Social Policy in the EU

Latest news about Social Policy in the European Union

Work-life balance package - briefing — 03 October 2008, 18:11 CET

Latest news, background information and web links about the employment policies of the European Union.

EU seeks more time out for working mothers — 05 October 2008, 19:29 CET

The Commission has unveiled plans to extend minimum maternity leave in Europe by around a month, putting pressure on several EU nations to offer more support.

EU seeks to extend paid maternity leave — 02 October 2008, 01:18 CET

The Commission is to unveil plans to extend minimum EU maternity leave from 14 to 18 weeks, a move which would force several nations to offer more support to new mothers.

EU court adviser rejects case against British retirement law — 23 September 2008, 13:25 CET

The European court's top advisor has rejected a rights group's claim that British retirement law, under which the over-65s can be forced to stop working, breaks EU law.

EU unveils action plan to combat drug abuse — 18 September 2008, 16:46 CET

The European Commission unveiled Thursday a new action plan for tackling drug abuse, with cocaine consumption in Europe on the rise.

Free food for Europe's poor - Commission proposal — 17 September 2008, 18:10 CET

The European Commission proposed on 17 September to improve the current food distribution programme for the most deprived persons in the European Union by increasing the budget by two thirds to around EUR 500 million from 2009 and extending the range of products which can be provided.

EU seeks to expand food aid for Europe's poor — 17 September 2008, 22:51 CET

The Commission is proposing to expand its food programme for the most deprived people by boosting the budget by two-thirds and increasing the range of products provided.

European Commission action on the Roma — 16 September 2008, 17:39 CET

The Roma website of the European Commission. Roma are an integral part of European civilization. The European Union aims to promote their full inclusion into society and their participation in the economy, in the labour market, in cultural life and in decision-making.

Greek Roma living in an 'unacceptable' situation: UN official — 16 September 2008, 17:42 CET

A senior United Nations official told Greece Tuesday it should take urgent measures to improve quality of life for Roma gypsies living there.

EU holds first Roma poverty summit — 16 September 2008, 18:24 CET

EU and Roma community leaders on Tuesday sought to end discrimination and poverty suffered by one of Europe's biggest minorities, with Italy's treatment of Roma casting a cloud over a summit.

EU probes complaints about housing discrimination in Belgium — 10 September 2008, 19:21 CET

The Commission is seeking information from the Belgian authorities over complaints that French-speakers are discriminated against over public housing.

Rights groups concerned about EU stance on Italy's Roma policy — 09 September 2008, 15:31 CET

Rights campaigners expressed concern Tuesday about the European Commission's stance on Italy's controversial Roma gypsy policy and urged Brussels to release an Italian report on the matter.

France to call for EU, UN action on women's and gay rights — 03 September 2008, 23:13 CET

France is to call for a European Union drive to tackle violence against women worldwide and for the United Nations to step up action against homophobia, the French human rights minister said on Wednesday.

EU population growth set to halt over next half century — 28 August 2008, 00:15 CET

Population growth in EU nations will grind to a halt over the next 50 years, with the number of retired people set to almost double and weigh on the economy, data released Tuesday shows.

Gender pay gap narrowing in Europe — 21 August 2008, 23:34 CET

The pay gap between men and women in Europe is narrowing but the difference still amounts to almost 16 per cent, according to new data, according to new data released on Thursday.

Old and alone in the European Union — 17 August 2008, 11:30 CET

The population of the European Union is rapidly ageing, with one woman in two and one man in five over 75 years of age living alone today, according to the bloc's Eurostat statistical agency.

Italy to seek Brussels' view on controversial immigration law — 01 August 2008, 21:51 CET

The Italian government, criticised by Brussels for its immigration policy, on Friday sought the opinion of the European Commission on the wording of new legislation on refugees and immigration.

Nine EU states say ready to harmonise divorce laws — 25 July 2008, 22:31 CET

Frustrated by wide differences in divorce laws across the bloc, nine EU nations decided Friday to simplify procedures for thousands of couples from each of their countries breaking up each year.

Working conditions in the EU 2007–2008 — 24 July 2008, 23:34 CET

Annual review of working conditions in the EU 2007–2008 - from the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (pdf)

EU says governments failing to implement lost children hotlines — 10 July 2008, 15:16 CET

EU member states are failing to do enough to protect missing children, the Commission said on Thursday, accusing member states of dragging their feet on setting up hotlines.

Euro-MPs protest to Italy over Roma fingerprint row — 09 July 2008, 19:27 CET

More than 100 members of the European Parliament, including party group leaders, on Wednesday added their fingerprints to a petition protesting Italy's policy on gypsies.

EU unable to agree child alert system, boosts cooperation — 08 July 2008, 16:46 CET

European nations agreed Tuesday to cooperate more closely in the hunt for lost children but could not endorse a Europe-wide alert system sought by the parents of missing British toddler Madeleine McCann.

Ensuring the sustainability of the European Social Survey — 07 July 2008, 23:43 CET

Work has got underway to ensure the long term sustainability of the European Social Survey (ESS). Since its inception in 2001, the ESS has dedicated itself to bringing to the fore the changes that are occurring in Europe's social, political and cultural fabric.

EU challenges Italy for explanation on Roma fingerprint plan — 07 July 2008, 18:10 CET

EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot demanded an explanation from Italy Monday about its controversial scheme to fingerprint gypsies in the country.

Barroso urges lower energy prices to help poor: report — 06 July 2008, 14:43 CET

European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso has called on EU member states to stagger energy prices to help poor households, in an interview published on Sunday.