European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
social rights
EU policies – Delivering for citizens: Health and social security [Policy Podcast]
While the main responsibility for health and social security lies primarily with the governments of the individual European Union (EU) Member States, the EU complements national policies, especially those having a cross-border dimension. Continue reading
Inequality [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Inequality has diminished on a global scale in the last 30 years, as more than two billion people have been lifted out of poverty in countries such as China or India. Continue reading
EU social policies [What Think Tanks are thinking]
Written by Marcin Grajewski, On 26 April, the European Commission presented a European Pillar of Social Rights, which is a package of legislative proposals and recommendations aimed at enhancing work-life balance, fostering equal opportunities and better access to the labour market, as well as improving working conditions. Under the proposal, for example, new fathers would … Continue reading
Maternity and paternity leave in the EU
Written by Ulla Jurviste, Martina Prpic and Giulio Sabbati Updated in December 2016 Maternity leave policies in EU Member States are governed by the 1992 Pregnant Workers Directive, which sets the minimum period for maternity leave at 14 weeks, with 2 weeks’ compulsory leave before and/or after confinement and an adequate allowance subject to national … Continue reading
Austerity, labour market and international treaties. Cases of four EU countries in receipt of financial assistance
Due to the global financial crisis and the European sovereign debt crisis several European countries (in particular Greece, Ireland Portugal and Spain) were forced to ask for financial assistance. In return they had to commit to implement so-called austerity measures aimed at reducing their budget deficits. These countries also agreed to implement structural changes such as labour market reforms in order to improve their competitiveness. … Continue reading
The fundamental rights of LGBT people
The findings of a recent survey of the Fundamental Rights Agency show that one in two LGBT people felt discriminated against or harassed in the twelve months preceding the survey. In the area of employment, as well as in other areas such as education, healthcare, housing, etc., this minority is often confronted by homophobic or … Continue reading
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