This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#21, 2026)
Commission adopts 2026 European Semester Spring Package; New Social Climate Plan for Lithuania endorsed; Council Decisions address gender-based violence; MEPs propose EU healthcare workforce strategy.
May 31, 2026 to June 06, 2026
Commission adopts 2026 European Semester Spring Package; New Social Climate Plan for Lithuania endorsed; Council Decisions address gender-based violence; MEPs propose EU healthcare workforce strategy.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On June 08, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Monitoring and controlling drug precursors and repealing Regulations (EC) No 273/2004 and (EC) No 111/2005.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On June 08, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EU) 2024/1689 and (EU) 2018/1139 as regards the simplification of the implementation of harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (Digital Omnibus on AI); Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions.
European Commission
Commission adopts the 2026 European Semester Spring Package, emphasising skills, inclusive labour markets, and social convergence
The European Commission adopted the 2026 European Semester Spring Package on 2 June 2026, providing economic and social guidance to Member States. The package addresses competitiveness, social cohesion, and strategic autonomy, including extensive country-specific recommendations on fiscal sustainability, innovation, housing, and labour markets. Employment guidelines have been updated with a new focus on job quality, combating poverty, upskilling, and social protection. The 2026 Social Convergence Framework and Joint Employment Report highlight continued risks around poverty and labour market integration in several Member States. Cohesion policy, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, and the Social Climate Fund are referenced as primary tools to support reforms and investment for structural and territorial convergence. The Commission calls for coordinated action from all institutions and Member States, and will now engage with Parliament and Council before the adoption of country-specific recommendations.
Commission endorses Lithuania’s €884 million Social Climate Plan under the Social Climate Fund
On 4 June 2026, the Commission approved Lithuania's Social Climate Plan, the second national plan adopted under Regulation (EU) 2023/955 establishing the Social Climate Fund. The plan mobilises €884 million to 2032, aiming to reduce energy poverty among vulnerable households, invest in energy-efficient renovations, and support sustainable mobility solutions, such as electric vehicles and cycling infrastructure. Of the total allocation, €663 million comes from the Social Climate Fund and €221 million from Lithuania. The plan also provides for Energy Advisory Hubs and incentives for public transport. Lithuania is the second EU Member State, after Sweden, to have its Social Climate Plan formally endorsed.
Commission presents outcomes of Eurobarometer survey: Labour and skills shortages persist for European SMEs
A new Eurobarometer published 31 May 2026 assesses the difficulties faced by EU small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) recruiting workers from outside the EU. 46% of firms report skills shortages; only 14% have hired non-EU nationals in the last two years. 54% of companies undertaking international recruitment describe the process as difficult, citing administrative and migration procedures, candidate matching, and language barriers. The survey coincides with Commission initiatives such as the EU Talent Pool and the EU Visa Strategy, aiming to simplify recruitment and foster skills mobility. The initiatives build on the Memorandum of Understanding with India and support cross-border talent partnerships.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1212: Implementation of the Istanbul Convention—institutions and public administration of the Union
Adopted 29 May 2026 and published 4 June, Council Decision (EU) 2026/1212 (CELEX: 32026D1212) establishes the Union's position for the 20th meeting of the Committee of the Parties to the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. The Decision mandates the EU to not object to the adoption of implementation conclusions for nine Parties and to abstain in the election of five members of GREVIO.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1213: Implementation of the Istanbul Convention—judicial cooperation, asylum and non-refoulement
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1213 (CELEX: 32026D1213), adopted 29 May 2026 and published 4 June, sets the Union's position regarding implementation of recommendations by the Committee of the Parties to the Istanbul Convention in matters of judicial cooperation, asylum, and non-refoulement. The Decision instructs the Union to not object to the adoption of specified conclusions on nine Parties and to abstain in the election of GREVIO experts.
EU Council
Justice and Home Affairs Council discusses migration, Schengen, and Ukraine displacement
On 4 June 2026, Justice and Home Affairs ministers reviewed migration, the Schengen acquis, EU internal security, the situation of displaced persons from Ukraine, and drugs policy implementation.
Justice Ministers address recognition of parenthood and hate crime under the new justice programme
On 5 June 2026, the Justice and Home Affairs Council convened to examine the new justice programme, mutual recognition of parenthood, hate crime and hate speech, and the operation of the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
EP Committee Work
EMPL Committee debates European Social Fund component of the National and Regional Partnership Plan (NRPP) for 2028–2034
At its meeting on 2 June 2026, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) discussed amendments to legislative proposal COM(2025)0558, 2025/0239(COD), on the establishment of the European Social Fund as part of Regulation (EU) [...] [NRPPlan] for 2028–2034. Co-rapporteurs are Marit Maij (S&D) and David Casa (PPE), with opinions presented by BUDG, REGI, CULT, and FEMM committees.
EMPL and SANT Committees jointly adopt report on tackling the EU healthcare workforce crisis
On 3 June 2026, the Committees on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) and Public Health (SANT) jointly adopted a report calling for an EU strategy to address workforce shortages in health, including the recruitment of one million additional healthcare professionals by 2034. The report advocates action on education, mental health, pay, and EU funding, and details systemic challenges such as burnout, demographic change, and digital skills gaps. Rapporteurs are Loucas Fourlas (PPE) and Ruggero Razza (ECR).
FEMM–LIBE public hearing debates new strategy on combating trafficking in human beings
On 3 June 2026, the Committees on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) and Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) held a public hearing on the forthcoming Commission 'New Strategy on Anti-Trafficking'. Speakers included Diane Schmitt (Commission Anti-Trafficking Coordinator), María Auxiliadora Díaz (specialist judge for gender-based violence), Petya Nestorova (Council of Europe), and the Europol Trafficking in Human Beings Unit, focusing on victim support, implementation of the previous strategy, and new criminal trends.
REGI Committee holds hearing on partnership and multi-level governance in National and Regional Partnership Plans
On 2 June 2026, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) conducted a public hearing on the role of the European Code of Conduct on Partnership and the involvement of the European Parliament in the new NRPPs. Topics included experiences from the 2014–2020 and 2021–2027 programming periods, best practices for civil society engagement, and proposals to strengthen partnership requirements in cohesion policy.
IMCO and HOUS Committees hold public hearing on construction materials and the housing crisis in the EU
On 4 June 2026, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and the Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS) hosted a hearing on the impact of safe and sustainable construction materials. Industry, Commission, and standardisation experts discussed the Construction Products Regulation, harmonised standards, and how innovation and digital tools could help improve housing affordability and delivery within the EU.
What We're Reading This Week
- Who is rich in France?: A new analysis defines wealth thresholds in France, revealing how income and assets distinguish the nation's most affluent households.
- Dopo l'Enciclica di Leone, Terzo settore e intelligenza artificiale: il «mezzo» per migliorarsi: Experts discuss how artificial intelligence can serve as a tool for advancement in the third sector following papal guidance.
