Brussels, 10 March 2025 – EU employment and social affairs ministers will convene at the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council to discuss key labour market challenges, including strategies to extend working careers and promote workforce participation among older employees.
One of the primary topics on the agenda is the European Semester and its role in shaping employment and social policies across the EU. With an overall employment target of 78 per cent by 2030, ensuring that older workers remain active in the labour market is a crucial factor in achieving this goal. Many EU Member States are facing demographic shifts, with ageing populations and declining birth rates impacting workforce availability. As a response, various measures have been introduced across the region to encourage longer working careers and facilitate labour market participation among senior workers.
During the meeting, ministers are also expected to approve the employment and social aspects of the 2025 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area. Additionally, discussions will cover the 2025 Joint Employment Report and the Council conclusions on the report, reflecting the EU’s broader commitment to strengthening labour market policies.
Council to Discuss Workers’ Right to Disconnect
Another significant topic on the agenda is the right of workers to disconnect from work-related communications outside of working hours. As remote work has become increasingly common, concerns regarding work-life balance and digital burnout have grown. Currently, there is no EU-wide legal framework governing this right, but the European Parliament and employee organisations have urged the European Commission to propose an initiative addressing this issue.
These discussions are expected to shape future EU policies aimed at balancing flexible work arrangements with workers’ well-being while maintaining productivity and competitiveness in the European job market.
For professionals and businesses in the EU labour market, these policy developments could have important implications, influencing employment regulations and workplace practices in the years ahead.
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (Social policy), 10 March 2025
Agenda highlights
Challenges of the silver transformation
In the context of the European Semester, the Council will hold a policy debate on ways to mitigate labour and skills shortages as a result of population ageing, or the ‘silver transformation’, by addressing the barriers that prevent older people from staying in or rejoining the workforce.
European Semester autumn package
The Council will be invited to approve the contribution on the employment and social aspects of the 2025 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area. Ministers are also expected to adopt the 2025 Joint Employment Report and approve Council conclusions on this report.
The chairs of the Employment Committee (EMCO) and the Social Protection Committee (SPC) will present their letter informing ministers of aspects in the medium-term fiscal-structural plans that relate to the work of the EPSCO Council.
Other business
Under ‘other business’, ministers will receive information on the following topics:
- Events organised by the Polish presidency
- Tripartite Social Summit
- 2025 EMCO and SPC work programmes
- Directive 79/7 on equal treatment for men and women in matters of social security
Informal lunch debate
Over lunch, an informal debate will take place on the right to disconnect.