Employment Policy in the EU

Latest news on employment policy in the European Union.

MEPs upgrade single work and residence permit for non-EU nationals — 23 March 2023, 18:41 CET

A European Parliament committee backed draft EU legislation Thursday to issue work and residence permits more quickly for nationals of third countries and to improve their rights.

EU launches large-scale renewable energy skills partnership — 21 March 2023, 18:57 CET

Renewable energy trade associations and clean technologies installers with EU support have set up a large-scale skills partnership for the renewable energy industrial ecosystem.

New EU exposure limits for dangerous chemicals — 13 February 2023, 23:34 CET

The Commission took action Monday to further improve the protection of workers from the health risks linked to the exposure to dangerous chemicals: lead and diisocyanates.

EUR 657m awards for researchers across Europe — 31 January 2023, 22:16 CET

The European Research Council announced Tuesday the winners of its latest round of 'Consolidator Grants', aimed at supporting mid-career researchers for pioneering research across all scientific disciplines.

Harnessing Talent in Europe's Regions and the Demography Report - guide — 17 January 2023, 19:08 CET

The European Commission launched on 17 January the 'Talent Booster Mechanism'. This Mechanism will support EU regions affected by the accelerated decline of their working age population to train, retain and attract the people, the skills and the competences needed to address the impact of the demographic transition.

EU ban on harmful chemicals in waste comes into force — 02 January 2023, 23:02 CET

A ban on harmful chemicals came into force Thursday, providing a legally binding obligation to protect human health and the environment from some of the most harmful chemicals in waste.

New EU rules to ensure safety of machinery and robots — 15 December 2022, 22:49 CET

The EU Parliament and Council agreed a new machinery regulation Thursday, adapting rules to address emerging risks posed by new technologies to machinery products and ensuring their safe operation.

EU institutions agree deal to close gender pay gap — 15 December 2022, 22:36 CET

New pay transparency rules, agreed Thursday by the EU institutions, will empower women to enforce the principle of equal pay for equal work through a set of binding measures on pay transparency.

Brussels makes final EUR 6.5 bn payment under SURE jobs programme — 15 December 2022, 22:48 CET

The Commission disbursed over EUR 6.5 billion to nine Member States Wednesday, in the final transaction under the SURE instrument set up to protect jobs and incomes affected by the COVID pandemic.

Brussels looks to strengthen equality bodies to fight discrimination — 08 December 2022, 21:58 CET

The Commission adopted two proposals Wednesday to strengthen equality bodies, specifically their independence, resources and powers, so that they can combat discrimination in Europe more effectively.

Equality bodies - Bodies for the promotion of equal treatment and non-discrimination — 07 December 2022, 23:08 CET

Equality bodies promote equal treatment by providing independent assistance to victims of discrimination, conducting independent surveys, publishing independent reports and making recommendations on matters relating to discrimination.

EU green light for gender balance targets on company boards — 22 November 2022, 18:52 CET

By July 2026, big publicly-listed EU firms will need to increase women’s presence at their helm, following the EU Parliament's formal adoption Tuesday of a law on gender balance on corporate boards.

Pact for Skills — 10 November 2022, 18:08 CET

The Pact for Skills is one of the flagship actions of the European Skills Agenda. The Pact aims to support public and private organisations with upskilling and reskilling, so they can thrive through the green and digital transitions. Members of the Pact have access to knowledge on upskilling and reskilling needs, advice on relevant funding instruments to boost the skills of adults in their regions and countries, and partnership opportunities within our growing community.

EU opens way to collective bargaining for the self-employed — 04 October 2022, 18:37 CET

The European Commission adopted guidelines Thursday on the application of EU competition law to collective agreements regarding the working conditions of solo self-employed people.

Improving working conditions in platform work - guide — 29 September 2022, 22:43 CET

The European Commission proposed on 29 September a set of measures to improve the working conditions in platform work and to support the sustainable growth of digital labour platforms in the EU.

Guidelines on collective agreements of self-employed people - guide — 29 September 2022, 22:24 CET

The European Commission adopted on 29 September Guidelines on the application of EU competition law to collective agreements ('‘Guidelines') regarding the working conditions of solo self-employed people.

Brussels moves to ban products made with forced labour from EU market — 14 September 2022, 22:58 CET

The EU Commission published Wednesday a legislative proposal which will effectively prohibit the placing on the EU market of products made with forced labour, as well as their export from the EU.

Prohibition of products made by forced labour in the Union Market - guide — 14 September 2022, 22:54 CET

The European Commission proposed on 14 September to prohibit products made with forced labour on the EU market. The proposal covers all products, namely those made in the EU for domestic consumption and exports, and imported goods, without targeting specific companies or industries.

New EU rules on work-life balance enter into force — 03 August 2022, 23:23 CET

New EU-wide rules to improve work-life balance for parents entered into force on Tuesday, setting minimum standards for paternity, parental leave and offering the right to request flexible working.

New rules to better protect children caught in cross-border parental disputes - guide — 02 August 2022, 22:39 CET

New EU rules on cooperation between judicial authorities on cross-border disputes, such as custody, parental rights and child abduction ('Brussels IIb Regulation') came into force on 1 August 2022. The Regulation updates the existing rules on jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of decisions in matrimonial and parental responsibility matters to better protect the needs of the child.

European Accessibility Act - guide — 28 June 2022, 23:20 CET

28 June 2022 marked the deadline for EU Member States to transpose the European Accessibility Act into national law. The Act breaks down barriers for persons with disabilities, one of the EU's obligations as Party to the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Act ensures that everyone has access to a range of everyday products and services, including public transport, banking services, computers, TV, e-books, and online shopping.

EU, MEPs agree one-year extension for COVID Certificate — 14 June 2022, 21:52 CET

Negotiating teams from the European Parliament and EU Council agreed Monday to keep the EU Digital COVID Certificate framework in place for another year, until June 2023.

EU reaches political agreement on adequate minimum wage — 07 June 2022, 21:33 CET

The European Parliament and EU Member States reached political agreement Tuesday on EU rules to set adequate minimum wages, as provided by national law and/or collective agreements.

EU to recognise COVID-19 as occupational disease — 23 May 2022, 17:26 CET

Member States, workers and employers in an EU advisory health committee reached agreement Wednesday on the need to recognise COVID-19 as an occupational disease in health and social care.

EU looks to legal migration to help meet skills needs — 27 April 2022, 22:52 CET

The EU Commission proposed Wednesday a set of legal, operational and policy initiatives to improve migration management to the benefit of the EU economy and strengthen cooperation with non-EU countries.