Jobs, social affairs & equality › Social protection & poverty

Latest decisions

1. Coordination of social security systems

   Parliament adopted its position on a proposed law updating the coordination of social security systems across EU member states. The law aims to make it easier for people moving within Europe to keep their social security rights, including unemployment benefits, long-term care, and family benefits. Parliament's position includes changes to unemployment benefit export periods, aggregation of insurance periods, and clarifications on cross-border workers. It also calls for better cooperation between authorities and digitalisation of documents.

   Jobs, social affairs & equality

   7 Jul 2026 · New laws · report by Gabriele Bischoff · 1st reading · 2 ballots · voted 13:33 · A-8-2018-0386 · 2016/0397

   Adopted 511–87–61 · by a large majority
2. Gender pay and pension gap in the EU: state of play, challenges and the way forward, and developing guidelines for the better evaluation and fairer remuneration of work in female-dominated sectors

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the gender pay and pension gap in the EU, covering its causes and ways to close it. The text calls for better tools to value work, pay transparency, stronger enforcement of equal pay laws, and improved care services. It asks the Commission to address these issues in the next Gender Equality Strategy.

   Jobs, social affairs & equality

   11 Mar 2026 · Resolutions · report by Irena Joveva, Mirosława Nykiel · 6 ballots · voted 12:56 · A-10-2026-0021 · 2025/2038

   Adopted 458–72–98 · by a large majority
3. European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2026

   Parliament adopted its resolution on employment and social priorities for the 2026 European Semester, setting out its position on coordinating economic, employment and social policies across the EU. The text calls for stronger integration of social objectives into EU economic governance, with the European Pillar of Social Rights at its core, and for measurable social targets to guide country-specific recommendations. It also urges an ambitious EU anti-poverty strategy, action on child poverty, and investment in people, including education, training and affordable housing, to address labour shortages and support sustainable growth.

   Economy & single marketJobs, social affairs & equality

   11 Mar 2026 · Resolutions · report by Nela Riehl · 32 ballots · voted 13:02 · A-10-2026-0033 · 2025/2183

   Adopted 404–208–20 · by a large majority
4. Developing a new EU anti-poverty strategy

   Parliament adopted a resolution calling for a new EU anti-poverty strategy that treats poverty as a violation of human rights and aims to eradicate it by 2030. The text urges the Commission and member states to set full employment as a policy goal, strengthen social protection, and ensure universal access to quality public services. It also asks for a specific EU budget allocation of at least EUR 20 billion for the European Child Guarantee under the next multiannual financial framework.

   Jobs, social affairs & equality

   12 Feb 2026 · Resolutions · report by João Oliveira · 27 ballots · voted 12:19 · A-10-2025-0260 · 2025/2095

   Adopted 385–141–53 · by a large majority
5. Second World Summit for Social Development

   Parliament adopted a resolution setting out its position ahead of the Second World Summit for Social Development, which will take place under the UN umbrella. The text stresses the EU's commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the European Pillar of Social Rights, and highlights persistent inequalities, poverty, housing and skills challenges. It calls for stronger social convergence, quality jobs, and measures to address demographic change and labour shortages.

   Jobs, social affairs & equality

   9 Oct 2025 · Resolutions · motion for a resolution · 25 ballots · voted 13:29 · B-10-2025-0408 · 2025/2654

   Adopted 360–210–37 · by a clear majority
6. Amending of Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund + (ESF+) as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges

   EU budget & fundsJobs, social affairs & equality

   7 May 2025 · New laws · 1st reading · voted 13:23

   Adopted 370–268–16 · by a clear majority
7. European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2025

   Parliament adopted a resolution setting out its employment and social priorities for the 2025 European Semester, the EU's annual cycle of economic policy coordination. The text calls for modernising labour markets, strengthening social protection, and investing in education and training to address labour shortages and demographic change. It also urges better support for the social economy, small firms, and affordable housing, and stresses the need to fight poverty and social exclusion. The resolution is non-binding, but it becomes Parliament's official position on the matter.

   Jobs, social affairs & equality

   12 Mar 2025 · Resolutions · committee report · 83 ballots · voted 12:14 · A-10-2025-0023 · 2024/2084

   Adopted 351–260–70 · by a clear majority
8. European Social Fund Plus post-2027

   Parliament adopted a resolution on the future of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) after 2027. The text sets out Parliament's position on how the fund should be shaped, including a call to double its budget. It asks the Commission to keep the ESF+ as a standalone fund and not merge or split it with other funds.

   EU budget & fundsJobs, social affairs & equality

   11 Mar 2025 · Resolutions · report by Marit Maij · 13 ballots · voted 12:58 · A-10-2025-0014 · 2024/2077

   Adopted 432–155–82 · by a large majority

Dossiers involved · latest vote first

1. 2016/0397 Coordination of social security systems 7 Jul 2026 · 1 vote
2. 2025/2038 Gender pay and pension gap in the EU: state of play, challenges and the way forward, and developing guidelines for the better evaluation and fairer remuneration of work in female-dominated sectors 11 Mar 2026 · 1 vote
3. 2025/2183 European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2026 11 Mar 2026 · 1 vote
4. 2025/2095 Developing a new EU anti-poverty strategy 12 Feb 2026 · 1 vote
5. 2025/2654 Second World Summit for Social Development 9 Oct 2025 · 1 vote
6. 2024/2084 European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social priorities for 2025 12 Mar 2025 · 1 vote
7. 2024/2077 European Social Fund Plus post-2027 11 Mar 2025 · 1 vote

Who backs what

How each group's majority voted on the 8 most recent final roll calls about social protection & poverty. A group is "split" when no position won among its members.

The latest final votes, group by group