About: labour market

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.

Schools of tomorrow – building and transforming skills for a digital world

Europe’s bid to lead the digital and advanced technology trend will be lost if the EU and national governments don’t take steps to make skills development in digitisation their priority. Digital skills need to be conveyed at all levels and in all forms of education to ensure Europe’s global position, writes Martina Dlabajová.

Europe, pay your trainees!

Offering internships and traineeships to young people without real prospect of employment and adequate remuneration violates the original nature of these instruments, writes Brando Benifei.

Commission levels up France on economic imbalances

The Commission highlights the progress of French competitiveness but also points out structural issues in the French economy. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Tony Blair is right on immigration but did nothing to control freedom of movement

After Brexit, the rest of Europe will control freedom of movement sensibly without discriminating on grounds of nationality, adhering to the principle that has been in all European treaties since 1950, writes Denis MacShane.

Brussels must bite the bullet on a common EU migration policy

The EU Commission is soon to re-enter the conflict over immigration. Whether it will do so timidly or in a blaze of political courage remains to be seen when it unveils ideas for a 'European Labour Authority," writes Giles Merritt.

MEP: Violation of labour laws under Youth Employment Initiative is unacceptable

In some member states, young people were employed for a month or even less under the EU-financed Youth Employment Initiative and this is the wrong message that should not be tolerated, MEP Romana Tomc told EURACTIV.com in an interview.  

No future of work without social innovation

Futureproof labour markets must embed social innovation, writes Denis Pennel.

Brussels welcomes French labour reforms as unions and left camp complain

Decried by the opposition and trade unions, the French labor reforms are praised by the European Commission and employers. EURACTIV France reports.

We need to nurture the biodiversity of the labour market

Europe faces a work revolution. To survive, we need to heed the words of Charles Darwin and adapt and adjust to fit our changing environment, writes Denis Pennel.

Greece cracks down on voucher misuse by employers

The growing trend of distributing vouchers to employees to avoid taxes has raised eyebrows in the Greek government, which has moved to crack down on unprecedented levels of tax evasion in the cash-strapped country.

‘Hostile Brexit’ would be lose-lose deal for jobs

UK Prime Minister Theresa May will seek a strong mandate for Brexit talks in the upcoming general election. The onus now falls on negotiators to ensure that ‘hard’ Brexit does not become a ‘hostile’ Brexit that results in mutually damaging job destruction, writes Iain Begg.

How do we help Europe’s young entrepreneurs?

Overly flexible labour markets and poor quality jobs are harming the European economy, not making it more competitive. Restoring the social safety net for entrepreneurs would benefit us all, writes Agnes Jongerius.

Top business lobby unveils economic wish list ahead of French election

France’s biggest business group has sent its “blue book” to all the presidential candidates, summing up the economic and social demands it says must be met to relaunch economic growth and rebuild business “confidence”. Euractiv’s partner La Tribune reports.

UK employers worry EU workers will leave this year

More than a quarter of employers in Britain say staff members from other European Union countries have considered leaving their firms or the country in 2017 after last year's Brexit vote, an industry group said on Monday (13 February).

EU eSkills campaigns reduce gap in the labour market

The eSkills campaigns, launched in 2010, have contributed to reducing the gap in the EU between demand and supply of digital skills jobs, according to the European Commission.

A new world of work, a new way of looking at it

A new white paper by the representative of Europe’s employment industry addresses the main issues surrounding the new world of work and calls on policymakers to adapt legislation and labour market policies in line with this new reality. Denis Pennel explains how things stand.

Substantial number of refugees hold illegal jobs in Germany

Many refugees in Germany are in illegal employment, according to radio station NDR. In addition to poor working conditions, the employees at times earn just €1 an hour. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Redefining Work: The role of freelancers

The nature of work and the ways it gets done is evolving rapidly. Public policies and the business sector need to be ahead of change, and provide more targeted support to workers transitioning from employment to freelancing and back, writes Marco Torregrossa.

Two fifths of Europeans are digitally illiterate

The European Commission wants to sink the 40% average of people who have little or no ability to use technology.

Brain gain: Six ways the EU startup visa will bring success to Europe

An EU-wide startup visa should make it easier for entrepreneurs to set up businesses and hire talented employees, writes Lenard Koschwitz.

German trade union chief: ‘Integration law works with restrictions and that is populism’

One-euro-jobs, mandatory language courses and strict residence requirements: Germany's new integration act is already polarising opinion. EURACTIV Germany spoke with trade union chief Reiner Hoffmann about whether the new law will solve the problems of the refugee crisis.

Symmetric flexibility: A concept to square competitiveness with increased well-being

Working time arrangements are an area with considerable scope to improve efficiency and to foster well-being. Symmetric agreements can represent a win-win situation for both employers and employees, write Thomas Leoni and Vanessa Koch.