Social Europe & Jobs
Commissioner Schmit: You cannot make money on social services
Social economy should not be thought of as an alternative to public services, according to the European Commissioner for jobs and social rights, who nevertheless argued there was a need for a "third way" between the private, profit-oriented economy and publicly provided services that can be served by social economy.
Conservatives prepare to battle on platform workers directive, rally up with industry
Conservative MEPs from the European People's Party (EPP) are preparing their counter-offensive against the rapporteur's push for tight employment protection for platform workers, joining forces with the industry.
Financing the social economy
Defined by its mission rather than by what it produces, the social economy is a peculiar economic sector with a set of its own challenges, especially when it comes to funding. Published by the European Commission in December 2021, the...
State of play in social economy finance in the EU
Trying to push the social economy as a flourishing sector of the economy, the EU is using a variety of ways to overcome the tension at the heart of the social economy: How do you attract money to a sector that defines itself as not being about the money?
No time to lose: EU focuses on vocational skills to deliver green transition
The European Commission is helping member states, companies, and workers to prepare for the massive effort of the green and digital transitions via a number of initiatives and platforms, with a particular focus on the labour market and vocational training. Commissioners Nicolas Schmit and Margaritis Schinas provide more details.
Czech gastronomy upgrade critical to attract ‘demanding’ tourists
Switching to quality gastronomy combined with greening measures in restaurants will be key factors in reviving the Czech hospitality industry in the post-pandemic era, as tourists have now become more demanding in several aspects, Czech restaurants owners have told EURACTIV.cz.
Germany’s big scramble for Ukrainian workers
The growing shortage of skilled labour may soon threaten productivity in Germany, and Europe's biggest economy is now scrambling to make the most of well-trained Ukrainian refugees as Russia's war on Ukraine enters its third month
Paris arrondissement mayor: Pandemic ‘accelerated’ trends, challenges are here to stay
The pandemic, while not having profoundly changed Paris' neighbourhoods, has revealed certain challenges and trends that are there to stay, the mayor of Paris' 18th arrondissement, Eric Lejoindre, told EURACTIV France in an interview.
French candidates disagree on retirement age, unified on pension raise
Candidates in the French presidential race all have a clear position on whether to keep, reduce or raise the current legal retirement age - a topic that has been a major source of political debate in France for decades. EURACTIV France reports.
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.
EU steps up workers’ protection against carcinogenic substances
On Thursday (3 March) the Council gave the final green light to an update on the EU rules on reducing workers’ exposure to carcinogens, mutagens, or reprotoxic substances, addressing the first cause of work-related deaths in Europe.
The ‘social economy’ is about sharing power, says French minister
Before European ministers gather for an informal meeting to promote a more social and solidary economy in Paris today (17 February), the French state secretary for the social economy Olivia Grégoire fleshed out her view of the social economy in...
Unpaid, undervalued: Women shoulder three-quarters of the burden of EU caregiving
The majority of caregiving in the EU is done for free by women, so-called "informal carers", which further accentuates gender inequalities, according to a report by Hungarian MEP Katalin Cseh, vice-president of the Renew group.
Reshaping cities to speed up post-COVID normality
An increasing number of EU countries have started lifting COVID-related restrictions in a first sign of returning to normality. However, there are doubts as to how ready societies are for a full return to "old normal", after two years of varying and often frustrating public measures.
An accelerator for a new model of capitalism
The proposed revision of EU rules on non-financial reporting is a further step in the evolution of our business model and investment practices, write a group of leading European business bosses.
Belgium to cut VAT on electricity in response to energy price spike
Belgium will cut value added tax on electricity as part of a package to shield consumers from rising energy prices, the prime minister said on Tuesday (1 February).
The EU needs to respect different labour market models
Swedish trade unions cannot support EU wage legislation, and the issue risks undermining support for the EU project, argues Torbjörn Johansson.
Croatia’s population drops nearly 10 percent in a decade
Croatia's population has shrunk by nearly 10% in the last decade due to an exodus fuelled by a flagging economy, the latest census showed Friday (14 January).
Scholz wants G7 to be pioneer for climate-friendly growth, social justice
Germany wants to use its G7 presidency to develop it into a club that is pioneering in its efforts to achieve green growth and a socially just world, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his first New Year's address.
Spain moves to reduce ‘garbage’ temporary contracts
Spain's leftist cabinet approved Tuesday (28 December) a landmark labour law reform which aims to reduce the use of temporary contracts and boost job security.
EU seeks to clarify status of delivery app workers
The EU will propose a set of criteria on Thursday (9 December) to determine whether a gig worker in Europe using platforms like Uber, Bolt or Deliveroo should be considered an employee.
Deliveroo wins court battle on riders’ status in Belgium
Deliveroo riders in Belgium cannot be requalified as employees with contracts heaping social security and tax obligations on the company, a Belgian court ruled on Wednesday (8 December).
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.
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.