On Monday 2 December 2024, Luxembourg's positions on key issues in social policy and employment were presented at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council, which was held in Brussels.
Luxembourg’s Minister of Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez, and Minister of Labour, Georges Mischo, took part in the EPSCO Council, which was the last one to take place under the Hungarian Presidency.
In her speech, Minister Deprez presented Luxembourg’s priorities in social matters, with the new European Commission taking office, and with a view to developing the future action plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights planned for 2025. This is reportedly in line with the Hulpe Declaration of 16 April 2024, co-signed by Luxembourg under the Belgian Presidency.
She called for ambitious European legislative action in health and safety at work, particularly promoting mental health, saying: “the European Union has the necessary binding tools to save lives, because significantly improving workers’ well-being has positive repercussions on the competitiveness of our businesses”.
The Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Health and Social Security added that Luxembourg remains constructive on new initiatives on algorithmic management, teleworking and the right to disconnect, as these instruments offer real added value to workers and promote a better work-life balance.
Regarding the future European strategy to combat poverty, Luxembourg advocates an approach focused on analysing the causes and consequences of poverty and social exclusion. Mutual learning between Member States should be strengthened to address key challenges such as non-take-up of social benefits, poverty prevention and housing shortages.
The ministries added that combating all forms of discrimination also remains a central priority. Luxembourg supports the rapid adoption of the horizontal directive on equal treatment.
Minister Deprez concluded by recalling that social resilience and the implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights are a common priority for the Member States. She advocated highlighting the benefits of social investments in the interest of a competitive economy.
The Council was unable to adopt its position on the Directive on Internships, which aims to improve the working conditions of interns and to remedy employment relationships disguised as internships, due to insufficient support from the Member States.
In his speech, Minister Mischo supported the proposal of the Hungarian Presidency. He stressed: “Given our national specificity in terms of internship agreements, it was essential for us that the text offer flexibility, which is now the case". He welcomed the scope of application which does not cover apprentices or vocational education and training.
Moreover, the EU ministers held a policy debate on the theme "Comprehensive solutions to demographic challenges: supporting parents and mobilising the untapped potential of young people and older generations".
The Council approved, among other things, conclusions on labour and skills shortages in the EU, with a focus on mobilising untapped labour potential.
Minister Mischo also participated in a ministerial lunch which was dedicated to the "trend" topic taken up in the Draghi report on how to close skills gaps to succeed in the green and digital transition towards high-quality jobs in the labour market.
