Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015

Europaudvalget 2015-16
Rådsmøde 3398 - beskæftigelse m.v.
Offentligt

Council of the

European Union

10088/15

(OR. en)

PRESSE 43

PR CO 35

OUTCOME OF THE COUNCIL MEETING

3398th Council meeting

Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs

Luxembourg, 18 and 19 June 2015

Presidents

Uldis Augulis

Minister for Welfare of Latvia

Guntis Belēvičs

Minister for Health of Latvia

PRESS

Rue de la Loi 175 B – 1048 BRUSSELS Tel.: +32 (0)2 281 6319 Fax: +32 (0)2 281 8026

[email protected] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/press

10088/15

Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

CONTENTS

ITEMS DEBATED

EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL POLICY ......................................................................................... 4

European Semester 2015 ...................................................................................................................... 4

Employment policies of the member states ......................................................................................... 5

Youth employment ............................................................................................................................... 6

Women on company boards ................................................................................................................. 7

Equal treatment directive ..................................................................................................................... 8

Gender gap in pensions ........................................................................................................................ 8

Any other business ............................................................................................................................... 9

–

Current legislative proposals ................................................................................................................................... 9

Transitional arrangements on free movement of workers from Croatia .................................................................. 9

Conferences organised by the Latvian Presidency .................................................................................................. 9

Programme of the incoming Presidency .................................................................................................................. 9

HEALTH ............................................................................................................................................ 10

Medical devices.................................................................................................................................. 10

Any other business ............................................................................................................................. 10

–

EU alcohol policy .................................................................................................................................................. 10

Health dimension in the European agenda on migration ....................................................................................... 11

Diphteria ................................................................................................................................................................ 11

Work programme of the incoming presidency ...................................................................................................... 11

In the margins of the Council ............................................................................................................. 11

–

Signing ceremony of the joint procurement agreement ......................................................................................... 11



Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated

in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks.

 

Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site

(http://www.consilium.europa.eu).

 

Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by

an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press

Office.

10088/15

Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

none

10088/15

Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

ITEMS DEBATED

EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL POLICY

European Semester 2015

The Council held a

policy debate

on the 2015 European Semester, as part of EPSCO's contribution

to the European Council on the employment/social policy aspects of the country-specific

recommendations (CSRs).

Ministers acknowledged that, despite an improving economic situation, serious challenges remain,

in particular in the areas of employment and social policy. Risks and challenges are particularly

acute regarding poverty, inequality, social cohesion and social inclusion. A strengthening of the

social dimension of EMU is required; employment and social considerations must be treated as a

priority in order to guarantee the stability of the Eurozone. Implementation of CSRs is key. CSRs

concerning employment and social issues must be maintained within the EPSCO remit and should

not systematically become a part of the MIP process.

In terms of process, Ministers gave a positive evaluation of the streamlining of the Semester, in

particular the extended timelines which allowed for a broader analysis and more extensive

consultations with all stakeholders, as well as the increased relevance and focus of the CSRs.

For the 2015

European Semester,

the

annual growth survey

proposes a three-pillar response to

exit the crisis:

–

boosting investment,

accelerating structural reforms and

pursuing responsible, growth-friendly fiscal consolidation.

In the

employment and social protection

area, the 2015 CSRs aim at the promotion of job

creation, labour market participation, activation and effective income support combined with

employability. They also put a focus on skills development, advocating quality apprenticeships and

lifelong learning.

10088/15

Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

The sustainability challenge and the current and projected adequacy of future

pensions

need to be

addressed in a comprehensive way. Increasing the statutory as well as the effective retirement ages

remains an important issue in the 2015 Semester cycle.

In the area of

healthcare,

the main focus is on ensuring cost-effectiveness and sustainability while

ensuring universal access for all to adequate and quality healthcare.

In the context of the policy debate, the Council endorsed

opinions

of the Employment Committee

(EMCO) and the Social Protection Committee (SPC) on the examination of the 2015 national

reform programmes and the 2014 CSR implementation .

It also endorsed the

employment performance monitor

of the EMCO.

Employment policies of the member states

The Council agreed a general approach on a decision on the

employment guidelines

of the member

states.

The set of integrated guidelines for 2015 reflect the new approach to economic policy making, built

on investment, structural reform and fiscal responsibility.

