About: European pillar of social rights
EU Commission vies to protect future for platform workers
The European Commission will attempt to protect the future of platform workers in the EU by setting minimum standards and potentially enforcing pension entitlements and insurance obligations.
EU unemployment reinsurance scheme falls off Commission’s radar
An EU reinsurance scheme to support national unemployment benefits was not part of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan presented on Thursday (4 March), although the European Commission has been supportive of the idea.
Portuguese presidency wants to strengthen trust in EU social model
Portugal will place Europe’s social model at the heart of its semester at the EU helm next year, giving a fresh push to the social agenda at a summit to take place in Porto in May, according to an official document seen by EURACTIV.
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...
Commission to give fresh push to social pillar in COVID times
The European Commission’s action plan to implement the EU Social Pillar will aim to bolster the protection of social rights following the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic, a Commission official has said.
Protecting an evolving workforce: The case for agile protection
Deepening the EU data economy and investments in AI are top priorities on the agenda of the von der Leyen Commission. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, the digital transformation in all sectors is speeding up, intensifying our reliance on software, data and AI.
For a European Semester that addresses inequalities
The European Semester will play a key role in the implementation of the National Recovery Plans, to be submitted by mid-October. The reform of the Semester process was already in the pipeline but it is now essential to raise expectations and transform this coordination tool into a useful instrument able to grasp the changes affecting vital aspects of our daily life: health, education and work, writes Maria João Rodrigues and others.
Commissioner Schmit: The future of Europe is not low wages, insecure jobs
The EU is facing the worst recession in history as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. To ensure that the crisis does not turn into a social emergency, the bloc must address issues like job security, minimum wages, or youth opportunities, the Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, told EURACTIV in an interview.
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.
Schmit to unveil EU minimum wage proposal in January
Nicolas Schmit announced on Tuesday (10 December) that he will unveil his proposal for an EU minimum wage framework in early January, following his first Council meeting as a member of the new European Commission.
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).
Make the digital transition fair as well, experts warn
The world of work is changing dramatically as a consequence of the digital transformation, while the social protection systems are often not added to the new realities of the labour market, experts warned during an event hosted by EURACTIV.
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.
Von der Leyen spells out concessions to Parliament ahead of crunch vote
Putting carbon neutrality into law during first 100 days, a new “Just Transition Fund” or the nomination of two executive vice-presidents are some of the concessions listed by European Commission President nominee Ursula von der Leyen, according to the letters seen by Euractiv.
Digitalisation is a threat as much as an opportunity for workers, experts say
While digitalisation offers more flexible forms of work, it can also be a threat to well-being and encroach on work-life balance, policymakers warned during an event organised by EURACTIV.
EU election 2019: What next for Social Europe?
In November 2017, the European Commission launched the European Pillar of Social Rights, which resulted in 25 legislative initiatives. Ahead of the EU elections this week, EURACTIV looks at what the main political parties have on offer for social Europe.
Social security reform postponed until next European Parliament
Deep divisions among MEPs made it clear on Thursday (19 April) that the social security coordination directive, aimed at enforcing the rights of mobile workers, would be postponed for the next European Parliament, after May's EU elections.
EU lawmakers give green light to strengthening parents and carers’ rights
The European Parliament backed on Thursday (4 April) the work-life balance directive, which introduces a set of minimum standards to help reconcile work and family responsibilities for parents and carers in Europe, and thus improve gender equality.
Gender balance in the workplace: ‘Not a women’s issue anymore’
The work-life balance directive is only a few steps away from becoming law after the European Parliament and EU member states reached political agreement in January. The new rules will boost women’s representation in the workplace while securing at least 10 days of paid parental leave for fathers.
Secure a social Triple A by making the Social Pillar a reality
Nearly one billion people have escaped poverty worldwide since the first #EndPoverty Day, but too many others have been left behind, even in Europe, writes Luca Jahier.
Unions defend multilateral cooperation to protect workers’ rights
Over 500 representatives from across Europe gathered in Brussels last week to reflect on how unions can reshape the role of labour markets in a world where multilateral cooperation is in crisis.
How to protect workers’ rights in a volatile labour market?
In 2017, the European Commission proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights, aimed to ensure fair working conditions, social protection and inclusion. How can the the Pillar protect workers’ rights? How can trade unions address new challenges related to working conditions while protecting traditional workers?
Longevity and the limits of the welfare state in Europe
In November 2017, the EU proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights. However, there are still many shortcomings within the current welfare state and unless policies reflect values then plummeting fertility rates or fading solidarity between young and old will persist, writes Anna Záborská.