The European Commission presented a green paper to launch a broad policy debate on the challenges and opportunities of Europe’s ageing society. It sets out the impact of this pronounced demographic trend across our economy and society and invites the public to express their views on how to respond to this in a public consultation, which will […]
Read More
Fresh air, shut screens beat lockdown blues, study says
Going outdoors and switching off screens lead to more happiness during the COVID-19 crisis. Mental health continues to be a focal topic with many European countries tightening measures, imposing further restrictions and reimposing lockdowns as the coronavirus pandemic surges to begin 2021. New research published in the ‘Journal of Happiness Studies’ reveals that spending time […]
Read More
Updating EU rules on teleworking stirs up debate in EESC hearing
Despite all the benefits of teleworking, it is now important not to slide into a culture of “round-the-clock” availability of employees Bringing together EESC and European Parliament (EP) members, as well as representatives of the European Commission, the Portuguese EU presidency and civil society organisations, the hearing explored the issue of whether the current EU […]
Read More
Sexism at work: How can we stop it?
The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has published a handbook to help stop sexism in the workplace. From recruitment to performance evaluation, EIGE’s handbook shows how organisations can ensure women and men employees feel safe, respected and fulfilled. The content has been tailored to the context of the EU institutions and agencies. Despite laws […]
Read More
Irregular migration into EU last year lowest since 2013 due to COVID-19
The number of detections of illegal border crossings along the EU’s external borders fell 13% last year to around 124 000, in large part due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions put in place by various countries, according to preliminary figures collected by Frontex. This was the lowest number of illegal border crossings since 2013. […]
Read More
More equal sharing of care would reduce workplace gender inequality
There is a direct link between the unequal division of unpaid care in households and gender inequality in the labour market, according to a study by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). Across the EU, the bulk of unpaid care work is done by women, with 92 % providing unpaid care several days a […]
Read More
Poland should stop the stigmatisation of LGBTI people
“Public officials and opinion makers should stop promoting an atmosphere of hate and intolerance vis-à-vis LGBTI people and instead, improve respect for their human rights. Stigmatisation and hate speech carry a real risk of legitimising violence. LGBTI are people, not an ideology”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović, in a memorandum published today in […]
Read More
Gender Equality Index 2020: Can we wait 60 more years?
With a score of 67.9 out of 100, the EU is at least 60 years away from reaching complete gender equality, if we continue at the current pace. The latest Gender Equality Index from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) shows that the EU is improving by just half a point each year. Among […]
Read More
Migration in the Mediterranean: EU external borders
The number of illegal border crossings at Europe’s external borders fell by 21% in the first 10 months of this year to 87 500*, largely because of a drop in arrivals in Eastern and Western Mediterranean, according to preliminary calculations. In October, the number of illegal border crossings was 19% lower than in the previous […]
Read More