EU funds need stronger social conditionality
The rules for allocation of EU funds should be more transparent and provide a meaningful role for the social partners.
Society
Not so much a shortage of skills as a shortage of pay
Labour shortages following the pandemic have increased most and are most severe in jobs with lower wages and poorer conditions.
Russia’s appeal to ‘warrior masculinity’
Putin’s Victory Day pitch for more military recruits is unlikely to encourage men to enlist in the army.
Greening eastern Europe’s growth engines
The region has moved far too slowly in an era in which decarbonisation and climate resilience are essential.
Euronews: public-interest journalism in jeopardy
Workers and their unions are today sounding the alarm for media independence at the heart of Europe.
Steel’s power—and politicians’ lack of mettle
The steel industry’s strategic importance and lobbying power have shielded it from a tightening of the Emissions Trading System.
Elevating the Cinderellas of social care
The pandemic put care workers under terrible pressure, Lisa Pelling writes. Yet unions have been able to win greater recognition for them.
Introducing AI at work: workers must be involved
Rather than being displaced or controlled by AI, workers should be co-designers of its workplace deployment.
Ukraine reforms welfare system as cost of war rises
Social support will become means-tested as millions of Ukrainians face war, displacement and poverty.
Europe needs a social compass
Europe is undergoing multiple transitions. For these to succeed, social dialogue to build consensus will be essential.
Oh, Europe!?—a vision is still needed
Why it remains worthwhile to listen to the embattled French president, Emmanuel Macron—and why not.
Financing the common good
The UN has warned that ‘humanity’s very survival’ is threatened. Radical reform of international finance is required.