Poverty and social exclusion on the agenda for EU ministers’ meeting on 9 March

EU ministers will convene for a meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 9 March. Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman will represent Finland at the meeting.

The ministers will have a policy debate on what approaches Member States should adopt to break the poverty cycle and prevent social exclusion. The topic is linked to the upcoming first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, which the Commission is expected to publish by next autumn. 

According to the background material for the meeting, preventing poverty and social exclusion calls for more comprehensive and effective policy responses. Person-centred enabling and activation services, together with early support, play a key role here. These services are needed along with income security. Breaking the cycle of poverty and exclusion also calls for collaboration across government branches.

Finland emphasises the importance of strengthening people’s inclusion and improving their capacity and ability to work, reducing unemployment and increasing activation. Finland considers that these policy responses would have a positive impact on economic sustainability, productivity of businesses and competitiveness.

Finland emphasises the need to monitor AI use

Under the agenda item on the 2026 European Semester, the ministers will discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen quality jobs and workers’ rights. Finland emphasises the importance of closely monitoring how AI use develops while working together to tackle any challenges and sharing the benefits.  

Reducing child poverty requires early measures 

The ministers are expected to approve Council conclusions on investing in children, with a view to strengthening child wellbeing, promoting social inclusion and combating child poverty in the EU. The conclusions highlight the crucial role of early childhood. 

As part of the European Semester cycle, the Council will approve the contribution on the employment and social aspects of the 2026 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area. It is also expected to adopt the 2026 Joint Employment Report and approve conclusions on this report. The ministers will also adopt a Council recommendation on human capital, which provides guidance to Member States on tackling labour and skills shortages across the EU. 

Finally, the ministers will approve key messages from the Employment Committee on the review of the implementation of the Youth Guarantee.

Inquiries:

Nuutti Hyttinen, Special Adviser to the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 07
Juuli Hakulinen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 29 516 3283
Riikka-Maria Turkia, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7135

Email address are in the format [email protected]