European Union News - Social Affairs

The European Commission proposed an EU-wide ban on 4-methylamphetamine – or 4-MA, a synthetic substance with similar physical effects to amphetamines. According to the Commission, this drug has been associated with 21 deaths in four EU countries in 2010-2012 alone.

The latest estimates published by Eurostat showed that both the EU and the euro area unemployment rates remained stable in December 2012 compared with November. The lowest unemployment rates were recorded in Austria (4.3%), Germany and Luxembourg (both 5.3%) and the Netherlands (5.8%), and the highest in Greece (26.8% in October 2012) and Spain (26.1%).

The European Commission highlights that thanks to the regulatory pressure the percentage of number of women on boards ranged from 13.7% to 15.8% in January 2012. In addition, the Commission stressed that the increase in the share of women on boards has been recorded in all but three EU countries: Bulgaria, Poland and Ireland.

The European Commission launched a call to action to companies, governments, educators, social partners, employment service providers and civil society to "turn the tide". Young Europeans should have the tools to enter digital careers or to create jobs as entrepreneurs. In particular, the Commission will collect pledges on new jobs, internships, training places, start-up funding, free online university courses and more.

Eurofound published a new report on active inclusion of young people with health problems or disabilities. The report underlines that there are good practices across the European Union that include flexible benefits, promotion of better school-to-work transitions and taking a pathways-to-employment approach. However, the report also points out that until now public policies have not given enough support to implementation of this positive and pro-active approach.