Date of release : 31-05-2005

Policy area : Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs

Event : Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council

The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Council of the European Union will be held in Luxembourg on 2 and 3 June 2005 under the chairmanship of François Biltgen, Minister for Labour and Employment, Marie-Josée Jacobs, Minister for Equal Opportunities and Mars Di Bartolomeo, Minister for Health and Social Security of Luxembourg.

The first day of the EPSCO Council will be dedicated to "Employment and Social Policy". During this session, it is expected that the Ministers will reach political agreements on:

- a directive proposal of the Council that puts into place an agreement among the social partners on certain aspects of the working time, driving time and rest periods for railway staff who operate on the rail network of at least two Member States and cross borders during their working day;

- regulation proposals that modify the regulations establishing a European Agency for safety and health at work and creating a European Foundation for the improvement of Living and working conditions.

Still within the area of legislation, the Council should establish general orientations on:

- a decision proposal on the integrated guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (2005-2008);

- a regulation proposal establishing a European Institute for Gender Equality.

In public deliberation, the Council will address the directive proposal on the reform of working hours, in the light of the opinion given by the European Parliament on 11 May 2005 and on the basis of the Commission’s amended proposal of 31 May 2005 in that session of the Council.

In addition, the Council will have an exchange of views on the Green Paper on managing economic migration and will adopt conclusions on the Beijing Platform for action.

After the first day, the Luxembourg Presidency will hold a press conference.

The second session of the EPSCO Council will be held on 3 June 2005, and will focus on "Health and Consumers". It is expected that the Council, in public deliberation, will reach political agreements on regulation projects on:

- nutrition and health claims on foodstuffs;

- vitamins, minerals and other substances added to foodstuffs.

The Council will also hold orientation debates on:

- a regulation project of the European Parliament and the Council on paediatric medicines;

- a decision proposal establishing an action programme on health and consumer protection (public debate).

The Council will also adopt conclusions on obesity, nutrition and physical activity, on the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, and on mental health.

A press conference held by the Luxembourg Presidency will close the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumers Council.