Social justice

German labour minister announces stricter standards in the meat industry

The German meat industry has been under fire for years over its low working standards and workers rights. The coronavirus clusters in slaughterhouses have now offered the government an opportunity to intervene. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German family minister wants to expand gender quotas for top jobs

German Family Minister Franziska Giffey of the Social Democrats (SPD) wants to expand the quota of women in the workplace to apply to supervisory and management boards. While coalition partners have criticised her plans, she remains determined not to give up on the potential of qualified women. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Activists warn over slavery as Mauritania joins UN human rights council

Mauritania is backsliding in efforts to eliminate descent-based slavery, an activist and opposition member has warned, as the West African country joined the UN Human Rights Council for the first time this week.

The Brief – A lucrative day’s work

Getting €93,000 for one day’s work is a lucrative business in almost anyone’s world – unless, perhaps, you are a Kardashian. It’s slightly more than Lionel Messi earns and nearly four times as much as Cristiano Ronaldo racks up on a bar bill.

Senior MEP: New Commission structured to hinder parliamentary scrutiny

The complex organisation European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen set up for her cabinet "is not innocent" and hinders accountability, Juan Fernando López Aguilar, chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE), told EURACTIV.

Portuguese employers and unions reject ‘dangerous’ EU minimum wage proposal

In today's edition of the Capitals, find out about Salvini provoking Tunisia, Greta Thunberg's meeting with Polish miners, more than half of Serbians wanting EU membership, and so much more.

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.

Nicolas Schmit: ‘The first dignity of work is to pay people a fair wage’

Nicolas Schmit will have a busy 2020. The EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights outlined on Tuesday (14 January) a comprehensive agenda to beef up the EU’s social policies. He discussed the details in an interview with EURACTIV.

A child labour free Europe: How the new Commission can make it happen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s pledge to have ‘zero-tolerance’ for child labour in EU trade policy is a promising step. Delphine Moralis explains how these warm words can be turned into concrete actions to improve the lives of millions of children.

In-work-poverty increasing in spite of economic growth, study reveals

Social inequalities, including in-work-poverty, have increased in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis, according to the findings of a study released by SOLIDAR, published on Wednesday (13 November).

20 Visions for Europe: ‘A vision for Europe in 20 years? Progress is not linear’

If we want to look forward to what might happen in the next 20 years, we might first look back, writes Conny Reuter, secretary-general of SOLIDAR.

The EU must fully support civil society at home

Human rights defenders are essential to democracy. Yet, the intimidation of human rights defenders in the European Union has become a serious problem and the implications for democracy are profound. Decision-makers at all levels have a responsibility to protect civic space in the European Union, writes Birgit Van Hout.

Unsuitable mandates, wrong candidates: A difficult start for von der Leyen

Ursula von der Leyen still has a chance to chart a path to a fairer, greener, inclusive and prosperous Europe. But what values will she really uphold, asks a group of more than 20 signatories, including ActionAid, Climate Action Network, European Network against Racism, Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace.

Why don’t women benefit from international trade as much as men?

President-elect Ursula von der Leyen will be the first female Commission president. Not only that, but she has also succeeded in forming the first gender-balanced EU leadership team. Women are back on the EU's agenda, writes Cecilia Malmström.

Trade unions call for ‘new social contract’ to drive energy transition

The transition to a climate neutral economy will have a massive impact on all sectors and their workforce. But trade unions believe a “new social contract” can help engage workers in the transformation, and push the transition forward instead of holding it back.

Fight against top-level corruption is needed in Slovakia, says monitoring report

Slovakia should adopt steps to prevent corruption in the government, said a report published on Thursday (22 August) by the Council of Europe, citing 'systemic weaknesses'  in the country's legal framework.

Political violence against women at the highest level since 2018

The threat of political violence towards women has grown over the past 19 months and is currently at its highest level recorded since 2018, a new report by the NGO Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) has found.

Trade unionist: Von der Leyen has to deliver on Social Europe ‘if she wants to gain trust’

The Workers Group of the Economic and Social Committee welcomes European Commission president-elect Ursula Von der Leyen’s announcements on social policy but if she wants to be trusted, she needs to deliver, president Olivier Röpke told EURACTIV.

Let’s hold G7 leaders accountable to their promises on gender equality

We need progress not promises on gender equality. That is why G7 leaders need to establish a mechanism that keep governments to their commitments, argue Friederike Röder, Joe Powell, Aurélie Gal-Régniez and Philippe Lévêque.

Putting values at the heart of the EU presidency

The goals of the new Finnish EU Presidency include a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable EU, the same priorities as its domestic agenda, writes Kaisa Penny.

‘Unrealistic’ to think Libya can operate all rescues at sea, UN Special Envoy says

In spite of the drop in numbers of crossing, the death rate in the Central Mediterranean has increased over the past few months. EURACTIV talked to UNHCR Special Envoy Vincent Cochetel about the situation in the world deadliest border.  

Another 100 years to wait for gender equality? We deserve better

At the current pace, it will take more than a century for women to become equal to men in Europe, despite the general progress made so far on gender equality on the European soil and the fact that throughout its history, the EU has been a global leader in advancing women's rights.