On Monday, 13 March, Vice-President for Democracy and Demography, Dubravka Šuica, and Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, will take part in the meeting of EU employment and social affairs ministers (EPSCO).

In the light of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, ministers are set to debate on the employment and social situation in the EU, with a focus on integrating people fleeing the war into the job market.

The special adviser to Commissioner Schmit on the social and labour market integration of people fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lodewijk Asscher, will present to ministers the recommendations from his fact-finding missions to Member States and exchange with partners on the ground.

Together with Vice-President Šuica and Commissioner Schmit, ministers are also set to discuss, during an informal lunch, the protection of children in vulnerable situations in the current times of crises and conflict, again in particular considering the situation in Ukraine.

Ministers are furthermore set to discuss the European Semester 2023, to adopt the Joint Employment Report and to approve conclusions on the 2023 Annual Sustainable Growth Survey.

They will also exchange views on the Commission’s proposal for a Council Decision to ratify the ILO Convention No. 190 on the elimination of violence and harassment at work.

Furthermore, the Commission will update Ministers on the planned activities and work with stakeholders during the European Year of Skills.

The Commission will also inform ministers about:

• the Commission proposal to improve the protection of workers from the exposure to dangerous chemicals
• the report by the High-level group on the future of social protection and of the welfare state in the EU
• the Commission report on access to social protection

Other agenda items include an exchange on the preparation of the Tripartite Social Summit, a presentation by Portugal on the Porto Social Forum (26-27 May), as well as presentations from the Employment Committee and Social Protection Committee on their 2023 work programmes.

Most of the debates can be followed online. A press conference with Vice-President Šuica will take place on Monday at +/- 16:45 CET and can be followed live on EbS.