On Tuesday 28 January, the Polish Ministers for Family, Labour and Social Policy, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, and for Senior Policy, Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz, outlined their priorities to the members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs.
They paid particular attention to strengthening social protection in the context of the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace and reducing the risks associated with AI, strengthening social dialogue with a view to the new ‘Pact for Social Dialogue’, and keeping older people in the labour market for as long as possible (a topic that will be the subject of EU Council conclusions), referring in this respect to a ‘senior’ age bracket starting at 55, which some MEPs contested.
On the reform of the directive on European Works Councils, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk promised to make a success of the negotiations due to start on 6 February with the Parliament (then on 19 March and 6 May), and to do so ambitiously, which reassured the Parliament rapporteur, Dennis Radtke (EPP, German).
With regard to the directive on traineeships, the Polish minister criticised the Hungarian Presidency of the EU Council, which considerably scaled back its ambitions during its six-month term. The minister explained that this lack of ambition was one of the reasons for the refusal to go along with the compromises, and also promised to work on it.
On the reform of the rules for coordinating social security schemes (Regulation 883/2004), the minister acknowledged that the dossier “is eminently complex” and hoped to be able to reach a compromise, citing the need to convince the Parliament on the outstanding issues, such as prior authorisations or unemployment benefits. An initial working party will meet on 30 January on the basis of a questionnaire sent to national delegations in mid-January.
“We are in a period of change, of crisis, of ageing, of changes in the labour market”, noted the Polish representatives from the outset, who have set themselves three priorities: - the future of work in digital Europe; - equality, cohesion and inclusion; - a Europe that meets the challenges of demographic transition.
However, the Polish Presidency will have to keep pace with the Commission, which has yet to present flagship initiatives, such as a promised directive on the right to disconnect or the revision of the directive on carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances at work. In addition, the evaluation report on the European Labour Authority is not due until the end of March, with a possible revision to follow.
With regard to artificial intelligence in the workplace, Minister Dziemianowicz-Bąk did not give her preference, on Tuesday, as to the nature of a possible legislative instrument - directive or regulation -, pointing out that the Polish Presidency will focus at this stage on the reflection on strengthening the protection of workers in this context. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)