Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) to discuss labour and skills shortages and promoting the employment of persons with disabilities
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) will meet in Brussels on 16 July 2024. The topics on the agenda include labour shortages and skills shortages in the EU, and promotion of the employment and social inclusion of persons with disabilities. Minister of Employment Arto Satonen will represent Finland at the meeting in Brussels.
Solutions to labour and skills shortages sought at national and EU level
According to the European Commission's forecast, the EU will have significant shortages of labour and skills in 2024. At the EPSCO Council, the ministers will hold a policy debate on the challenges brought about by labour and skills shortages and the solutions to them. Based on the debate, the Council should approve the employment and social policy aspects of the Member States' recommendations. The Council also aims to approve the assessments of the implementation of the country-specific recommendations (CSRs) in 2023.
“Labour and skills shortages are challenges that require both national measures and EU level cooperation. It is important that Member States receive clear recommendations and support for solving these problems. The availability of skilled labour is a key factor for Europe's competitiveness,” says Minister of Employment Satonen.
Finland considers it important that EU-level measures addressing labour and skills shortages be implemented by utilising best practices that are proven to be effective in different countries and without increasing public spending.
Finland emphasises the importance of maintaining EU's strategic competitiveness. In this respect, the availability of skilled labour is a key factor. Promoting mobility especially in high-productivity sectors is essential for ensuring strategic competence. Securing the availability of experts also requires EU level measures in order to streamline international recruitment and immigration.
Promoting employment and social inclusion of persons with disabilities
The Council will also hold a debate on the social inclusion and labour market participation of persons with disabilities. The ministers will discuss ways in which to improve employment opportunities of persons with disabilities and reduce social exclusion at EU and national level.
"Promoting the employment of persons with disabilities is a key part of reaching the Government's 80% employment target. Flexibility in the world of work makes it easier for people with impaired capacity for work to participate in the labour market. A good example of this is the provision of alternatives to full-time work. The Finnish Government is also considering how employers could be supported in hiring persons with impaired capacity for work”, says Minister of Employment Satonen.
Over lunch, the ministers will discuss regional cohesion in promoting social inclusion.
“EU cohesion policy must be developed with the geopolitical situation in mind. The position of eastern and northern Finland by the external border with Russia and the efforts to revitalise the border regions are also security issues,” says Minister of Employment Satonen.
Inquiries:
Veera Svahn, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 321
Anna Toni, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 361 (on holiday until 12 August 2024)
Minna Ylikännö, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 102
Päivi Bosquet, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Education and Culture, tel. +358 295 330 375
Tallamaria Maunu, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 374
Jenni Heikka, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 163
Ville Korhonen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, International Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 010
Emails: firstname.lastname@gov.fi