Main results from the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

On 13–14 March, the EU social affairs and employment ministers gathered in Brussels for the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO).

On the agenda were the situation of Ukrainian refugees in the EU labour market, the European Semester and the EU Global Health Strategy.

Employment and social policy, 13 March

On the first day of the Council, the 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. 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.

One particular challenge in promoting the integration of Ukrainians into the Member States’ labour markets is the language barrier. Several Member States stressed the importance of ensuring recognition of qualifications and reported on measures taken to improve recognition of Ukrainians’ qualifications.

“The Ukrainian people are suffering greatly due to the atrocious Russian war of aggression. The EU, its citizens and Member States have taken unprecedented steps when it comes to helping Ukrainians find jobs, have access to childcare and receive social welfare assistance.”

Johan Pehrson
(Minister for Employment and Integration)

Ukraine’s Minister of Social Policy Oksana Zholnovych and Deputy Minister of European Integration Hanna Prorok also attended this part of the meeting. They were specially invited by the Swedish Presidency to take part in the informal lunch discussions on support for vulnerable children – with a focus on children from Ukraine – led by Sweden’s Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall.

The Council meeting also included an exchange of views on the European Semester. The ministers adopted the joint employment report (JER) and approved Council conclusions on the 2023 annual sustainable growth survey (ASGS). The JER and ASGS aim to provide political guidance for the Member States’ continued implementation of employment and social policy aspects within the European Semester.

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 the recommendations stemming from his mission to promote the social integration of people fleeing Ukraine, and the chairs of the Employment Committee and Social Protection Committee presented their work programmes for 2023.

Finally, the Portuguese delegation provided information about the planned Porto Social Forum, a follow-up to the Porto Social Summit of May 2021.

The Council adopted without discussion the items on the list of non-legislative A items.

The first day of the meeting was chaired by Sweden’s Minister for Employment and Integration Johan Pehrson.

Health, 14 March 2023

On the second day of the meeting, the ministers held an exchange of views on the EU global health strategy, which was presented by the Commission on 30 November 2022. The strategy presents global health 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 action against health threats – wherever they occur – is vital in an interdependent world.”

Acko Ankarberg Johansson
(Minister for Health Care)

EMA fees regulation

Ministers also 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 (EMA). The mission of the EMA is to foster scientific excellence in the evaluation and supervision of medicines, for the benefit of public and animal health in the EU. The goal of the Commission’s 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. There was agreement among the ministers on a targeted approach to adjusting fees and remuneration, as well as on flexibility and future proofing, including a larger role for Member States in this.

Other business

The Commission provided an update on the implementation of the medical devices regulations, which is essential to ensure the availability of safe medical devices for patients and to mitigate risks of shortages. The Presidency has treated the file as a matter of urgency, and the legislative act was adopted by the Council last week.

The Presidency, together with the Commission, informed delegations about the negotiations for an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, as well as complementary amendments to the IHR.

A number of Member States also highlighted the shortages of medicines in the EU market. Several Member States also stressed the importance of coordination and collaboration as regards the post COVID-19 condition and called on Member States to contribute to a planned EU network of expertise.

The second day of the meeting was chaired by Sweden’s Minister for Health Care Acko Ankarberg Johansson.