Economy & Jobs
EU sees ‘decisive moment’ for building single capital market
The European Union set out its third wave of reforms in six years on Thursday (25 November) to try to build a seamless securities market that can compete better with London and New York, a step that will pit stock exchanges against rival platforms.
Portugal’s vaccination rate gives Commission confidence on economic recovery
The European Commission remains confident in a successful recovery of the Portuguese economy, especially as the COVID-19 vaccination rate in the country is so high. As part of the “autumn package” adopted on Wednesday, the EU executive has published the latest post-programme...OpinionPromoted content
Brave New World of Work?
Justin Nogarede is Digital Policy Adviser at FEPS (Foundation for European Progressive Studies). Introduction With the Covid-19 pandemic, the shift to digital tools and algorithmic systems at the workplace has accelerated. While some of this is obviously helpful – such...
Living wages hang in the balance as MEPs try to derail Directive
The European Parliament is set to adopt a text that would be a huge step towards delivering a living wage to millions across the EU – but the directive’s future is now in question as a group of Nordic MEPs try to stop it in its tracks, writes Alva Finn.
EU Lawmakers vote “European Super League” is a threat
The “European Super League” project is considered a threat to European solidarity and inclusiveness in sport following a resolution adopted by the European Parliament today.
Spain eyes EU Solidarity Fund for La Palma volcano damage
Spain will formally ask the European Commission to activate the EU Solidarity Fund to obtain extra resources to repair the damage caused by the volcanic eruption on La Palma island, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Friday. EURACTIV’s partner EFE...
Between flexibility and precariousness, all eyes are on Brussels’ move on platform workers
The European Commission, which is due to present its proposal on platform workers on 8 December, faces a tricky balancing act: ensuring decent working conditions while maintaining the flexibility of a booming sector.
COVID recovery euros slow down EU structural fund planning
As predicted, recovery money planning has maxed out administrative capacity in many member states at the expense of the EU's long-standing structural investment program, which now faces delays.
New business partnerships help refugee women enter the workforce
Refugee women face lower levels of employment in Europe than their male counterparts or native-born females, according to a new report from Economist Impact. In response, 25 businesses have pledged to mentor over 1,200 refugee women and help them enter the workforce.
Green jobs and the green transition: A long, bumpy but exciting journey
The green transition will profoundly impact Europe's labour markets. While a few regions will be exposed to job losses in fossil fuel-reliant sectors like coal mining, the energy transition will keep generating demand for low- and medium-skilled roles, write Maroš Šefčovič and Bertrand Piccard.
Getting balance right on UK euro clearing may take years, says EU official
The European Union won't suddenly pull up the "drawbridge" on Britain's financial services sector, and reducing reliance on the City of London for euro clearing could take years, a top European Commission official said on Tuesday (16 November).
Worlds apart: Switzerland and EU keep talking past each other
The Swiss foreign minister was in Brussels to launch a political dialogue between the EU and Switzerland six months after the Swiss government decided to stop negotiations on a framework agreement between the EU and Switzerland.
COVID-19 fourth wave: Germany considers extending business support until March
As Germany battles its fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic, prospects for the coming holiday season are gloomy, forcing the government to consider extending financial assistance for struggling businesses until March 2022.
EU lawmakers vote to strengthen collective bargaining
Members of the employment and social affairs committee of the European Parliament voted on a draft EU law that aims to ensure decent minimum wage protection in the EU. Compared to the Commission’s version, MEPs strive for more ambition on collective bargaining.
Spain, EU Commission agree on instrument to finance recovery plan
Spain’s left-wing government has signed an agreement with the Commission detailing all operational instruments of the country’s national recovery plan, a formal step which will allow Madrid to request, shortly, the first half-yearly “tranche” of €10 billion from EU resources.
Facing election, France urges EU caution on trade deals
France urged EU partners on Thursday to proceed more firmly and cautiously with trade negotiations, while denying it was blocking the conclusion of any deal before its presidential election in April.
EU Commission raises 2021 growth forecast, sees strong 2022
The euro zone economy will grow faster than previously expected this year as it recovers from the pandemic-induced recession and continue to expand strongly in 2022 with deficits and public debt falling, the European Commission forecast on Thursday.
EU to give City of London a reprieve over euro clearing
The European Union gave the City of London a reprieve on Wednesday (10 November), saying it will allow clearing houses in Britain to continue serving customers in the bloc beyond next June, when market access was set to expire.
German climate policy needs international scope to succeed, says economic expert council
Germany should put more emphasis on international cooperation in the fight against climate change, the country's Council of Economic Experts said in its annual report, Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) reports.
Basel III: Member states see national financial stability at risk
Member states with a significant presence of foreign banks fear that the EU Commission’s proposal to implement the Basel III agreement sacrifices their national financial stability to integrate the EU’s banking sector.
Fiscal rule reform debate is back on, Slovenia says
EU finance ministers on Tuesday (9 November) relaunched the discussion on reforming the fiscal rule, which has been on hold since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Slovenian EU presidency said.
Long road ahead on Erasmus’ green journey
Erasmus, the EU-wide study away programme, is meant to help the bloc’s growing green ambitions but a lack of data and pressure to deliver is making that difficult, despite interest from young participants and the first decarbonisation incentives already in...
Eurogroup ministers discuss economic governance framework
Monday’s meeting of the eurozone finance ministers was the first opportunity to discuss the review of the EU’s economic governance framework. While Commissioner Gentiloni hoped for a fresh start in the debate, the Austrian finance minister Gernot Blümel insisted on keeping the current rules.