News Details

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council on Employment and Policy took place on 1 December 2025 in Brussels.

At the last EPSCO Council under the Danish Presidency (PRES DK) of the Council of the European Union, conclusions on the future European Affordable Housing Plan were presented, highlighting here that housing policy remains the responsibility of Member States, ministers pointed to a number of areas where the Commission could support national, regional and local efforts, such as facilitating access to EU funding, in particular in four main focus areas: financing, construction and sustainability, planning and social inclusion.

On the Equal Treatment Directive ministers took note of a progress report on the proposal for a directive on equal treatment It will prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in areas related to social protection, social benefits, education and access to goods and services, including housing.

The purpose of PRES DK was to reach a general approach on this proposal at the EPSCO Council meeting on 1 December. However, during the discussions in the Social Questions Working Party, three delegations maintained general reservations, indicating that the necessary unanimity could not yet be reached. Nevertheless, the vast majority of delegations continue to support the latest compromise text and the objective of reaching a general approach in the Council. The Danish Presidency firmly believes that in a world where fundamental rights and equality are increasingly under pressure, the EU should set an example.

The Council agreed its negotiating position on a regulation aimed at extending the scope of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) to include workers at imminent risk of dismissal. The aim of the EGF is to show solidarity with workers and the self-employed who have lost their jobs as a result of the restructuring of the company by helping them to return to the labour market.

Under the revised Regulation, workers at imminent risk of losing their jobs as a result of the restructuring of the company would also have access to support under the EGF in order to reduce the rate of dismissal and help workers transition to new jobs.

The Council position clarifies the scope of the revised Regulation. It also ensures sufficient safeguards, limits the administrative burden and sets a funding ceiling of EUR 4 million per year for a given company.

Finally, the Commission presented the European Semester Autumn PackageThis includes the Joint Employment Report and a proposal for a recommendation on human capital in the EU. Ministers also exchanged views on promoting social inclusion and cohesion through coherent social and housing policies.

Watch the debate at:

Recording of the morning public debate here. Recording of the afternoon public debate here.