Employment Policy in the EU

Latest news on employment policy in the European Union.

MEPs greenlight EU's EUR 672.5 bn stimulus funding

The European Parliament gave the green light Wednesday to EUR 672.5 billion in grants and loans from a 'Recovery and Resilience' fund to help EU countries tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Recovery and Resilience Facility

The Recovery and Resilience Facility is the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU to help the EU emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crisis. The Facility will make EUR 672.5 billion in loans and grants available to support reforms and investments undertaken by Member States. The aim is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic and make European economies and societies more sustainable, resilient and better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions.

EU disburses EUR 14 bn to help fight social impact of Covid

The EU Commission disbursed EUR 14 billion to nine Member States Tuesday in the fourth instalment of financial support to Member States to help alleviate the social impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

MEPs vote for 'right to disconnect' from work

The European Parliament called Thursday for an EU law to define minimum requirements for remote working including a right to digitally disconnect from work without facing negative repercussions.

EU steps up efforts to tackle gender pay gap

The EU Council called on the Commission and EU member states Thursday to make greater efforts to reduce the gender pay gap and gender gaps in care, and to combat gender stereotypes.

MEPs call for EU-wide right to 'disconnect' from work

Disconnecting from work should be a fundamental right, the European Parliament's Employment Committee said Wednesday, with MEPs calling for a bill which would grant this right to all EU workers.

Brussels outlines plan for inclusion of migrants

A new plan on Integration and Inclusion for 2021-2027, unveiled by the EU Commission Tuesday, addresses barriers that hinder participation and inclusion of people with a migrant background in European society.

EU states receive EUR 14 bn pandemic help

As the second COVID wave hits Europe hard, the EU Commission Tuesday disbursed some EUR 14 billion to nine EU countries in the second instalment of loans to help finance short-time work schemes.

Brussels outlines EU's first-ever LGBTIQ strategy

The Commission presented Thursday an EU Strategy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, non-binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) equality, aimed at combating homophobia and transphobia within the Union.

Covid crisis needs adequate minimum wages, says EC

The European Commission proposed Wednesday a new directive to ensure that EU workers are protected by adequate minimum wages allowing for a decent living during the COVID crisis.

Adequate minimum wages - background guide

The European Commission proposes on 28 October an EU Directive to ensure that the workers in the Union are protected by adequate minimum wages allowing for a decent living wherever they work.

Strong take-up of EUR 17 bn inaugural EU 'social bonds'

There was strong investor interest in the EUR 17 billion inaugural 'social bonds' issued Wednesday under the EU's 'SURE' instrument, set up to help protect jobs and keep people in work over the pandemic.

EU SURE social bonds first issue

The European Commission issued a EUR 17 billion inaugural social bond on 21 October under the EU SURE instrument to help protect jobs and keep people in work.

EU states look to coordinate COVID travel measures

The EU adopted Tuesday a common framework on travel measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with recommendations to help states take decisions based on the epidemiological situation region by region.

EU to issue EUR 100bn social bonds to protect jobs

The EU Commission announced Wednesday that it will issue its forthcoming SURE bonds of up to EUR 100 billion - designed to help protect jobs and keep people in work through the pandemic - as social bonds.

Commission to issue EU SURE bonds of up to EUR 100 billion as social bonds

The European Commission announced on 7 October that it will issue its forthcoming EU SURE bonds of up to EUR 100 billion as social bonds.

EUR 87.4 bn to support workers through COVID-19

The EU Council approved Friday financial support of EUR 87.4 bn to 16 Member States in the form of EU loans under SURE - a temporary EU instrument to mitigate unemployment risks during the COVID-19 crisis.

SURE - the temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency

The temporary Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) is available for Member States that need to mobilise significant financial means to fight the negative economic and social consequences of the coronavirus outbreak on their territory. It can provide financial assistance up to EUR 100 billion in the form of loans from the EU to affected Member States to address sudden increases in public expenditure for the preservation of employment.

Brussels to improve workers' protection against cancer-causing chemicals

The EU Commission proposed a new revision of the Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive Tuesday, with new or revised limit values limiting workers' exposure to three important cancer-causing chemicals.

Improved protection against cancer for workers

To improve workers' protection against cancer, the European Commission proposed on 22 September to further limit their exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

MEPs give green light to major road transport reform

The European Parliament agreed major reform of the road transport Thursday, when MEPs backed revised rules to improve driver working conditions and stop distortion of competition in road transport.

Brussels presents new employment agenda

The European Commission outlined a package Wednesday to give improve opportunities for young people in a post-Covid Europe to develop their potential and thrive in green and digital transitions.

European Skills Agenda

The Commission presented on 1 July the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience. It sets ambitious, quantitative objectives for upskilling (improving existing skills) and reskilling (training in new skills) to be achieved within the next 5 years.

Youth Employment Support

The European Commission is taking action on 1 July to give young people all possible opportunities to develop their full potential to shape the future of the EU, and thrive in the green and digital transitions.

EU reaches provisional deal on new rules for truck drivers

The EU Parliament's transport committee endorsed Monday a provisional agreement with ministers to improve driver working conditions, posting of drivers and better enforcement against illegal practices.