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Juan Menéndez-Valdés

Juan Menéndez-Valdés is the director of Eurofound, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Prior to assuming the position in 2010, he was the head of employment, immigration, education and training policies at the Spanish Confederation of Employers’ Organisation (CEOE) and programme manager for guidance and training at the Spanish National Institute for Employment (INEM).

Taking Europe’s pandemic pulse

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

A tentative growth in trust shows Covid-19 has not yet torn the social fabric of Europe.

Europe’s leaders must stem falling trust

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

A mass online survey across the continent has found Europeans reeling from the coronavirus crisis—and losing trust in their leaders’ ability to manage it.

Europe’s Economic Recovery Continues In Times Of Political Instability

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

Europe is showing visible signs of progress; in most countries, labour markets are healthier than they have been in a decade, with more people active

Europe – A World-Class Place To Live And Work?

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

‘A world-class place to live and work.’ That is how President Juncker described Europe at the summit to formally proclaim the EU Pillar of Social

EU Social Pillar: A (Potential) New Start For Europe

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

When EU Heads of State and Government gather in Gothenburg this week to debate fair jobs and growth, it will be the first such ‘social

Economic And Social Costs Of Gender Employment Gap

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

In his recent State of the Union address, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker laid out his vision for the EU over the next 12 months.

Current Changes To The Labour Market May Well Define The Future Of Europe

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

Europe’s labour market has changed significantly in recent years, influenced by, among other things, the impact of the economic crisis. Eurofound’s research has shown that

Going Beyond The Headlines To Find Out What It Is Really Like To Live And Work In Europe

Juan Menéndez-Valdés

Brexit dominates political debate, migrants stream through borders, social protection systems are collapsing, changing forms of work are corroding conditions, unemployment levels remain high and

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Mental Health
Eurofound Talks: The housing struggles of Europe's youth

The generational housing crisis is the focus of the most recent episode of Eurofound Talks. The discussion highlights the pervasive challenge of rising property prices across the European Union which have surged by over 55% since 2010, while rents have followed a similarly aggressive upward trajectory. From the rise of boomerang children to the role of the new European Commissioner for Housing, this episode examines how to restore affordability for a generation.
LISTEN HERE

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The Great Unravelling

Read the book "The Great Unravelling"

The book "The Great Unravelling", edited by Patrick Diamond and Ania Skrzypek, delves into the impact of growing economic interdependence, free trade and technological change, which has led to new forms of political polarisation that seek to capitalise on and exploit the resentments fuelled by the rise of globalisation.
Featuring a stellar line-up of policymakers, experts and academics, the book assesses whether a viable compromise between globalisation and social progress remains achievable.

READ HERE

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WSI Report

WSI Minimum Wage Report 2025

The trend towards significant nominal minimum wage increases is continuing this year. In view of falling inflation rates, this translates into a sizeable increase in purchasing power for minimum wage earners in most European countries. Most EU countries are now following the reference values for adequate minimum wages enshrined in the European Minimum Wage Directive, which are 60% of the median wage or 50% of the average wage.

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

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Social Europe

The European Employment and Social Rights Forum was back in Brussels and online on 3-4 March 2026

This year’s edition addressed the EU’s response to the challenges many people face today: the rising cost of living, job insecurity, and changes in the labour market. Opinion leaders, policymakers, businesses, academics and civil society are invited to explore bold ideas to support Europe’s greatest strength: its people.

WATCH NOW

S&D Group in the European Parliament advertisement

Health

🇪🇺 Building a Resilient, Equitable EU Health Union: The S&D Blueprint


From securing pharmaceutical autonomy and guaranteeing universal access to care (the European Health Guarantee) to combatting non-communicable diseases and closing the Gender Health Gap. Read the S&D Group in the European Parliament Position Paper demanding that health becomes a priority across all EU policies.

READ THE POSITION PAPER

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HESA Magazine Cover

Here comes the sun - The formal transposition and political impact of the European Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages in the EU

This new ETUI report examines both how Member States have formally transposed the Directive into national law and its broader political impact, particularly how it has shaped national debates and policy agendas on minimum wages and collective bargaining.

READ HERE

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