In an exchange of views with MEPs from the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) on Tuesday 3 September, Joost Korte, the Director General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL), gave some indicators regarding upcoming issues.
The Director General began by indicating that he wanted to complete the last three remaining pieces of legislation still being negotiated from the 27 put forward by his Directorate-General during the Juncker Commission's term in office. The remaining pieces of legislation are the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (see EUROPE 12231/17), the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) (see EUROPE 12215/1), and the regulation on the coordination of social security systems (see EUROPE 12239/2), with regard to the last of which he expressed the greatest concern.
The Director General acknowledged that his Directorate-General is already working on a series of proposals announced in the speech made by President-elect Ursula von der Leyen. He mentioned the major priority issues: environmental transition, the challenges linked to automation and artificial intelligence, and ageing populations. He made particular mention of the emergence of new forms of employment and the need to develop and maintain European social models.
Guidelines for digital platforms. When questioned by MEPs, particularly by Dutch MEP Agnes Jongerius, the EMPL coordinator for the S&D group, about the possibility of introducing a directive to better protect workers on digital platforms, Korte said that "that would be appropriate”. He announced that von der Leyen was considering "specific" measures for platforms. In his view, the issue must be dealt with at European level and not at a strictly national level, because of the cross-border distortions caused by different national legislations.
A European minimum wage. Korte also assured the Committee that the next Commission would focus on the issue of a minimum wage at European level, quoting the President-elect, who has announced that a framework will be developed to take into account national specificities and established through collective bargaining between employers' and trades' unions.
The Director General insisted that this issue should not be confused with the minimum income. He explained that there was a study group looking into this matter in conjunction with Member States. He also indicated that the German EU Council Presidency might add this point to the agenda.
Housing. In answer to question from a number of MEPs about actions to limit rent inflation, Korte acknowledged that this was an emerging issue within Member States. He indicated that a horizontal working party had been set up to consider the issue across the Commission's Directorates-General.
Posted workers. Korte said that the Commission would monitor transposition of the new Posted Workers Directive and issue guidelines to assist Member States. "There are a great number of questions" from Member States, he said.
ELA. Alongside the issue of posted workers, the Director General defended the new European Labour Authority (ELA) and mentioned its role in enforcing and implementing European rules, and in fostering a culture of transnational cooperation in the area of workplace inspection. He also announced that the inaugural meeting of the management board would take place on October 17.
Child Guarantee. In reference to von der Leyen's speech, Korte confirmed that the next Commission would be proposing a Child Guarantee. On this matter, however, he wondered whether it was appropriate to spend a fixed amount under this heading in all Member States as part of the ESF+, as some Member States will receive a small budget allocation and their priority will not necessarily be children. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)