Fighting poverty
Spain announces 5.5% hike in minimum wage as ‘tool’ against inequality
Spain's new government on Wednesday (22 January) announced a 5.5% rise in the minimum wage retroactive to 1 January, the third major economic initiative the left-wing coalition has announced since taking office this month.
GDP is not enough to understand inequality, says UNDP chief
At the heart of recent protest movements in Europe and elsewhere is a sense that economic growth has left many people worse off, even if, in most countries, the headline GDP figures suggest that countries are much wealthier.
French government institute welcomes idea of a CAP supporting farmers’ jobs
In a report presented in Paris on 23 October, the government institution France Stratégie proposed to support employment in the agricultural sector rather than the amount of cultivated land. But for this to become reality, a complete overhaul of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy is needed. EURACTIV France reports.
Increasing solidarity between women – a tool against insecurity in Europe
Many women in Europe still live in precarious conditions. To deal with this, solidarity between women is an essential tool, according to participants of the conference "Elles font bouger l'Europe" (Women make Europe move). EURACTIV France reports.
To promote social cohesion, conflicts need to be part of the debate
Community and belonging - what do these terms mean in an increasingly diverse and identity-focused world? At the Young Europeans' Forum 2019 that took place in Berlin in June, young people discussed what makes a good society and how social cohesion can be promoted at an individual level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Basic income: the meaning of unpaid work
The German crowdfunding project "Mein Grundeinkommen” (my basic income) has already funded 300 people who have benefitted from a monthly income of €1,000 for a year and 13 Departments in France are eager to introduce such a financial subsidy. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Reform programmes should compensate low-income workers, OECD says
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has urged governments to pay attention to the consequences of their policies and compensate vulnerable groups that could be hit by new taxes.
Magic bus for the homeless to start driving around Belgrade
A new kind of special-purpose bus will start touring the streets of Belgrade before the end of the year, providing help for the most vulnerable group of its residents - the homeless. EURACTIV Serbia reports.
The EU’s patchwork social pillar on work-life balance
The patchwork of policies on work-life balance across the EU reflect differing levels of commitment to the EU's Social Pillar.
Use vouchers to combat grey economy, EU report urges government
EU countries should pilot voucher schemes to assess whether they can be used to combat the grey economy, according to a new report.
Market-making for Burundi’s farmers
One of the main causes of food insecurity for farmers in rural areas is limited access to agricultural inputs. Donors, NGOs and governments are using a variety of new tools to improve access to basic products.
Are vouchers an alternative to cash in humanitarian aid
The popular image of humanitarian aid in public consciousness is of trucks loaded with essential foods being handed out to refugees.
Commission ready to boost cash support in humanitarian aid
The European Commission is aiming to boost the proportion of humanitarian aid it hands out as cash. But most payments are actually made by banking cards very similar to regular ATM cards.
‘Let’s do our work’ on social policy, Juncker tells member states
Europe’s credibility hinges on national leaders agreeing social legislation that applies across the bloc, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Friday (17 November) at a summit with leaders from EU countries in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Healthy food offers healthy returns to all
Experts say all companies can benefit from encouraging healthier food choices, but businesses are still hesitant to make the investments needed.
Making Europe digitally fit
Time is at a premium and many people simply don’t have enough of it to shop, cook and eat healthily. How can new technologies induce change in the eating habits of workers?
Much ado about fish fingers
As European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivered his State of the European Union address last month, there were several issues which sparked his passion. But one came as a surprise to the audience: fish fingers.
Policymakers push for healthy eating choices at lunchtime
It can be easy to make the wrong food choices during your lunch break. But policymakers are trying to make lunchtime a more satisfying, healthy experience for employees.
UN calls for global economic makeover to replace neoliberalism
The world must ditch austerity and economic neoliberalism and undertake a global "New Deal" to rebalance the global economy and achieve prosperity for all, the UN trade and development agency UNCTAD said in a report on Thursday (14 September).
Commission wants new EU labour authority to crack down on worker abuse
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker wants to set up a new EU institution to monitor how labour law is applied in member states. The Commission will outline its plans for the supervisory authority by the end of 2018.
Estonian minister: The digital economy needs more social Europe
There needs to be an EU-wide solution to precarious app economy jobs, said Estonian Labour and Health Minister Jevgeni Ossinovski in an interview with EURACTIV.com.
Lead MEP: Macron’s campaign on posted workers could deepen east-west divide
The centre-right French MEP in charge of guiding the controversial posting of workers directive through the European Parliament has lashed out at Emmanuel Macron after he promised to strike a compromise on the legislation by the end of this year.
‘Demographic dependency’ casts shadow over employment report
Young people in Europe will be squeezed by shrinking pensions and demographic change, adding pressure to under 25-year-olds who are already weighed down by a stubbornly high unemployment rate.