The Member States’ employment and social affairs ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday 1 December to approve the sixth revision of the ‘CMRD’ (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances Directive), as well as, in principle, the revised mandate of the Globalisation Adjustment Fund, which is due to expire after 2027.
Invited to give their opinion on the Commission’s latest economic and social prescriptions (see EUROPE 13759/14), they will also have a debate on legislative simplification in the field of employment and social affairs.
The Commission is also planning an ‘omnibus’ simplification bill of interest to citizens. The Renew Europe group had put forward ideas along these lines, including a simplification of the directive on freedom of movement within the EU and on social security and the working time directive (see EUROPE 13733/3).
On Monday, the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU will also try to win Hungary over to the EU Council’s conclusions on the future European plan for affordable housing, following the country’s veto on 19 November (see EUROPE 13755/38).
Toxic substances in the workplace. The EU27 will have no difficulty in approving their mandate on the revision of the directive on carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances at work (see EUROPE 13755/40), which has been strengthened at the instigation of several Member States who have requested an occupational exposure limit value for isoprene.
However, on the mandate for the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF), the presidency has had to make a number of changes to the text approved on 19 November without overwhelming support (see EUROPE 13755/26).
The proposed revision aims to simplify and speed up the procedure for mobilising the funds, but the option allowing the Commission to mobilise the total amount for the year at the start of that year and then speed up the process by means of delegated acts was rejected. The second part of the proposal aims to enable companies to apply for financing even before people become unemployed.
According to some countries, however, this entails the risk of increasing the financial risks for the Member States, which are the co-financers.
A qualified majority was narrowly achieved on 19 November, but some countries also find it strange to undertake such a major change in the management of the EGF for such a short period of time, when the fund will be discontinued after 2027.
The EGF has never been much in demand, mainly benefiting three countries: France, Belgium and Germany.
According to another source, the presidency will do its utmost to broaden this support on Monday and obtain a text with “real added value, because waiting too long would be counterproductive, as the EGF ends” in 2027.
Trying to send out a strong message about affordable housing. This will be the other challenge for the Danish Presidency: convincing Hungary to support a strong message from the Council of the EU for the plan that will be presented by the Commission on 16 December.
Its ambition remains to have conclusions adopted by all 27 Member States, even if presidency conclusions remain a possibility.
When it comes to housing, “we are faced with something of a paradox. On the one hand, it is clear that, in terms of powers, housing is primarily a matter for the Member States. On the other hand, it is equally clear that there are many shared challenges and opportunities for action, including at EU level”, a diplomatic source observed on 27 November. And it “seems clear that, politically, housing is now seen as a major problem across Europe”.
“Very small steps” on the Equal Treatment Directive. On Monday, the EU27 will also take note of the Danish Presidency’s failure to reach an agreement on the 2008 directive on equal treatment (see EUROPE 13753/26). There have been vetoes from Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic due to a number of concerns, but unanimity is required.
According to one source, “small steps” have been taken towards an agreement under the Danish Presidency, but still not enough to convince these countries. In any case, several delegations are expected to take advantage of the progress report to reaffirm their support for the text.
The presidency has worked to resolve “technical problems for Member States that are still not convinced of the merits of the text as it stands. The OECD gave an excellent presentation of its study on discrimination in the EU and its costs, which was much appreciated”, according to one source. This study concludes that in areas where there is no European legislation on discrimination, the prevalence of discrimination is higher.
“There have been openings to discussing concerns in more concrete terms”, adds this source, who is hoping for a green light from Cyprus.
Links to the general approaches and the conclusions on housing: https://aeur.eu/f/jq2 ; https://aeur.eu/f/jq0 ; https://aeur.eu/f/jq3 (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)