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 launches the fieldwork for the fourth edition of its European Quality of Life Survey today. The survey, which offers a comprehensive picture of the views of people living across 33 countries including the EU Member States and candidate countries, will be carried out over the coming 13 weeks.
The fourth edition of the European Quality of Life Survey covers 33 countries, 28 EU Member S
Performance-related pay and employee reward systems in Europe are often unevenly distributed among different groups of workers; particularly benefitting men, highly-skilled and highly ranked workers. Without robust monitoring and transparency, supplementary employee reward systems could potentially exacerbate pre-existing pay inequalities. This is according to Eurofound's new report Changes in rem
Inadequate and poor housing is costing EU economies nearly €194 billion per year in terms of both direct costs associated with healthcare and related medical or social services, as well as indirect costs such as lost productivity and reduced opportunities. The removal of housing inadequacies across the EU, or at least improving them to an acceptable level, would cost about €295 billion at 2011 pri
Some interesting figures from the July/August edition of Eurofound News:
13,000 – the entire workforce of Marinopoulos, one of the largest supermarket chains in Greece, who have been made redundant as a result of the company’s bankruptcy.
22% – the gender pay gap in the Czech Republic, which in March 2016 prompted the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs to launch a five-year campaign to na
From Eurofound News July/August 2016
Taking action to make work sustainable
For Europe to achieve its goals for growth, workers will have to work for longer and more people will have to work. This requires new thinking to make work sustainable over the life course. In other words, it means achieving living and working conditions that enable workers to retain their physical and mental health,
From Eurofound News July/August 2016
Twice each year, the Board members meet in their separate stakeholder groups – Member State governments, trade unions and employer organisations – taking the opportunity to draw up their own meeting agenda and to discuss the issues of specific interest to their group.
The Board’s European Commission representatives are not present at the Groups meetings;
From Eurofound News July/August 2016
Last month’s referendum resulting in the UK’s decision to leave the EU has left policymakers on both sides of the English Channel seeking greater clarity, and not just regarding the UK’s future relationship with Europe.
Post-referendum analysis has highlighted public concerns on a range of issues central to the European policy agenda – migration, labour m
From Eurofound News July/August 2016
Slovakia took over the Presidency of the European Council from the Netherlands on 1 July, at a time of considerable challenges for the EU.
The priorities of the Presidency are: an economically strong Europe; a modern single market; sustainable migration and asylum policies; and a globally engaged Europe. Eurofound is cooperating with the Presidency in rel
En el siguiente texto - basado en la contribución de Eurofound a la reunión informal de Ministros de empleo, política social, salud y consumo (EPSCO), de julio de 2016 - el director de Eurofound Juan Menéndez-Valdés echa un vistazo a cómo el mercado europeo se ha transformado en los últimos años y evalúa algunos retos del futuro.
Gran parte de las discusiones sobre el futuro del trabajo
In this blog piece, based on Eurofound’s contribution to the July 2016 informal meeting of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO), Eurofound Director Juan Menéndez-Valdés looks at how the European labour market has changed in recent years and assesses future challenges.
Most discussions on the future of work are dominated by the impact of key changes in socie
von Stefanie Ledermaier
Seit 2010 hat das NEET-Konzept, damit werden junge Menschen zwischen 15 und 24 bezeichnet, die sich weder in einem Arbeits- noch in einem Ausbildungsverhältnis befinden, in der politischen Debatte Einzug gehalten. Grund dafür war hauptsächlich der starke Anstieg der Jugendarbeitslosigkeit infolge der Wirtschaftskrise. Für Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene wurde es zunehme
Eurofound deplores the horrendous attack carried out in the French city of Nice, and expresses our deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims.
We stand united with the other EU Institutions and Agencies in condemning these cowardly attacks on the innocent.
It will not leave us depressed or hopeless but rather make us more determined to strive for tolerance, freedom and uni
Although recent statistics show an improvement in the labour market situation of young people, Eurofound’s new report ‘Exploring the diversity of NEETs’ emphasises the ongoing need to focus on the specific needs of different groups of young people who are NEET.
