EU Social Affairs Ministers supported the broad objectives set out by the European Commission for the Action Plan on the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights in a first debate at the ‘Employment and Social Policy’ Council (EPSCO) on Monday 15 March. On the other hand, there were differences of opinion on the degree of intervention by the European Union and the ambition of certain objectives.
Thus, as the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council noted at the end of the round table, Ministers agreed on the three main indicators proposed by the European Commission, namely: - an employment target of at least 78% of the population by 2030; - 60% of adults in training each year; - a reduction of 15 million people at risk of poverty or social exclusion (see EUROPE 12671/2).
Most Ministers highlighted in particular the problem of child poverty.
However, several Member States - Hungary, Poland, Croatia - felt that some of the targets, although desirable, were too ambitious in view of the crisis arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and the national situation. In particular, Zagreb criticised the targets related to the adult education rate. Romania was more ambiguous, noting that the poverty reduction target was particularly ambitious, but achievable if EU financial support is used wisely.
On the contrary, Belgium felt that some sub-targets were grossly unambitious. The country wants targets on job quality, school drop-out and integration of non-EU migrants, and linked to the situation of women. Brussels also stressed the importance of having monetary targets for the gender pay gap and for childcare.
Respect for subsidiarity and minimum wage
Sweden insisted strongly on the respect of the principle of subsidiarity, in particular by mentioning the draft Directive on the decent minimum wage (see EUROPE 12591/8).
In this regard, Denmark insisted that the legal opinion of the EU Council’s Legal Service be made public (which validates the legal basis chosen by the European Commission for the Directive - see EUROPE 12675/13).
Austria also recalled the sharing of competences on social issues, as did Poland. In the same vein, Hungary welcomed the fact that the Commission proposed recommendations rather than legislation.
‘European Semester’ and ‘EPSCO’ Council
The revision of the Social Scoreboard in the framework of the ‘European Semester’ budgetary process to better align with social objectives was unanimously welcomed. Several Member States stressed the role that the EPSCO Council can play in this budgetary process.
The debate was an exchange of views in preparation for the Porto Social Summit in early May (see EUROPE 12616/19). However, Belgium wanted an additional meeting to be held in the meantime. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)