Overview
The policy initiative analysed is the legislative file 2024/0068(COD), known as the 'Traineeships Directive'. Its core objective is to improve and enforce the working conditions of trainees and to combat regular employment relationships disguised as traineeships. The procedure is ongoing, with the European Parliament currently awaiting its position in the first reading. This analysis is based on the European Parliament committee report (A-10-2025-0174) and a Council preparatory document for interinstitutional negotiations (ST 14277 2025 INIT).
Legislative timeline
The legislative procedure began with the referral to the European Parliament's committee on 13 November 2024. Key committee work took place throughout early 2025, with the committee report tabled on 24 February 2025 and subsequently adopted on 23 September 2025. The file was tabled for a plenary session on 1 October 2025, and the plenary endorsed the committee's mandate to enter interinstitutional negotiations on 8 October 2025. The first interinstitutional negotiation (trilogue) was held on 24 February 2026. The Council adopted its general approach (negotiating mandate) on 28 October 2025.
Institutional handling
The lead committee in the European Parliament is the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs. The Committees on Culture and Education and on Legal Affairs have provided opinions. Within the European Commission, the Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (EMPL) is responsible, under Commissioner Roxana Mînzatu. In the Council of the EU, the file is handled by the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council configuration (EPSCO).
Stakeholder reactions
There has been significant stakeholder engagement during the legislative process, with 59 documented meetings held with Members of the European Parliament. These involved 47 distinct organisations. The most active stakeholders in these engagements include HOTREC (Hotels, Restaurants & Cafés in Europe), the Permanent Representations of Cyprus and Poland to the EU, the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions, and the European Youth Forum.
Media coverage
Media attention has been noted in one article from Brussels. The article contextualises the directive within broader EU policy debates, covering topics such as workers’ protections alongside other Union budgetary and employment fund matters.