We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Necessary cookies are required to support essential features of the Council's website. Optional cookies help us produce anonymous and aggregated statistical reports to better serve your needs.
With your permission, we will use cookies to produce aggregated, anonymous data about our visitors' browsing and behaviour on our website. We will use this data to improve your experience on our website.
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, 13-14 March 2023
Main results
Employment and social policy, 13 March
One year into the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has forced millions of people to cross the European borders. Almost 4 million Ukrainians have registered for temporary protection in the EU. People registered under this temporary protection mechanism have automatic access to housing, to social and medical assistance, to education for children as well as access to the labour market.
As the war enters its second year, many people seeking refuge in the EU are trying to rebuild a life in their host country and finding work is an important step towards integration. But it is also a challenging one: because of language barriers, skills recognition, insufficient access to childcare.
Ministers held an exchange of views on the employment and social situation in the EU, with a particular focus on the labour market situation of temporarily displaced persons from Ukraine.
Many ministers highlighted that the impact of Russia’s war of aggression on European labour markets was rather limited and that, if anything, employers struggle because of labour and skill shortages. As regards the integration of Ukrainians fleeing the war, many ministers commended their willingness to find a job but also praised EU businesses, civil society and citizens for their efforts to help Ukrainians now living in the EU.
In response to the diagnosis that many Ukrainians found work below their actual skills level, the importance of tackling the language barrier and stepping up the recognition of qualifications was stressed. Social policies and welfare benefits were put forward as necessary tools to dampen the impact of the war on Europeans – many of whom are impacted by inflation and high energy prices.
The Ukrainian people is suffering greatly from the atrocious Russian war of aggression. The EU, its citizens and member states have taken unprecedented steps when it comes to helping Ukrainians find a job, have access to childcare and receive social welfare assistance.
Johan Pehrson, Minister for Employment and Integration
Ministers exchanged views on the European Semester 2023 and also adopted the joint employment report (JER) and approved Council conclusions on the 2023 annual sustainable growth survey (ASGS) and JER. Both the growth survey and the employment report are part of the European Semester autumn package.
Ministers exchanged views on a proposed Council decision which would authorise member states to ratify the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) of the International Labour Organization. The convention is the first international instrument setting out specific, globally applicable standards on tackling work-related violence and harassment.
Other business
The Commission provided information on activities under the European Year of Skills and on the draft directive regarding limit values for lead and its inorganic compounds and diisocyanates (which are organic compounds).
The Commission also presented a report on the implementation of the Council recommendation on access to social protection for workers and the self-employed as well as a report from the high-level group on the future of social protection and of the welfare state in the EU.
Also on the agenda was an update from the presidency and the Commission on the upcoming Tripartite Social Summit (22 March 2023).
Special Commission Advisor to Commissioner Schmit on Ukraine Lodewijk Asscher presented its recommendations stemming from his mission and the chairs of the Employment Committee (EMCO) and Social Protection Committee (SPC) presented their Work Programmes for 2023.
The Portuguese delegation finally informed about the planned Porto Social Forum, a follow-up to the Porto Social Summit of May 2021.
Health, 14 March
European Union global health strategy
Ministers held an exchange of views on the EU global health strategy which was presented by the Commission on 30 November 2022. The strategy puts global health forward as an essential pillar of EU external policy and, as such, identifies it as a critical geopolitical area.
Many ministers recognised that the strategy is an important element of the EU’s response to current and future global health challenges such as COVID-19, antimicrobial resistance and the health and humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
Health challenges, such as pandemics, do not recognise borders. An incidence far away from Europe can affect the health of our citizens. It is therefore only natural that we make health a key element of the EU’s foreign policy. Stronger health systems around the globe benefit us all, quick actions against health threats – wherever they occur – is vital in an interdependent world.
Acko Ankarberg Johansson, Minister for Health Care
Ministers held a policy debate on a draft law, presented by the Commission on 13 December 2022, on fees and charges payable to the European Medicines Agency. The goal of the proposal is to ensure that the fees better reflect the underlying costs of the work done by EMA and to put EMA’s budget on a more sustainable footing.
During the debate, ministers welcomed the proposal and stressed its importance for ensuring a stable funding for the EMA. Many delegations also highlighted the critical role of member state bodies when it comes to the authorisation process of medicines. The fee system should therefore reflect the task these authorities play within the European regulatory network. Member states supported the adjustment of certain fees in the proposal and also wanted that the fees setting system takes current development (for instance inflation) into account. Most ministers furthermore raised that the EMA management board and member states should play a bigger role in future fee adjustments.
The Commission provided an update on the implementation of the medical devices regulations and the presidency, together with the Commission, informed delegations about the negotiations for an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
The Czech delegation, supported by the Austrian, Cyprus, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Netherlands, Portuguese, and Slovenian delegations, highlighted the shortages of medicines in the EU market and the Netherlands delegation stressed the importance of coordination and collaboration as regards the post COVID-19 condition (“long Covid”) and called on member states to contribute to a planned EU network of expertise on post COVID-19.
The Council adopted without discussion the items on the list of non-legislative A items.
The Ukrainian people is suffering greatly from the atrocious Russian war of aggression. The EU, its citizens and member states have taken unprecedented steps when it comes to helping Ukrainians find a job, have access to childcare and receive social welfare assistance.
Health challenges, such as pandemics, do not recognise borders. An incidence far away from Europe can affect the health of our citizens. It is therefore only natural that we make health a key element of the EU’s foreign policy. Stronger health systems around the globe benefit us all, quick actions against health threats – wherever they occur – is vital in an interdependent world.