European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
labour conditions
Workers’ conditions in the textile and clothing sector: just an Asian affair? Issues at stake after the Rana Plaza tragedy
Written by Enrico D’Ambrogio More than 70% of EU imports of textile and clothing come from Asia. Many Asian workers have to work in sweatshop conditions, but the issue appears in global media only when major fatal accidents occur, like that at Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, in 2013. Long working hours, low wages, lack of regular contracts, … Continue reading
In-work poverty in the EU
Having a job yet still being unable to make a living: In-work poverty is a phenomenon that affected 9,1 percent of the working age EU population in 2012. The rate of those in work and at risk of poverty has been on the rise since 2005. It applies to those with an income below 60% … Continue reading
EU imports of goods from Chinese forced labour
Goods made by forced labour in China, and a potential ban on their import to the EU, have long been on the EP agenda. Members have addressed numerous questions on the subject to the Commission and Council. Yet, so far EP calls for action have not led to tangible measures. The Chinese labour camp system … Continue reading
Youth Guarantees in the EU
Published 17 July 2013, updated 2 March 2015. On 27 June 2013, EU leaders agreed on a youth jobless fund to implement the 2014-2020 youth employment package announced in December 2012. €6 bn will be made available in the first two years to finance national actions such as (non-binding) youth guarantees. These foresee that anyone under the … Continue reading
Sustainability in the global cotton value chain
6 language versions available in PDF format Nachhaltigkeit der globalen Wertschöpfungskette im Baumwollsektor Sostenibilidad en la cadena de valor mundial del algodón Durabilité au sein de la chaîne de valeur globale du coton Sostenibilità della catena del valore mondiale del cotone Zrównoważony rozwój w globalnym łańcuchu wartości dodanej w sektorze bawełny Sustainability in the global … Continue reading
European women and the crisis (1 page)
6 language versions available in PDF format Frauen in Europa und die Krise Las mujeres europeas y la crisis Les femmes européennes et la crise Le donne europee e la crisi Wpływ kryzysu na sytuację kobiet w Europie European women and the crisis Whilst contracting output in male-dominated sectors prompted some analysts to talk of … Continue reading
Gender aspects of the crisis
The current economic downturn and financial and budgetary crisis has an impact on the situation of both women and men in the labour market, on their living conditions, on income, etc. They also affect gender equality policies, as economic crises are deeply gendered. Academics have questioned whether women are more vulnerable to the effects of the crises … Continue reading
European women and the crisis
Labour markets across the European Union (EU) were severely impacted by the recession with a record high average unemployment rate of 10.7%. Nevertheless, effects of the crisis differ across Member States (MS) and also present different pictures for men and women. The crisis has been repeatedly considered “male-dominated” as men’s unemployment figures rose more dramatically … Continue reading
Download the EPRS App
