Adopted PES EPSCO Ministers Declaration: strengthened trade unions for strong societies across Europe

Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs from the Party of European Socialists (PES) met in Brussels ahead of the EPSCO Council to coordinate progressive priorities on the crucial role of trade unions, quality jobs, exploitative subcontracting practices, and the social dimension of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

PES Ministers adopted a joint Declaration on strengthening trade unions, collective bargaining, social dialogue, and workers' representation. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade unions, which play an essential role in Europe's societies and economy through upholding workers' rights, fair wages and democratic participation at the workplace. The full text of the Declaration is available here.

Ministers also called for ambitious EU legislation under the forthcoming Quality Jobs Act to ensure accountability across subcontracting chains and protect both workers and fair employers. Workers' rights are for everyone, no matter the contract.

Discussions equally involved the social dimension of the next MFF. Ministers called for social investments to be maintained at least at the current MFF level, with dedicated funding for social objectives and strengthened support for the European Child Guarantee. Ministers reaffirmed their determination to ensure that Europe's economic transformation goes hand in hand with social progress.

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

"If we want a strong Europe, we must invest in people and children, in quality jobs, and in trade unions. In times of increasing attacks on trade union and workers' rights, we reiterate: trade unions are key to our societies, our economies and our democracy. We stand side by side with trade unions and express our clear support through the Declaration adopted today.

The next EU long-term budget must reflect these priorities clearly and go further than the current proposal on social investments. Legislation on quality living and working standards are not optional; they are essential to ensuring fairness in our societies in line with defending Europe's social model."

Ministers also stressed that tackling poverty and child poverty must remain a core European priority and welcomed discussions at Council level on investing in children and people. They underlined that digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithmic management in the workplace need legislative initiatives to ensure that they are human-centred and follow the human-in-control principle, without undermining workers' rights, job quality, and collective bargaining. Ministers discussed posted workers and stressed the importance of protecting third-country nationals and enforcing all workers' rights.

From left to right: Sebastian Gajewski, Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Affairs, Poland; Jūratė Zailskienė, Minister for Social Security and Labour, Lithuania; Michael Schäfer, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Germany; Petre-Florin Manole, Minister of Labour, Family, Youth, and Social Solidarity, Romania

Ministers furthermore addressed the living and working conditions of Roma people. At the initiative of the Romanian Minister Petre-Florin Manole, underlining the need for concrete action to improve labour market integration, combat discrimination and ensure equal access to quality employment and social protection.

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
• Jūratė Zailskienė, Minister for Social Security and Labour, Lithuania
• Michael Falzon, Minister for Social Policy and Children's Rights, Malta
• Sebastian Gajewski, Deputy Minister of Family, Labour and Social Affairs, Poland
• Petre-Florin Manole, Minister of Labour, Family, Youth, and Social Solidarity, Romania
• Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission
• Gaby Bischoff, S&D Vice-President, European Parliament (online)
• Esther Lynch, General Secretary, ETUC
• Yonnec Polet, Deputy Secretary General, PES