PES EPSCO: next EU mandate must continue pushing Social Europe

Government ministers, European Commissioners and members of the European Parliament from the Party of European Socialists (PES) family will continue pressing for more Social Europe. This was the commitment today as progressive Employment and Social Affairs (EPSCO) Ministers met in Brussels this evening.

Meeting Chair and Germany's State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Rolf Schmachtenberg, said:

"Our family has put all its energy on social policies to steer the EU towards delivering for citizens. Whether it was the Minimum Wage Directive, SURE, fighting child poverty or reinforcing workers' rights, it was our mobilisation that delivered.

"At this critical turning point between the two institutional mandates, we are laser focused on ensuring that employment and social rights are on top of the agenda and continue to be prioritised, as agreed with the La Hulpe Declaration of the Belgian Presidency earlier this year.

Working alongside our new team in the Commission College, with designated Executive Vice President Roxanna Mînzatu and all PES Commissioners, we will make sure that the EU delivers social progress for citizens."

Advancing the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights was a key priority in the last mandate, with many successes delivered thanks to Antonio Costa's Porto Summits, to the Spanish and Belgian Presidencies and to the dedication of PES Common Candidate and outgoing European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit.

State Secretary Rolf Schmachtenberg added:

"I pay tribute to Nicolas Schmit for his determination and dedication. Through his work, he demonstrated not only a commitment to Europe as a political concept, but more than that, to Europe as a force that improves people's lives. That is the true essence of our Union. Security, opportunity and solidarity - that is what his policies will continue to deliver for people for years to come. We are proud of that legacy and we thank him for embodying the best of our political movement. Our collaboration with Nicolas was always a source of inspiration and we look forward to future formats in which we will surely continue our exchange."

Today's meeting took stock of this progress and exchanged on priorities in the EPSCO field for 2024-2029 mandate. From the roadmap on quality work, to the strengthening of the European Labour Authority, to the revision of public procurement, and the right to training, progressives stand ready to continue working for a stronger Social Europe.

Ministers also exchanged on other issues on the EPSCO agenda, including the European Works Council Directive, competitiveness, quality jobs, and skills shortages in the EU.

The meeting was attended by:

• Rolf Schmachtenberg, State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
• Nicolas Schmit, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, European Commission
• Gabriele Bischoff, Vice-President, S&D Group in the European Parliament
• Estelle Ceulemans, EMPL Coordinator, S&D Group in the European Parliament
• Esther Lynch, General Secretary, ETUC
• Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES

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