European Union News - Social Affairs

The European Commission has launched two calls for proposals under the Lifelong Learning’ Programme aiming at the award of grants for actions to develop and implement the European Qualifications Framework (Eqf), including national and sectoral qualifications frameworks, on one hand, an to provide support for European cooperation in education and training. Interested applicants can submit their applications by August 14th 2009.

The Commission has adopted a new EU strategy for youth policy for the coming decade. Entitled "Youth – Investing and Empowering", the new strategy acknowledges the fact that young people are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, especially in the current economic and financial crisis, and in our ageing society, young people are a precious resource. The new strategy is cross-sectoral, with both short and long-term actions, which involve key policy areas that affect Europe's young people, particularly youth education, employment, creativity and entrepreneurship, social inclusion, health and sport, civic participation, and volunteering.

A new European platform for Roma inclusion has been created to improve coordination of national actions to tackle the exclusion of Europe's biggest ethnic minority. Its first meeting brings together national governments, the EU, other international organisations and civil society and aims to stimulate cooperation and exchange of experience on successful Roma inclusion policies.

Members of the EP Women's Rights Committee are proposing that maternity leave be extended to 20 weeks. They also say a new EU directive on these matters should require 100% of salary to be paid for six weeks after birth, at least 85% of salary for the rest of the leave period and the introduction of paternity leave.

The Official Journal of the European Union, OJEU, has publishes on April 17th 2009, the Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council of March 11th 2009, on mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund, in accordance with the Interinstitutional Agreement of May 17th 2006 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management.

The Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry has opened a tender for studying 'tourism exchanges in Europe: enhancing employment, extending the seasonality spread, strengthening European citizenship and improving regional/local economies through the development of social tourism'.

The Sport Unit from the  Directorate-General for Education and Culture launched last 4th April a call for tenders to develop an study on equal treatment of non-nationals in individual sports competitions.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for the Internal Market & Services is organising on March 23rd, a Roundtable discussion on Directors' remuneration (including in the financial services sector), in order to consult the relevant stakeholders on this file.

A new report from Eurofound, published by the end of February 2009 maps innovative and good practice government and company measures to keep workers in employment. It shows how companies are using short-term working, paid/unpaid sabbaticals and 'pay for jobs' clauses in restructuring agreements and how social partners are reacting to these developments.

To mark the European Rare Disease Day 2009, Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou hosted, on March 3rd 2009, the launch of an important and remarkable book, “The Voice of 12,000 Patients”. This book provides a unique insight into patients' perspectives in rare disease diagnosis, treatment, and care.

In today's global financial crisis, jobs in information and communication technologies (ICT) sectors like telecoms and the internet are reliable sources of growth and crucial for the recovery of the economy. However, the EU's competitiveness depends on attracting and keeping skilled workers, especially in the high-tech sector, including women. But while a shortage of around 300,000 qualified engineers is expected in the EU by 2010, less than 1 in 5 computer scientists are women. The European Commission responded in 2007 by encouraging telecoms and internet companies to attract more "cyberellas" – women with ICT skills. As a result, five major ICT companies has signed a Code of Best Practices for Women and ICT. They are committing to do more to make tech jobs attractive for women and to make better use of and promote female potential in the ICT sector.

At the request of the European Council, the European Commission reports annually on progress towards equality between women and men, and presents the challenges and priorities for the future. In the notice filed this year, the Commission emphasizes the legislative advances this year, but at the same time emphasizes the need to continue working towards full equality.