Brussels, 14/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - European ministers responsible for labour will be meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday 16 October. They are expected to reach a political agreement on setting up a platform to better prevent and discourage undeclared work. This initiative was held up during the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 11104) but has now received a sufficient majority by proposing compulsory participation of all member states in the platform but with voluntary participation in its initiatives.
The idea of setting up a European platform to tackle undeclared work is not appreciated by all member states. In June 2014, a minority blockage was formed that prevented the Council reaching a general approach for beginning subsequent negotiations with the European Parliament. This minority has now disintegrated, particularly with the most recent compromise proposal presented by the Italian Presidency of the Council on 24 September to ambassadors from the member states (Coreper).
From the initial group of opponents, there are only the United Kingdom, Poland, Malta and Hungary left. The Czech Republic, Luxembourg and Slovakia have now given their support to the recently tabled proposal. This calls for all member states to take part in the platform. Nonetheless, the degree of participation in the initiatives of the platform will be decided by the member states themselves. This solution also received backing from the European Commission.
In Luxembourg, ministers for labour will also hold an orientation debate on the EUROPE 2020 mid-term review, announced by the Commission in the communication in March 2014. A joint opinion from the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee is expected to be adopted, as well as key messages for the 2015 annual examination of growth. During the working lunch, with which the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Council (EPSCO) will conclude, ministers will also discuss the directive on maternity leave, which has been blocked at the Council for a significant period of time. (JK)