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European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 by EUbusiness — last modified 09 April 2018, 16:01 CET

The European Commission presented on 2 February its Progress Report on implementation of the European Disability Strategy 2010-2020.

2017 EU Citizenship Report - guide by EUbusiness — last modified 25 January 2017, 18:07 CET

The European Commission published on 24 January its third EU Citizenship Report taking stock of progress since 2014 and further presenting actions to ensure citizens can fully enjoy their rights when working, travelling, studying or participating in elections.

Modernisation of EU policy on health and safety at work by EUbusiness — last modified 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.

EU gender equality intiatives by EUbusiness — last modified 08 March 2016, 15:02 CET

On International Women's Day 2016, here are the priorities of the European Commission in terms of gender equality.

EU action to combat terrorism and illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives by EUbusiness — last modified 02 December 2015, 23:18 CET

The European Commission adopted on 2 December a package of measures to step up the fight against terrorism and the illegal trafficking of firearms and explosives.

International Day for the elimination of Violence against women by EUbusiness — last modified 25 November 2015, 00:04 CET

The United Nations General Assembly has designated November 25 as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Resolution 54/134). The premise of the day is to raise awareness of the fact that women around the world are subject to rape, domestic violence and other forms of violence; furthermore, one of the aims of the day is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden.

Proposals to strengthen control of firearms across the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 19 November 2015, 00:06 CET

The European Commission adopted on 18 November a package of measures to make it more difficult to acquire firearms in the European Union, track legally held firearms, strengthen cooperation between Member States, and ensure that deactivated firearms are rendered inoperable.

Gender equality: challenges for the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 05 March 2015, 15:40 CET

Ahead of International Women's Day (8 March), the European Commission is reaffirming its commitment to tackle gender inequalities across the EU.

Access City Award 2015 for disabled-friendly cities by EUbusiness — last modified 04 December 2014, 11:04 CET

The 2015 Access City Award has been won by the Swedish city of Borås, the European Commission announced on 3 December. The Award recognises Borås's comprehensive and strategic approach to creating an accessible city for all; a good example of local action to help removing the many barriers that people with disabilities still face in their daily life.

Frontex Operation Triton by EUbusiness — last modified 31 October 2014, 18:51 CET

Frontex has finalised all preparations for the launch of Joint Operation Triton on November 1st 2014. With a monthly budget of EUR 2,9 million the agency will coordinate the deployment of three open sea patrol vessels, two coastal patrol vessels, two coastal patrol boats, two aircraft, and one helicopter in the Central Mediterranean. The operational area of Triton will cover the territorial waters of Italy as well as parts of the search and rescue (SAR) zones of the both countries. Frontex will operate under the command of the Italian Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with Guardia di Finanza, as well as the Italian Coast Guard.

"Going Abroad" app by EUbusiness — last modified 26 June 2014, 21:58 CET

What is the speed limit on Spanish motorways? Do I need to wear a helmet when I cycle in Sweden? What safety equipment must I always have in the car when driving in Slovakia? From now on, holiday makers do not need to spend a lot of time searching for this information. They can have it at hand wherever they are with the European Commission's new smartphone app "Going Abroad".

Report on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and Progress Report on Gender Equality by EUbusiness — last modified 14 April 2014, 17:53 CET

The 4th annual report published today by the European Commission on the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, shows that the importance and prominence of the EU Charter continues to rise: the Court of Justice of the EU increasingly applies the Charter in its decisions while national judges are more and more aware of the Charter's impact and seek guidance from the European Court of Justice. The European Commission has also progressively sought to bring the Charter to life by taking action to promote and defend the rights of EU citizens laid down in the Charter. Since 2010, the European Commission has put in place a 'fundamental rights checklist' and as a result screens every legislative proposal to ensure it is "fundamental-rights proof". The annual report on the application of the Charter tracks the progress made and identifies challenges and concerns. It shows: the European Commission places fundamental rights at the heart of all EU policies.

Cross border taxation of citizens by EUbusiness — last modified 10 April 2014, 22:18 CET

The European Commission is launching two public consultations and creating an expert group to gather ideas on how to tackle any tax obstacles that hinder the cross-border activity of individuals in the Single Market. At the same time, the Commission has launched new web pages aimed at providing useful tax information to individuals who are active across borders.

