Brussels, 04/12/2015 (Agence Europe) - Gender equality will be central to the Employment, Social Affairs, Health and Consumers Council to be held, exceptionally over only one day, in Brussels on Monday 7 December. The central issue will be the fate that is reserved for the draft directive on quotas for women.
The Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU will try to reach a general approach on this draft text which will require listed companies to put in place transparent recruitment procedures to increase the representation of women on their boards to at least 40%. Ten member states currently form a blocking minority: United Kingdom, Denmark, Estonia, Croatia, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, Germany, Netherlands and Slovakia. A European diplomat expressed scepticism on Friday 4 December as to the possibility of reaching agreement at this meeting, despite the recently tabled fresh attempt at a compromise (see EUROPE 11445).
Uncertain of success, the Luxembourg Presidency is also looking to have conclusions on gender equality in decision-making adopted. This text will call on the member states and the European Commission to monitor the numbers of women in decision-making positions, using European Institute for Gender Equality indicators, including those on the proportion of women in politics and in business. It also gives its backing to a pull system under which candidates lists in elections comprise both genders alternately. Malta intends to submit a written statement opposing a new indicator that could require abortion to be considered as legitimate health treatment.
Ministers will have two opportunities to discuss gender equality. Firstly, at an early morning informal meeting, on a better work-life balance for parents and carers. Then at the formal meeting, with an exchange of views on the follow-up the Commission intends to give to its gender equality strategy 2010-2015.
The afternoon will be divided into two sessions. The first will deal with the budgetary process of the European semester. Over lunch, ministers will discuss improving performances in the social and employment fields within the existing governance framework. They are expected thereafter to reach a policy agreement on the Commission initiative, which takes the form of three recommendations, on getting the long-term unemployed back into the jobs market, presented in September (see EUROPE 11383). Lastly, they are expected to adopt two series of conclusions, one devoted to promoting the social economy as a key driver of economic and social development in Europe, and the other on social governance for an inclusive Europe.
In the second part of the afternoon, ministers will adopt four series of health-related conclusions. The conclusions on the “EU strategy on the reduction of alcohol-related harm” will call on the Commission to adopt a new Community anti-alcohol strategy before the end of next year (see EUROPE 11424), to address the social, economic and health consequences of alcohol abuse, with the emphasis on cross-border initiatives.
The conclusions on “personalised medicine for patients” will call on the member states to back access to personalised medicine that is both clinically effective and financially viable by means of patient-centred policies. They will ask for consideration to be given to drafting long-term, patient-centred strategies to meet the challenges posed by access to personalised medicine, while ensuring the viability of national health systems and fully respecting national sovereignty.
Conclusions seeking to improve policies and practices in care for people living with dementia will call on the member states to provide appropriate treatment and care to those suffering from dementia, and also to their families and to the care staff. They suggest drafting non-binding guidelines based on a holistic and integrated approach to dementia, which takes account of prevention, health promotion, early diagnosis, post-diagnosis support, treatment and care.
The last set of conclusions relate to the lessons for public health to be learned from the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. The text will stress preparedness and response plans against serious cross-border threats to health, along with cooperation in order to strengthen health security in the EU in the event of any future epidemics. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean with Jan Kordys)