9 October 2026
The Employment Committee’s (EMCO) Social Dialogue Review on 7-8 October 2026 brought together Member States, the European Commission and social partners to assess implementation of the Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue.
The horizontal discussion underlined that effective social dialogue requires sustained commitment and respect for national systems. Priorities included timely consultation, stronger social partner capacity and more representative participation. Declining membership and gaps in collective bargaining coverage were recurring concerns. Capacity building, supported by ESF+, and monitoring of national action plans were identified as follow-up priorities.
Jeanette Grenfors, Chair of SGI Europe’s Social Affairs Board, emphasised social partner autonomy, meaningful involvement in policymaking and lasting support for organisations’ capacity.
For Belgium, Michael de Gols (UNISOC) highlighted difficulties in providing meaningful input within consultation deadlines, calling for respect for joint social partner positions and the inclusion of not-for-profit employers.
For Poland, Maciej Legutko (Pracodawcy RP) stressed incentives to negotiate, access to expertise, training and mediation, and consultations that deliver substantive outcomes.
For Bulgaria, Hristiyan Hristov represented BICA, whose written assessment highlighted employers’ active contribution to the 2026–2030 Plan for the Promotion of Collective Bargaining and consultations on new forms of work. The plan combines capacity building, digital tools and awareness raising to support wider bargaining coverage.
Horizontal and country-specific conclusions will be circulated for factual corrections before EMCO prepares conclusions for the Council.
SGI Europe thanks EMCO and the European Commission services for organising the review, and its members for their expertise and contributions.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
The sixth Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Social Dialogue Forum brought together employers’ organisations and trade unions from Europe and the Southern Mediterranean in Toledo on 5-6 October 2026. SGI Europe was represented by Jeanette Grenfors, Chair of its Social Affairs Board, and Pawel Langowski, Chair of its Health and Safety Taskforce.
The Forum examined how social partners can respond to shared labour market challenges and strengthen regional cooperation. Discussions focused on accompanying economic transitions, ensuring positive outcomes from digitalisation, and the role of social partners in legal migration. The session on equal opportunities explored how employers and trade unions can help remove barriers to quality employment, promote non-discrimination and improve access to skills and lifelong learning, particularly for women and young people.
Contributing to this session, Jeanette Grenfors highlighted how accessible care services, transport, skills development and healthy workplaces support women’s employment and economic independence. She called for early and meaningful involvement of social partners in reforms, with approaches adapted to national and local realities. Sweden’s “Full Time Journey”, a joint initiative by SALAR and the Swedish Municipal Workers’ Union, Kommunal, illustrated how social dialogue can support sustainable full-time employment while addressing gender equality, staffing needs and working conditions.
The Forum also provided space to discuss concrete initiatives under the SOLiD II Roadmap and future cooperation between social partners. For SGI Europe, these exchanges highlighted the contribution of public services to inclusive labour markets, through both their role as employers and the essential services that enable participation in employment.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
Last week, SGI Europe representatives participated in and addressed the conference “More than employment: the employment service of Slovenia as a co-creator of an inclusive labour market” organised by the Employment Service of Slovenia (ZRSZ) in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Organized in the context of the EU-funded project LABOUR-INT III, the event brought together high-level speakers from EU-level and international organizations, including the European Labour Authority (ELA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and International Labour Organization (ILO), representatives of ministries for labour and social affairs across the Union, civil society organizations and migrant communities in Slovenia.
Throughout the panels and the different presentations, it was iterated that employment is one of the most important gateways to inclusion as it gives third-country nationals economic independence, recognition and acquisition of qualifications and skills, and social connections. However, to be sustainable, fair and successful, labour market inclusion should be accompanied with language learning, education and trainings, health and childcare, housing, transport and several other essential services.
The discussion in Ljubljana confirmed one of the central messages of LABOUR-INT III: sustainable labour market integration depends not only on access to employment, but also on effective skills matching, decent working conditions and access to the services that allow people to enter and remain in the labour market. By bringing together actors working at national, European and international level, the conference provided an important opportunity to exchange experiences and identify approaches that can be shared across Europe. SGI Europe will continue to work with its partners to bring these lessons into the European debate and support more inclusive and sustainable labour markets.
Contact: Cecilia Martin
During this week’s plenary, the European Parliament has advanced three files under the Omnibus VIII package on environmental legislation, covering extended producer responsibility (EPR) and spatial data.
On 5 October, the Environment Committee (ENVI) adopted its draft report on two proposals addressing requirements for producers to appoint authorised representatives for EPR. While the Commission proposed suspending the requirement more broadly until 2035, MEPs want to limit this measure to EU-based micro-enterprises and SMEs, while companies established outside the EU would remain subject to the obligation. They also propose that the suspension should end automatically once comprehensive EU circular economy rules enter into force. MEPs further call for better information-sharing, interoperable digital systems and common reporting requirements to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining effective oversight.
The batteries and packaging file passed by 74 votes in favour, 0 against and 4 abstentions, while the file covering textiles, footwear, electronic equipment and single-use plastics passed by 72 votes in favour, 0 against and 5 abstentions. The plenary will confirm both positions during the 19-22 October session. If confirmed, the Parliament will be ready to negotiate with the Council.
Separately, on 6 October, the plenary adopted its position on revising the INSPIRE Directive by a vote of 515 in favour, 108 against, and 35 abstentions. The reform aims to simplify environmental spatial data requirements and align them with horizontal EU data rules, while retaining safeguards on interoperability and data sharing. As the Council adopted its mandate in June, interinstitutional negotiations can begin.
Contact: Raquel Carro-Andollo
As part of the European Week of Regions and Cities 2026, SGI Europe will organise a policy debate on Wednesday 14 October, from 16:00 to 17:30 at Square Brussels, exploring how services of general interest can turn the Freedom to Stay into concrete EU policies and regional action.
High-quality, affordable and accessible essential services are central to enabling citizens and businesses to settle and thrive wherever they feel at home. From healthcare, education and childcare to housing, energy, public transport and digital connectivity, these services underpin territorial cohesion, regional attractiveness and a stronger, more inclusive Single Market.
Building on the work of the Coalition for the Freedom to Stay, the debate will examine the investments and policy priorities needed to translate Raffaele Fitto’s “Right to Stay” vision into opportunities across Europe’s diverse territories. How can EU policies reduce territorial disparities, strengthen regional resilience and competitiveness, and ensure that essential services remain within everyone’s reach?
Panellists from different levels of governance will share local case studies and explore how cross-border cooperation can support communities, improve access to services and strengthen the functioning of the Single Market. Participants will also have the opportunity to exchange perspectives and contribute to the discussion on Europe’s next priorities.
The session will bring together perspectives on how essential services can support citizens and enterprises in their home regions, while reinforcing Europe’s economic resilience and social fabric.
Interpretation will be provided in English, French and Spanish. Registration is closed; further details are available on the event page.
Contact: Benoit Cassorla
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