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.
by Martin Banks
Rights group calls for “tough sanctions” on Turkey
12 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Rights group calls for “tough sanctions” on Turkey
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
13 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Hungary and Belgium face criticism in Amnesty International report
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
EU High Representative in China censorship row
05 May Jobs & Social Rights
EU High Representative in China censorship row
Josep Borrell was grilled by MEPs last week over allegations that China had attempted to influence the results of a key disinformation report on the Coronavirus outbreak. 
Coronavirus: EU’s national leaders must seize the moment
05 May Jobs & Social Rights
Coronavirus: EU’s national leaders must seize the moment
Can Europe’s political leaders rise to the challenges of a hostile, post COVID-19 world, asks Friends of Europe's Giles Merritt.
 
Coronavirus: Charities welcome European Parliament’s homeless initiative
04 May Jobs & Social Rights
Coronavirus: Charities welcome European Parliament’s homeless initiative
A leading homeless advocacy group in Brussels has given a cautious welcome to assorted practical help offered by the European Parliament for people in need during the pandemic.
David Sassoli Interview: European Parliament's key role in shaping EU's Coronavirus response
04 May Jobs & Social Rights
David Sassoli Interview: European Parliament's key role in shaping EU's Coronavirus response
With the European Union arguably facing its biggest crisis, European Parliament President David Sassoli tells Lorna Hutchinson that platitudes about solidarity are not enough; the EU will only prove its worth to citizens by acting in unison.
A SURE thing
28 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
A SURE thing
The European Commission’s SURE temporary unemployment support scheme must be implemented urgently and in a similar manner across all EU Member States, argues Yana Toom.
Coronavirus: Vulnerable groups at risk of shouldering burden of crisis, warns EU civil society network
28 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Coronavirus: Vulnerable groups at risk of shouldering burden of crisis, warns EU civil society network
Concern that economic and social recovery will put profit before rights and wellbeing of EU citizens, says Piotr Sadowski.
MEPs sign letter demanding minimum income to help Europe’s poorest survive Coronavirus
27 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
MEPs sign letter demanding minimum income to help Europe’s poorest survive Coronavirus
A total of 23 deputies from four different mainstream political groups have co-signed a letter backing the demand by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN).
Short-term work schemes: Putting people first
27 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Short-term work schemes: Putting people first
By helping Member States safeguard jobs and preserve their economic structures, the EU can help prevent the COVID-19 outbreak from causing long-lasting economic and social damage, explains Nicolas Schmit
Coronavirus crisis offers chance to ‘transform’ society, says EU Commissioner
24 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Coronavirus crisis offers chance to ‘transform’ society, says EU Commissioner
Mariya Gabriel told MEPs that public disaffection was one of the reasons the European Commission is launching a pan-European “hackathon.”
Coronavirus: Homeless groups in Brussels say practical help offered by the European parliament has been a ‘Godsend’
23 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Coronavirus: Homeless groups in Brussels say practical help offered by the European parliament has been a ‘Godsend’
Use of EP buildings, chauffeur service and meal provision and distribution has helped city maintain services for the most vulnerable during the Coronavirus crisis.
EU's ‘North versus South’ battle gears up over how to tackle economic fallout of Coronavirus
23 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
EU's ‘North versus South’ battle gears up over how to tackle economic fallout of Coronavirus
A video summit of EU leaders is expected to focus on disagreements over calls to introduce jointly issued debt - known as coronabonds - as a way of financing measures to counter the economic impact of the crisis.
We must show citizens that the EU is here when they need it
22 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
We must show citizens that the EU is here when they need it
In this time of crisis, Consumer protection is more important than ever, explains IMCO Committee chair Petra De Sutter.

 

Assita Kanko: Delivering value through action
20 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Assita Kanko: Delivering value through action
Europe can emerge from the Coronavirus crisis a stronger, wiser and more unified force, having learned several crucial lessons, Assita Kanko tells Lorna Hutchinson.
Von der Leyen apologises for EU’s initial lack of Coronavirus preparedness
16 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Von der Leyen apologises for EU’s initial lack of Coronavirus preparedness
The President of the European Commission has offered a “heartfelt apology” for the EU’s initial response to the Coronavirus crisis, which has been widely criticised for being too slow.
A trial and error response to the Coronavirus
15 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
A trial and error response to the Coronavirus
Europe cannot afford this kind of approach when the economy is in free fall, argues László Andor.
Letter from Italy: A snapshot of solidarity and fortitude
15 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Letter from Italy: A snapshot of solidarity and fortitude
Italy has been in the grip of the Coronavirus pandemic for weeks on end – a country pushed to its limits. But amid the pain Italians have shown remarkable resilience and unity, writes Roger Casale.
New horizons for European investment
10 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
New horizons for European investment
Europe must recognise the excellent work of its researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs, now and in the future, writes Mariya Gabriel.
Member States must tackle rise in domestic violence, says senior MEP
09 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Member States must tackle rise in domestic violence, says senior MEP
Evelyn Regner, chair of Parliament’s FEMM committee, has joined others in urging the EU and Member States to increase support for the growing number of domestic violence victims during the COVID-19 crisis.
Overcrowded refugee camp could become Coronavirus disaster, says MEP Erik Marquardt
09 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Overcrowded refugee camp could become Coronavirus disaster, says MEP Erik Marquardt
The EU cannot keep avoiding the refugee and asylum problems on Europe’s external borders, warns the Greens/EFA deputy.
International Roma Day: Lessons must be learned from the Coronavirus pandemic
08 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
International Roma Day: Lessons must be learned from the Coronavirus pandemic
Europe’s Roma are facing a humanitarian disaster, warns Zeljko Jovanovic.
Empower the future of Africa PM+
07 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Empower the future of Africa
Morocco’s Mohammed VI Polytechnic University is at the forefront of Africa’s new ‘Brain Gain’, writes Colin Mackay
Political groups welcome emergency unemployment scheme
03 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Political groups welcome emergency unemployment scheme
Two of Parliament’s biggest political groups have welcomed the Commission’s new scheme, which aims to support workers and avoid massive unemployment caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
EU steps up efforts to counter disinformation during COVID-19 crisis
02 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
EU steps up efforts to counter disinformation during COVID-19 crisis
The European Commission has launched a special section on its website where people can fact-check information, including so-called “cures” for the virus.
Autism Awareness Day: Being unique
02 Apr Jobs & Social Rights
Autism Awareness Day: Being unique
The EU needs to do more to empower people with disabilities and give them the opportunity to learn and excel in their own way, argues Miriam Dalli.