Strong workers’ rights for a stronger Europe

Employment and Social Affairs Ministers from the Party of European Socialists (PES) met to coordinate progressive priorities on workers' rights and to ensure that Social Europe remains at the heart of the EU's future policies and long-term budget. Ministers particularly focused on the Fair Labour Mobility Package and Quality Jobs Act, and discussed the social dimension in the Multiannual Financial Framework.

Participants opened the meeting on the European Commission's newly published Fair Labour Mobility Package, spearheaded by Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu. Aimed at addressing persistent challenges faced by workers moving across borders within the EU, participants welcomed the initiative as a significant step forward to deliver on the fundamental right of the freedom of movement. The PES has consistently called for equal treatment for equal work, regardless of a worker's country of origin, contract or place of employment.

Ministers also exchanged views on priorities for the upcoming Quality Jobs Act. The initiative comes at a crucial moment: workers and families continue to face affordability pressures, and technological and economic changes are reshaping workplaces across Europe. For the PES, the Quality Jobs Act must respond to these developments by strengthening workers' rights and improving working conditions. Ministers highlighted the importance of an ambitious Quality Jobs Act with legislative measures on issues including artificial intelligence and algorithmic management, subcontracting and occupational health and safety. The PES will continue to work with the European Commission, trade unions and the S&D Group in the European Parliament to ensure that the upcoming legislation delivers tangible improvements for workers.

As negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034 move forward, PES Employment and Social Affairs Ministers stressed that Europe's next budget must provide the resources needed to deliver its social objectives: all social initiatives at European level, including the Fair Labour Mobility Package and the Quality Jobs Acts, must be funded in line with their goals. The PES has been working to ensure that social objectives remain a strong priority in the next long-term EU budget through its MFF Working Group, chaired byVictor Negrescu. Ministers reiterated that the proposed minimum target of 14% for social objectives under the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) is insufficient.

Korinna Schumann, Chair of the PES Employment and Social Affairs Ministers and Austrian Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, said:

Europe's social dimension cannot be an afterthought. As we shape the next long-term EU budget and work on new initiatives on labour mobility and quality jobs, we must make sure that Europe delivers for workers for real. We will protect workers' rights in a changing world of work and in the face of insecurities and challenges regarding labour mobility, new technologies and AI, and abusive subcontracting.

Our message is clear: Europe needs quality jobs, strong workers' rights and effective social protection. A competitive Europe and a strong Single Market can only succeed when they go hand in hand with social justice."

Participants' list

• Korinna Schumann, Minister of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Austria, Chair
• Michael Schäfer, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany
• Tadas Vinokuras, Vice-Minister for Social Security and Labour, Lithuania
• Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission
• Gaby Bischoff, S&D Vice-President, Chair of the PES Social Europe Network , S&D Group in the European Parliament
• Victor Negrescu, Chair of the PES Working Group on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Vice-President of the European Parliament, Member of the S&D Group in the European Parliament , PES
• Estelle Ceulemans, S&D Coordinator in the EP EMPL Committee, S&D Group in the European Parliament
• Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES