MSH and MEAE informs
Social rights, fair working life and occupational health and safety on the agenda at ministerial meeting in Luxembourg

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) will meet in Luxembourg on Friday 15 October. Finland’s representatives at the meeting will be Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen and Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen.

Ministers will discuss the effective implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights as part of the European Semester both in individual Member States and across the European Union (EU). The Pillar of Social Rights aims to promote fairer and more effective labour markets and welfare systems in the EU. The meeting will also discuss EU-level objectives related to employment, combating of poverty and adult education. Finland stresses the importance of effective implementation of the Pillar of Social Rights as a way towards a fairer and more equal and inclusive EU.

The common target in the EU is that at least 78 per cent of people aged 20 to 64 years would be employed by 2030. In this context, the EPSCO Council will adopt the Member States’ employment policy guidelines outlining ways to promote employment.

“Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, adaptation to population ageing and the digital green transition cannot be achieved without a strong social dimension. Investments in employment, skills and social inclusion are important priorities for the EU,” says Minister of Employment Tuula Haatainen.

Promotion of occupational health and safety important for Finland

The Council will hold a policy debate on the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work. Finland supports the EU’s further actions aiming to promote occupational health and safety.

“It is necessary to constantly develop occupational health and safety. We need strong legislation and its enforcement. Particular attention should be paid to the promotion of mental health at work. Finland therefore supports the preparation of an EU mental health strategy,” says Minister of Social Affairs and Health Hanna Sarkkinen.

Ministers will also discuss the Follow-up to the Green Paper on Ageing, particularly with regard to social protection systems in the EU, where the population is ageing. A sustainable silver economy requires active and healthy ageing to ensure that people remain in working life for as long as possible. The Finnish Government is committed to working towards an age-friendly society that recognises and prepares for the social impacts of ageing.  

Inquiries:

Piritta Jokelainen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 353
Liisa Heinonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 506 4131
Jiri Sironen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 410
Juuli Hakulinen, Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 651