On Wednesday 10 April, EU Member States will discuss a new draft ‘La Hulpe Declaration’ ahead of the high-level conference to be held in the city on 15 and 16 April on the future of the European pillar of social rights.
In particular, they will be called upon to validate a final draft submitted on 6 April, after the last meeting of the EU Council working group, during which delegations had still made comments (see EUROPE 13385/28).
This latest text, seen by Agence Europe, has slightly tightened the language on the rate of worker coverage by collective bargaining, which must “increase”, but this time without reference to the 80% target mentioned in the European Directive on adequate minimum wages. Nor does it mention the talent partnership on legal migration, which was problematic for some.
Several references to legislative work in progress have also been qualified, at the request of delegations who did not wish “to prejudge the results”, said a source.
The La Hulpe Conference, organised by the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU, will bring together the Commission and the European social partners. It should feed into the Commission’s next strategic agenda for 2024-2029. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)