‘Trilogue’ agreements on the directives on quality traineeships and carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances, conclusions on preventing and combating cyber violence against girls and on affordable housing, and - Member States permitting - two potentially historic agreements on the new rules for coordinating social security schemes and on the directive on equal treatment, which have been pending since 2016 and 2008 respectively...
These are some of the objectives of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, which will lead two formal Employment and Social Policy Councils on 9 March and 29 June, as well as an informal meeting on 12 and 13 February.
While the Commission is only planning new legislative initiatives on ‘Quality Jobs’ or fair labour mobility for under the Irish Presidency, Cyprus will have plenty to occupy itself with these last two dossiers, which are real European ‘sea serpents’. And a final attempt will be made to reach agreement on these two suspended pieces of legislation.
With regard to the directive on the implementation of the principle of equal treatment, the Presidency is aiming for a general approach on 29 June. But at this stage, only information from the Presidency on Regulation 883 on social security is on the agenda for 29 June.
The Presidency will generally seek to place the fight against poverty, social inclusion, access to affordable housing and quality jobs with decent working conditions at the heart of its action, it states in its work programme.
Quality jobs. “In a labour market reshaped by digitalisation and the rise of AI, the Presidency will promote policies that harness technological progress to improve job quality, reduce inequalities and ensure just transition”. Fair wages, safe working conditions and equal opportunities must remain central to ensure benefits for all workers.
In addition, the Presidency will continue the work on the revision of the Regulation on the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers aiming to further secure vulnerable jobs and employees. Equal access to employment will also be “a key discussion topic during the Informal EPSCO Council in February”.
Skills. This priority will be at the heart of the debates at the 25th meeting of the Council of the European Network of Public Employment Services in June.
Poverty. The EU Anti-Poverty strategy “will be a key priority, reaffirming the commitment to providing protection, ensuring access to essential services, and advancing the fight against poverty across the Union. Safeguarding the wellbeing of our children will constitute a priority”.
Efforts will focus on “enhancing visibility and advancing initiatives aimed at tackling child poverty, promoting participation in accessible, affordable and high-quality early childhood education and care”. Cyprus is planning the adoption of EU Council conclusions and a conference dedicated to children’s wellbeing in May.
Housing. Access to affordable, adequate and sustainable housing “is a fundamental social right”. Cyprus “will endeavour to strengthen the European dimension of housing policy on the basis of the ‘European Affordable Housing Plan’ and any subsequent initiative or legislative proposal from the Commission, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity and national competences”. An informal Ministerial Conference will be held in May 2026.
Links to the programme and agenda: https://aeur.eu/f/k4d ; https://aeur.eu/f/k5o (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)