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Eurofound Talks: Shaping the future of European democracy

Eurofound Talks: Shaping the future of European democracy

In a special edition of Eurofound Talks, Mary McCaughey is joined by Eurofound Executive Director Ivailo Kalfin and Ivan Krastev, Chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies and permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, to look at the political, social and economic drivers in Europe and how they might influence voters at the ballot box in June.

Image: Robert Kneschke/Adobe Stock

2023 was a good year to be working in Europe

Eurofound’s 2023 yearbook, Living and working in Europe, provides a snapshot of the latest developments in the work and lives of Europeans as explored in the Agency’s research activities over the course of the year.

Image: Robert Kneschke/Adobe Stock

2023 was a good year to be working in Europe

Eurofound’s 2023 yearbook, Living and working in Europe, provides a snapshot of the latest developments in the work and lives of Europeans as explored in the Agency’s research activities over the course of the year.

Main image: Wayde Oostendorp/Adobe Stock

Eurofound Talks: Can Europe deliver for its children?

In this episode of Eurofound Talks Mary McCaughey speaks with Eurofound Research Manager Daniel Molinuevo about the European Child Guarantee, how bad the situation is with regards to child poverty and social exclusion, what Member States have committed to doing about it, what the implications are for workers and civil society, and what prospects there are for the future.

Police overlook a protest at Quai des Bateliers in Strasbourg. Photo ifeelstock/Adobe Stock

Unemployed people and those residing in rural areas much less likely to vote

Unemployment is a predominant catalyst for lower political engagement in Europe, with the higher the unemployment rate, the higher the levels of non-voting. This was particularly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic with the unemployed, as well as those residing in rural and disadvantaged areas, much less likely to vote.

Public sanitation worker in Bucharest, Image: roibu/Adobe Stock

Minimum wages in Romania: High compliance and substantial increases

Minimum wages in Romania and the EU were analysed in an information session on Towards adequate minimum wages and strengthening of collective bargaining at Eurofound on 26 April. These exchanges, known as Virtual Visits, take place in the context of Eurofound’s ongoing efforts to reach out to the national level and ensure widespread dissemination and dialogue with respect to its research findings.

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Eurofound analyses labour shortages in Luxembourg

Labour shortages in Luxembourg were analysed in an information session on National policy and company approaches to addressing shortages at Eurofound this week. These exchanges, known as Virtual Visits, take place in the context of Eurofound’s ongoing efforts to reach out to the national level and ensure widespread dissemination and dialogue with respect to its research findings.

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Almost half of trainees in the EU do not receive compensation

Only 54% of traineeships or apprenticeships in the EU receive compensation, according to Eurofound data published in a new report by the European Court of Auditors on participation, quality and outcomes of traineeships in the 27 EU Member States. The report highlights the need to improve the quality of traineeship offerings, including learning support and the possibility of obtaining new skills.

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Eurofound Talks: Is it a right to disconnect?

In a new episode of Eurofound Talks Mary McCaughey speaks with Eurofound Research Manager Tina Weber about the evolution of the right to disconnect in Europe, the reasons why legislative and procedural actions are being called for, the impacts that effective right to disconnect policies can have, and what the debate indicates about the post-pandemic world of work.

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Ukrainians in EU have found temporary jobs but struggle to access public services

Linguistic similarities, high levels of education, labour market shortages, the mobilisation of national and EU resources, civil society involvement, and close cultural ties have helped Ukrainian refugees to find temporary employment in the EU and Norway. However, there remain barriers in accessing longer-term employment and public services, in particular housing.

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Self-employment in Europe has stagnated and could decline in the future

The proportion of self-employed workers in the EU has not increased over the past two and a half decades, and fell from 15.4% to 13.7% between 2010 and 2022. This reduction was primarily driven by falling self-employment among men and the imbalance between labour market exits among older self-employed workers and the creation of new self-employment.

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Eurofound, a tripartite European Union Agency, provides knowledge to assist in the development of social, employment and work-related policies

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.

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