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Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Employment and social policy), 27-28 November 2023
Main results
Monday, 27 November 2023
European disability card and European parking card for persons with disabilities
Ministers agreed the Council’s position (‘general approach’) on the directive establishing the European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities.
The directive will facilitate the free movement of persons with disabilities in the Union, by ensuring equal access to special conditions and preferential treatment for persons with disabilities during short stays, such as reduced or zero entry fees, priority access, assistance and reserved parking spaces.
It will introduce a standardised European disability card and European parking card for persons with disabilities, both available in accessible and bilingual formats. The European disability card will be recognised throughout the EU as proof of disability.
Today, we reached an agreement among EU member states on the new European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities. Special conditions and preferential treatment applying to persons with disabilities in their country of residence will be available to other Union citizens with disabilities travelling to or visiting that country for a short period. Travelling around the European Union is an incredibly enriching experience, and it should be easy and accessible for any EU citizen, without exceptions.
Pablo Bustinduy, Spanish Minister for Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and 2030 Agenda
Ministers also approved conclusions on the special report 20/23 by the European Court of Auditors on supporting people with disabilities, recalling the commitment to improve their lives within the European Union. The conclusions stress the need for better and more comparable data as well as the need to work towards the mutual recognition of disability status for short stays.
European Semester 2024: Green collective bargaining
Ministers held a policy debate on the European Semester, which is the EU’s framework for coordinating and monitoring economic, fiscal, employment and social policies on an annual basis.
The ministers took note of the Commission’s presentation on the 2024 European Semester Autumn Package, including the draft joint employment report; the latter will be adopted by EPSCO in March 2024 and encompasses for the first time a first-stage country analysis on labour market, skills and social developments to detect possible risks to upward social convergence.
Following that, they engaged in a discussion on green collective bargaining. They debated on how collective bargaining can accompany a fair transition towards climate neutrality, by sharing national experiences and good practices. Many ministers stressed the importance of respecting autonomy of social partners and that social dialogue is a paramount element in the context of the twin green and digital transition. For this transition to be successful, the Council concluded, businesses and workers should be actively consulted and involved.
The EPSCO Council also endorsed the key messages of the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee as regards the implementation of the recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality. According to their key messages, member states have started navigating the complex challenges stemming from the green transition, with significant differences across countries regarding the policies implemented. Further monitoring and evaluating fair transition measures will be crucial for guiding future policy decisions.
Democracy at work and transformation of care services
Ministers approved conclusions on more democracy at work and green collective bargaining for decent work and sustainable and inclusive growth. The conclusions stress the importance of developing different forms of democracy at work in national legislation or practice, through social dialogue.
The conclusions invite member states and the Commission to further promote the inclusion of environmental elements in collective bargaining and thus contribute to the development of green collective bargaining at cross-sectoral, sectoral and company level, in close cooperation with social partners.
The Council also approved conclusions on transition of care systems throughout life towards holistic, person-centred and community-based support models with a gender perspective. Among others, the conclusions invite member states to provide for affordable early childcare and education services, as well as to address the shortage of skilled care workers.
Based on a steering note prepared by the presidency, ministers took stock of the EU Action Plan against racism 2020-2025. Their debate focused on structural racism and illegal racial profiling. Ministers exchanged views on how to best address these problems in national anti-racism legislation and anti-racism action plans.
They stressed the need for active steps to combat the problem of racism and committed to continue the search for effective solutions both at the EU level and in every member state.
The presidency shared information on conferences and high-level meetings organised during its term in the employment, social and equality areas. In particular, it presented the work carried out during the informal meeting of equality ministers that took place in Pamplona on 24 November 2023 and focused on violence against women. Together with the Commission, the presidency provided information on the European Year of Skills.
Disability in the EU: facts and figures (infographic)
Tuesday, 28 November 2023
Social investment
Ministers exchanged views on the role of social investments and related reforms, and on measures to implement evidence-based social policies.
The Council endorsed the opinion of the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committees, as presented by their chairs, on the added value of social investment and the role of the EPSCO Council filière in the governance of the European Semester.
The opinion is part of the work to support ministers in developing a coordinated approach on social investments, without prejudging the outcome of the ongoing discussions on the review of the economic governance framework, under the ECOFIN Council.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency trio (Spain, Belgium, Hungary), the endorsement of this opinion does not imply an endorsement of the introduction of a social convergence framework in the European Semester.
EPSCO ministers approved conclusions on digitalisation in social security coordination, to facilitate the exercise of social security rights in the EU and alleviate administrative burden. The conclusions outline avenues for further work in the field of digitalisation in social security coordination and invite member states and the Commission to ensure the implementation of several initiatives in this area.
The Commission also presented its work programme for 2024, provided information on the skills and talent mobility package and debriefed ministers on recent developments in Ukraine.
Today, we reached an agreement among EU member states on the new European disability card and the European parking card for persons with disabilities. Special conditions and preferential treatment applying to persons with disabilities in their country of residence will be available to other Union citizens with disabilities travelling to or visiting that country for a short period. Travelling around the European Union is an incredibly enriching experience, and it should be easy and accessible for any EU citizen, without exceptions.
