About: social affairs
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.
The European Social Pillar is creating a new political dynamic, but is this enough?
On the anniversary of the establishment of the European Social Pillar, Maria João Rodrigues takes stock of the development of the related directives and the further steps that are still needed.
Commissioner Thyssen to leave politics at the end of European mandate
European Commissioner for Social Affairs, Marianne Thyssen, (CD & V) will end her political career upon completing the current mandate in Brussels, after 28 years of involvement in European politics.
Juncker is ‘sincerely in favour of social Europe’
Jean-Claude Juncker deserves credit for making social issues a priority for the European Commission, Socialist MEP Maria Joao Rodrigues told EURACTIV.com in an interview.
Czech analyst: Eastern Europeans have lost faith in the EU
When countries in Central and Eastern Europe joined the EU, their expectations were high. Above all, they thought that they would quickly reach a Western standard living, Irah Kučerová told EURACTIV Czech Republic.
Prominent MEP provides insight into Rome Declaration
As the Rome Declaration is finalised, Portuguese Partido Socialista MEP Maria João Rodrigues (S&D) provided insight yesterday (21 March), about what ideally should be in it, in anticipation of its unveiling.
EU Socialists and Greens take first step towards a ‘progressive coalition’
In an effort to lay the foundations for a progressive alliance, the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) today (7 March) will hold a first ever bureau meeting with the Greens-European Free Alliance (Greens-EFA) group of the European Parliament.
Lord Mayor: London will survive Brexit
The Brexit vote has shaken the City of London but will not destroy it despite creating uncertainty, the newly-installed Lord Mayor of the financial hub told AFP.
Greece at the tipping point
The strategic significance of Greece as a stabilising force, and its democratic values, with undeniable soft power in the Arab world, has once again emerged in the regional scene. Athens should assume this role once again, writes Eva Kaili.
Social justice index reveals ‘highly explosive situation’ in Europe
The next European Commission must step up efforts to tackle social justice in the EU, as the economic imbalance between member states intensified during the crisis, warns the Bertelsmann Stiftung.
Juncker gives key portfolios to German allies, austerity backers
Jean-Claude Juncker, the incoming head of the European Commission, unveiled an EU executive team today (10 September) that handed key economic responsibilities to French and British commissioners, but overseen by others, in a new-look hierarchy.
Poland ‘can offer economic recipe’ to the EU
SPECIAL REPORT: Poland has proven it is possible to sustain economic growth without relaxing fiscal discipline, MEP Jacek Saryusz-Wolski told EURACTIV.
Montebourg urges alternative to German austerity
The time has come for France to resist Germany's "obsession" with austerity and promote alternative policies across the eurozone that support household consumption, firebrand French Economy Minister Arnaud Montebourg said on Sunday.
European Semester: First-ever EU ‘social indicators’ fail to impress
The European Commission's social affairs and employment policy recommendations to EU countries have been criticised as inconsistent and a "missed opportunity."
Greece introduces ‘supermarket racks for the poor’
A recent government decision presented in the press as allowing supermarkets to sell “expired goods” led to massive public outrage in Greece. As EURACTIV Greece took a closer look, it appeared that the decision concerned goods that were still edible, but with an expired “best before” date.A strong public service is even more needed in times of crisis
Yes, European countries have to cut public spending in order to put their finances back in shape. But this should not compromise essential public services such as education, health care or tax collection, writes Klaus Heeger of the European Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (CESI).
EU leaders wake up to youth jobs crisis
Young people should be offered a good job within four months after leaving school, EU leaders will say at an informal summit today (30 January), according to a draft statement obtained by EURACTIV. The measure was criticised as empty rhetoric by European socialists.
Military airfield awaits EU leaders as Belgians strike
Belgian authorities are prepared to use a military airfield to receive EU leaders for the extraordinary summit on growth and jobs, as trade unions threatened a mass strike on Monday that is likely to block the Brussels airport.
Business leaders urge EU restraint on social harmonisation
At a time of growing cynicism towards the EU, corporate leaders are pointing to the clear need to complete economic integration but are reluctant to delegate national sovereignty on social policy to the EU, according to a new survey of 2,000 business people released on Wednesday (29 June).
EU ‘ignoring’ social impact of crisis, say NGOs
Austerity measures and public spending cuts are making life worse for the poorest members of society, whose plight is being "systematically ignored" by national and EU policymakers, according to anti-poverty campaigners.
Andor: ‘We have to do more’ to fight poverty
Looking beyond the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion, Employment and Social Policy Commissioner László Andor says the EU and its member states must keep working to find new and more effective ways to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged groups. He spoke to EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Andor: ‘We have to do more’ to fight poverty
Looking beyond the 2010 European Year for combating poverty and social exclusion, Employment and Social Policy Commissioner László Andor says the EU and its member states must keep working to find new and more effective ways to improve the lives of the most disadvantaged groups. He spoke to EURACTIV in an exclusive interview.
Eastern Europe frowns at EU ‘poverty’ target
Eastern EU countries have either rejected or dismissed as irrelevant a planned EU target to reduce poverty, proposed by the European Commission under a ten-year economic plan called 'Europe 2020'. The EURACTIV network reports.