European Union News - Social Affairs

A new EU research led by Professor Rebecca Cassidy who an ERC Starting Grant proposes a new approach to gambling focusing on its social and cultural aspects rather than on its pathological implications. The research team focuses on four case studies representing some of the most important features of gambling in Europe. Gambling in Europe is estimated to be worth €89 billion.

On the occasion of the International Roma Day on 8 of April, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) called on Member States to pull together to combat Roma discrimination, prejudice, poverty and social exclusion. In addition, it announced that next 30 of April, the European Commission will come forward with a new communication on the integration of Roma.

The European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA) launched the "Marketplace for Innovative ideas" website. According to developers, the website will help those that are interested and involved in the Partnership to work together and develop their innovative ideas.

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) launched the first ever online EU-wide survey to establish a picture of the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people (18 years or older). The European Agency has launched this survey because of lack of data collected across the EU about the everyday experiences of LGBT people with respect of discrimination.

Eight in ten of the working population across Europe think that the number of people suffering from job-related stress over the next five years will increase. According to a survey results published by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), many expect that it will be a major increase.

Mayors and President of the Regions from all EU Member States adopted the “Copenhagen Declaration”. The Declaration expresses the political will of European cities and regions to achieve a sustainable urban development. Moreover, cities and regions called upon the European Union to share its best practices.

The European Commission presented specific measures to increase the protection of posted workers, specially to address issues of abuse where workers do not enjoy their full rights in terms of pay or holidays. The measures proposed do not change 1996 Directive's provisions, they only aim to improve the way such Directive is applied in practice. The Commission also adopted a new regulation to show that workers' rights and their freedom to strike are on an equal footing with the freedom to provide services.

The European Parliament adopted two reports that reiterates its call for new laws introducing quotas to boost female representation in corporate boards, and supports binding measures and sanctions at national and EU level to ensure gender parity in political decision making, including electoral lists and top EU positions.