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Social Policy in the EU

News and information about the European Union's social policies.

EU warns Italy on discriminatory pension age again 04 June 2010, 23:30 CET
The European Commission has issued on Thursday a new request to Italy to comply with a 2008 European Court of Justice ruling that different pensionable ages for male and female civil servants violate the principle of equal pay.

Parliament proposes standard maternity leave rights for self-employed women 18 May 2010, 18:11 CET
EU Member States should grant standard social protection, including at least 14 weeks' maternity leave allowance, for self-employed women and for wives or life partners of self-employed workers, says the European Parliament in a binding proposal to update an EU directive.

Parliament seeks equal treatment for self-employed 14 May 2010, 23:23 CET
Euro-MPs want to promote female entrepreneurship and are proposing new rules to bridge the gender gap for self-employed workers and their partners and to ensure everyone has social protection.

New social security regulations enter into force in the EU 30 April 2010, 21:51 CET
On 1 May 2010, new regulations on social security coordination in the European Union enter into force. The aim is to make life easier for Europeans on the move.

EU's modernised social security - Briefing 06 May 2010, 20:17 CET
On 1 May 2010, new regulations on social security coordination in the European Union enter into force. The aim is to make life easier for Europeans on the move.

EU Roma website 05 April 2011, 17:26 CET
For more than one thousand years, the Roma have been an integral part of European civilisation. Today, with an estimated population of 10-12 million people, Roma are the biggest ethnic minority in Europe, present in all 27 EU Member States. Most Roma are EU citizens. However, their situation is characterised by persistent discrimination and social exclusion. Roma are at risk of poverty, unemployment, stereotypes and prejudice.

Communication on Roma in Europe and Progress Report on Roma inclusion 2008-2010 09 April 2010, 00:45 CET
Roma communities, the European Union’s largest ethnic minority, continue to face persistent discrimination and segregation. The European Commission urged EU Member States in a report today to use EU funds for the social and economic integration of Roma. Ensuring these communities’ access to jobs and non-segregated education, housing and health services is vital to their social inclusion, the report said. The integration of the estimated 10 to 12 million Roma – a population as large as Belgium’s or Greece’s – is a joint responsibility of Member States and EU institutions. A separate report evaluated the progress achieved in integration over the past two years.

Strategic reports from EU Member States on cohesion policy 2007-2013 - briefing 31 March 2010, 13:10 CET
EUR 93 billion or 27 per cent of EU funding has been allocated to projects for investment in jobs and growth in Europe over the last three years, according to a report adopted today on the EU's cohesion programmes for the 2007-2013 period. The report assesses, for the first time, the rate of progress of each country on delivering agreed EU objectives. It shows how well EU Member States aligned their programmes to EU goals of jobs and growth and contributes to an open debate on achievements and challenges of cohesion policy programmes. Furthermore the report calls on Member States to improve the implementation of programmes, to make optimal use of the cohesion money, for instance in the rail sector, key energy and environment projects and the field of social inclusion.

EU proposes stronger measures against human trafficking 30 March 2010, 17:38 CET
The European Commission today proposed new rules to step up the fight against trafficking in human beings. The new proposal will help to combat modern slavery by ensuring consistency of national rules on crimes and penalties, better assistance for victims and tougher action to prosecute criminals responsible for trafficking.

Proposal for a Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting victims, repealing Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA 30 March 2010, 17:39 CET
On 29 March 2010 the European Commission tabled a proposal for a new Directive on trafficking in human beings, aimed at further approximating legislation and penalties, ensuring successful prosecution, better protection of and assistance to victims, and prevention of trafficking. It follows up on a previous proposal tabled in 2009. The Directive, if approved, will replace current EU legislation dating from 2002 (Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA).

Proposal for a Directive on combating sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, repealing Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA 29 March 2010, 15:41 CET
On 29 March 2010 the European Commission adopted a proposal for a new Directive on combating sexual abuse, sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. It follows up a previous proposal tabled in 2009. The Directive, if approved, will replace current EU legislation dating from 2004 (Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA).

Clearer EU rules for international couples - briefing 24 March 2010, 13:44 CET
An Austrian woman marries a British man in the UK. The couple lives for two years in Austria with their son. The husband then leaves and the wife wants a divorce. However, she doesn't know which law will apply to her divorce. Can she get a divorce under Austrian law or does UK law apply? Thousands of Europeans find themselves in such difficult situations each year because each EU country has its own system for deciding which country’s law applies to divorces. The European Commission has proposed a concrete solution: a law that will allow couples to choose which country's laws apply to their divorce. The proposed EU Regulation will help couples of different nationalities, couples living apart in different countries or living together in a country other than their home country. The aim is to lessen the burden on children and to protect weaker partners during divorce disputes. There are around 300,000 international marriages per year in the EU. Today's proposal follows a request from 10 Member States (Austria, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Slovenia and Spain) and would be the first time the "enhanced cooperation" mechanism would be used in EU history.

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, 17:11 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.

Health and safety of pregnant workers - FAQ 24 February 2010, 14:20 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.

Germany's age law ruled incompatible with EU Directives 08 February 2010, 14:22 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.

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, 13:32 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.

Strategy to combat illicit accumulation and trafficking of light weapons 13 December 2009, 00:24 CET
The Strategy proposes an action plan and stresses the importance of pursuing a coherent security and development policy, taking maximum advantage of the wide range of mechanisms available to the EU.

European System of national and regional accounts in the Community 10 June 2010, 10:13 CET
The purpose of this Regulation is to make available comparable, up-to-date and reliable information on the structure and developments in the economic situation of the Member States of the EU and their regions.

Renewed commitment for non-discrimination and equal opportunities 08 December 2009, 00:54 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.

EU Fundamental rights and citizenship (2007-2013) 08 December 2009, 01:01 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, 10:14 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, 21:04 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.

Eurobarometer survey on discrimination 09 November 2009, 19:37 CET
Special Eurobarometer survey on discrimination – summary, report and national factsheets