This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#13, 2026)
Parliament grants budget discharge to EU agencies and Commission; committee opinions on cohesion, employment, health; €2m EGF support for Belgian workers; new opinions on 2028-2034 fund.
April 05, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Parliament grants budget discharge to EU agencies and Commission; committee opinions on cohesion, employment, health; €2m EGF support for Belgian workers; new opinions on 2028-2034 fund.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On April 14, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Coordinators' meeting.
- Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings - 4-5/5/2026; EU-wide guidelines on gender-neutral job evaluation and classification in the context of Article 4 of the EU Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime; Strengthening International Cooperation for Combating Certain Crimes Committed by Means of Information and Communications Technology Systems and for the Sharing of Evidence in Electronic Form of Serious Crimes; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Directive 2004/37/EC as regards the addition of substances and setting limit values in its Annexes I, III and IIIa; Chair’s announcements.
European Parliament
Parliament grants discharge for 2024 budget implementation to the Commission and executive agencies
On 10 April 2026, the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) adopted the report on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024, Section III – Commission and executive agencies, and the ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds (A-10-2026-0085, rapporteur Daniel Freund). The report covers the annual accounts, implementation, and control systems for all EU budget lines, and incorporates opinions from relevant committees. The discharge procedure included detailed scrutiny of legality, regularity, and performance, with the Parliament noting the European Court of Auditors’ adverse opinion on the legality and regularity of expenditure for the sixth consecutive year. The Parliament set out recommendations to address control weaknesses, transparency, and fraud prevention. The plenary vote on the discharge is scheduled for 29 April 2026.
www.europarl.europa.eu | www.europarl.europa.eu
EU Council
Upcoming: Informal meeting of heads of state or government in Cyprus
EU leaders will meet in Cyprus on 23 April 2026 to discuss Europe’s response to the geopolitical environment and the next multiannual financial framework. The agenda includes strategic priorities for the Union and budget planning beyond 2027.
EP Committee Work
Committee on Budgets: €2 million EGF support for Belgian workers
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on Budgets (BUDG) approved a Commission proposal to mobilise €2 million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to support 507 workers made redundant after the bankruptcy of Liberty Steel Belgium in April 2025. The measure aims to finance career counselling, vocational training, and support for business creation. The proposal passed with 31 votes in favour and 4 against. The plenary vote is scheduled for the end of April.
Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality: Advancing towards a care society – addressing the gender care gap
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) published its report (A-10-2026-0083, rapporteur Rosa Estaràs Ferragut) on advancing towards a care society and addressing the gender care gap. The report addresses policy measures to redistribute unpaid care work, promote investment in care services, and address gender inequalities in labour force participation. The committee highlighted data on care gaps and called for improved working conditions in the care sector.
Committee on Industry, Research and Energy: Draft opinion on the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, prosperity and security 2028–2034
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) released a draft opinion (rapporteur Jana Nagyová) on the Commission proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture and rural, fisheries and maritime, prosperity and security for 2028–2034 (COM(2025)0565). The opinion advocates for flexibility, complementarity with direct management funds, and visibility for industrial, digital, and energy priorities in national and regional partnership plans.
Committee on Public Health: Draft opinion on the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, prosperity and security 2028–2034
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Public Health (SANT) published its draft opinion (rapporteur Victor Negrescu) on the Commission proposal for the 2028–2034 European Fund for cohesion and prosperity. The opinion highlights the need to address workforce shortages, territorial disparities in health, and underinvestment in health systems, recommending a dedicated health chapter in national and regional partnership plans and ring-fenced funding for health objectives.
Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety: Draft opinion on the European Fund for Regional Development and Cohesion Fund 2028–2034
On 9 April 2026, the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety (ENVI) published a draft opinion (rapporteur Jana Nagyová) on the proposal for a regulation on the European Fund for Regional Development, European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), and Cohesion Fund for 2028–2034. The draft opinion focuses on environmental, climate, and health priorities, including performance indicators and alignment with industrial and energy policy.
Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs: Opinion on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of the EU agencies for 2024
On 9 April 2026, the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) adopted its opinion (LIBE_AD(2025)778227, rapporteur Evin Incir) on discharge in respect of the implementation of the budget of EU agencies for the financial year 2024. The opinion covers the operational performance, financial management, and transparency of justice and home affairs agencies, and underscores the need for strengthened audit and control mechanisms for agencies in this field.
What We're Reading This Week
- WomenINvestEU Matchmaking on Femtech: WomenINvestEU facilitates connections between investors and femtech startups to boost women's health innovation and entrepreneurship in Europe.
- Commission announces new global health commitments at One Health Summit: New global health initiatives aim to strengthen pandemic preparedness and address cross-border health threats unveiled at One Health Summit.
- How the loneliness of working from home can affect mental health: ‘The pajamas mentality is dangerous’: Remote work isolation is fueling mental health concerns, as blurred boundaries and lack of structure contribute to emotional strain.
