Europe’s employment, health and social services ministers to discuss posted workers

The European Union’s Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) will convene in Luxembourg on 23 October 2017. Finland will be represented by Minister of Employment Jari Lindström.

At the meeting, the Estonian Presidency will seek political agreement on amending the Posting of Workers Directive. Posted workers are employees sent by an employer in one country to work in another EU country on a temporary basis.

“Finland supports the aim of improving the equal treatment of posted workers in relation to employees in the country in which the work is performed, and furthering the ability of companies to compete on an equitable basis,” says Minister of Employment Lindström.

The Estonian Presidency also aims to agree a partial general approach on adjustments to the Regulation on the coordination of social security systems. These concern posted workers and people working in two or more countries. The intention is to increase the scope for social security authorities to take action to prevent mistakes, abuses and fraud.

The meeting will also discuss key employment and social challenges identified by the EU's Employment Committee and Social Protection Committee.

The EPSCO Council will also discuss the European Commission’s proposal for an Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Commission’s proposal contains 20 principles and rights for supporting fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The proposal’s principles would not be legally binding.

Inquiries:
Juha Halttunen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 50 5740 236
Liisa Heinonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 4131
Essi Rentola, Director, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 155