Danish Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen confirmed to the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, on Tuesday 15 July, that the Danish Presidency does not intend to focus on the coordination of European social security schemes (Regulation 883/2004), stating that it will have to take up “many other challenges this autumn”, including the green transition, competitiveness and other issues relating to the fair mobility of workers.
After 17 attempts under different EU Council Presidencies, “not one of them has been successful” on this issue, the minister replied to the German S&D MEP Gabi Bischoff, who reminded her that 14 Member States had said at the end of June that they were ready to work towards an agreement with the European Parliament on this 9-year-old reform.
For the German rapporteur, however, this reform of Regulation 883/2004 would represent a step forward for Danish priorities, as it would make it possible to combat ‘letterbox’ companies and social dumping.
The minister reminded the MEPs that the free movement of workers and solutions to remedy social dumping, in particular that practised in the EU by workers posted from third countries, are a priority for the six-month period.
This issue was also discussed at the informal meeting in Aalborg on 7 and 8 July (see EUROPE 13675/22, 13676/28).
On this subject, the minister indicated that she wanted to support the project for social identity cards or passports, as Denmark has recently introduced this instrument. She is also counting on the ‘Mobility’ package announced by the Commission for 2026 - which will include a possible reform of the mandate of the European Labour Authority - to improve mobility in the EU.
On other issues, the minister will work to defend social dialogue and labour markets that are “strong and organised around strong social dialogue”.
However, when confronted by Jana Toom (Renew Europe, Estonian), who pointed out the wide diversity of collective bargaining coverage across the EU and reminded her that her country, along with Sweden, had in fact contested the directive on adequate minimum wages, which included a plan to increase this coverage, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen stressed that “what we do in Europe must also reflect the diversity of the continent”.
Questioned by her compatriot Per Clausen (The Left) about legislative simplification exercises which, in his view, amount to deregulation, the minister explained that it was necessary to “listen to companies when they say that this or that is too burdensome, but that does not mean destroying workers’ rights”. We “need to find the right balance”, replied the minister.
In addition, she highlighted the Presidency’s priorities on investment in skills and lifelong learning, stating that there is no contradiction between decent wages and strong business competitiveness. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)