Future of Work

EU lawmakers push for better protection of bogus self-employed
EU lawmakers quizzed the European Commission executive vice-president, Margrethe Vestager, about new guidelines that would enable self-employed people to seek the protection of collective bargaining agreements, with both sides agreeing that such a right should be guaranteed.
Workers should not bear sole responsibility for re-skilling, say unions
The EU Commission is proposing individual learning accounts to equip Europeans with the necessary skills for the coming transitions. Some workers’ representatives, however, fear that this might leave workers with the brunt of the responsibility.OpinionPromoted content

Appropriate and less restrictive agency work regulation will drive economic and social recovery in Europe
Ongoing attempts both at the European and national levels to restrict agency work risks jeopardizing the key contribution that the sector can make to the recovery of European economies and the sustainability of their labour markets.
Can the AI regulation save workers from surveillance capitalism?
As algorithms continue to have an ever more crucial role in the workplace, lawmakers are concerned over their influence on workers' rights and wellbeing. A risk-based approach to Artificial Intelligence regulation tries to tackle this challenge, but is it enough?OpinionPromoted content

Why skilling policies should embrace career guidance to futureproof employability
As the EU Member States’ recovery plans feature a decent share of spending towards adult learning and skills, the career management sector believes that policymakers still miss out on one crucial ingredient to make labour markets transitions truly effective and...
EU states dedicate €150 billion of recovery funds to social spending
EU governments will spend around €150 billion of the recovery fund in social objetives, with half of this money allocated to education and health, according to European Commission’s preliminary figures.
Europe leaves austerity behind with job-driven recovery
National recovery plans are expected to create at least 800,000 jobs by 2022 in the EU, thanks to additional public and private investment and planned reforms in member states, according to the European Commission.OpinionPromoted content

Beyond the Mirage: Classifying ‘work platforms’ is as important for decent work as classifying workers
The time for talking is over. Following years of roundtables, research papers, and policy advice, legislators are stepping up to the plate to regulate platform work. Jochem de Boer is Public Affairs Manager at World Employment Confederation-Europe. So far, it...OpinionPromoted content

Sectoral Social Dialogue is essential for driving the economic recovery in Europe
The COVID-19 pandemic has deeply impacted and transformed labour markets and the way we work. Remote working has become the norm for many people. Workers need new skills, training and guidance to adapt to new realities and sustain their employability....
Pandemic ‘pressure cooker’ has accelerated changes at work
The Covid–19 pandemic has created a “pressure cooker” that has accelerated the process of changes at work and challenged concepts of social protection, EU officials and stakeholders said at a recent event hosted by EURACTIV.OpinionPromoted content

Has Covid-19 left a ‘pandemic scar’ on young people?
The end is in sight. Restrictions are lifting and slowly but surely, we’re starting to feel ‘normal’ again. Across Europe and beyond, offices are starting to reopen, empty classrooms have welcomed back students, and spending time with family and friends...
The Brief – Wifi by the sea
Sitting on the beach with an overpriced cocktail in the Montenegrin resort town of Budva while furiously typing away stories on EU affairs would sound like a dream if it was not preceded by a desperate tour-de-ville looking for a stable wireless connection.
Europe turns to active labour market policies to beef up job recovery
The European Commission wants member states to adopt measures to support workers’ hiring and retraining in the aftermath of the pandemic, as the green and digital transitions will shake up a European job market already in pain because of COVID-19.OpinionStakeholder Opinion

Back from Porto – making the Action Plan on the European Pillar of Social Rights a reality
The Porto Social Summit has set new ambitious employment and social targets for the European Union. Ambitious but achievable, especially if the EU and its Member States set an enabling environment for the private employment services industry to contribute, writes...
EU leaders to give strong backing to new social targets at Porto summit
The 27 heads of EU national governments will commit to “closely following” progress towards new jobs, skills and poverty reduction targets and will be open to adding new indicators to the GDP to measure national progress, according to the latest draft of the Porto social summit declaration seen by EURACTIV.
European Investment Fund to support digital education scheme
The European Investment Fund and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology said on Wednesday (28 April) they would collaborate on a project to improve access to digital education.
Uber grants UK drivers worker status in world first
Uber on Tuesday (16 March) said it is granting its UK drivers worker status, with benefits including a minimum wage – a world first for the US ride-hailing giant.
EESC President: Crisis is widening gap between school and real life for youth
Europe needs to "get the economy up and running" to help its youth find opportunities and bridge the gap between school and the workplace, the President of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Christa Schweng told EURACTIV in an interview.
The future of the food service sector in Europe: A roadmap beyond Covid-19
The ongoing health crisis is having a devastating impact on Europe’s restaurants, cafés and bars. With the prospect of a third wave, the sector is in urgent need of a consistent policy strategy that goes beyond closures and immediate financial relief.
Spain to extend temporary lay-off schemes for 800,000 workers
The Spanish government is ready to approve before Friday (15 January) an extension of temporary lay-off schemes put in place March last year to protect jobs for around 800,000 workers affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the tourism and services sectors. EURACTIV’s partner EuroEFE reports.
France’s Brittany Ferries in dire straits due to double Brexit/COVID whammy
After Brexit and the global pandemic, a new variant of the coronavirus ravaging the UK has dealt a fresh blow to the emblematic French shipping company Brittany Ferries, which now hopes for help from the French government. EURACTIV France reports.
European Vocational Skills Week: jobs for the future through VET
Today, the green and digital transitions are reshaping our way of life, work and interactions – and the COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically accelerated most of these changes. Nicolas Schmit is the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. The impact...OpinionPromoted content

Knowledge and creativity – Building essential skills for thriving in uncertain times
“NEETs in Entrepreneurship” is nowadays one of the most relevant projects in Romania, as economic and workplace environments are under tremendous pressure of digital transformation, and a good number of SMEs face closure or an urgent need for reorganization. Ștefania...OpinionPromoted content
