Decisions (EU) 2020/1512 and 2021/1868 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States
They provide guidance for European Union (EU) Member States when drafting their employment policies and setting national targets, to ensure coordinated EU policies. In 2021 the European Commission proposed to carry over the 2020 employment guidelines, as set out in Decision (EU) 2020/1512, while adjusting the recitals to reflect the outcomes of the Porto Social Summit and the European Pillar of Social Rights action plan. The 2021 employment guidelines were adopted by the Council of the European Union on 15 October 2021.
The 2021 employment guidelines, as set out in 2020, continue to focus on the following.
Boosting the demand for labour
Member States should take a number of steps, including:
Enhancing labour supply and improving access to employment, skills and competences
Member States should:
Enhancing the functioning of labour markets and the effectiveness of social dialogue
Member States should:
Promoting equal opportunities for all, fostering social inclusion and fighting poverty
Member States should:
Decision (EU) 2020/1512 has applied since 20 October 2020 and Decision (EU) 2021/1868 has applied since 20 October 2021.
The guidelines are consistent with the Stability and Growth Pact and other EU laws and initiatives, including those on:
These initiatives are combined in the European semester, which implements the European employment strategy and supports the delivery of the sustainable development goals.
Council Decision (EU) 2020/1512 of 13 October 2020 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 344, 19.10.2020, pp. 22–28).
Council Decision (EU) 2021/1868 of 15 October 2021 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 379, 26.10.2021, pp. 1–5).
Interinstitutional Proclamation on the European Pillar of Social Rights (OJ C 428, 13.12.2017, pp. 10–15).
Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – Part Three – Union policies and internal actions – Title VIII – Economic and monetary policy – Chapter 1 – Economic policy – Article 121 (ex Article 99 TEC) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 97–98).
Consolidated version of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union – Part Three – Union policies and internal actions – Title IX – Employment – Article 148 (ex Article 128 TEC) (OJ C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 112–113).
Council Recommendation (EU) 2015/1184 of 14 July 2015 on broad guidelines for the economic policies of the Member States and of the European Union (OJ L 192, 18.7.2015, pp. 27–31).
Council Decision 2010/707/EU of 21 October 2010 on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (OJ L 308, 24.11.2010, pp. 46–51).
last update 12.05.2022