A few weeks ago, EU Member States have reached an agreement on three legislative files which are a cornerstone of building a stronger social Europe: the revision of the rules governing social security coordination, a new work-life balance directive and a directive on transparent and predictable working conditions. 

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, Marianne Thyssen, said: “The Council reached an agreement today on three Commission proposals to protect European citizens in a world of changing social and economic realities, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights. These texts will make a real difference in citizens’ lives. Not only did the Council officially confirm the agreement on the rules of posting of workers, ensuring equal pay for equal work at the same place, it also found agreement on the revision of the social security coordination rules. This will create more fairness and clarity for mobile workers and Member States’ authorities. Still, on the directive on transparent and predictable working conditions, I had advocated for a more ambitious approach. With our proposal we wanted to ensure that in a fast-changing world of work, all workers are covered by basic rights. Today’s agreement can only be a first step and I will work for a balanced compromise in the upcoming negotiations with the European Parliament. The same is true for Work-Life Balance, where I hope ultimately that we can establish a real game changer for many couples and families who face the daily challenge of combining work and family life.” 

Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourová, added: “The proposal for a work-life balance directive takes a balanced and reasonable approach to promote real choices for parents and carers on how they want to combine their work and family life. I hope that the European Parliament and the Council will now take this important file forward and come to a compromise that will bring concrete improvements for Europeans, including addressing women’s underrepresentation on the labour market.”