Eurofound

This issue of Foundation Focus looks at mobility and migration in the EU. It reviews the policy background and the practical issues that relate to movement between EU countries by EU citizens and into the EU from third countries.

The latest research from Eurofound on working conditions in Europe highlights that the 9-to-5 day is not the norm for many workers, and work commonly spills over into home life. Such patterns make it difficult to balance work and life outside work.

The sixth European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) presents the diverse picture of Europe at work over time across countries, occupations, gender and age groups. The findings underline the complex reality with which Europe’s policymakers are confronted as they seek to build a fair and competitive Europe.

In light of the recent economic and financial crisis and its detrimental effects on EU labour markets, both academics and policymakers are paying increasing attention to the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in job creation.

Economic anxiety has resurfaced during the summer months and threatens to undermine the emergent European recovery. All of the things that should be helping to boost growth – ECB quantitative easing, the weak euro, low interest rates, cheap oil – appear to be having limited effect in the face of a slowdown in developing economies.

This issue contains articles on: Findings in figures; Making a fresh start for social dialogue; Coordination of the EU Agencies at Eurofound; News in brief; and Latest from EurWORK.

Social dialogue is a key part of the European social model, with European social dialogue having been launched at the historic Val Duchesse meeting 30 years ago. However, since then, established approaches to social dialogue in Europe have been challenged by industrial and social change.

This issue contains articles on: Findings in figures; Workplace innovation can harness talent and skills; Boosting social inclusion of young people; News in brief; and Latest from EurWORK.

In a context of globally slow growth since the financial crisis, the EU and in particular the euro zone economies have underperformed relative to other major developed-world economies. Output in the euro zone remained lower in the first quarter of 2015 than seven years earlier, and three million fewer people are working in the EU. The post-crisis output gap between the EU and the US now amounts to around eight percentage points.

It is important to underline that when referring to gender issues there is a risk of limiting the discussion, views and study exclusively to the situation of women and overlooking wider gender issues, including the situation of men.