European Union News - Social Affairs

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.

MEPs adopted a resolution calling on EU employment ministers to agree in February 2013 to a Council recommendation that all member states introduce "Youth guarantee" schemes to ensure that no young person in the EU goes without a job, education or training for more than four months.

The European Commission published a report that highlights that unemployment is hitting new peaks not seen for almost twenty years, household incomes have declined and the risk of poverty or exclusion is on the rise, especially in Member States in Southern and Eastern Europe, after five years of economic crisis and the return of a recession in 2012.

Although in general terms, the labour demand continues to decline in most of the European Union, in the case of high-skilled professionals the trend is opposite. In addition to differences according to skills level, the data also show that a strong gender gap still persists as well as the remaining differences between Member States in the proportion of available jobs and job-seekers.

The Council announced the approval of new agreement reached with the European Parliament on foods considered essential for certain vulnerable persons such as babies and young children. The new regulation seeks to clarify the legal framework relating to these foods by avoiding the overlap between the specific legislation applicable to such foods and the legislation applicable to normal food.

The European Commission approved a request from the Spanish authorities to extend the temporary restriction on access for Romanian workers to the Spanish labour market until 31 December 2013 due to serious disturbances on its labour market due to serious disturbances on its labour market. As from 1 January 2014, temporary restrictions on the free movement of Romanian and Bulgarian workers must be lifted in all Member States.

The European Commission announced the allocation of €171,6 million to support Serbia's efforts to implement its EU reform agenda. The funds will be aimed at improving social inclusion, (in particular of the Roma population), employment and human resources development, human rights, protection of minorities, anti-discrimination policies and education.

The new EU rules which include that insurers in Europe will have to charge the same prices to women and men for the same insurance products without distinction on the grounds of sex, will enter into force from 21 of December.