The Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU intends to focus on the fair mobility of workers and competitiveness over the next six months, with a first informal meeting on 7 and 8 July in Aalborg specifically devoted to these issues.
Strengthening social dialogue will be the other main pillar of Denmark’s employment and social affairs priorities.
However, the Presidency is not expected to have to deal with a large number of legislative dossiers, as the Commission has promised potentially legislative initiatives under the ‘Quality Jobs Roadmap’ towards the end of 2025 and in 2026.
If the European Parliament acts on its mandate, however, it could launch the trilogues on the Quality Framework for Traineeships, which was agreed at EU Council level on 19 June.
The Presidency is also hoping for a general approach on 1 December on the sixth revision of the directive on carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances, which the Commission has yet to present.
A ‘general approach’ will also be issued on the same date on the regulation amending the support for workers affected by an imminent risk of job loss in companies undergoing restructuring (European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers).
But on the issue of the reform of the coordination of social security systems (Regulation 883/2004), which the Polish Presidency had presented as a priority, but which remains unresolved, the Danish programme has little to say. The Presidency does mention fair mobility and the need to work on digitalisation to modernise this coordination of national systems, but it does not talk about putting the reform back on the table.
“Free movement of workers is a cornerstone of EU cooperation. It is essential that this happens on fair and decent terms. Digitalisation can simplify social security coordination within the EU, improve enforcement and control of existing rules, and support free and fair movement”.
“The Danish Presidency will follow up on the pilot project on the European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS). It will also address challenges and explore solutions related to free and fair movement, including conditions for posted workers – both EU citizens and third-country nationals – who are often vulnerable in European labour markets”, it writes.
As far as competitiveness is concerned, the focus will be on “sufficient access to skilled labour. The Danish Presidency will therefore place focus on free and fair movement, decent working conditions, upskilling and reskilling, and a healthy and a safe working environment, all of which are essential for increasing productivity across the EU”.
But this must be done “while respecting national labour market and welfare models, as well as the role and autonomy of social partners”.
Social dialogue at national and European level plays an essential role in shaping policy and translating political agreements into tangible results for workers, businesses and European competitiveness. Building on the new Pact for European Social Dialogue, the Danish Presidency will work to strengthen dialogue between the social partners.
Social inclusion will be another focus, as will the fight against homelessness.
The Danish Presidency also plans to draw conclusions on the future Affordable Housing Plan.
Link to the programme: https://aeur.eu/f/HFO
Link to the draft agendas: https://aeur.eu/f/hn2 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)