European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities – annual report 2026

Tabled by Anthony Smith, Pasquale Tridico

Added: 6a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, within the framework of the European Semester, to promote high-quality and fairly remunerated traineeships and to prevent their misuse as a substitute for regular employment; calls for the forthcoming directive on improving trainees’ working conditions1a to be ambitious and comprehensive, ensuring the full protection of trainees’ rights, including the possibility of terminating the traineeship without prejudice in the event of a breach of fundamental rights, and calls for the swift conclusion of negotiations; _____________________ 1a Commission proposal of 20 March 2024 for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on improving and enforcing working conditions of trainees and combating regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships (‘Traineeships Directive’) (COM(2024)0132).

Wording as published by the EP, in English. PE782.984v01-00