Non-EU migrant workers—the ties that bind
The European Union stands at a fork in the road when it comes to its treatment of external migrant workers.
Economy
Social Europe is an award-winning digital media publisher driven by the core values of freedom, sustainability, and equality. These principles guide our exploration of society’s most pressing challenges. This archive page curates Social Europe articles focused on economic issues, offering a rich resource for innovative thinking and informed debate.
How the ECB’s ‘deposit facility’ subsidises banks
Banks profit from the European Central Bank´s interest-rate policy at the expense of taxpayers.
All work and low pay—Europe’s migrant workforce
To really end labour shortages, Ankita Anand writes, Europe must transform its contract with the global south.
Why labour can be in short supply
Improving job quality is key to addressing labour shortages In the European Union.
After the ‘Beijing consensus’
China’s development model has often been positioned as an alternative to the long-dominant ‘Washington consensus’.
Trade policy: a call for solidarity
The age of unbridled free trade is rightfully over. Solidarity should be the new leitmotif of trade policy.
Lean work and a narrowing path to ‘good jobs’
Work regimes are increasingly demanding. But ‘leaner’ does not mean ‘fitter’ for workers.
Ukraine’s recovery: a huge challenge ahead
Ukraine’s post-war recovery will require concerted, long-term EU commitment, leveraging substantial private investment.
From inflation shock to a sharp distributional conflict
Wages have fallen behind inflation, while profit-taking has not only fuelled price rises but reduced the labour share.
Get ready for the X-day week!
The clunky debate over four versus five days should be replaced by a focus on flexibility and individal autonomy.
Taking inequality seriously—and tackling it seriously
Rising inequality is a challenge for the multilateral system, Jayati Ghosh writes, which must first measure it properly.
Taking aim at sellers’ inflation
Economists and political leaders at multilateral institutions have finally accepted profits are a primary driver of inflation.
Improving working life in France—and the EU
In France the debate is moving from longer to better working lives, Sofia Fernandes writes, but this is a Europe-wide challenge.
Industrial policy is back—but Europe must now lead
EU ‘strategic autonomy’ requires a revitalised industrial policy which goes beyond the national container.
AI, platforms and (human) workers’ rights
Not just the AI Act but the platform-work directive will be critical for human controls on automated management.
Profit-driven inflation—the policy implications
It’s time to strengthen labour in the face of inflation, not to continue trying to weaken it.
EU competition policy needs a fundamental rethink
Competition policy has been based on a presumption of market equilibrium. Mushrooming corporate power has passed it by.