Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, 13/10/2016, 13 October 2016

Main results

The Council reached agreement on its position on a directive concerning the exposure to carcinogens in the workplace, opening the way for discussions with the European Parliament.

Today's agreement in the Council on limits for carcinogens and mutagens is an important step in helping us tackle the primary cause of work-related deaths in the European Union. Our aim is to help save 100.000 lives over the next 50 years. The Council has shown its strong commitment today to the protection of workers.

Jan Richter, President of the Council and Slovak minister for Labour, Social Affairs and Family

• Carcinogens or mutagens at work: Council agrees its position

The Council approved a directive on better working conditions for fishermen. The directive gives legal effect to an agreement between EU social partners (Cogeca, ETF and Europêche) in the maritime fisheries sector.

This is an important step forward in helping improve the working and living conditions of fishermen and a truly excellent example of successful sectorial social dialogue. Today we have ensured that this work is enshrined in EU law, to the benefit of all fishermen across the EU.

Jan Richter, President of the Council and Slovak minister for Labour, Social Affairs and Family

• Better working conditions for fishermen: Council approves agreement between social partners

The Council discussed the implementation of the recommendation on long-term unemployment, and the Commission presented to the Council its review of the Youth guarantee and the Youth employment initiatives which were published on 4 October. 

The Council held a policy debate on a new skills agenda for Europe, given the importance of skills for sustaining jobs, growth and competitiveness. 

The Presidency and the Commission informed the Council about the preparations of the Tripartite Social Summit on 19 October and on recent developments concerning the new start for social dialogue.

The Council adopted conclusions on the "report from the European Court of Auditors on EU policy initiatives and financial support for Roma integration".

• A New Skills Agenda for Europe