The problem with the Covid convergence
A surprising global trend in the pandemic is reduced inequality across countries—but the convergence reflects losses at the top, not gains at the bottom.
Time to act on pay transparency
The pandemic provides no excuse for inaction by the European Commission on gender pay transparency. It should be the incentive.
A time to celebrate … or worry?
Branko Milanovic worries that in the new global constellation a second cold war—with China—could be in the offing.
A rail renaissance for Europe
The European Year of Rail can support the Green Deal and sustainable recovery. Europe needs more international trains with easier booking.
‘The day of liberation is a bit like a second birthday for me’
Knut Dethlefsen offers a personal reflection on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
Supplying critical goods: lessons from the pandemic
Security of supply for medical and pharmaceutical goods must become a high political priority—with industrial policies promoting reshoring.
An end to wage-dumping in the German meat industry?
The German meat industry is being pushed off its low road of migrant-labour exploitation towards regulation and potential collective agreement.
Big Tech media and the EU’s weak reed of ‘competition’
The attack on the US Capitol revealed the dangers of Big Tech media platforms—but envisaged EU competition laws won’t fix them.
Europe’s ‘long-Covid’ economic frailty
Last year’s agreement on an EU recovery package was widely celebrated. This year its inadequacy will sink in.
Time to put an end to union-busting
Trade union rights are human rights and must be protected in EU law.
Spain: more stable employment contracts
The Supreme Court has modified its jurisprudence on subcontracting, limiting the scope for abuse of temporary contracts.
Culture, creativity and coronavirus: time for EU action
The pandemic has highlighted a longer-term failure adequately to address the working conditions of cultural professionals in Europe.
Must try harder: recovering from educational inequality
School closures during the pandemic have hit socially excluded students hard. The EU needs to ensure every child can reach their potential.
Unsplendid isolation: Britain after ‘Brexit’
Paul Mason writes that a Biden US presidency allied to an EU pursuing ‘strategic autonomy’ leaves a ‘sovereign’ UK with a bit-part role.
Belarus needs more than the Sakharov Prize
Strengthening of civil society, construction of democratic institutions and economic support must all figure in an EU agenda for a post-Lukashenka Belarus.