After uneployment in the EU had steadily increased since 2013, the Covid-19 pandemic led to a rise in 2020. Find out how the EU works to reduce unemployment and fight poverty. Although EU labour market conditions and workers’ rights have significantly improved in recent years, the fight against unemployment and the consequences of the Covid crisis remain […]
LGBTIQ rights in Hungary: debate with Council and Commission
Briefing – Newsletter 5-8 July 2021 – Strasbourg plenary session MEPs will assess the risk of discrimination faced by LGBTIQ persons in Hungary, and the rule of law and fundamental rights situation in both Poland and Hungary. On 15 June 2021, the Hungarian Parliament voted almost unanimously (157 votes to 1) in favour of rules […]
Traineeships in the Secretariat of the European Parliament
The European Parliament offers different traineeships within its Secretariat in order to contribute to the vocational training of young citizens, and to the understanding of the working of the institution. These traineeships are awarded for a period of five months. Eligible candidates should: be aged 18+; hold a university level diploma(s); have a thorough knowledge […]
More legal options for migrant workers coming to the EU
An EU framework for legal migration would encourage more orderly migration, attract much-needed workers, undermine smugglers and traffickers, and ease integration. In a report adopted with 495 to 163 and 32 abstentions, Parliament highlights that legal migration has barely been part of the EU’s migration policy since 2015 and underlines that the New Pact on Migration […]
EU Covid EU digital certificate approved by European Parliament
Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement for an EU Covid digital certificate to facilitate free movement during the pandemic. The certificate will be available in either digital or paper format. It will attest that a person has been vaccinated against coronavirus or has a recent negative test result or has recovered from the […]
What’s new in the Erasmus+ programme?
The European Parliament approves the new edition of the Erasmus+ programme, the EU’s flagship programme for education, training, youth and sport. The programme, which has demonstrated that it plays a significant role in fostering European identity, will have almost double the funding in 2021-2027 (over 28 billion EUR from different sources) when compared to the […]
EU countries should ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health
The COVID-19 pandemic has a negative impact on women’s health and rights, so MEPs urge member states to protect and further enhance women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights. In the draft report approved by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality by 27 votes in favour, 6 against and 1 abstention, MEPs point […]
Gender equality in EU Institutions
Parliament leadership adopts roadmap to achieve gender equality in political processes and its administration. 50% women in middle and senior manager positions and 40% women in top manager positions in the administration. These are the targets the European Parliament’s Bureau, comprising the President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors, set in January 2020. To reach these targets by […]
Feasibility of a future European army
While there is no EU army and defence remains exclusively a matter for member states, the EU has recently taken big steps to boost defence cooperation. Since 2016, there has been significant progress in the area of EU security and defence with several concrete EU initiatives to encourage cooperation and reinforce Europe’s capacity to defend […]