Videoconference of EU employment and social policy ministers: platform economy and gender equality on Thursday's agenda
On Thursday, 3 December 2020, EU employment and social policy ministers will meet virtually under the auspices of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU. The meeting will be chaired by Federal Ministers Franziska Giffey and Hubertus Heil.
The EU ministers' discussions will focus on the working conditions and social protection of platform workers and the Commission’s Gender Equality Strategy.
In the morning, ministers will exchange views on how to improve precarious conditions of employment in the platform economy and the social protection of platform workers who are often solo self-employed persons. This exchange of views will focus not only on measures taken in the member states but also on the question of where EU-wide regulation is needed in addition to national rules - especially in view of the often cross-border nature of online services.
In the afternoon, ministers will focus on gender equality and equal opportunities. There will be an exchange of views on the strategy “A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025” presented by the Commission. Achieving equal labour market participation of women and men and a fair distribution of paid work and unpaid care work are of particular importance in this context.
The meeting is a public event and will be streamed on the Council’s website (see infobox below). As usual, the press will be briefed after the ministers’ meeting on the above-mentioned topics and on other topics including adequate minimum wages in the EU, human rights and decent work in global supply chains, the further implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU Strategy on LGBTIQ equality and the fight against child poverty.
Info
Further information about the video conference of the EU employment and social policy ministers can be found on the website of the Council of the EU. Livestreams of the public sessions of the meeting, which run from 9.30 to 12.30 and from 14.30 to 17.15, as well as the press conferences at 13.00 and 17.15, can be seen on the same website.
Human rights and decent work in global supply chains: the Council approves conclusions External link