The ministers for labour and social affairs of the European Union member states and the Vice-President of the European Commission Roxana Minzatu visited Warsaw on 14-15 April 2025.

Opportunities and risks associated with AI development

The participants of the EPSCO meeting talked about the future of the labour market in the context of the challenges posed by the development of artificial intelligence and the use of algorithms in the workplace. The participants highlighted opportunities such as increased innovation or productivity, and threats, including the risk of excessive surveillance of employees.

The European Union draws its strength from the quality of its policies and its dialogue - dialogue between Member States, which takes into account the voice of the social partners, who will also join today's meeting. Their voice will be just as important as that of the representatives of the member states,

said Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, who chaired the meeting.

Integration policy in the EU

The second part of the meeting was devoted to the issue of integration policy pursued by the European Union member states. Successful integration requires not only access to the labour market, but also healthcare, education and housing. Cutting red tape with regard to the recognition of professional qualifications plays a major role in this context.

According to Minister of Labour Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk, integration is in the mutual interest of the migrant and the state - as host countries offer opportunities, they require a willingness to adapt to societal rules and values in return. Proper integration policies can contribute to economic growth, increased innovation and greater social stability.

Care responsibilities and work

During the next section of the meeting, the attendees tackled the issue of equality in the labour market and the support of workers combining working life with care responsibilities, including childcare and elderly care. An unequal distribution of responsibilities is a significant barrier preventing women's career development, which leads to their lower participation in the labour market.

According to the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, if we want to champion equality, we need to invest in institutions and care services for senior citizens and recognise caring for loved ones as labour, which should be paid for by the state, ensure healthcare and pension, and guarantee normal holidays. 

The future of work in Europe

There is no doubt that it is necessary to develop policies that promote equal employment and support people combining work and family care responsibilities. It is important to ensure cooperation between EU member states in implementing innovative work-life balance solutions and further protecting workers' rights in the digital age.

The next EPSCO ministerial meeting will take place on 12 June in Luxembourg. It will tackle issues concerning the challenges of the silver economy and the fight against poverty.

Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union

On 1 January 2025, Poland assumed the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second time. Thirteen years after its first presidency and twenty years after its accession to the EU, Poland is pursuing an ambitious agenda, the main aim of which is to implement the priorities concerning security.

Read more about the Polish Presidency in the Council of the European Union: https://polish-presidency.consilium.europa.eu/pl/