Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Members of the EMPL Committee will vote on the draft report on vocational training and discuss the European Child Guarantee during the upcoming committee meeting on 28-29 June 2023. In the context of rapidly changing work realities and against the target of 60% adults participating in training every year by 2030, the report on vocational training calls for lifelong skills development opportunities and well-functioning continuing vocational education and training systems.

In commemoration of the two-year milestone of the European Child Guarantee, the EMPL Committee, supported by its Working Group on the Child Guarantee, is arranging an Interparliamentary Committee Meeting on June 28th. This significant event will bring together European and National parliamentarians, national coordinators of the Child Guarantee, representatives of children as well as representatives from the Commission.

On 28 June, EMPL Members will hear a presentation of a study that the committee commissioned on "Minimum health and safety requirements for the protection of mental health in the workplace.” This study examines the existing national legislation and best practices implemented in EU Member States concerning the safeguarding of mental health in the workplace.

On 29 June, EMPL Committee will host a joint debate with CULT committee to discuss the EU framework for the social and professional situation of artists and workers in the cultural and creative sectors. The rapporteurs will present the draft report to the members.

From Tuesday 13 June to Thursday 15 June, a joint delegation of 7 MEPs, representing EMPL, LIBE and PETI committees, led by Dragoş PÎSLARU MEP (EMPL Chair), attended the 16th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (the COSP CRPD) that took place at the United Nations Headquarters, New York. The delegation had a number of bilateral meetings with high-ranking UN officials, diplomats, representatives of the civil society.

The European Parliament has launched an open call for tenders for a multiple framework service contract for the provision of external expertise in the fields of Employment, Social policy and social protection and Health and safety at work. It is intended to support the work of the EMPL Committee by enabling it to order studies, in-depth analyses, briefings and workshops. The deadline for receipt of the tenders is 18 September 2023 at 12:00 CET.

During the Committee meeting, there was a report back from the recent EMPL mission to the Porto Social Forum, which was held from 26 to 27 May 2023. The aim of the Forum was to take stock of major initiatives and to underline the need for continued implementation of the objectives towards building stronger Social Europe agreed at the Porto Social Summit in 2021.

On 8 June, Members of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee discussed the expected impact of the 2021-2027 cohesion policy. Among the goals set out in the cohesion policy, there is fostering a social and inclusive Europe, particularly through ESF plus, aiming at investing in people by developing digital skills, promoting reskilling and upskilling as well as inclusive and sustainable labour markets and quality jobs.