Social Policy in the EU

Latest news about Social Policy in the European Union.

Technological change, globalisation and an ageing population are transforming Europe's societies. EU policies aim to keep pace with these trends, and help people adapt to changing circumstances. The renewed social agenda is aimed at creating more opportunities for EU citizens, improving access to quality services and demonstrating solidarity with those who are affected negatively by change.

FACT SHEETS

General Information

• PROGRESS 2007-2013
• The European Observatory on the Social Situation and Demography

Funding

• European Social Fund (ESF)
• ESF Activities: Businesses undergoing change

Supporting Business

• A European Private Company Statute

EU Social Policy Contacts

LATEST NEWS

Slovakia slams Hungarian president over language claim — 16 March 2010, 10:56 CET

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico on Monday slammed the Hungarian president for his reported claim that ethnic Hungarians there should learn Slovak only as a foreign language.

Estonia to ban corporal punishment for children — 10 March 2010, 16:57 CET

Estonian authorities are planning to ban corporal punishment for children, a wide-spread practice in the former Soviet republic in the Baltics which is now a member of the European Union.

Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion (2010) — 07 March 2010, 00:04 CET

Welfare systems and specific short-term policies have been vitally important in mitigating the social and economic impact of the crisis, says a new EU report. The 2010 'Joint Report on Social Protection and Social Inclusion' focuses on drawing lessons from Europe's response to the crisis. It presents key messages on how to orientate policies in the short to medium term to ensure a lasting recovery while also helping to address long-term structural challenges.

Tackling the gender pay gap - briefing — 05 March 2010, 16:11 CET

The European Commission plans to use a series of measures aimed at significantly reducing the pay gap between men and women over the next five years. The average gender pay gap in the EU currently stands at 18%. To lower this rate, the Commission plans to raise awareness among employers, encourage initiatives to promote gender equality and support the development of tools to measure the gender pay gap. On the other hand, new legal measures are not excluded. The Commission intends to consult the European social partners and analyse the impact of a number of options: strengthening sanctions, providing pay transparency and regular reporting on the pay gap. A Eurobarometer survey released today shows that more than 80% of Europeans support urgent action to address the gap.

EU vows to get tough on gender pay gap — 06 March 2010, 23:43 CET

European regulators vowed on Friday to get tough with employers whose hiring policies contribute towards women being paid 18 per cent less than men on average.

UN must name head of super-agency for women now: EU official — 02 March 2010, 11:27 CET

A top European Union official on Monday said the United Nations must stop talking and instead act now to fulfill its pledge to name a powerful head for its proposed super-agency to tackle women's issues.

Health and safety of pregnant workers - FAQ — 24 February 2010, 13:20 CET

Minimum maternity leave in the EU should be extended from 14 to 20 weeks and be fully paid, believe MEPs in the Women's Rights Committee. An entitlement to paid paternity leave of at least two weeks was also approved by the committee. The draft legislation seeks to lay down minimum rules at EU level. These Frequently Asked Questions look more closely at some of the crucial points of the committee vote.

Barroso urges EU Member States to reform pensions — 23 February 2010, 23:41 CET

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Tuesday that a general reform of the pension system was needed in EU Member States as people live longer and have fewer children.

Polish PM condemns Belarus crackdown on Polish minority — 12 February 2010, 23:42 CET

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Friday condemned what he termed the repression of the Polish minority in neighbouring Belarus, after authorities there cracked down on a Polish group.

EU worried by Belarus Polish minority crackdown: Poland — 11 February 2010, 15:37 CET

European Union foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton has expressed concern about a crackdown on the Polish minority in Belarus and plans to take Minsk to task, Poland announced Thursday.

Strawberries offer lifeline for Romania's rust belt — 09 February 2010, 04:12 CET

Hundreds of women crowd outside a local employment office in this run-down Romanian factory town on the banks of the Danube, hoping to be selected to work as strawberry pickers in Spain.

