Broughton, Andrea
EU Level: Undeclared work in the EU
09 Birželis 2014
This survey data report examines the main findings on the supply side of
undeclared work around the EU based on a Special Eurobarometer survey carried
out in 2013. The report examines the survey methodology, the concept of
undeclared work, the characteristics of those supplying goods and services on
an undeclared basis, the types of work activities that are undeclared, and
income levels from undeclared work, including the extent of the practice of
offering cash in hand.
Impact of the crisis on industrial relations and working conditions in Europe
22 Balandis 2014
This report maps the impact of the global financial, economic and public debt crisis on industrial relations and working conditions at national level in the EU Member States from 2008 to end 2012. The impact of the crisis on industrial relations is mapped with regard to the actors, processes and outcomes. Working conditions, covering the EU27 and Norway, maps the impact on employment conditions, working time arrangements and work–life balance, work organisation and psychosocial risks and on health and well-being at work. It uses comparative national-level information and data from Eurofound’s European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) and European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS), the European Social Survey (ESS) and the EU Labour Force Surveys (EU LFS).
Quality framework for anticipating company change and restructuring
21 Sausis 2014
In January 2012, the European Commission published a Green Paper on
restructuring and anticipation of change (*EU1201041I* [1]). It led to the
publication of a report drawn up by Spanish socialist member Alejandro
Cercas, known as the Cercas Report, which was endorsed by a large majority of
MEPs and led to a call from the European Parliament in January 2013 for
action from the Commission (*EU1301021I* [2]). On 13 December 2013, the
European Commission responded by issuing a Communication on an EU Quality
Framework for anticipation of change and restructuring (164KB PDF) [3].
[1] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined-industrial-relations/european-commission-launches-new-consultation-on-restructuring
[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/undefined/european-parliament-calls-for-eu-legal-act-on-restructuring
[3] http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=11270&langId=en
General approach on posted workers agreed
21 Sausis 2014
The European Commission (EC [1]) has been looking at the issue of posted
workers for some time. In March 2012, the Commission issued a proposal for a
new Directive on the enforcement of the posted workers Directive 96/71/EC
(240 KB PDF) [2].
[1] http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
[2] http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7479&langId=en
Too few women in leadership positions across the EU
19 Sausis 2014
The European Commission (EC [1]) has published a report, Women and men in
leadership positions in the European Union 2013 (1.26 MB PDF) [2]. Drawing on
data up to the end of June 2013, it reviews the current situation and reports
on recent progress.
[1] http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
[2] http://ec.europa.eu/justice/gender-equality/files/gender_balance_decision_making/131011_women_men_leadership_en.pdf
Commission details plans to cut red tape
09 Sausis 2014
The European Commission says it is determined to continue its efforts to
streamline its legislation. On 2 October 2013 it issued its Communication
(COM (2013) 685 (150KB PDF) [1]) on the Regulatory Fitness and Performance
(REFIT): Results and Next Steps.
[1] http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/news/archives/2013/10/pdf/20131002-refit_en.pdf
Posted workers and youth unemployment
19 Gruodis 2013
The European Union’s Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs
Council (EPSCO [1]) is composed of Member States’ ministers for employment,
social protection, consumer protection, health and equal opportunities. They
meet around four times a year.
[1] http://www.consilium.europa.eu/policies/council-configurations/employment,-social-policy,-health-and-consumer-affairs?lang=en
Steps made to improve seafarers’ employment rights
19 Gruodis 2013
As part of the European Commission’s (EC [1]) better regulation policy, it
issued a ‘Fitness Check’ report in July 2013 focusing on worker
involvement issues in EU law. It examines the directives that cover worker
information and consultation at national level (*EU1308011I*).
[1] http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
Working conditions of professional athletes
12 Gruodis 2013
A joint study, An analysis of the working conditions of professional sports
players (4.31MB PDF) [1], has been carried out by social partners in the
sector, including the European Elite Athletes Association (EU Athletes [2])
and UNI Sport PRO, the professional athletes’ branch of the Uni Europa [3]
union. The study examines the working conditions of professional players of
basketball, hockey, handball and rugby in the Member States of Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Romania,
Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
[1] http://www.euathletes.org/uploads/media/FINAL_Syndex_Sports_Report.pdf
[2] http://www.euathletes.org
[3] http://www.uniglobalunion.org/contact/uni-europa
ERM Annual Report 2013: Monitoring and managing restructuring in the 21st century
03 Gruodis 2013
The 2013 annual report from the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) presents a retrospective of over a decade of measuring the impact of large-scale restructuring activity in Europe. Based on a database containing details of over 16,000 large-scale restructuring events– each generally involving at least 100 job losses or gains – it paints a picture of restructuring trends across the EU Member States. The report sets out to compare activity in the period leading up to the economic and financial crisis (2003–2008) with the post-crisis period (2008–2013), in order to identify changes in restructuring practices and to pinpoint the sectors that have been disproportionately affected, in employment terms, by the global recession. Also included is a critical assessment of all ERM activities, including the two newer policy-oriented databases: public support instruments and restructuring legislation. Finally, the report places the spotlight on the phenomenon of offshoring, charting the decline in offshoring activity by European firms since the onset of the crisis.