CESI encouraged by EU policy progress before EU elections

A renewed trilogue deal on a new directive on fair work in the platform economy was achieved on February 8 and confirmed by the Council on March 11. The European Parliament still need to approve formally in what is expected to be a formality.

The European Parliament and Council also approved a revised directive for worker exposure limits to lead and diisocyanates on February 7. In the meantime the formal adoption procedure of the revised directive has been completed. It has been published in the Official Journal of the EU on March 19.

Moreover, a set of new rules for a reinforced role of national equality bodies was confirmed by Coreper (the Council preparatory body of permanent representatives) and by the European Parliament at Committee level, with a final approval by the European Parliament at plenary level and by the Council at ministerial level still pending and to be completed on April 10 and in May respectively.

A trilogue agreement on a new directive on violence against women was achieved on February 6, endorsed also by the European Parliament at committee level on and by Coreper on March 14; an approval by the European Parliament plenary and the Council at ministerial level is scheduled for April 10 and May respectively.

A trilogue agreement was also concluded on a new EU Disability Card on February 9, which has in the meantime been confirmed by Coreper on February 16. A confirmation vote by the European Parliament plenary is planned for April 22.

This was completed by a political agreement on February 10 between the Council and the European Parliament on new rules for the EU’s macroeconomic and fiscal policy rules, which will include some new flexibility and leeway for social investments and investments in resilient public services. This deal has has alread been approved by the European Parliament at committee level on march 4. A plenary vote is scheduled for April 22, with a formal Council approval still pending.

A rubberstamping of a trilogue agreement on a new directive on corporate sustainability due diligence (CSDD) achieved before Christmas was open and pending during several weeks. In the meantime, the European Parliament at committee level and Coreper approved of a renegotiated trilogue agreement on March 10 and 11 respectively. A formal approval by the European Parliament plenary is scheduled for April 22, with a vote by the Council at ministerial level still pending.

CESI Secretary General Klaus Heeger said: “After an eventful legislative term which spanned from a Covid pandemic to a cost-of-living crisis and a war in Ukraine, we are encouraged to see that the EU institutions are making a serious effort to conclude many important files on time before the EU elections in June. Workers and their families across Europe will appreciate this.”

He added: “Some files have been effectively concluded, such as those on a stronger role for national equality bodies. Other files are on a good track, such as a new EU directive on CSDD and platform work. And a few are still pending with final confirmation votes still open, notably in the Council. This includes new rules macroeconomic and fiscal policy. We call on all concerned actors to make an effort conclude formal adoption procedures before the EU elections. We are all aware that no adopted legislation is always entirely perfect for all actors, but a good compromise can still bring overwhelming benefits overall.”