Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council, 13-14/06/2019 - Main results

Source: Council of the European Union (Council) i, published on Thursday, June 13 2019, 17:30.

Main results

Employment and Social Policy (Thursday 13 June 2019)

Ministers held a public policy debate on the employment and social policy aspects of the European Semester 2019, based on a note prepared by the Employment Committee (EMCO) and the Social Protection Committee (SPC). The outcome of the discussions will provide input for the European Council discussions on 21-22 June.

The debate was based on questions, prepared by the presidency.

European Semester: Horizontal note on employment and social policy aspects of Country Specific Recommendations

Horizontal Social and Employment Aspects of the European Semester 2019

The Council took note of a progress report on the proposal for a directive on implementing the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

Equal treatment directive - progress report

The Council also adopted conclusions on closing the Gender Pay Gap.

Closing the gender pay gap: Council conclusions (13/06/2019)

Marius-Constantin Budai, Minister of Labour and Social Justice of Romania

Closing the gender pay gap remains a priority for the EU and its member states. But at 16% the gender pay gap in the EU is still relatively high. We need to do more than introducing equal pay for equal work. We need to ensure equality in education, but also conditions for better balance between work and family life for both men and women.

Marius-Constantin Budai, Minister of Labour and Social Justice of Romania

Ministers adopted Council conclusions on the changing world of work.

New forms of work: Council conclusions (13/06/2019)

The Council adopted conclusions on a European Court of Auditors’ Special Report on the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived.

Draft Council Conclusions on the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report No 5/2019: "FEAD - Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived: Valuable support but its contribution to reducing poverty is not yet established"

In the margins of the Council

Bratislava (Slovakia) was selected to host the seat of the future European Labour Authority (ELA). The decision on the seat of the ELA was taken by common agreement of the member states' representatives after holding a vote in the margins of the Council.

Procedure for the selection of the seat of the European Labour Authority

Selection of the seat for the European Labour Authority - policy page

Any other business

Ministers were briefed by the Commission on the issue of gender balance on company boards.

Gender balance on company boards - progress report

The Presidency provided information on two current legislative proposals:

Regulation on European Social Statistics

Revision of the Regulations on Coordination of Social Security Systems (883/04 and 987/09).

Work on both files will continue under the incoming Finnish presidency.

The Maltese delegation informed ministers about the prioritization of gender budgeting in the future multiannual financial framework (MFF).

Prioritising gender budgeting in the future Multiannual Financial Framework

Work programme of the incoming Finnish presidency

The Finnish delegation presented its priorities in the areas of employment and social policy.

Live streaming

Live streaming

14 June 2019

10:00 Public session (health)

13:50 Press conference (health)

Estimated schedule

Agenda highlights (Friday 14 June 2019)

Antimicrobial resistance

Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on combatting antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (European Commission)

Health investments

Ministers will hold a debate on how to use EU funds to support health investments.

Any other business

Among other topics, ministers will be informed on the progress made on the proposal for a regulation on health technology assessment.

Health technology assessment (background information)

Meeting information

Meeting n°3698

Luxembourg

13-14/06/2019

Preparatory documents

Background brief

Indicative programme

Provisional agenda

List of A items, legislative deliberations

List of A items, non-legislative activities

Outcome documents

Video footage of the meeting

List of participants

Meeting voting results