Brussels, 10 October 2022
- Revised employment guidelines to focus on post COVID-19, climate, war in Ukraine
- EU and member states to work towards a coordinated strategy on national employment
- “Urgent need” to ban unpaid internships in EU countries
MEPs want to step up labour market inclusiveness and jobs quality, as they voted to update guidelines on national employment policies.
On Monday, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL) backed the Commission’s proposal to update the guidelines for the employment policies in member states to boost labour demand, foster social inclusion and fight poverty. The resolution was approved by 35 in favour, 4 against and 2 abstentions.
The revised guidelines are aimed at boosting the demand for labour, enhancing supply and access to employment, and promoting equal opportunities, particularly for vulnerable groups such as ethnic minorities, the LGBTIQA+ community and people living in disadvantaged regions.
The EU and member states should devise a common strategy aimed at improving the quality of employment, working conditions and wage standards through a sustainable model. MEPs also reiterated their call for a greater involvement in establishing the guidelines with the Council and the Commission and work jointly towards the goals set out by EU leaders at the 2021 Porto Summit.
Members also insist on ensuring the right to disconnect is respected as it risks diluting the boundaries in the work-life balance. Finally, the committee calls for a ban on unpaid internships in all EU countries.
Quote
Alicia Homs Ginel (S&D, ES), rapporteur, said: “These guidelines aim to protect workers, strengthen the welfare state and ensure that the twin green and digital transformations are socially just, leaving no one and no territory behind.”
Background
The guidelines for employment policies in member states serve as recommendations to create more and better jobs in the European market. The Commission proposed an amendment in May this year to adapt to the post COVID-19 environment, bringing in more elements related to fairness in the green transition, reflecting recent policy initiatives and adding policy elements of particular relevance in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Next steps
The proposals are due to be discussed by MEPs in next week’s (October 17-20) plenary session in Strasbourg.