The Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU was unable to reach a political agreement on the draft directive on quality traineeships and the fight against bogus traineeships on Wednesday 11 June, as a blocking minority was formed by countries such as Germany, Spain, the Czech Republic, Sweden and Estonia.
On the other hand, France, Luxembourg and Italy may have come out in favour of the directive, which is due to be presented in March 2024, but several other countries, such as Austria, Slovenia and Portugal, have yet to adopt a position, according to several sources.
The Presidency had submitted a slightly modified proposal (see EUROPE 13655/16), but for Spain, a key country for reaching a majority, the text lacks too much ambition, having been gradually reduced in scope.
The Czech Republic abstained, considering that the project on the table still represents too great an administrative burden.
For Sweden, the fact that active labour market policies are not entirely excluded from the scope of the directive is also a hindrance; the provisions on respecting the role of the social partners are also a critical point for the country.
At this stage, the Polish Presidency is still planning to submit the text to the Employment and Social Affairs Council on 19 June in Luxembourg, and should try to convince reluctant countries bilaterally in the meantime. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)