Agenda of the EU Employment and Social Policy Council, 9 October 2023 (updated 6.10.)

European Semester

Ministers will discuss the European Semester 2023, with a focus on the impact of new technologies on labour and the European path towards just digital transition. The Council also plans to endorse key messages on employment and social challenges by the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee, and ministers will be invited to adopt the 2023 employment guidelines for the member states.

The European Semester is an instrument of economic, fiscal, labour and social policy coordination at both EU and member state level.

Policy debate on the impact of new technologies on labour: a just digital transition (note from the presidency)

The European Semester explained (background information)

Social economy

Ministers will seek to reach a political agreement on a recommendation on developing framework conditions for the social economy. The recommendation aims to acknowledge the role of social economy in access to labour market and social inclusion, to support social enterprises and to ease their access to financing and funding.

Mental health and precarious work

Employment ministers will seek to approve conclusions on mental health and precarious work, in order to tackle psychosocial risks at work, also taking into account digitalisation and new forms of employment.

Social protection and access to housing

The Council will approve conclusions on social protection for the self-employed and on measures to ensure equal access for Roma to adequate housing. Both sets of conclusions aim to implement the European Pillar of Social Rights.  Ministers will also hold a debate on the consolidation and strengthening of the European social protection systems.

Social rights in the EU (background information)

Infographic – Disability in the EU: facts and figures

See full infographic

Other business

The ministers will receive information on the proposed directive on European disability card and European parking card for persons with disabilities. They will also be debriefed on the state of play of the draft directive on combatting violence against women and domestic violence.

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