This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#23, 2026)
New EU migrant return system adopted; Labour market statistics reporting rules in force; €2m EGF aid for Belgian redundancies; Channel migration action plan presented.
June 14, 2026 to June 20, 2026
New EU migrant return system adopted; Labour market statistics reporting rules in force; €2m EGF aid for Belgian redundancies; Channel migration action plan presented.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On June 22, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Ambassadors' slot: Exchange of views with Ambassador Javier Helamán Reyes Menjivar, Head of Mission of the Republic of El Salvador to the European Union; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On June 22, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Directives (EU) 2016/2341 and 2016/97 as regards the strengthening of the framework for occupational retirement provision; Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1238 on a pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP); Back in Room: ANTALL 4Q1.
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On June 23, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; *** End of electronic vote ***.
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On June 23, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Ambassadors' slot: Exchange of views with Ambassador Javier Helamán Reyes Menjivar, Head of Mission of the Republic of El Salvador to the European Union; Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On June 23, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Joint ECON-EMPL Economic Dialogue on the European Semester 2026.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On June 23, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Directives (EU) 2016/2341 and 2016/97 as regards the strengthening of the framework for occupational retirement provision; Amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1238 on a pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP); Back in Room: ANTALL 4Q1.
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On June 24, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On June 24, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; All time slots are indicative only and may be subject to changes during the meeting; Annual Report of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) for the year 2025.
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On June 25, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On June 25, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: ------; All time slots are indicative only and may be subject to changes during the meeting; Annual Report of the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) for the year 2025.
European Commission
Commission launches new action plan to manage migration along Channel route
The European Commission on 15 June 2026 presented an EU action plan targeting illegal migration along the Channel route. The plan outlines operational measures starting from countries of origin and transit, supporting Member States facing the highest numbers of attempted crossings. These include reinforcement of border management, disruption of smuggling networks, and strengthening of operational cooperation with the United Kingdom. The Commission emphasised a whole-of-route approach with intensified migration diplomacy, coordinated returns, and joint information campaigns. Frontex deployments, the mapping of smuggling networks with Europol's Centre Against Migrant Smuggling, and additional focus on the online dimension of migrant smuggling were specified. Commissioner Magnus Brunner noted the plan's alignment with the European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy.
Commission statement on World Refugee Day reiterates EU commitment to humanitarian aid and social protection
On 18 June 2026, the European Commission and the High Representative issued a joint statement ahead of World Refugee Day. The statement noted the EU’s sustained humanitarian aid efforts and focus on international protection standards, as well as access to essential services and social cohesion for refugees and host communities. Since 2025, the number of displaced persons globally has declined, which the Commission attributes in part to its integrated approach blending humanitarian and development actions. The 2025 European Asylum and Migration Management Strategy, cited in the statement, underpins the EU’s current migration and asylum portfolio, including access to social protection, livelihoods and the strengthening of international partnerships.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
New Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1315 sets reporting requirements for labour market statistics
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1315 of 15 June 2026, published in OJ L 2026/1315, details the content and practical arrangements for quality reports and metadata under Regulation (EU) 2025/941. The regulation specifies technical standards and statistical concepts, as well as frequency and deadlines for Member States’ reporting to Eurostat. The provisions cover quality indicators for labour force data, including job vacancies, labour cost index, and gender pay gap. This regulation complements earlier acts, notably Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2295 and Recommendation (EU) 2023/397.
EU Council
Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council to address fair labour mobility and anti-poverty strategy
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) will meet on 29 June 2026. Ministers are expected to adopt conclusions on cyber violence against girls and the link between demographic trends and housing policy. The agenda also covers fair labour mobility, housing security for students and middle-income households, and the EU Anti-Poverty Strategy.
EP Committee Work
EMPL issues draft opinion on General budget 2027: focus on employment and social affairs
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) published its draft opinion on the General budget of the EU for financial year 2027 (PE789.873v01-00; rapporteur: Romana Tomc). The opinion addresses funding allocations relevant to labour market policies, employment initiatives, and social protection measures, and will form part of the Parliament's consolidated position for the 2027 annual budget.
