27 March 2026
On 24 and 25 March 2026, SGI Europe and its members took part in the Employment Committee (EMCO) Policy Analysis Group (PAG) tripartite dialogue on the gender dimensions of job quality. The meeting brought together Member States, EU institutions, social partners and EU agencies to exchange on policy challenges and share national experiences in improving job quality for women.
Discussions focused on key structural challenges affecting women in the labour market, including sectoral segregation, the gender pay gap, career progression, and work-life balance, as well as the role of collective bargaining and social dialogue in addressing these issues. The dialogue was structured around concrete examples and evidence presented by Member States and EU agencies, providing a rich overview of both progress made and remaining gaps.
The meeting provided a constructive platform for exchange, with strong engagement from all participants. Social partners highlighted their practical role in shaping solutions on the ground. At the same time, Member State representatives and EU agencies brought forward valuable examples and evidence-based practices to inform future policy discussions.
SGI Europe underlined the importance of strengthening social dialogue, supporting women’s full-time participation in the labour market and addressing the role of care in shaping job quality and employment outcomes.
Contact: Astrid Nordberg
On 26 March 2026, SGI Europe participated in the first meeting of the Talent for Innovation Attraction Platform and the 8th meeting of the Labour Migration Platform, organised by the European Commission in Brussels. The events brought together representatives from Member States, EU institutions and social partners to strengthen coordination between migration, employment and innovation policies.
The morning session focused on EU initiatives aimed at attracting global talent to bolster Europe’s innovation capacity. Discussions highlighted persistent labour and skills shortages in innovation-related sectors, which have significantly increased in recent years and are expected to continue. Participants exchanged views on how to improve legal migration pathways and create a more attractive environment for highly skilled workers, researchers and entrepreneurs.
In the afternoon, the Labour Migration Platform addressed key structural barriers affecting the integration of third-country nationals. A central discussion focused on the Skills Portability Initiative, which aims to simplify the recognition of qualifications and validation of skills. Current procedures remain complex and fragmented, limiting both talent attraction and effective labour market integration. Participants also discussed the posting of third-country nationals, highlighting challenges in enforcing EU rules and the need for stronger administrative cooperation among Member States.
Ensuring that talent attraction and labour migration frameworks support the delivery of services of general interest across all territories remains crucial for SGI Europe. Addressing skills shortages in essential sectors and improving the usability of migration pathways remain key to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, cohesion and resilience.
Contact: Cecilia Martin
On 23 March 2026, European cross-sectoral social partners issued a joint statement calling on EU institutions to swiftly finalise the revision of Regulations 883/2004 and 987/2009 on the coordination of social security systems.
These rules are a cornerstone of the EU framework supporting the free movement of workers and services. Social partners underline that, after nearly two decades of discussions, 19 Council Presidencies and two provisional agreements, the time has come to reach a final compromise, particularly in view of the upcoming Fair Labour Mobility Package.
The joint statement highlights the need for a modernised and workable framework that facilitates mobility while ensuring compliance with social security coordination rules. In this context, social partners support a balanced approach to prior notification, establishing it as a general rule while introducing proportionate exemptions for business trips and very short postings, with specific considerations for certain sectors such as construction.
They also emphasise the importance of further digitalisation of procedures, notably through more efficient systems for requesting and receiving social security attestations, including automated acknowledgements where notification is required.
Finally, social partners call for clear and practical solutions on remaining sensitive issues, including unemployment benefits and rules on pluriactivity, stressing the need to ensure legal certainty for both workers and employers.
For SGI Europe, this joint call reflects the importance of maintaining a predictable and efficient framework to support labour mobility across Europe.
Contact: Guillaume Afellat
On Thursday, 26 March, the Plenary of the European Parliament adopted its position on the Omnibus proposal amending the Artificial Intelligence Act, with 569 votes in favour, 45 against and 23 abstentions. Through the approved text, the Parliament aims to delay the application of certain rules on high-risk AI systems to ensure that companies have the necessary guidance and standards when they must apply them.
In particular, rules for high-risk AI systems listed in the AI regulation, such as those involving biometrics, would only apply from December 2027. Meanwhile, rules regarding AI systems in EU sectoral legislation on safety and market surveillance would apply from August 2028. Support measures for SMEs will also be extended to small mid-cap companies to support their growth further. MEPs also suggest introducing a new ban on “nudifier” systems that use AI tools to create or manipulate sexually explicit or intimate images without the person’s consent.
Furthermore, service providers will be allowed to process personal data to detect and correct biases in AI systems, provided that the necessary safeguards are in place. Finally, the Parliament advocates for less stringent obligations under the AI Act for products that already fall within the scope of sectoral EU product safety rules, including medical devices, toys, or radio equipment.
Negotiations with the Council can now begin, since Member States adopted their position earlier in March.
Contact: Raquel Carro-Andollo
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