10/10/2018 (Agence Europe) – In a press release on Wednesday 10 October, European Parliament rapporteur on the European framework of social rights Maria João Rodrigues (S&D, Portugal) strongly criticised the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU's decision to cancel the ministerial meeting on implementation of the European social pillar that was initially due to take place in Luxembourg on Thursday 11 October. "I am shocked by the Presidency’s indifference to the social pillar", the MEP said. The Austrian Presidency effectively cancelled the meeting a month ago. In a letter to the Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Marianne Thyssen, the Presidency says there was not enough material or progress on the various legal dossiers to justify organising a Council. The Austrian Presidency had already been flagged up for the question of the European Labour Authority not being included in the Presidency’s work programme (see EUROPE 12061). (PH)