The EU’s employment and social affairs ministers met on May 3 and 4 to talk about how ageing populations and labour market changes impact social security systems. Participants included EU Commissioners, members of the European Parliament, ministers from EFTA nations, representatives of the social partners, and members of civil society in addition to EU employment […]
Read MoreFour-day working week: What does the science say?
What the latest research says about a four-day working week or a three-day weekend. More and more countries are trialling 4-day workweeks. If the United Kingdom’s 4-day workweek pilot, one of the largest in the world, is any indication, more businesses will be embracing the long weekend. Published in February 2023, the report shows that […]
Read MoreThe EU expects to create 1.3 million jobs through its cohesion policy
Cohesion Policy funding in 2021-2027 is expected to support the creation of 1.3 million jobs, and to increase the EU’s GDP by 0.5% on average by the end of the decade, and up to 4% in some Member States. It will also help deliver many common public goods, providing tangible and concrete benefits to European citizens, regions and cities. These […]
Read MoreWorld Press Freedom Day: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union
“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. Laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75 years ago, the protection of freedom of expression remains a […]
Read MoreAccording to the latest Eurobarometer, traineeships help young people find their first job
A recently published Eurobarometer survey shows that traineeships are an important help for young people to enter the labour market. Four out of five young people surveyed (78%) completed at least one traineeship and for one in five (19%), their first work experience was a traineeship. The data showed that seven out of ten (68 […]
Read MoreCommission takes action to promote work-life balance in Spain and other EU countries
To safeguard the right to work-life balance across Member States, the European Commission decided to continue infringement procedures against Belgium Czechia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Austria, and Slovenia by sending them a reasoned opinion for failing to notify national measures fully transposing EU rules establishing rights on work-life balance for parents and […]
Read More303 workers made redundant from Alu Ibérica in Galicia receive 1.2 million euros in aid
303 former employees of aluminium producer Alu Ibérica in the Galicia region in Spain should receive €1.2 million in EU aid after the company declared bankruptcy. On Monday, the Committee on Budgets approved Spain’s request for support from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). MEPs acknowledged that “the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war […]
Read MoreMigrant camps in Huelva and Almeria under debate in the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee
Last Wednesday, March 22 and Thursday, March 23, a new meeting of the Petitions Committee of the European Parliament took place to discuss a series of petitions received, including three Spanish petitions about migration, alleged violation of fundamental rights in education and compensation for insularity. The first petition on the agenda was presented on behalf […]
Read MoreCommission analyses the impact of the European quality framework for traineeships
The Commission has published an evaluation of the 2014 Quality Framework for Traineeships, assessing its implementation and contribution across the EU to strengthen the quality of traineeships as well as possible scope for improvement. Traineeships play a key role in helping young people gain practical experience and facilitate their access to the labour market. 85% […]
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