Europese ministers van sociale zaken en werkgelegenheid werken aan extra maatregelen tegen werkloosheid (en)

EU Employment Ministers today called for an increased focus on policies to promote growth and job creation at a Council meeting co-chaired by Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD. The meeting of the Employment and Social Policy Council (EPSCO) discussed priorities for action on job rich recovery include helping people back to work and modernising labour markets. Minister Bruton co-chaired the meeting with Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD. Employment Ministers also met with Council President Van Rompuy to discuss how a well-functioning Economic and Monetary Union requires a genuine social dimension.

Employment and Social Affairs Ministers agreed measures to ensure more effective coordination of policies to tackle unemployment and promote a return to economic growth and job creation. Ministers also adopted conclusions on the European Commission’s Annual Growth Survey and made a series of recommendations that will feed into the March European Council meeting. At its March meeting, the European Council will provide guidance to national governments on the comprehensive strategies to be set out in their National Reform Programmes.

Minister Bruton - With almost 26 million people in the EU out of work, tackling unemployment remains one of Europe's biggest challenges and key common priorities

Before the start of the EPSCO meeting, Ministers Bruton and Burton hosted an informal breakfast meeting with EU Ministers, EU Commissioner László Andor and the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy on ways of strengthening European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). President Van Rompuy requested this opportunity for an in-depth discussion with Ministers to allow him to prepare proposals for consideration at the June European Council.

Minister Richard Bruton said the Irish Presidency would report back to President Van Rompuy on these discussions to inform the proposals he will put before the June European Council.

The Council also heard from the Presidency about the Tripartite Social Summit to take place on 14th March which will focus on the social dimension of the Economic and Monetary Union.

Minister Bruton said:

“As we implement measures to promote banking and fiscal stability, we must also put in place stronger measures to target growth and jobs. With almost 26 million people in the EU out of work, tackling unemployment remains one of Europe's biggest challenges and key common priorities.

“The gap between Member States in competitiveness, employment and social indicators is widening. Ministers were in agreement that banking stability and fiscal consolidation measures to go hand-in-hand with robust action aimed at restoring economic growth.

The Minister continued:

“Challenging and difficult structural reforms are taking place in many Member States. It is essential that we press ahead with these structural reforms as they are essential to restoring Europe's competitiveness.

“However, we need to do more to support growth. Continued support to SMEs, in particular access to finance, needs to take account of the potential of small firms to create jobs and growth. Areas that we must tackle also include strengthening employment support services that meet labour market needs, especially by improving job matching and assisting enterprise through targeted training and other investment in future skills needs.

He concluded:

“Today’s meeting between President Van Rompuy and Employment and Social Affairs Ministers was an important first step in framing the debate on enhancing the social dimension of Economic and Monetary Union.”

ENDS

Background Note

During the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, Minister Bruton is responsible for chairing or co-chairing meetings of the Trade, Competitiveness and EPSCO (Employment and Social Policy) Councils.

The Minister is involved in hosting three Informal Ministerial Council meetings in Dublin during the Presidency. The EPSCO Informal, held in February, was the first of these and will be followed by a Trade Council Informal in Dublin on 17-18 April and an Informal Competitiveness Council on 1-3 May.