EU employment and social affairs ministers to discuss longer working careers

Minister of Employment Arto Satonen will represent Finland at the EU’s Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council in Brussels on 10 March 2025.

At the meeting, the ministers will discuss the European Semester and, in particular, ways to keep older people in the workforce. The EU’s overall target is to achieve an employment rate of 78 per cent by 2030. To meet the target, it is necessary that older people participate in the labour market. 

“Finland faces similar demographic challenges as other EU Member States. The population is ageing rapidly while the birth rate continues to fall. On the other hand, the average retirement age has risen quickly in Finland during this decade, and the Government has launched several measures to extend working careers,” Minister of Employment Satonen says.

The European Semester is a tool for monitoring employment and social development in the EU. The Council is also expected to approve the employment and social aspects of the 2025 recommendation on the economic policy of the euro area as well as the 2025 Joint Employment Report and the Council conclusions on the report.

Council to discuss workers’ right to disconnect

The ministers will also discuss the right of workers to disconnect, i.e. to refrain from engaging in work-related communications during non-work hours. The issue has become topical as remote work has increased. There is currently no European legal framework regulating the right to disconnect, but the European Parliament and employee organisations have requested the Commission to propose an initiative on the issue.

Inquiries:
Jaakko Aromaa, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 110 
Hanna Liski-Wallentowitz, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 060 (solutions for keeping older people in workforce) 
Jere Päivinen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 614 (European Semester)
Seija Jalkanen, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 952 (right to disconnect)
Riikka-Maria Turkia, Chief Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 135 (Coordinator for Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs)