News
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22/10/2007
EU approves €6 billion to help Portugal create a higher skilled workforce and a more dynamic economy
The EU launched Portugal’s ESF programme for Human Resource Development and approved €6 billion in funding.
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18/10/2007
EU leaders and social partners discuss how the Reform Treaty and Lisbon Strategy can boost labour markets
Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Portuguese Prime Minister José Sócrates – current President of the European Council – today discussed with high-level employers' and workers' representatives reform of the EU Treaties and the future of the EU's Growth and Jobs Strategy. They were joined by Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, as well as representatives of the future Slovenian and French Presidencies. The European social partners used the opportunity of the Tripartite Social Summit – held alongside the informal meeting of Heads of State and Government in Lisbon - to present their joint analysis of the key challenges facing Europe's labour markets and in particular of the way forward towards flexicurity
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18/10/2007
Promoting the social dimension of the Energy Treaty with Balkans
Today in Vienna, Commissioner Piebalgs signed Memorandum of Understanding on social issues in the context of the Energy Community with Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM, Montenegro, Serbia and UNMIK . The signature is on behalf of the European Union and Vladimír Špidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities who is attanding the Tripartite summit in Lisbon. The Memorandum focuses on the role of social partners, the social acquis communautaire and the protection of vulnerable customers. This commitment will be the basis for developing a structured dialogue on social issues within a regular forum.
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17/10/2007
20th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: EU must redouble efforts in fight against exclusion
78 million people in the EU continue to live at risk of poverty and 8% of those in work are at risk of poverty. On the 20th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Vladimír Špidla, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities underlined, once again, the need for Europe to step up its action urgently in the fight against poverty and exclusion.
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17/10/2007
Commission approves new programmes marking shift in cohesion policy in Portugal
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso will today attend in Lisbon with Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner, Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimir Špidla, Portuguese Prime Minister Mr
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17/10/2007
EU approves €692 million – equivalent to 6.2 billion Swedish krona – to help Sweden create more and better jobs
The €692 million programme launched by Sweden for the next seven years aims to build a more adaptable workforce and to bring into work people currently outside the labour market.
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17/10/2007
Tackling poverty requires integrated solutions
The European Commission today called for a renewed commitment to social justice by proposing a new, holistic approach to tackling poverty and promoting inclusion of people furthest from the labour market. While the EU strategy for growth and jobs is showing good results, Europe needs to do more to realise its full potential and achieve greater social justice and economic cohesion. The new strategy for 'active inclusion', which is taking shape through a wide-ranging public consultation, is a key element of the European Social Agenda.
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16/10/2007
EU approves close to €3.8 billion (104.7 billion Koruna) to help the Czech Republic create more and better jobs
The European Commission made a significant step to help the Czech Republic reap the full benefits of EU membership by approving the country's operational programmes to promote employment for the period 2007-2013.
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11/10/2007
200 000 take part in EU Job Days
The EU Job Days, which took place simultaneously in 230 towns and cities around Europe from 24 September for 10 days, have attracted more than 200,000 participants. Jobseekers and employers have come into direct contact at 500 diverse events, ranging from recruitment fairs to seminars and lectures on job mobility. The Brussels event, which took place at the European Commission's headquarters, attracted 10,000 jobseekers. Meanwhile, EURES – the EU's Job Mobility Portal – now hosts 1.4 million vacancies, an increase of 40% over last year.
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11/10/2007
EU approves €391 million of ESF funding to help Estonia support education and the quality of working life
The European Commission took another significant step to help Estonia reap the full benefits of EU membership by approving the Estonian operational programme to promote employment.