Employment Policy in the EU

Latest news on employment policy in the European Union.

Brussels looks to boost long-term apprenticeships abroad — 07 September 2017, 00:05 CET

Seven pilot projects offering long-term apprenticeships abroad of at least 6 months are to be pre-financed by the European Commission, in a bid to promote apprenticeships abroad of longer duration.

Work-related accidents cost EU EUR 476 bn a year — 06 September 2017, 22:22 CET

Work-related ill-health and injury costs the EU 3.3 per cent of its GDP, or EUR 476 billion every year, according to new estimates of the cost of poor occupational safety and health presented Monday.

EU Commission's new Diversity and Inclusion Charter — 20 July 2017, 23:53 CET

A new Diversity and Inclusion Charter and fresh action to reach at least 40 per cent women in management by 2019 are two key features of the Commission's new human resources strategy. The purpose is to create a better workplace for all – including women, staff with disabilities, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex (LGBTI) staff and older staff. Concrete steps will be taken to make best use of the talent of all of the Commission's employees.

Unfair burden on the young: EU employment review — 19 July 2017, 18:08 CET

An annual review of employment and social developments in Europe, published Monday, finds a particularly high burden, exacerbated by demographic ageing, being placed on younger generations.

Brussels launches social security information system — 04 July 2017, 17:02 CET

The EU Commission launched Monday a new IT platform that will connect electronically around 15,000 social security institutions of EU Member States plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information (EESSI) — 04 July 2017, 16:58 CET

EESSI is an IT system that helps social security institutions across to EU exchange information more rapidly and securely, as required by the EU rules on social security coordination. At the moment most exchanges are paper-based: these are going to be replaced by electronic exchanges in the coming years, as EU Member States progress with connecting to EESSI.

Carcinogens at work: EU Council, Parliament reach agreement — 29 June 2017, 22:54 CET

The EU presidency and European Parliament reached a provisional agreement Wednesday on a new directive to help protect workers from exposure to carcinogens or mutagens in the workplace.

Brussels announces portable EU pension plan — 29 June 2017, 18:23 CET

The EU Commission announced plans Thursday for a new class of pan-European pension products, allowing European consumers to benefit from more choice when saving for retirement.

Personal Pensions Products — 29 June 2017, 18:18 CET

Personal pensions (also known as 'private pensions') are long-term savings products that individuals contribute to on a voluntary basis, complementing state and workplace pensions. They have a role to play in linking long-term savers with long-term investment opportunities. The Commission is exploring ways to increase choices for retirement saving and build an EU market for personal pensions.

Pan-European Personal Pension Product (PEPP) — 29 June 2017, 18:12 CET

The European Commission launched on 29 June a new pan-European personal pensions label to help consumers save for retirement.

EU Skills Profile Tool for non-EU Nationals — 21 June 2017, 00:15 CET

On the occasion of the United Nations' World Refugee Day, the European Commission is today releasing the 'EU Skills Profile Tool for Third-Country Nationals'.

EU agrees better protection for workers from cancer-causing substances — 15 June 2017, 22:37 CET

EU Member States reached a general agreement Thursday to guarantee the protection at the workplace of more than 4 million workers from exposure to cancer-causing chemical substances.

Worker entitled to paid holiday: EU Court opinion — 08 June 2017, 15:18 CET

It is incompatible with EU law to require a worker to take leave first before establishing whether he is entitled to be paid for it, EU Court of Justice Advocate General Tanchev made clear in an opinion Thursday.

European Solidarity Corps — 31 May 2017, 00:26 CET

The European Commission adopted on 30 May a proposal for a dedicated legal base and budget for the European Solidarity Corps.

Uber still needs licences: EU Court advisor — 11 May 2017, 18:47 CET

The innovative Uber electronic taxi platform is required to obtain necessary transport licences under national law, a European Court advocate general made clear in an opinion Thursday.

German law on worker participation compatible with EU law: EU Court — 04 May 2017, 13:39 CET

Advocate-general Saugmandsgaard Øe confirmed in an Opinion from the European Court of Justice Thursday that German law on employee participation is compatible with EU law.

MEPs call for EU rules on textile imports to curb worker exploitation — 27 April 2017, 22:30 CET

EU rules are needed to force textile and clothing suppliers to respect the rights of workers around the world, who often suffer long working hours, low wages and hazardous conditions,’ MEPs said Thursday.

EU sets out principles for a social dimension — 27 April 2017, 15:50 CET

The EU Commission set out its 'Pillar of Social Rights' Wednesday, setting out principles relating to labour markets and welfare systems and aiming at improving working and living conditions in Europe.

Gender pay gap persists, women earn 16.3% less than men — 09 March 2017, 23:40 CET

A report on gender equality to mark International Women's Day on Wednesday shows that despite women's employment rate reaching an all-time high, women still earn 16.3% less than men across Europe.

Social rights: EU prepares to address citizens' disconnect — 23 January 2017, 17:56 CET

More "fairness and social justice in Europe" is the aim of of the European Commission as it prepared next steps towards a European Pillar of Social Rights Monday at a high level conference in Brussels.

UK needs migrant workers, but will they come? - report — 17 January 2017, 23:22 CET

A new report on the impact of Brexit on UK migration shows that job sectors where EU workers are most needed are seeing the biggest immediate dip in interest following the leave vote in June.

Modernisation of EU policy on health and safety at work — 13 January 2017, 00:24 CET

The European Commission took action on 10 January 2017 to promote and modernise Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the EU.

Fairer rules promised in EU benefits shake-up — 15 December 2016, 15:50 CET

The EU Commission unveiled an overhaul of social security rules Wednesday, acknowledging a Brexit campaign which highlighted 'benefits tourism' as a major concern of voters.

European Solidarity Corps — 12 December 2018, 12:02 CET

The European Solidarity Corps is the new European Union initiative which creates opportunities for young people to volunteer or work in projects in their own country or abroad that benefit communities and people around Europe.

European Solidarity Corps — 08 December 2016, 13:09 CET

The European Commission launched the European Solidarity Corps on 7 December 2016, providing young people between the ages of 18 and 30 with the opportunity to sign up for new opportunities to make an important contribution to society across the EU, and to gain invaluable experience and acquire valuable skills at the start of their career.