee
- 2023 employment guidelines
- The European Semester explained (background information)
Development of supportive frameworks for the social economy
Ministers reached a political agreement on a recommendation on developing framework conditions for the social economy. The social economy, which accounts for more than 13 million jobs in Europe, is active in many economic sectors, but unevenly developed across the EU.
The first-ever recommendation on this topic covers a broad set of measures, from access to funding, to public procurement, to visibility and recognition of the social economy. It calls on the member states to strengthen their support for the social economy entities and acknowledge the added value of the social economy in labour and social inclusion, skills development and social innovation.
Social economy entities such as non-profit organisations, cooperatives and social enterprises tackle some of the biggest challenges facing our society, notably on labour and social integration and social cohesion. And yet there is so much more we can do to support the further development of the social economy, in our member states and across the EU. We need to tap into the enormous potential that the social economy has, in order to improve our responses to the social and environmental challenges we all face and ensure no one is left behind.
Yolanda Díaz Perez, Spain’s acting Minister for Work and Social Economy
Mental health and precarious work
The Council approved conclusions on mental health and precarious work, with the aim of further promoting and implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights. This is the first set of Council conclusions dealing with the link between mental health and conditions of employment, with a focus on precarious work, i.e. poorly paid and unprotected jobs.
The conclusions call upon member states, the European Commission, and the social partners to take various actions to improve working conditions, protect mental health, and prevent psychosocial risks in the workplace. This includes measures related to policy development, enforcement of legislation, awareness-raising, and data collection and analysis.
Combatting precariousness is one of the best antidotes for the prevention of psychosocial risks at work. These conclusions mark a significant step towards recognising the impact of mental health and actively promoting workers’ psychological well-being.
Yolanda Díaz Perez, Spain’s acting Minister for Work and Social Economy
Lunch debate on working time
Over lunch, ministers exchanged views on initiatives concerning the reduction of weekly working time and they reflected on the role which the European Union could have in the future as regards flexible working-time arrangements.
Equal access for Roma to adequate and desegregated housing
Ministers approved conclusions on equal access for Roma to adequate and desegregated housing. The conclusions aim to improve the housing situation of Roma and to eradicate segregation, while also underlining the importance of tackling the problem of antigypsyism, of using available EU funding, and of involving Roma themselves in shaping the policies that concern them.
These Council conclusions invite member states to improve the housing situation of the Roma and to eradicate segregation wherever settlements of this type exist, as well as to combat discrimination against these communities and to invest in policies that transform this situation.
Ignacio Álvarez Peralta, Spain’s Secretary of State for Social Rights
Consolidating and strengthening European social protection systems
Ministers held a policy debate on consolidating and strengthening European social protection systems. Ministers reflected on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflationary consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on the social protection systems, taking into account the changes brought by the green and digital transitions.
They also exchanged views on the lessons learned from the implementation of the Council recommendation on adequate minimum income and on how to extend social protection for the most vulnerable groups. Finally, ministers shared experiences on how technological developments, in particular artificial intelligence, could help address existing barriers in social security coordination.
We are dedicated to working together toward a socially cohesive Europe where every citizen enjoys inclusion, dignity, and equal opportunities. We also addressed the importance of social investment, following the roadmap set at the informal EPSCO in July in Madrid. We are fully committed to evidence-based policies to ensure that every investment in social protection reaps maximum benefits. Today’s session marks another significant step on this path. Europe is aligned with the idea that social progress and economic development must advance together to reduce inequalities, to provide employment and social opportunities, and to protect the most vulnerable groups in society.
José Luis Escrivá, Spain’s acting Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration
Social protection for the self-employed
Ministers approved the first-ever set of conclusions on social protection focused exclusively on the self-employed. These conclusions build on the Council recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed adopted in 2019 and on the lessons learnt from its implementation.
The conclusions call on the Commission and the member states to take actions, where necessary, to tackle any remaining gaps, while respecting the national circumstances and preferences as regards to the nature of the national social protection system.
Self-employed workers are key players in European economy and innovation. Therefore, we need to ensure and improve their social protection coverage across Europe in order to ensure decent working and living conditions for them. Now, more than ever, we need a socially robust and a socially oriented Europe.
José Luis Escrivá, Spain’s acting Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration
Other business
Under other business, the presidency and the Commission informed ministers on the state of play on the proposed directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence.
The presidency and the Commission also shared information about activities related to legal migration.
Last, they informed ministers on the Tripartite social summit, which will take place on 25 October under the title “Delivering on building blocks for a successful European Economy for workers and companies”.
The Spanish presidency informed ministers of informal ministerial meetings, conferences and high-level events organised during its term.
The Commission briefed EU ministers on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee and the national action plans, the proposed directive establishing a European Disability Card and a European Parking Card for persons with disabilities, and the report on upskilling pathways.
- Access to key services for children in need: Council agrees European Child Guarantee (press release, 14 June 2021)
- European Child Guarantee: how the EU protects children – infographic
- European disability card – EC proposal
- Disability in the EU: facts and figures – infographic
- Upskilling Pathways Evaluation Package adopted (EC press release, 17 July 2023)
The Council also adopted without discussion the items on the lists of legislative and non-legislative A items.
Meeting information
- Meeting n°3972
- Luxembourg
- 9 October 2023
Preparatory documents
- Provisional agenda
- Provisional list of A items
- Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 1
- Provisional list of A items, non-legislative activities, addition 2
- List of A items, legislative deliberations
- List of A items, non-legislative activities
- Background brief