This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#19, 2026)
New EGF regulation expands support for workers; Belgium receives EGF funding; Parliament addresses gender care gap, work accident victims; Commission advances social protection reforms.
May 17, 2026 to May 23, 2026
New EGF regulation expands support for workers; Belgium receives EGF funding; Parliament addresses gender care gap, work accident victims; Commission advances social protection reforms.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission greenlights Lithuania's sixth payment under NextGenerationEU for social protection reforms
The European Commission on 17 May 2026 positively assessed Lithuania’s sixth payment request for €178 million under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), part of NextGenerationEU. This payment follows Lithuania's completion of ten milestones and eight targets linked to reforms enhancing the adequacy of the minimum income scheme, strengthening the social protection system, and digitalising the public sector. The reforms implement key recommendations from the minimum income adequacy study, broadening the coverage of social benefits and increasing minimum thresholds. Other measures include higher maternity, paternity, and childcare benefits, improved access to child support, and enhanced social assistance pensions. The Commission sent its preliminary assessment to the Council's Economic and Financial Committee, with payment subject to the EFC’s opinion and subsequent Commission decision. Lithuania must implement all outstanding milestones by August 2026 for final RRF requests.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1139 expands EGF to workers facing imminent job displacement in restructuring
Regulation (EU) 2026/1139, adopted on 20 May 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2021/691 to provide European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) support for workers affected by imminent job displacement in enterprises undergoing restructuring. The new rules establish procedures for Member States and employers to apply for funding, set eligibility for workers still in post, and include suppliers or downstream producers if restructuring causes collective redundancies. Reskilling and upskilling measures are eligible; short-time work schemes are excluded. A minimum 40% of the annual EGF budget is reserved for displaced workers; funding for imminent displacement is capped per enterprise.
Decision (EU) 2026/1134 mobilises EGF for Belgium displaced workers of Liberty Galaţi Belgian Branch
Decision (EU) 2026/1134 of 29 April 2026 mobilises the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to provide €2,033,869 in financial support to Belgium following an application regarding workers displaced at Liberty Galaţi Belgian Branch. The mobilisation follows the Commission's assessment that Belgium's application meets eligibility criteria under Regulation (EU) 2021/691. The Decision applies from its adoption, and funds are allocated for reintegration and support measures.
EU Council
Eurogroup discusses affordable housing and digital euro progress
On 22 May 2026, Eurogroup ministers reviewed macroeconomic trends based on the Commission’s spring forecast and exchanged views on economic challenges related to affordable housing. An update on the digital euro project was also presented.
EP Committee Work
Committee MEPs assess youth unemployment approaches in La Réunion, France
A delegation from the Employment and Social Affairs Committee, led by Dennis Radtke (EPP, DE), conducts site visits in La Réunion from 26 to 28 May 2026. Meetings include local officials and training providers, such as Cluster Maritime and Maison Familiale Rurale La Plaine des Palmistes, to review regional initiatives that address youth unemployment, vocational training, and social inclusion.
Parliament calls for a European day commemorating victims of work-related accidents
The Employment and Social Affairs Committee requests 8 August to be designated as the European Day in Remembrance of Victims of Accidents at Work. The resolution also urges the Commission to assess health and safety risks associated with AI and climate-related factors, and calls for strengthening labour inspectorates. Rapporteur Chiara Gemma (ECR, IT) notes support for the ‘Vision Zero’ objective.
Closing the gender care gap: Parliament adopts report on carers’ rights and gender equality
MEPs from the Employment and Social Affairs and Women’s Rights committees, including rapporteurs Eleonora Meleti (EPP, GR) and Rosa Estaràs Ferragut (EPP, ES), advocate for equal sharing of care duties, formal recognition of care work, and inclusion of informal carers in pension and social security systems. The plenary adopted the report, with a call for a European carers’ statute and an announcement by the Commission of a 'care deal' in 2027.
What We're Reading This Week
- Cities struggle to keep pace as war and climate define urban futures, WUF13 delegates warn: Urban leaders caution that escalating conflicts and climate crises are outpacing cities' ability to adapt and ensure sustainable futures.
- 'No society is immune' to housing crisis, UN chief warns at World Urban Forum in Baku: UN Secretary-General urges global leaders to address the escalating housing crisis affecting communities across all nations.
- Obesity rates plateau in wealthy nations: study: New research finds obesity rates have stabilized in affluent countries, suggesting public health measures may be having an impact.
- Average rent now eats up 98.7% of young people's wages in Spain: Skyrocketing rents in Spain are leaving young workers with almost no disposable income, fueling concerns about affordability and housing access.
- Which European countries hand the most income to the ultra-rich?: A new analysis reveals wide disparities in how European countries' tax systems benefit their wealthiest residents.
