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Outcome of the EPSCO Council on 19 June 2025

Updated : 30/06/2025

Promotional image of the European Union with the title “European Pillar of Social Rights”. On the left, a child is pushed on a swing by an elderly person, both smiling in an outdoor environment. On the right, two people in safety vests and helmets observe something from a distance, with one pointing upwards. At the bottom right, a woman with a child on her shoulders walks toward sunset. At the top of the image is the European Union logo. In the lower left corner, on an orange background, it reads ‘EUROPEAN PILLAR OF SOCIAL RIGHTS’. At the bottom right, on a pink background, is the hashtag “#SocialRights”.

On 19 June, the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs (EPSCO) Council meeting was held in Luxembourg, bringing together the ministers responsible for employment, social affairs, health and consumer protection from all the Member States of the European Union (EU).

Ministers held a policy debate on the equal treatment directive, which aims to prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in areas related to social protection, education and goods and services.

In particular, they discussed whether the Council should continue work on the Directive with a view to achieving the necessary unanimity or, alternatively, whether the Commission, having announced its intention to withdraw the Directive, should prepare a new legislative proposal establishing a coherent legislative framework to combat discrimination in the EU.

While several MS were open to the prospect of an updated Commission proposal, a large majority preferred to continue working on the current draft Directive with a view to achieving unanimity.

Several ministers drew attention to the erosion of equal rights in many parts of the world and considered that, while continuing to strive for an agreement on the directive, the EU would send the right message of support for the principle of equality.

The Polish Presidency of the Council (PRES PL) also presented a progress report on the available Directive HERE

In the absence of any additional drafting suggestions from MS raising outstanding concerns, PRES PL could not propose a new compromise text. However, the vast majority of delegations continued to state their strong support for the content and swift adoption of the latest text accessible at the available link. HERE.

Ministers also held a policy debate on the new EU action plan. European Pillar of Social Rights and the first anti-poverty strategy.

The European Commission has launched a public consultation and one call for evidence on the new action plan for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social RightsThis plan aims to contribute to the implementation of the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights across the Union. President Ursula von der Leyen announced the action plan in its political guidelines.

The Pillar establishes20 key principles They guide the EU towards a strong, fair, inclusive and opportunity-rich social Europe in the 21st century. The action plan respects each country’s social model and improves Europe’s way of life, which depends on the protections and opportunities of our social market economy.

The Commission requests views on the impact of the 2021 Action Plan, lessons learned and potential areas for improvement where further progress may be needed. The Commission is also seeking input for a new action plan to be launched in the coming months.

Finally, please note that both the consultation and the call for evidence will remain open for 12 weeks until 10 September 2025.