About: social policy
The Brief, powered by the Martens Centre – Mind the gap (or lose)
Poland's ruling conservative Law and Justice party (PiS) is on track for a remarkable re-election win this Sunday, in what many call the country’s most fateful ballot in years.
‘Neoliberal monster’: Germans urge EU to shake off its bad image
As many as 78% of Germans say economic inequality between EU member states damages Germany. And two-thirds consider a need for EU reform, with a greater focus on social issues, according to a new survey. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German coalition talks: Between old-age poverty and cannabis legalisation
The first round of the German coalition talks on social policy was a meeting to get an initial feeling for where the parties stand. However, some common things are emerging: in the fight against old-age poverty, shortage of nurses and long-term unemployment. EURACTIV Germany reports.
France and Poland hope for posted workers breakthrough
After this week's European Council summit in Brussels, EU leaders are already preparing for their next meeting, which will take place in Sweden next month and focus on social issues. It's a divisive area and member states still have one major hurdle in their way before they reconvene.
Europe taking the lead in responsible globalisation
Reshaping globalisation is Europe's responsibility and chance, write Karl Aiginger and Heinz Handler. Policy should ensure that there are no more winners and losers from globalisation, they argue.
Sweden pushes gender equality onto Rome agenda
As EU leaders parsed through divisive issues like migration and European integration in discussions on the future of Europe today (10 March), Sweden's prime minister threw another controversial matter into the mix: employment policy. VideoPromoted content
Social policy in the European Union: state of play 2015
The sixteenth edition of Social policy in the European Union: state of play has a triple ambition. First, it provides easily accessible information to a wide audience about recent developments in both EU and domestic social policymaking. Second, the volume provides a more analytical reading, embedding the key developments of the year 2014 in the most recent academic discourses. Third, the forward-looking perspective of the book aims to provide stakeholders and policymakers with specific tools that allow them to discern new opportunities to influence policymaking.
Spinelli forum stumbles over ‘easy’ questions
Participants in a public event of the federalist Spinelli Group overwhelmingly supported the introduction of minimal social standards at the EU level and the establishment of a common European industrial and energy policy. But the discussions failed to answer how such goals could be achieved.Minimum wages across Europe require solidarity
Minimum wages increasingly appear as proper tools to fight cross-border social dumping, argues Klaus Heeger, despite objections that the EU has little or no competence on pay.
EU unveils raft of proposals to combat poverty
With poverty and social exclusion affecting the daily lives of more than 100 million EU citizens, the European Commission yesterday (16 December) unveiled a raft of policy initiatives designed to address the causes and impacts of deprivation.
‘Social lobby’ pins hopes on Spain’s EU presidency
Dismayed by the lack of a social dimension to the European Commission's draft '2020 Strategy', centre-left MEPs and trade unions told EURACTIV that the Spanish EU Presidency was their best hope of securing a genuine social commitment in Europe's next ten-year economic plan.
Regions fear worst of crisis is yet to come
Europe's local and regional authorities fear the economic climate next year could be even worse than 2009, according to a new survey. This is despite a return to growth in the eurozone economies and official predictions that the global financial picture will brighten in 2010.
Špidla: ‘Social innovation’ needed to restart economy
Squeezed by the economic crisis, Europe's labour markets can find new dynamism through social innovation, said Vladimir Špidla, EU commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, in an exclusive interview with EURACTIV.
Experts: Why we disagree on EU microfinance fund
A proposed EU microfinance fund, set up earlier this year to stimulate job creation in recession-ridden Europe, has provoked sharp disagreements. Two experts, one from a social NGO and one from a European chamber of commerce, spoke to EURACTIV about the scheme's chances.
Experts disagree on EU microfinance fund
A proposed EU microfinance fund, set up earlier this year to stimulate job creation in recession-ridden Europe, has provoked sharp disagreements. Two experts, one from a social NGO and one from a European chamber of commerce, spoke to EURACTIV about the scheme's chances.