14/01/2022 (Agence Europe) – The Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), Lucia Nicholsonová (Renew Europe, Slovakia), told MEPs on Thursday 13 January that Member States had unanimously supported the political agreement on the Mutagens and Carcinogens Directive (see EUROPE 12859/11) in late December. This is very good news for the European Parliament, but in particular for the countless workers for whom this text brings numerous advances, said Ms Nicholsonová, noting the concessions that have been obtained from the EU Council, especially regarding substances. The Slovakian negotiated the text in the interinstitutional meetings instead of Stefania Zambelli (Identity and Democracy, Italy), since it was not conceivable for many MEPs to be represented in the Council by a far-right MEP (see EUROPE 12697/23). The agreement is expected to be voted on in committee on 25 January and then submitted to a plenary vote in February. (PH)