Committees · Employment and Social Affairs

EMPL

2 ESN seats

Employment and Social Affairs.

The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs is responsible for employment and social policy.

ESN seats

Members total

Subcommittees

2024–29

10th term

Mandate & Tasks

What This Committee Handles.

Its remit includes social security, worker mobility, occupational health and safety, workplace discrimination, vocational training and labour-market policy. EMPL also scrutinises the European Social Fund Plus and works with decentralised EU agencies that provide evidence and expertise in areas covered by the committee.

Key facts · EMPL

Full name

Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Size

60 members

ESN seats

2 of 60

Subcommittees

Meeting cycle

Legal basis

Annex VI of the EP Rules of Procedure

ESN in EMPL

Posting of workers, traineeships, vocational education and protection against dangerous substances at work.

— ESN Committee Booklet · Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

Remit

Four Policy Areas of the Committee.

ESN Position

Our Line in the Committee.

The Group’s priorities in this committee, as set out in the ESN Committee Booklet.

Member States' Right to Legislate

In line with subsidiarity and proportionality, ESN defends the right of sovereign Member States to legislate on employment and social matters according to their national priorities, institutional systems and economic and demographic circumstances.

Job Creation and Traditional Industries

ESN supports job creation and the protection of existing skills and employment, particularly in key traditional industries.

Social Policies Supporting Families

It promotes growth-oriented social policies that support families with children, recognise family care and encourage personal responsibility and economic participation.

ESN Members in EMPL

Two Seats in This Committee.

The two ESN seats in EMPL are held by the Members listed below. The named assignment is updated at the start of each session period.

Full Member

Petr BYSTRON

Full Member

Petar VOLGIN

Substitute Member

René AUST

As of 2026 · Full list with named assignments available on request from the secretariat

Track record

Key Achievements.

In EMPL, ESN has helped form majorities against initiatives that would weaken the competence of the Member States in labour and social policy. Its interventions, amendments and voting work have emphasised investment in small and medium-sized enterprises, vocational education and training, talent retention, economic growth and competitiveness. ESN members have defended jobs in key sectors against disproportionate climate-related requirements and promoted stronger support for families, mothers and responses to Europe’s demographic challenges. ESN has also argued that public funds should be allocated transparently according to citizens’ needs, national priorities and merit.

ESN in action

Opposed EU measures that encroach on national social-policy competences.

Defended jobs, skills and traditional European industries.

Promoted family-supportive and growth-oriented social policy.

Outlook

Looking Ahead.

EMPL is working on files concerning the posting of workers, traineeships, vocational education and protection against dangerous substances at work. ESN will continue to stress the prerogatives of the Member States in designing labour, social-security and employment policies. In debates on the next EU budget, ESN will prioritise workers, businesses, industry, vocational training and family policy while opposing expenditure that it considers ineffective or economically damaging.

Documents

From the Parliament.

Studies, briefings and meeting documents of this committee, published by the European Parliament.

Opinion · 2026

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the 28th regime corporate legal framework – 'EU Inc.'

Opinion Letter · 2026

Opinion on Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Finland

Opinion Letter · 2026

Opinion on Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers following an application from Belgium — EGF/2026/001 BE/Cora

Opinion · 2026

General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027 - all sections

Provisional Agreement · 2026

Proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2004/37/EC as regards the addition of substances and setting limit values in its Annexes I, III and IIIa

Opinion Letter · 2026

Opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of a broad package of agreements to consolidate, deepen and expand the bilateral relations with the Swiss Confederation

Draft Opinion · 2026

General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2027 - all sections

Draft Opinion · 2026

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the 28th regime corporate legal framework – 'EU Inc.'

Related committees

Also of Interest.

Three closely related committees in which the ESN Group is represented.

HOUS

Housing Crisis in the European Union

The Special Committee on the Housing Crisis in the European Union examines the causes of housing shortages and declining affordability and proposes solutions for decent, sustainable and affordable housing.

FISC

Tax Matters

The Subcommittee on Tax Matters focuses on EU tax policy, tax transparency, corporate taxation and the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion.

BUDG

Budgets

The Committee on Budgets is responsible for establishing the European Union's annual budget and shaping the Multiannual Financial Framework.