Press Release – 3339th Council meeting Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs – Luxembourg, 16 October 2014

Main results of the Council

Mid-term review of the EU 2020 strategy

The Council held a policy debate on the mid-term review of the EU 2020 strategy, including the European Semester. The President of the Council, Giuliano Poletti, said: 'We had a fruitful discussion, analysing both the limits and effectiveness of the existing tools, with a view to identifying those measures deemed necessary to give new impetus to the revised Strategy and address the multiple challenges we will be facing in the coming years'.

Platform against undeclared work

The Council reached a general approach on a decision establishing a new Platform to improve prevention and deterrence of undeclared work. Minister Poletti said: 'Undeclared work unfortunately represents a widespread phenomenon which has a negative impact on workers, businesses and governments. I am glad that, during the Italian Presidency, the Council reached an agreement on the proposal for establishing a European Platform to tackle undeclared work'.

Ministers also discussed 'parental and maternity leave: a way to reconcile work, family and private life'.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/592: Council of Employment and Social Policy Ministers, 16 October 2014, Luxembourg http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-592_en.htm

ESO: Background information: General approach on a EU platform against undeclared work http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-general-approach-on-a-eu-platform-against-undeclared-work/

ESO: Background information: EU states to step up Ebola screening in west Africa http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-states-to-step-up-ebola-screening-in-west-africa/

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