This Week in Social Affairs — Brussels (#26, 2026)
EU Commission refers Greece and Spain to Court over employment discrimination; Citizens' Initiative for unconditional basic income registered; new sanctions regime targets organised crime.
July 05, 2026 to July 11, 2026
EU Commission refers Greece and Spain to Court over employment discrimination; Citizens' Initiative for unconditional basic income registered; new sanctions regime targets organised crime.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 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 July 13, the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Regulations (EU) 2016/679, (EU) 2018/1724, (EU) 2018/1725, (EU) 2023/2854 and Directives 2002/58/EC, (EU) 2022/2555 and (EU) 2022/2557 as regards the simplification of the digital legislative framework, and repealing Regulations (EU) 2018/1807, (EU) 2019/1150, (EU) 2022/868, and Directive (EU) 2019/1024 (Digital Omnibus); Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On July 13, 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.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * ; Chair’s announcements; *** End of electronic vote **.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Amending Directives 2000/14/EC, 2011/65/EU, 2013/53/EU, 2014/29/EU, 2014/30/EU, 2014/31/EU, 2014/32/EU, 2014/33/EU, 2014/34/EU, 2014/35/EU, 2014/53/EU, 2014/68/EU and 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards digitalisation and common specifications; Amending Regulations (EU) No 765/2008, (EU) 2016/424, (EU) 2016/425, (EU) 2016/426, (EU) 2023/1230, (EU) 2023/1542 and (EU) 2024/1781 as regards digitalisation and common specifications; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM): On July 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: • 3/6/2026 FEMM tbc• 23/6/2026 FEMM tbc; Boosting skills in the Union – opportunities for vocational education and training in times of transition; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On July 14, 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.
- Committee on Development (DEVE): On July 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Development (DEVE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions.
- Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI): On July 15, the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Ambassadors' slot: Exchange of views with Ambassador Jestas Abuok Nyamanga, Head of Mission of the United Republic of Tanzania to the European Union; Chair’s announcements; Chair’s announcements concerning coordinators’ decisions.
- Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL): On July 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; Amending Directives (EU) 2016/2341 and 2016/97 as regards the strengthening of the framework for occupational retirement provision.
- Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE): On July 15, 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; Public Hearing with Bruna Szego, Chair of the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AMLA).
European Commission
Commission refers Greece to the Court of Justice over discriminatory employment conditions for teachers
On 7 July 2026, the European Commission referred Greece to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to align national legislation with Council Directive 1999/70/EC on fixed-term work. The Directive obliges Member States to prevent discrimination against fixed-term employees. Greek national law grants less favourable employment conditions to fixed-term teachers in public schools, especially regarding maternity and sick leave. The infringement procedure began with a letter of formal notice in July 2024, followed by a reasoned opinion in May 2025. The Commission found Greece's responses unsatisfactory, resulting in this referral for alleged non-compliance.
Commission refers Spain to the Court of Justice over recognition of professional qualifications
On 7 July 2026, the European Commission decided to refer Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union for not aligning its rules with Directive 2005/36/EC on professional qualifications and Articles 45 and 49 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Spain's laws do not fully recognise sworn translators and interpreters qualified in other Member States. Letters of formal notice and reasoned opinions addressed to Spain yielded no legislative change, prompting the referral. This Directive underpins EU-wide mutual recognition of qualifications and facilitates the free movement of professionals.
Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative for unconditional basic income
On 6 July 2026, the European Commission registered a European Citizens' Initiative titled 'Introduction of Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) throughout the EU.' The registration follows the requirements of the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation and allows organisers to begin signature collection. If the initiative reaches at least one million valid signatures across at least seven Member States, the Commission will formally respond and decide if further action is warranted. Registration is based on legal admissibility and does not reflect any substantive analysis or endorsement by the Commission.
EU Council
General Affairs Council to discuss Irish Presidency priorities and simplification
On 14 July 2026, ministers will meet in Brussels to hear the Irish presidency's presentation on priorities for the second semester. The session will also feature discussions on the state of play and future direction of Council work concerning simplification.
Upcoming Informal Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting
Justice and Home Affairs ministers will convene for an informal meeting on 16 July 2026.
EP Committee Work
ITRE Opinion on European Fund for Prosperity and Security (2028-2034)
On 10 July 2026, rapporteur Jana Nagyová issued the ITRE Committee's opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Fund for economic, social and territorial cohesion, agriculture, fisheries, maritime prosperity, and security for 2028-2034. The opinion also addresses amendments to Regulation (EU) 2023/955 and Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.
ENVI Opinion on Union Budget Tracking and Performance Framework
On 6 July 2026, rapporteur Pierfrancesco Maran submitted the ENVI Committee's opinion regarding the proposal for a regulation establishing expenditure tracking and performance framework for Union programmes and activities.
ITRE Opinion on the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund
On 6 July 2026, rapporteur Massimiliano Salini delivered the ITRE Committee's opinion on the proposed regulation establishing the Temporary Decarbonisation Fund, outlining recommendations and potential impact on member state decarbonisation initiatives.
AFET Draft Opinion on EU General Budget for 2027
On 6 July 2026, rapporteur Matjaž Nemec issued a draft opinion from the AFET Committee concerning the general EU budget for the financial year 2027. The document addresses allocations across sections, reflecting priorities in foreign affairs.
What We're Reading This Week
- French High Council on Climate warns of urgent need to 'scale up' climate policies: France is falling behind its climate commitments, prompting calls for faster and more ambitious policy action.
- Cancer cases to rise by two-thirds by 2050 globally, WHO warns: Global cancer diagnoses are projected to surge by 77% by 2050, raising concerns about healthcare preparedness worldwide.
- Infertility cases in women to hit 80 million by 2036, study finds: Rising infertility rates could affect 80 million women globally by 2036, signaling a growing public health concern.
- Blood test may cut endometriosis diagnosis time, study finds: New research suggests a blood test could significantly speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis, potentially reducing years-long delays.
