European Ministers for Social Affairs and Employment have unanimously agreed on the importance of training workers and updating their professional skills in the event of restructuring, as part of an informal exchange held via videoconference on Tuesday 13 October.
Ministers were unanimous over the importance of consolidation and the acquisition of new skills (especially linguistic and digital skills) as well as training within companies, even in the event of restructuring, something that has gained momentum as a result of the pandemic. They also insisted on the need to identify sectors where there are labour shortages in order to counterbalance the phenomena of restructuring and the disappearance of jobs.
The key role played by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) was unanimously recognised, as well as the key role of the SURE instrument, as confirmed to EUROPE by the German Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Hubertus Heil, at a press briefing.
Mr Heil indicated that the question of an extension of the SURE budget (the 100 billion euros foreseen are almost exhausted - see EUROPE 12576/32), if the pandemic were to continue, was not discussed during the meeting. The Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, did not rule out such an extension in respect of this. “The next step is to see how the situation regarding the labour markets develops. Nothing should be excluded, but that has not been mentioned at this stage” he said.
Several delegations, particularly from the North, stressed the role of social dialogue in this area. Regarding the issue of a lack of information for employees within the context of restructuring, the delegations agreed on the need to better implement European rules, in particular Directive 2002/14 on the consultation of workers, as the European Commissioner pointed out.
In this regard, Minister Heil emphasised the need for clear rules that are, above all, respected and implemented. To this end, he noted, during the press conference, the importance of the role of the new European Labour Authority.
Referring to scandals in the German news about the working conditions of seasonal and temporary workers in German slaughterhouses, Mr Heil said that the problem was a European one. “There must be no second-class workers in Europe”, he insisted. In connection to this, he stressed the responsibility companies must take, particularly regarding subcontracting chains.
The fight against poverty also featured on the agenda during the meeting. The German minister therefore reiterated his expectations regarding the European Commission's initiative to set a minimum wage, which should be presented at the end of October (see EUROPE 12561/2). Mr Schmit also confirmed to EUROPE that a presentation of the initiative would not be postponed, despite some rumours of a postponement until December. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)