Simpler, more flexible visa rules by EUbusiness — last modified 02 April 2014, 22:37 CET

Many non-EU nationals wishing to travel to the EU are often faced with cumbersome, lengthy and costly visa procedures. The proposals presented today will seriously shorten and simplify the procedures for those wanting to come to the EU for short stays, and induce more cost savings and less bureaucracy, whilst maintaining the level of security. Making the access to the Schengen area easier for legitimate travellers will facilitate visiting friends and relatives and doing business. It will boost economic activity and job creation in, for instance, the tourism sector as well as in related activities such as restaurant and transport industries. A recent study shows that in 2012 a total number of 6.6 million potential travellers from six of the countries with the most travellers were 'lost' due to cumbersome visa procedures. It also showed that more flexible and accessible visa rules could lead to an increase in trips to the Schengen area of between 30% and up to 60%, only from these six countries. This could mean as much as EUR 130 billion in total direct spending over five years (in accommodation, food and drink, transports, entertainment, shopping, etc.), and could translate into some 1.3 million jobs in tourism and related sectors.

Gender Pay Gap stagnates at 16.4% across Europe by EUbusiness — last modified 28 February 2014, 18:38 CET

Women in Europe still work 59 days ‘for free’ – this is what the latest figures released today by the European Commission show. The gender pay gap – the average difference between women and men’s hourly earnings across the entire economy – has barely moved in recent years and still stands at around 16% (it stands at 16.4% as the year before). The latest figures mean European Equal Pay Day is marked on 28 February, for the second year in a row. The EU-wide event marks the date in the new calendar year from which women really begin to be paid for their work as compared to men. In effect it means that today women work 59 days "for free" until they match the amount earned by men. This is the fourth time the Equal Pay Day takes place at European level.

Commission study on integration of mobile EU citizens in six cities by EUbusiness — last modified 11 February 2014, 15:15 CET

EU citizens go to other EU countries mainly for job opportunities and are on average younger and more likely to be working. This is confirmed by a new, independent study on the impact of the right to move freely within the EU, published on 11 February 2014. The study focuses on six European cities, chosen for the multinational composition of their population: Barcelona, Dublin, Hamburg, Lille, Prague and Turin. It shows that for all six cities the inflow of younger, working age EU citizens has had a positive economic impact. For example in Turin, a local evaluation shows that tax revenues from foreigners on the whole brought a net benefit of 1.5 billion € to national public finances. The study also shows that newcomers have helped fill gaps in local labour markets, contributed to growth in new sectors and have helped balance out ageing populations. It finds that mobile citizens are often overqualified for the jobs they take up, may be paid less and at the same time do not always benefit from the same access to housing and education.

EU Anti-Corruption Report by EUbusiness — last modified 03 February 2014, 16:16 CET

Corruption continues to be a challenge for Europe, according to the European Commission. Affecting all EU Member States, corruption costs the European economy around EUR 120 billion per year. Member States have taken many initiatives in recent years, but the results are seen as uneven and the Commission says more should be done to prevent and punish corruption. These are some of the conclusions from the first ever EU Anti-Corruption Report published on 3 February 2014. The EU Anti-Corruption Report explains the situation in each Member State: what anti-corruption measures are in place, which ones are working well, what could be improved and how. National chapters in English and in national languages are available here: http://ec.europa.eu/anti-corruption-report The report shows that both the nature and level of corruption, and the effectiveness of measures taken to fight it, vary from one Member State to another. It also shows that corruption deserves greater attention in all Member States.

Guide on application of ‘Habitual Residence Test’ for social security by EUbusiness — last modified 13 January 2014, 16:21 CET

A practical guide on the 'Habitual Residence Test' to help Member States apply EU rules on the coordination of social security for EU citizens that have moved to another Member State has just been published by the European Commission. The new guide gives more clarity about the EU 'Habitual Residence Test' and will facilitate its application in practice by Member States' authorities.

Free movement of people: five actions to benefit citizens, growth and employment in the EU by EUbusiness — last modified 25 November 2013, 23:23 CET

A European Commission policy paper outlines five concrete actions to strengthen the right to free movement, while helping EU Member States to reap the positive benefits it brings. The policy paper clarifies citizens' rights to free movement and access to social benefits, and addresses the concerns raised by some Member States in relation to the challenges that migration flows can represent for local authorities.

Proposal on increasing Gender Equality in the Boardrooms of Listed Companies by EUbusiness — last modified 21 November 2013, 18:01 CET

Companies listed on stock exchanges in the EU would have to bring in transparent recruitment procedures so that by 2020, at least 40% of their non-executive directors are women, under a draft EU directive voted by Parliament on 20 November 2013. MEPs propose that companies which fail to introduce such procedures should face penalties. In 2013, only 17.6% of non-executive board members of the EU's largest companies were women.