Luxembourg Focuses on Social Security, Worker Protections at EPSCO Council

On Monday 29 June 2026, Luxembourg’s Minister of Labour, Marc Spautz, Minister of Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez, Minister of Family Affairs, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception, Max Hahn, and Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning, Claude Meisch, took part in the meeting of the “Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs” (EPSCO) Council in Luxembourg.

According to the respective ministries, Ministers Deprez and Spautz participated in a debate on fair labour mobility and the future revision of the rules coordinating social security systems.

Martine Deprez emphasised in her intervention that the current revision of the rules coordinating social security systems (EU Regulation No 883/2004), whose adoption is imminent, should first be subject to an evaluation of its practical implementation and called for caution from the European Commission before proceeding with future revisions.

Within the framework of the European Semester, the ministers took note of the Commission’s presentation of the Spring Package and approved the EPSCO Council’s contribution to the country-specific recommendations. These recommendations acknowledge Luxembourg’s ongoing efforts while encouraging the Grand Duchy to continue increasing participation and retention in the labour market, with a view to improving the long-term sustainability of the pension system.

The ministers also took part in the ministerial lunch discussion, which focused on the current issue of protecting workers from the consequences of climate change and exposure to extreme temperatures, during which Luxembourg highlighted national protective measures and advocated for strengthened and adapted European legislation on occupational health and safety to better address future heatwaves.

On the sidelines of the EPSCO Council, Minister Spautz met with his Belgian counterpart, David Clarinval, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture. The discussion focused on possible cooperation in implementing future rules on unemployment coordination. The revision of EU Regulation No 883/2004 introduces a paradigm shift whereby the Member State of last employment becomes responsible, under certain conditions, for the payment and follow-up of jobseekers, including cross-border workers who have lost their job in Luxembourg.

Minister Hahn took part in the ministerial discussion on the EU social package, which addressed, among other topics, the first-ever EU anti-poverty strategy unveiled on 6 May 2026. In his intervention, he presented the main measures of Luxembourg’s first national action plan for the prevention and fight against poverty, presented on 8 December 2025. In addition to adjusting certain social benefits for low-income households or introducing new ones, the plan includes measures to improve access to existing social aid and combat non-take-up, through automation, harmonisation of criteria and simplification of procedures.

On the sidelines of the Council, Minister Hahn exchanged views with his Irish counterpart, Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, on the priorities of the incoming EU Council Presidency and on the situation of persons with disabilities. He also reviewed the Cypriot Presidency with Clea Papaellina, Deputy Minister for Social Protection, focusing on non-discrimination policies. In addition, he met Nataliya Efremova, Bulgarian Minister of Labour and Social Policy, to discuss progress in combating poverty in both countries.

Moreover, Minister Meisch took part in the afternoon session of the EPSCO Council, which was entirely dedicated to housing issues. During the ministerial discussion, he highlighted Luxembourg’s substantial efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing, particularly for students and middle-income households.