The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) deals with issues related to increasing employment levels and improving living and working conditions, while ensuring a high level of health and consumer protection in the European Union.

In connection with the Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union, the EPSCO Council meeting on Monday, 10 March was chaired by the Minister for Family, Labour and Social Policy, Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk. The director general of the ministry, Liwiusz Laska, also participated in the meeting.

Challenges of the silver economy

One of the highlights of Monday's meeting of EU ministers for employment, social affairs, health and consumer policy concerned the challenges of the silver transition. All EU Member States are facing demographic change and the issue of ageing populations, which requires a proper response and smart policy solutions.

Thanking the participants for joining the debate, the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy pointed out that the issue of ageing societies became not only an obvious challenge, but also an opportunity. 

We need to encourage longer careers

During our debate we highlighted the fact that older workers bring irreplaceable experience, knowledge and wisdom to our societies and economies. The challenge we face is how to ensure that they can contribute without facing obstacles and without being forced to work by economic coercion. 

We heard about the incentives that different countries are using to promote longer working lives, ranging from pension reforms, tax breaks, shortening the working week, measures to combat gender discrimination and long-term care instruments. 

This emerging policy package is crucial in addressing the systemic barriers older people face in the labour market. I think we all recognise that these incentives need to be both comprehensive and flexible, tailored to the needs of different sectors and different situations,

said Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk in Brussels on Monday. 

What else was the EPSCO meeting about?

The attendees also discussed the European Semester, a process of socio-economic policy coordination whereby Member States align their budgetary and economic policies with the rules set at EU level.

Later in the day, the ministers also talked about the right of employees to disconnect, or not to receive emails and phone calls after working hours.