The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs urges the Commission to draw up legislation to protect workers from work-related psychosocial risks and work-related stress. Last Wednesday, MEPs agreed on a series of recommendations for a new EU draft law to ensure minimum requirements for preventing, eliminating or reducing work-related psychosocial risks that could lead to […]
Investment in education is stabilising as Europe seeks to make the teaching profession more attractive
Now that pupils and teachers across Europe are returning to the classroom, the Commission is publishing its report ‘Investing in Education 2026’. The 2026 edition provides an overview of recent trends in investment in education across the EU and examines the factors associated with the attractiveness of the teaching profession. This issue is particularly relevant, […]
Parliament’s proposals to eradicate poverty in the EU by 2035
On Thursday, Parliament called for more money and coordination to combat poverty and social exclusion in the EU. MEPs call on the European Commission to recognise poverty as a violation of human dignity in its future anti-poverty strategy and to work towards eradicating it by 2035 at the latest. In an own-initiative report, adopted with […]
EU social partners make progress on safer working conditions for hairdressing sector
The European Commission and social partners are making significant strides to improve the working conditions of hairdressers throughout the EU. 30 October 2025 marked a new milestone, with the Commission’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) committing to assess the social partners’ recommendations on safety of products used by hairdressers in their daily work. The recommendations, formulated by employers and […]
MEPs call for new rules on the use of algorithmic management at work
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs is calling on the Commission to introduce a law to regulate the use of algorithmic technologies, including AI, within European workplaces. Employment and Social Affairs MEPs have agreed on a series of recommendations for a new EU bill to ensure the transparent, fair, and safe use of automated […]
MEPs seek to improve trainees’ working conditions across the EU
To prevent abusive practices against trainees, the Employment Committee wants traineeship contracts with clear provisions on pay, duration and social protection. The Employment and Social Affairs Committee has proposed changes to new EU rules on traineeships, in a report adopted on Tuesday by 42 votes to nine, and with six abstentions. The objective is to […]
Council and Parliament reach agreement that will improve working conditions for platform workers
The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a proposed directive to improve working conditions for platform workers. In the event that the deal struck is confirmed by both institutions before going through the formal adoption procedure, it will help millions of them gain access to employment rights. The directive introduces two key […]
Parliament calls for better working conditions for artists and cultural workers
On Tuesday, MEPs adopted their proposals for EU measures to improve living and working conditions for professionals working in the art, cultural and creative sectors. In the legislative initiative, adopted by 433 votes in favour to 100 against and 99 abstentions, MEPs stress that the gaps between national social systems, different national definitions of artists and […]
EPIC publishes policy memo on leave arrangements for non-traditional families
The European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC) has published a policy memo focusing on leave provision for non-traditional families, including adoptive families, families with same-sex parents, and ‘reconstituted’ families (with step-parents and step-children). Supporting family life for non-traditional families The right to maternity, paternity and parental leave for families is now well established in […]