The four employment guidelines can be summarised as follows:

Boosting demand for labour

Member states should facilitate the creation of quality jobs, reduce the barriers that businesses face

in hiring people, and promote entrepreneurship. The tax burden should be shifted away from labour

to other sources of taxation less detrimental to employment and growth, while protecting revenue

for adequate social protection and growth-enhancing expenditure.

Enhancing labour supply, skills and competences

Member states, in cooperation with social partners, should promote productivity and employability

through an appropriate supply of relevant knowledge, skills and competences. Structural

weaknesses in education and training systems should be addressed to ensure quality learning

outcomes, and to reduce the number of young people leaving school early. Youth unemployment

and the high number of young people neither in employment, education, nor training (NEETs),

should be comprehensively addressed, through a structural improvement in the school-to-work

transition, including through the full implementation of the youth guarantee.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

Enhancing the functioning of labour markets

Member states should reduce and prevent segmentation within labour markets and fight undeclared

work. Employment protection rules, labour law, and institutions should all provide a suitable

environment for recruitment, whilst offering adequate levels of protection to all those in

employment and those seeking employment. Member states should promote inclusive labour

markets open to all men and women, putting in place effective anti-discrimination measures, and

employability by investing in human capital.

Fostering social inclusion, combatting poverty and promoting equal opportunities

Member states should modernise social protection systems to provide effective, efficient, and

adequate protection throughout all stages of an individual’s life, fostering social inclusion,

promoting equal opportunties, including for women and men, and addressing inequalities.

The Council general approach will need to be reconsidered once all the opinions required under

article 148(2) of the Treaty have been received.

Youth employment

The Council adopted conclusions

9300/15

on the European

Court of Auditor's special report

the EU

youth guarantee.

The member states are in the middle of implementing the youth guarantee, with the help of funds

earmarked for that purpose under the youth employment initiative.

At the beginning of this year, the Court of Auditors issued a special report on "EU youth guarantee:

first steps taken but implementation risks ahead" assessing the implementation of the youth

guarantee. It based its findings on the Commission figures and input.

The Court identified three potential risks to the effective implementation, namely the adequacy of

total funding, the lack of a definition on good-quality offer and the lack of a comprehensive

monitoring system.

The Council took note of a Commission presentation on the state of play in the implementation of

measures to

fight

youth unemployment

(9301/15). In particular, the pre-financing regulation was

published on 21 May in the OJ. This regulation increases the initial pre-financing under the youth

employment initiative to about EUR 1 billion.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

Women on company boards

The Council took note of a progress report on a directive improving the

gender balance in

boardrooms.

Aiming to address the serious problem of women's under-representation in economic decision-

making at the highest level, the proposed directive would set a quantitative objective for the

proportion of the under-represented sex on the boards of listed companies of 40 % by 2020

(by 2018 in the case of public undertakings). The companies would be obliged to work towards that

objective, inter alia, by introducing procedural rules on the selection and appointment of non-

executive board members.

Companies which have not reached the 40 % target would be required to continue to apply

the procedural rules, as well as to explain what measures they had taken and intended to take in

order to reach it. For member states that choose to apply the objective to both executive and non-

executive directors, a lower target (33 %) would apply.

Discussions under the Latvian presidency

Discussions in the relevant working party of the Council have confirmed member states' broad

consensus on the need to improve the gender balance on company boards. However, while many

member states support EU-wide legislation, others continue to prefer national measures (or non-

binding measures at EU level). Thus, further work and political reflection will be required before a

compromise can be reached.

During the discussions under the Latvian Presidency, the target date has been revised so that

member states have an additional twelve months to reach the quantitative objectives, i.e. until the

end of 2020. In addition, the flexibility clause has been fine-tuned to allow member states to choose

their gender balance methods.

The position of the European Parliament

The European Parliament has strongly supported legislative action in this area, advocating binding

quotas to improve the gender balance in boardrooms. It adopted its position at first reading on 20

November 2013, broadly endorsing the Commission's proposal.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

Equal treatment directive

The Council took note of a progress report on a directive implementing the principle of

equal

treatment

between persons, irrespective of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

The proposed directive has been on the Council's agenda since 2008. Discussions in the EPSCO

Council last December showed a strong political will in favour of continuing this work.

The Latvian presidency has sought to clarify the scope of the proposal as well as the division of

competences between the EU and its member states.

The work mainly focused on the issues of social protection and education, with the presidency

endeavouring to define the scope in such a way as to spell out, as clearly as possible, the member

states' competence for the organisation and funding of their social protection systems and

educational systems.

