08/11/2019 (Agence Europe) – The Council of the EU, meeting under the auspices of 'Education, Youth', adopted on Friday 8 November, the recommendations on access to social protection. "Good news", said Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Social Affairs and Employment, on her Twitter account, where she welcomed the need to adapt social protection to changes in the labour market. The aim of the recommendations in particular is to extend social protection to self-employed and non-standard workers, including those working through platforms. Nevertheless, these recommendations, which are not binding, are less ambitious – notably at the urging of Slovakia and Bulgaria, but also of the Netherlands (see EUROPE 12157/31). Member States will have 18 months to submit their national plans in response to these recommendations. (PH)