European countries face the challenges of ageing populations supported by shrinking workforces, more precarious types of employment, and in many cases, a decreasing number of jobs in the wake of the economic crisis. As a result, the issue of how to enable more people to participate in the labour market and to continue to do so until an older age has become a key policy issue in all EU Member State
In the following blog piece, originally posted on Social Europe Journal, Martina Bisello and Enrique Fernández-Macías look at the impact of routine tasks on working life, and how routine fits into the larger debate on computerisation and automation.
In the digital age, there are fewer routine jobs because of a higher risk of automation. But a great paradox of this age is this: workers in most
In the following blog piece, originally posted in Social Europe Journal, Eurofound Research Manager Hans Dubois looks at the potential of partial-retirement to extend working lives in Europe, and improve the sustainability of pension schemes.
There are limits to the effectiveness of member states’ pension reforms…
Europe, it’s often said, is experiencing a worsening ageing crisis. European
The prevalence of structural problems in dwellings in the EU varies considerably between Member States.
On average, 12% of EU residents report damp or leaks in their walls and roofs; 9% live in accommodation with rot in the windows, doors or floors; and 14% of resident indicate that they cannot afford to keep their home adequately warm.
Such problems are most common in Cyprus, where 51% of d
A new report from Eurofound – Developments in working life in Europe: EurWORK annual review 2015 – collates information based on research from Eurofound’s network of European correspondents. The correspondents report national-level information on industrial relations and working conditions for the Agency’s European Observatory of Working Life (EurWORK).
The material, published in the form of a
The 11th European Congress of the International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA) took place in Milan over 8–10 September 2016. A corporate member of ILERA, Eurofound has played an active role in previous European and world congresses, contributing to the discussion and sharing information. It continued its contribution at this year’s congress, the theme of which – The future of
Well-functioning social dialogue is a key component in implementing the reforms that will boost European competitiveness. A new report from Eurofound examines how management, employees and their representatives achieve common solutions to common problems. It identifies a number of elements of good practice, such as regular meetings between management and employees to follow up on decisions, contin
On 7 September, Leo Varadkar (pictured right), Irish Minister for Social Protection, visited Eurofound. He met with Eurofound’s Director Juan Menéndez-Valdés and senior research and communications staff to learn more about the Agency’s work in the fields of sustainable work and inclusive labour markets. Eurofound has recently published a report analysing Member States’ strategies to make work more
With people living longer and birth rates falling across Europe, a priority of EU policy is to encourage
Europeans to remain in work beyond current retirement ages, to minimise pressure on pension systems.
At present, older workers often leave the workforce before statutory retirement age, with health problems and care responsibilities cited as common reasons. Many more people simply wish to w
The cost of people living in inadequate housing in the EU Member States is hitting economies to the tune of nearly €194 billion per year, a new report from Eurofound states. The cost of addressing the shortcomings of the housing stock would be in the region of €295 billion (at 2011 prices). However, the report maintains, the outlay could be quickly recouped from savings on healthcare and a range o
Partial retirement schemes can be an important part of the solution to improving sustainability of Europe’s pension systems.
On the eve of the 11th International Labour and Employment Relations Association (ILERA) European Congress, we look at the issue of representativeness in Europe, and how ensuring that workers and employers are fairly represented at EU-level is an important aspect of European democracy.
Ensuring that the interests of workers and employers are fairly balanced and represented has been one of the d
Eurofound (European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions) is a tripartite EU body, whose mission is to provide knowledge to assist in the development of better social, employment and work-related policies.