Germany's age law ruled incompatible with EU Directives — 08 February 2010, 13:22 CET

The European Court of Justice has ruled that European Union law, more particularly the principle of non-discrimination on grounds of age as given expression by Directive 2000/78, precludes national legislation. As such, a German law which provides that periods of employment completed by an employee before reaching the age of 25 are not taken into account in calculating the notice period for dismissal, was deemed discriminatory and must be dis-applied by the national courts.

UN chief appoints envoy to curb rape in wars — 31 January 2010, 23:15 CET

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said he intended to make Sweden's Margot Wallstrom his special representative tasked with combating sexual violence against women and children in conflicts.

Spain seeks EU-wide lifeline for battered women — 27 January 2010, 06:12 CET

Maria was beaten by her husband for years. Today, she has an emergency telephone just in case her ex gets too close.

EU urged to fast-track adoptions from Haiti: Spanish presidency — 22 January 2010, 16:27 CET

The Spanish presidency of the European Union will next week urge the bloc to forge a common position on fast-track adoptions from Haiti, Madrid said Friday.

EU chief kicks off anti-poverty drive — 21 January 2010, 23:35 CET

EU Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso on Thursday launched a drive to fight poverty on the continent, which affects close to a fifth of its 500 million people.

Social Security Rights — 21 January 2010, 16:16 CET

EU rules introduced in 1971 coordinate European countries’ social security schemes, offering solutions to most cross-border problems that may arise. These rules were updated and a new, improved coordination system will enter into force in May 2010.

EU Court rules on cross-border custody of children — 14 January 2010, 12:32 CET

The European Court of Justice ruled that a court of an EU Member State in which a child resides cannot provisionally grant custody of the child to one parent if a court of another Member State, which has jurisdiction as to the substance of the case, has already given custody to the other parent.

Renewed commitment for non-discrimination and equal opportunities — 07 December 2009, 23:54 CET

This EU Communication provides a comprehensive approach through which the European Commission is renewing its commitment to further non-discrimination and equal opportunities in the European Union. It presents the latest developments and aims to strengthen the legal framework against discrimination as well as the policy tools for promoting equal opportunities.

Half of Estonians victims of domestic violence: survey — 07 December 2009, 16:27 CET

Almost half of Estonians have fallen victim to domestic violence, ranging from verbal abuse to sexual assault and beatings, a study published Monday in the Baltic state said.

EU Fundamental rights and citizenship (2007-2013) — 08 December 2009, 00:01 CET

This decision establishes the "Fundamental rights and citizenship" programme covering the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. The programme forms part of the general programme "Fundamental rights and justice" and is intended to promote the development of a European society based on respect for fundamental rights, to strengthen civil society and encourage an open and transparent dialogue, as well as to fight racism and xenophobia and improve mutual understanding between the judicial and the administrative authorities and the legal professions.

EU Fundamental rights and citizenship (2007-2013) — 09 December 2009, 09:14 CET

This decision establishes the "Fundamental rights and citizenship" programme covering the period from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2013. The programme forms part of the general programme "Fundamental rights and justice" and is intended to promote the development of a European society based on respect for fundamental rights, to strengthen civil society and encourage an open and transparent dialogue, as well as to fight racism and xenophobia and improve mutual understanding between the judicial and the administrative authorities and the legal professions.

Renewed commitment for non-discrimination and equal opportunities — 07 December 2009, 20:04 CET

This EU Communication provides a comprehensive approach through which the European Commission is renewing its commitment to further non-discrimination and equal opportunities in the European Union. It presents the latest developments and aims to strengthen the legal framework against discrimination as well as the policy tools for promoting equal opportunities.

Poland, Spain want EU help for crime victims — 26 November 2009, 14:01 CET

Poland and Spain have begun a drive to create EU-wide protection for victims of crimes such as sexual abuse and trafficking, Polish Justice Minister Krzysztof Kwiatkowski was quoted as saying on Thursday.

A third of EU commissioners will be women: Barroso — 24 November 2009, 19:47 CET

The incoming European Commission will include more women than the team it replaces, with a third of the 27 places going to female candidates, its head Jose Manuel Barroso announced Tuesday.