This week in the European Parliament
18 Oct Jobs & Social Rights

This week in the European Parliament

The European Parliament’s second October Strasbourg session is not only packed with key issues coming to fruition, but also comes with quite a few potential moments of reckoning and could turn out to be action packed
by Andreas Rogal
Issue 542 | 11 October 2021
11 Oct Jobs & Social Rights
Issue 542 | 11 October 2021
MEPs must put the protection of Europe’s workers from asbestos at the top of the European Commission’s agenda, argues Nikolaj Villumsen
19 Oct Jobs & Social Rights
MEPs must put the protection of Europe’s workers from asbestos at the top of the European Commission’s agenda, argues Nikolaj Villumsen
The EU must strengthen its policy response to tackling asbestos; anything less would be negligence, argues Cindy Franssen
19 Oct Jobs & Social Rights
The EU must strengthen its policy response to tackling asbestos; anything less would be negligence, argues Cindy Franssen
Issue 535 | 10 May 2021
10 May Jobs & Social Rights
Issue 535 | 10 May 2021
The latest edition of The Parliament Magazine is now available to read online for free.
EU leaders face demands to implement European Pillar of Social Rights when they meet in Porto for a ‘social summit’
07 May Jobs & Social Rights
EU leaders face demands to implement European Pillar of Social Rights when they meet in Porto for a ‘social summit’
At the two day meeting they will be asked to commit to quantitative targets in three areas: employment, skills and poverty.
The glass ceiling: Cracked, but not broken
04 May Jobs & Social Rights
The glass ceiling: Cracked, but not broken
Work culture and structure remain impediments to women achieving their full potential. Tackling preconceived notions is therefore key to changing the status quo, a recent conference heard. Lorna Hutchinson reports.
Coming months will be ‘vital to existence’ of Europe’s arts and culture industry, says industry alliance
30 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Coming months will be ‘vital to existence’ of Europe’s arts and culture industry, says industry alliance
Warning comes in letter to European Commission from organisations representing culture sector, including organisers of large-scale live events.
Time for Europe to close the health inequities gap
30 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Time for Europe to close the health inequities gap
The link between health and social determinants is indisputable; this is why we must act to close the societal inequalities that persist in Europe, urges Sara Cerdas
Issue 534 | 26 April 2021
26 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Issue 534 | 26 April 2021
Gracing this issue’s cover is Hungarian Renew Europe deputy Katalin Cseh, who was drawn to politics having witnessed the deterioration of rule of law in her native Hungary. She talks to deputy editor Lorna Hutchinson about what it means to be European, the power of sanctions on China, and that SofaGate incident.
Hungarian MEP raises questions over his country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan
23 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Hungarian MEP raises questions over his country’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan
István Ujhelyi says there’s been no meaningful consultation on the plan by Viktor Orbán’s government.
MEPs condemn plans for European football super league
20 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
MEPs condemn plans for European football super league
EU policymakers have said they will work with sports authorities, leagues, clubs, players and fans to prevent football “becoming the preserve of a few”.
Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances
16 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Plenary vote on EU-UK Agreement in limbo pending Brexit deal assurances
Despite approval from the Foreign Affairs and International Trade committees, the European Parliament has decided not to set a date for the final vote until the UK fully implements the Withdrawal Agreement.
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
13 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
In its 2020 annual report on the state of human rights around the world, the charity says the health pandemic has thrown into stark relief, and sometimes aggravated, existing inequalities and patterns of abuse.
Pandemic has underlined need for more legal migration for low-paid work, say MEPs
13 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Pandemic has underlined need for more legal migration for low-paid work, say MEPs
Deputies have demanded new legal ways for people to come and work in the EU, including instruments enabling legal migration for medium and low-paid employment.
Rights group calls for “tough sanctions” on Turkey
12 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Rights group calls for “tough sanctions” on Turkey
The StopErdoganNow group says the EEAS is not taking concerns about alleged human rights violations in Turkey seriously enough.
International Romani Day: Time to take off the blinkers
08 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
International Romani Day: Time to take off the blinkers
Despite some positive steps towards the inclusion of Roma in the EU, the Coronavirus crisis has laid bare the stark reality of life for Roma people and this must be urgently addressed, writes Peter Pollák.
Vlad Gheorghe interview: Talkin' 'bout my generation
06 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Vlad Gheorghe interview: Talkin' 'bout my generation
Vlad Gheorghe was just a toddler when Romania’s 50-year experiment with Communism came crashing down in December 1989. He explains to Brian Johnson how the country’s integration back into the EU fold has been a major factor in shaping his politics and worldview.
The snail's pace progress of EU justice
02 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
The snail's pace progress of EU justice
Despite European Commission pilot proceedings against Italy, the snail’s pace progress of EU justice in tackling discrimination against non-national teaching staff in Italian universities means the case is unlikely to be resolved any time soon, explains Henry Rodgers.
Embracing equality in a digital era Partner Content
01 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Embracing equality in a digital era
Unless urgent action is taken women will become victims of digital discrimination, a recent event heard. Martin Banks reports.
Artificial Intelligence: Reinforcing discrimination
19 Mar Jobs & Social Rights
Artificial Intelligence: Reinforcing discrimination
The European Commission’s upcoming proposal may be the last opportunity to prevent harmful uses of AI-powered technologies, many of which are already marginalising Europe’s racialised communities, writes Sarah Chander.
Issue 532 | 15 March 2021
15 Mar Jobs & Social Rights
Issue 532 | 15 March 2021
Gracing this issue’s cover is Spanish Renew Europe deputy Jordi Cañas. With the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement negotiations approaching the finish line, Parliament’s rapporteur tells reporter Ana Gallego why this may be the last chance to seal a deal with the South American trade bloc.
Why building a fixed link between Europe and Africa matters Partner Content
08 Mar Jobs & Social Rights
Why building a fixed link between Europe and Africa matters
The post-pandemic world needs ambitious projects that respect the environment, generate employment and guarantee social stability, writes Abdelmalek Alaoui.
Commission’s equal pay proposal a “positive step forward”
05 Mar Jobs & Social Rights
Commission’s equal pay proposal a “positive step forward”
MEPs have welcomed plans to plug Europe’s gender pay gap.
The Khojaly Genocide: A Crime against Humanity Partner Content
26 Feb Jobs & Social Rights
The Khojaly Genocide: A Crime against Humanity
After almost 30 years, to ensure lasting peace in the Karabakh region, we must not forget such crimes against humanity, writes Konul Nurullayeva.
Issue 531 | 1 March 2021
26 Feb Jobs & Social Rights
Issue 531 | 1 March 2021
Gracing the cover this issue is Irish EPP deputy Frances Fitzgerald. A staunch defender of women’s rights, Fitzgerald says she believes we are entering a new era of equality, telling deputy editor Lorna Hutchinson that despite recent setbacks, fresh momentum for change is building.
Plight of Europe’s Roma further exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic
22 Feb Jobs & Social Rights
Plight of Europe’s Roma further exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic
The claim has been made by the Open Society Foundations’ Public Health Programme.
Time to put EU's Coronavirus recovery plan in motion says Portuguese presidency chief
15 Feb Jobs & Social Rights
Time to put EU's Coronavirus recovery plan in motion says Portuguese presidency chief
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa tells MEPs that EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility is a ‘vitamin’ to aid Europe's economic revival.