Progressive Employment and Social Affairs Ministers convened this morning to coordinate views ahead of the EPSCO Council meeting. They welcomed the recent proposal by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu for a Union of Skills and reiterated their push for an ambitious quality Jobs package to complement it.
Germany’s State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Chair of the meeting, Rolf Schmachtenberg, stressed that:
“A strong European economy can only be innovative if its millions of workers are equipped with the skills of today and tomorrow and enjoy good working conditions that favour their engagement to their companies. We are determined to keep quality jobs and access to training opportunities on top of the agenda, as they are key to deliver on the Clean Industrial Deal.
We are grateful for the work of Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu who is ensuring that workers’ priorities are integrated in the EU’s green industrial ambitions. Ultimately, our economic success will be built by our workers, who must be supported at every step of the way.”
Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria Korinna Schumann, Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs, Poland, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Slovenia (Observer) Luka Mesec.
Ministers emphasised that a focus is also needed on the quality of jobs, both in terms of better opportunities and good working conditions ensured by collective bargaining. Indeed, quality jobs are key to attracting and retaining workers and to make our economies more innovative and resilient.
A comprehensive approach to workers’ protection is essential to deliver on the promise of a fair and resilient economy. Ministers welcomed recent initiatives aimed at fostering re-skilling and upskilling, enabling workers to access better employment opportunities in clean industries. The strategy outlined in the Union of Skills initiative will promote portable skills, access to training programmes, and life-long learning. Which will in turn facilitate workers’ transition and leverage their expertise.
The meeting was attended by:
Rolf Schmachtenberg – State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany, Chair
Roxana Mînzatu – Executive Vice- President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission
Korinna Schumann – Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria
Michael Falzon – Minister for Social Justice and Solidarity, the Family and Children’s Rights, Malta
Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk – Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs, Poland
Borja Suárez – State Secretary for Social Security and Pensions, Spain
Luka Mesec – Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Slovenia (Observer)
Gabriele Bischoff – Vice-President, S&D Group in the European Parliament
Esther Lynch – General Secretary, ETUC
Yonnec Polet – Deputy Secretary General, PES
*To see more photos from the meeting click here