(Dublin, Ireland): Small and medium-sized enterprises that are largely young, innovative, internationally-active and run by skilled managers are driving significant job growth across the European Union. But research from Eurofound highlights that while SMEs were responsible for a massive 71% of employment growth in the non-financial business economy in 2014, there is urgent need for further tailor
Despite the ongoing focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by policymakers and academics little is known of the underlying drivers of successful job creation in SMEs. In an effort to close this knowledge gap, Eurofound carried out comprehensive research looking at SMEs across the EU28. These are the first findings, the full report will be available early in 2016.
A Memorandum of Understanding and Seat Agreement between the Government of Ireland and Eurofound was signed today by Dara Murphy, T.D. Minister for European Affairs and Data Protection and Juan Menéndez-Valdés, Director, Eurofound.
The Developments in Working Life in Europe 2014 annual review, which is part of a series of annual reviews published by Eurofound, shows that Europe is undergoing significant changes in terms of its economy, industrial relations and working conditions. Although progress is being made in all three areas, the enduring economic crisis has made this progress both fragile and unequal.
Wage inequality has been increasing overall in Europe since the onset of the Great Recession, and is mainly due to rising wage inequalities within countries, according to a new report from Eurofound, the Dublin-based EU Agency.
On 21 and 22 April 2015 Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs in Riga again discussed informally ways towards a true and responsible social dialogue.
In the immediate aftermath of the recession in 2008, employment in the public sector continued to grow, helping to sustain demand in the European economy. However, by 2010 significant restructuring was underway in the public sector in several Member States. The ‘ERM Annual Report 2014 – Restructuring in the public sector’ provides an overview of restructuring trends in Member States since 2008.
The take-up rate of parental and paternity leave among fathers has been increasing in most Member States but it still remains relatively low. Covering all the EU Member States and Norway, this report looks at the most recent trends in terms of take-up of parental and paternity leave, existing provisions and factors influencing take-up rates.
The global economic and financial crisis brought to an end an era of relative calm with regards to collective industrial action, and the highest incidence of industrial action was not surprisingly found in countries worst hit by the crisis. Wednesday 18 February is the international day of action in defence of the right to strike, initiated by the International Trade Union Confederation ITUC.
Dramatic recent oil price declines have seen deflation take hold in the EU, and general price levels in December 2014 were 0.2% lower than a year earlier. EU sanctions against Russia impact on reported restructuring job losses in Europe. This is further evidence of a tentative European economic recovery that appears to be running out of steam, the latest ERM Quarterly report.
The minimum wage levels have begun to increase over the past two years, following years of no change. The latest quarterly update from EurWORK presents the most recent data on statutory minimum wages in Europe, applicable on 1 January 2015, and an overview of the discussions leading to the final settlements made in 2014.
Eurofound hosts the 2014 annual Industrial Relations Europe Conference (IREC) between 11-12 September 2014. The event gathers Europe's leading Industrial Relations experts and researchers, sharing research findings and looking ahead to new perspectives for industrial relations, social and employment policies in Europe.
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.