Since the adoption of the directive requires Council unanimity, work will continue.

Gender gap in pensions

The Council adopted conclusions on equal income opportunities for women and men: Closing the

gender gap in pensions (9302/15).

The conclusions call on the member states and the Commission to:

–

promote research into the causes and effects of the gender gap in pensions;

develop an indicator within the framework of the SPC; and to

pursue measures to tackle the causes of the gender gap in pensions.

Since pension issues are for the most part a matter of national competence, the member states are

separately called upon to address the problem in a number of different ways.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

These conclusions will enable the member states to make progress towards de facto equality

between women and men in terms of economic independence.

According to the latest figures published by the Commission, the average gender gap in pensions in

the EU is 38.5 %, substantially higher than the gender pay gap (16.5 %). The causes of the gender

gap in pensions are complex, as shown by research undertaken by the Social Protection Committee

and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE).

Any other business

–

Current legislative proposals

The presidency informed ministers on the following current legislative proposals: Seafarers,

undeclared work platform, EURES and maternity leave.

National Roma integration strategies

The Commission informed the Council about its forthcoming 2015 report on the implementation of

the EU framework on national Roma integration strategies.

–

Transitional arrangements on free movement of workers from Croatia

The Commission informed the Council about the

report

on the functioning of the transitional

arrangements regarding Croatia.

–

Conferences organised by the Latvian Presidency

The presidency informed the Council about the outcome of different conferences.

–

Programme of the incoming Presidency

The Luxembourg delegation informed the Council about its work programme.

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Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

HEALTH

Medical devices

The Council agreed the substance of its negotiating stance on two draft regulations aimed at

modernising EU rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices.

The two draft regulations on medical devices cover a wide range of products, from sticking plasters

to hip replacements, pacemakers and laboratory tests for assessment of medical interventions.

The main objective of the two draft regulations is to ensure that medical devices are safe. This

would be achieved by strengthening the rules on placing devices on the market and tightening

surveillance once they are available. The draft regulations also seek to provide patients more

transparency on the available devices, and increase their traceability.

The Council tasked its preparatory bodies to finalise some outstanding technical work concerning

the preamble of the two draft regulations to allow negotiations with the European Parliament to

start.

For details, see

press release

Any other business

–

EU alcohol policy

A majority of ministers backed a call of the Slovenian delegation to present a new framework for

the EU's alcohol policy. This framework would help member states to tackle the abuse of alcohol

and alcohol related harm. According to the WHO, alcohol is the third leading risk factor for disease

and mortality in Europe (9286/15).

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Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

–

Health dimension in the European agenda on migration

The Cyprus, Greek, Italian and Maltese delegations, supported by several other delegations, stressed

the importance of the health dimension being properly reflected in the European agenda on

migration (9479/15). Migration is one of the items on the agenda of the European Council meeting

on 25 and 26 June 2015.

–

Diphteria

The Council took note of information provided by the Spanish on a recent case of diphteria which

will be addressed in the health security committee meeting on 25 June 2015.

–

Work programme of the incoming presidency

The Luxembourg delegation informed ministers on its work programme in the field of health and

consumer affairs as the incoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In the margins of the Council

–

Signing ceremony of the joint procurement agreement

The Irish delegation signed the joint procurement agreement for pandemic vaccines and other

medical countermeasures. This brought the number of signatories to 21.

The aim of the agreement is to help member states to ensure that pandemic vaccines and medicines

are available in sufficient quantities and at an advantageous price in the event of the emergence of a

cross-border health threat.

Until now the joint procurement agreement has been signed by Denmark, Lithuania, Hungary,

Ireland, Italy, Romania, Luxembourg, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia,

Greece, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain andnd the United

Kingdom.

Following the pandemic vaccines shortage in 2009 in the wake of the H1N1 swine flu, the Council

and the European Parliament agreed on a legal basis for a joint procurement procedure for medical

countermeasures, provided for by decision 1082/2013 on serious cross-border threats to health. The

joint procurement agreement entered into force on 5 July 2014.

10088/15

Rådsmøde nr. 3398 (beskæftigelse, socialpolitik, sundhed og forbrugerbeskyttelse) den 18.-19. juni 2015 - Bilag 1335992:

18 and 19 June 2015

OTHER ITEMS APPROVED

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