Latest working life developments at EU level
Developments in the field of employment and social affairs announced in the European Commission’s work programme for 2017 include initiatives to address the challenges of work–life balance faced by working families, a European Pillar of Social Rights aimed at fostering a fair playing field in the European social market economy, and a White Paper on the Future of Europe.
Eurofound hosts delegation from Committee on Employment and Social Affairs
Eurofound hosted a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs in Dublin on 20–21 February. The delegation included Jean Lambert MEP (Greens/EFA), Joëlle Mélin MEP (ENF), Laura Agea MEP (EFDD), Javi López MEP (S&D), and Lynn Boylan MEP (GUE/ NGL).
Social partners’ role in European Semester
The social partners across Europe are not participating in the European Semester as was originally envisaged, even after the 2015 revamp of the process that aimed to encourage their greater involvement in the drafting of the national reform programmes (NRPs).
Income inequalities and middle class squeeze
Income inequalities have increased between and within Member States, largely due to growing unemployment levels during the economic crisis.
Treaty of Rome at heart of living and working in Europe
25 March marks 60 years since the signing of the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, known as the Treaty of Rome. A seminal document, largely dedicated to economic integration and prosperity, it also enshrined the broader concepts of peace and equality
Income inequalities in Europe on the rise since Great Recession
Income inequalities have increased in around two-thirds of EU Member States largely due to growing unemployment levels since the onset of the crisis. At the same time EU-wide income inequality also increased as income convergence between European countries stalled.
Putting a gender spotlight on living and working in Europe
8 March is International Women’s Day. The day marks the wide-scale progress made towards achieving gender equality and combating gender-based injustice, but also serves as an important impetus to ensure the spotlight remains on continued work towards realising these goals across the globe.
Charting announced job loss and gain since the crisis
Eurofound’s European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) charts the announced employment impacts of large-scale restructuring events in European countries. The figure shows aggregate job loss and job gain as recorded in the ERM dataset from the peak crisis years 2008–2010 to end June 2016