At the EPSCO Council on June 21, the employment and social ministers approved the recommendations to the member states employment policy. The approval means that the member states agree that the recommendations should be reflected in the national policies when they prepare reforms and budgets for the year to come.
In the social policy area, the employment and social ministers adopted a partial general approach on the Programme for Social Change and Innovation. The programme will contribute to knowledge sharing and mutual learning between member states within the social area as well as supporting social innovation. Furthermore, the employment and social ministers adopted Council conclusions with recommendations to the handling of demographic challenges through enhanced participation in the labour market and society by all.
The ministers also adopted Council conclusions on gender equality and the environment as well as presented progress reports on the negotiations on the proposals on posting of workers, electromagnetic fields, the anti-discrimination directive as well as the European Globalization Fond.