Hungary welcomes suggestions.

The first meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) took place this mid-July under the Hungarian Council Presidency. Topics discussed included the European Semester, the shortage of skilled workers and the correlated integration and reintegration of people with disabilities into the labour market. Holding the Council Presidency, Hungary had put this topic on the agenda, promoting the participation of people with disabilities being one of its priorities. Hungary will consider the information exchanged with the Member States in drafting the Council conclusions. 

Integration into the open labour market

Member States were asked to respond to three questions calling for an explanation of their position on the topic of inclusion of people with disabilities. In addition to measures and policy instruments to promote participation in the open labour market, Member States should also address national targets for increasing the employment rate of people with disabilities. The need for the European Commission’s support was also surveyed. Helena Dalli, the European Commissioner for Equality, took part in the discussion. She began by emphasising the importance of cooperation between Member States and the European Commission in implementing the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030.

Besides the Chair of the Social Protection Committee, a representative of the Employment Committee (EMCO) also had the opportunity to speak. EMCO supports EPSCO in an advisory capacity, particularly with regard to promoting the coordination of employment and labour market policy at European and national level. Successful integration requires a holistic approach that covers the entire life cycle. Measures should therefore not only be taken in working life, but as early as the school-going age. It is also important to improve the collection of relevant data on the situation of people with disabilities and use this for the implementation of national strategies.

Positions of the Member States

When presenting the national measures, it quickly became clear that many Member States rely on quota systems and financial incentives for the integration of people with disabilities into the open labour market. An exchange on this was unanimously welcomed as each country pursues a different approach to implementation. Other initiatives focus on tailored advisory services, the adaptation of national laws and vocational training programmes. National employment rates exist in some countries. In this respect, all countries follow the same goal – successful integration of more people with disabilities into the open labour market.  

Many Member States - including, for example, Bulgaria, Finland, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Slovenia - were in favour of an exchange of best practices with European Commission’s support. Hungary emphasised that promoting the participation of disabled people in the open labour market also helps to mobilise the existing labour reserve. The Council Presidency's efforts to achieve progress for people with disabilities will be fleshed out further this autumn. The planned Council conclusions on the social inclusion of people with disabilities are to be adopted on 2 December 2024.