PES Social Europe Network calls for ambitious EU action on quality jobs and affordable housing

The Social Europe Network (SEN) of the Party of European Socialists convened today at the PES Headquarters in Brussels to discuss two key priorities for the new EU policy cycle: the upcoming Quality Jobs Roadmap and Quality Jobs Act, and the European Plan for Affordable Housing.

Opening the meeting, Gaby Bischoff, Chair of the Social Europe Network and Vice President of the S&D Group in the European Parliament, underlined that the EU's new political focus of competitiveness and defence must not be to the expense of the pressing need of a reinforced EU social agenda.

Gaby Bischoff said:

"Europe cannot deliver prosperity if it neglects the quality of work and the right to decent, affordable housing. The European Pillar of Social Rights, the Minimum Wage Directive and now the upcoming Quality Jobs Act and the European Affordable Housing Plan all point in the same direction: a Union that protects and empower people in their everyday lives. Quality jobs and affordable housing are not optional. They are fundamental rights. As progressives, we will keep fighting to turn these commitments into concrete changes in workplaces and neighbourhoods across Europe."

The Network welcomed the recent European Court of Justice ruling confirming the validity of the core of the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages. Participants underlined that this ruling is a major success for workers and collective bargaining across Europe and an important step in ensuring fair wages and stronger social rights.

Participants also took stock of recent developments regarding the European Pillar of Social Rights, public procurement and the review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). They voiced concern that social priorities risk being watered down in favour of competitiveness and simplification and stressed the need to reinforce social conditionalities and to protect the role of regions and cities.

Participants then welcomed the announcement that the Commission will soon present the Quality Jobs Roadmap, paving the way for a Quality Jobs Act in 2026 with legislative initiatives. The Network expressed strong support for Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu and called for ambitious measures on the impact of AI at work and the right to disconnect, to tackle labour exploitation, subcontracting abuses, precarious conditions, and the need for a Just Transition that protects workers. Building on the success of the Minimum Wage Directive, they stressed that the Quality Jobs Act must further strengthen fair wages and collective bargaining across the EU.

The Network also raised concerns about increasing deregulation pressures and the growing influence of business lobbies in the EU agenda-setting. PES representatives reiterated that quality jobs must remain a core European priority, and that social conditionalities must be strengthened in future legislation, including public procurement rules.

On this point, Gaby Bischoff added:

"If the EU is serious about social progress, it must resist a race to the bottom on deregulation. Social conditionalities, strong collective bargaining and investment in public and affordable housing strengthen the resilience of our societies and improve the competitiveness that delivers for all."

The second part of the meeting focused on the forthcoming European Affordable Housing Plan, the first-ever EU-wide initiative dedicated to addressing Europe's deepening housing crisis. With more than 1.2 million people experiencing homelessness and millions struggling with unaffordable rents, poor-quality housing, and energy inefficiency, participants stressed the urgency of coordinated European action.

The Network commended the leadership of Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and welcomed the creation of the European Parliament's new Special Committee on the Housing Crisis (HOUS) and the progress made by member states in drafting Council conclusions to be presented soon.

The PES reaffirmed its four key priorities for the Plan:

1. Increasing the supply of affordable, high-quality housing;
2. Ensuring a fair and social energy transition for homes in Europe;
3. Ending homelessness across the EU;
4. Unlocking public and private investment for affordable and sustainable housing.

Concluding the meeting, Chair of the meeting Gaby Bischoff thanked participants for their valuable contributions and underlined that the Social Europe Network will continue to work closely with EU institutions, member parties, trade unions and stakeholders to advance concrete progress on quality jobs and affordable housing across Europe.