Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) meeting

Agenda highlights

European Semester 2023

Impact of new technologies on labour: Towards a just digital transition Policy debate

1. Key employment challenges: Key Messages from the EMCO based on the Annual Employment Performance Report and the Employment Performance
2. Key social challenges: Key messages from the SPC based on the Annual Review of the Social Protection Performance
3. Council Decision on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States

Recommendations and conclusions

• Council Recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions
• Conclusions on mental health and precarious work 
• Conclusions on social protection for the self-employed
• Conclusions on measures to ensure equal access for Roma to adequate and desegregated housing
• Consolidation and strengthening of the European social protection systems

Legislative proposals

• Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence
• Directive on European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities Information from the Commission

Presidency events

• Informal Meeting of Ministers for Employment and Social Policy (Madrid, 13 and 14 July 2023)
• Informal Meeting of Equality Ministers on Violence against Women (Pamplona, 24 November 2023)
• Tripartite Barcelona Declaration

Other points

• European Survey on violence against women
• European Child Guarantee implementation: National Action Plans
• Evaluation of Upskilling Pathways
• Tripartite social summit

Background information

How does the EPSCO Council work?

The EPSCO Council brings together ministers responsible for employment, social affairs, health and consumer policy from all EU member states. Relevant European Commissioners also participate in meetings.

There are usually four EPSCO meetings a year. Two of the meetings are generally devoted exclusively to employment and social policy topics.