About: social europe
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.
Commission warns against the risk of the COVID19 becoming a social crisis
The economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic has hit the European economy hard, but not equally across all countries and sectors, and the fragmentation could lead to a social crisis, European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights Nicolas Schmit warned on Wednesday (20 May).
How to solve the crisis? Strengthen workers’ voices.
In a matter of a few weeks, the political challenges facing Europe have changed dramatically, with the unfolding health and economic crisis. In the previous economic turmoil, our collective response was to weaken the rights of the worker. This time it must be different, argue Danish MEPs Marianne Vind, Nikolaj Villumsen and Kira Marie Peter-Hansen.
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.
European Youth Guarantee needs to address labour market changes, experts warn
As the new European Commission vows to reform the European Youth Guarantee to tackle youth unemployment in the EU, EURACTIV looked at how the future initiative should look like according to the experts.
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).
Finnish social minister: Europe needs ‘a paradigm shift’ towards the economy of well-being
Working towards a more inclusive economic growth in Europe is one of the Finnish presidency's main priorities. Finnish minister Aino-Kaisa Pekonen lays out her vision for "the economy of well-being".
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.
Time to oppose centrifugal forces that affect European societies
The world is currently experiencing rapid technological, economic, political and social change. The consequences of these developments are also being felt in Germany and Europe, write Andreas Grau and Julia Tegeler.
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.
Is it fair? How social cohesion in Europe can be strengthened
The prosperity gap in Europe is widening. Despite the general upswing since the economic crisis in 2008, an increasing number of European citizens are at risk of poverty. At the same time, globalisation and digitisation are changing almost every aspect of our lives.
One third of trade unionists voted for the far-right at last EU election
The European social contract is broken and inclusive economic policies should be on the top of the next European Commission's agenda, policymakers said at the Brussels Economic Forum on Tuesday (18 June).
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.
MEPs approve the creation of the European Labour Authority
On Tuesday (16 April), MEPs approved the creation of a European Labour Authority, as well as several positions that favour the rights of European workers and combat social dumping. But major changes still need to be made. EURACTIV France reports.OpinionPromoted content
For a new vision of social Europe after May’s elections
The European elections in May are an opportunity to reinvigorate social Europe, writes Marie Béatrice Levaux.
French people make ‘social Europe’ proposals in workshops ahead of EU elections
When consulted at a workshop on the future of “social Europe” after the European elections, French people were ambitious on social issues. EURACTIV France reports.
‘Citizens do not see Europe as an answer to social challenges’
In the run-up to the European elections, the social dimension of Europe remains a great unknown to European citizens. EURACTIV France reports.
Work vs family: how some countries lead the way in flexible working
Work pressures can impact on family life as many parents may feel unable to catch up with their family responsibilities because of work commitments. These pressures are particularly dramatic for new parents. Flexible working arrangements can help ease these tensions, RAND Europe argues.
Ten-day minimum paternity leave to be rolled out across EU
In an effort to promote gender equality, the European institutions have approved establishing a ten-day minimum paternity leave for the whole of the EU, which represents a step forward for most countries. Although this leave already exists in France, it will be made more flexible. EURACTIV France reports.
Greek minister: Refugees are the modern Jews, scapegoats of the crisis
Refugees and immigrants have become modern-day scapegoats for demagogues, who are turning a blind eye to the real causes of the crisis - rising inequalities, according to Greece's Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Georgios Katrougalos. EURACTIV.com reports from Athens.
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.
Domestic employment – 18 million potential jobs
Domestic services now represent eight million jobs in Europe. However, the legal vacuum surrounding these professions threatens “social Europe”, Élisabeth Morin-Chartier and Marie-Béatrice Levaux told EURACTIV France.