MEPs on the European Parliament's Employment Committee diverged sharply on the Pay Transparency Directive during a structured dialogue with Commissioner Lahbib on 27 April 2026, with conservative lawmakers calling it bureaucratic red tape while progressives urged full implementation. Lahbib framed gender equality as an economic necessity tied to competitiveness and labour shortages, defending the directive against rollback calls. Mélanie Disdier (PfE) and Margarita de la Pisa Carrión (PfE) attacked the directive as harmful to business competitiveness, while Marianne Vind (S&D), Jana Toom (Renew), Rudi Kennes (The Left), and Evelyn Regner (S&D) pressed for its full enforcement. The cleavage pits business cost concerns against social equity goals, with small and medium-sized enterprises likely facing compliance costs from pay audits and reporting, while women stand to benefit from greater wage transparency. The Commission will monitor transposition by June 2026.
Disability rights: communication due in May, but enforcement questioned
Lahbib announced a May communication enhancing the EU disability strategy, focusing on deinstitutionalisation and independent living. Katrin Langensiepen (Greens/EFA) and Catarina Martins (The Left) demanded stronger enforcement and an end to EU funding for institutions that segregate persons with disabilities. Chiara Gemma (ECR) and Jagna Marczułajtis-Walczak (EPP) pressed for better services and financing. Broad consensus emerged on raising the low employment rate of persons with disabilities and enforcing the UN Convention, though views diverged on means—some favouring stricter conditionality on EU funds, others prioritising service investment. The communication is expected in May 2026.
Preparedness: Lahbib links workplace safety to Quality Jobs Act
Lahbib linked workplace safety to the Quality Jobs Act, noting high sexual harassment rates. On crisis preparedness, Rudi Kennes and Petar Volgin (ESN) criticised what they saw as militarisation of the portfolio, while Lahbib insisted her remit covers floods and wildfires, not just defence. Regina Doherty (EPP) raised the Strait of Hormuz blockade. The exchange highlighted a tension between security-focused preparedness and social protection priorities. Affected stakeholders include women, persons with disabilities, caregivers, employers, and Member States. Next steps include monitoring pay transparency transposition by June and the May disability communication.