EU ministers to discuss electromagnetic fields and employment
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) will convene in Luxembourg on 4 October. Finland will be represented at the meeting by Paula Risikko, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, and Janne Metsämäki, State Secretary at the Ministry of Employment and the Economy.
The aim is for ministers of employment and social affairs to reach agreement on a proposal for a directive which would protect workers from excessive exposure to electromagnetic fields. Finland has played a major role in preparing the proposal, which is in line with the country's objectives. It is important to Finland that the directive allows the limit values to be exceeded momentarily. This will enable the continued use of magnetic images for medical purposes and of radio and radar devices by the Defence Forces.
In addition, the ministers will discuss experiences gathered from the European Semester for the Europe 2020 strategy, which concerns growth and employment. The European Semester has developed in a more positive direction than the previous year. However, Finland would like more time for the consideration of country-level recommendations. It would also be important to ensure that discussions focus on core issues from the perspective of economic growth and employment.
In addition, conclusions on child welfare and poverty will be approved. The Council's position on this corresponds to the Finnish Government's policy on preventing the social exclusion of children and young people. Broad cooperation, for example between healthcare, social welfare services and schools, is a prerequisite for enhancing child welfare.
Further information:Liisa Heinonen, Senior Adviser, Ministry of Employment and the Economy,
tel +358 (0)50 396 0605
Merja Mustonen, Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health,
tel. +358 (0)50 364 7816
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European Union: social, health and gender equality issuesLink to an external website