Tsjechische minister Simerka zit werkgelegenheidsraad voor in Luxemburg (en)

On Monday 8 June, Luxembourg will host the meeting of the Employment, Social Policy and Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), attended by Ministers of Labour and Social Affairs.

The Council meeting will be chaired by Minister Petr Šimerka, who will also lead the Czech delegation. The main point on the agenda will traditionally be the preparation of the contribution for the June meeting of the European Council regarding solutions to the impacts of the current economic crisis on employment. “The main risk of the crisis does not consist in a short-term increase of unemployment, but in leaving the labour market permanently”, said Minister Šimerka.

The Ministers will mainly discuss the programmes introduced by EU Member States to maintain employment, their effectiveness and which measures should be taken if the economic crisis persists. They will focus on better integration into the labour market, support for workers during transfers between jobs and measures to improve the business environment or to motivate enterprises to invest in skills. The discussion of the Ministers will be based on the main messages of the Employment Summit, which took place on 7 May in Prague. (The messages can be found here.)

Based on the message of the Employment Summit the European Commission prepared two crucial communications “Communication on a shared commitment for employment” and “Dealing with the impact of an ageing population in the EU”.

As a part of preparations for the European Council the EU27 Ministers are also expected to adopt conclusions on the concept of flexicurity in times of crisis and conclusions on social services in the context of active inclusion and new jobs.

In addition, the Council will discuss the draft decision on the main directions of employment policy in the EU Member States in 2009. The priorities of this decision include maintaining employment, enhancing the adaptability of workers and businesses and increasing investments in education and training.

The Presidency will present a report on the development regarding the Directive on safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding and the Anti-discrimination Directive.

Within the framework of the report on the third phase of transitional measures, the European Commission will publish information on the argumentation of Germany and Austria in favour of prolonging restrictions imposed on the free movement of workers on their labour markets until 2011.

Contact:

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  Jana Ríhová, Spokeswoman for the Presidency, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic                      
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  tel.: +420 221 922 249, mobile: +420 725 761 147 ; e-mail: jana.rihova@mpsv.cz , www.mpsv.cz