News
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22/06/2006
The Commission welcomes the launch of the steel industry's new sectoral social dialogue committee
The steel industry's social partners - the European Metal Workers Federation (EMF) and the European Confederation of Iron and Steel Industries (EUROFER) - have launched the 32nd sectoral social dialogue committee with the full backing of the European Commission. This new committee will monitor the social, economic and employment consequences of EU policies on the steel sector. It will also examine how structural changes within the steel industry in Europe and worldwide affect employment.
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01/06/2006
2007 starts today: 'European Year of Equal Opportunities for all' gets green light
The European Commission today welcomed the decision by the Council and Parliament to designate 2007 as 'European Year of Equal Opportunities for All'. The year will aim to make Europeans aware of their right not to be discriminated against, to promote equal opportunities in areas from work to healthcare, and to show how diversity makes the EU stronger. The year will have four themes: rights, representation, recognition and respect, with a total budget of €15million for the 12 months' activities.
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01/06/2006
As Europeans gear up for their summer holidays, the European Commission has launched a revamped European Health Insurance Card website
The site provides clear explanations and details on the availability and use of European Health Insurance Card.
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23/05/2006
Commission promotes 'decent work inthe world' to fight poverty and promote fair globalisation
A major push for more action, more coherent policies and better implementation of 'decent work' was launched today by the European Commission. Decent work, meaning more and better jobs with welfare protection, equal opportunities and social dialogue, can help developing countries fight poverty. But it can also help developed countries, improve working and living conditions and pursue appropriate policies as globalisation, technological advances and population trends all change. Today's Commission Communication, entitled ' Promoting decent work in the world', aims to strengthen EU policies and programmes in helping spread decent work both inside and outside the EU.
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22/05/2006
On-line user survey for the European Social Inclusion and Social Protection Process
The European Commission Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (DG EMPL) is currently developing new ways to facilitate communication and information exchange between the different actors involved in the Open Method of Coordination on Social Inclusion and Social Protection. For this purpose, we are conducting an online user survey with a view to improve our understanding of your needs and adapt our services accordingly.
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15/05/2006
Dutch journalists win this year's 'For Diversity. Against Discrimination' EU press award
The first prize of the 'For Diversity. Against Discrimination' journalist award has been won by two Dutch journalists who work for the magazine Vrij Nederland. The winning article deals with ethnic and racial discrimination in the jobs market in The Netherlands. The second and the third prize were won by articles from Poland and Ireland respectively. The award for the photo category also goes to a Dutch journalist of Vrij Nederland. The winners of this year's awards will be officially announced today at a prize ceremony in Brussels by Vladimír Špidla, European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.
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05/05/2006
EURES.EUROPA.EU – a new web address to fill 1 million job vacancies
With the launch of the new Europa web address on Europe Day (9 May), EURES, the European Jobs mobility portal, will also change its web address to: eures.europa.eu. The new EURES portal offers free access to about 1 million job vacancies in 30 European countries. With over 900,000 unique visitors per month during February and March, EURES has also become the most visited site managed by the European Commission.
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03/05/2006
Gender Equality: a step ahead, a roadmap for the future
Representatives from across Europe will meet in Brussels on 4-5 May to discuss the challenges in achieving real equality between women and men. The European Commission, European Parliament, EU Member States, acceding/candidate/EEA/EFTA countries, social partners, equality bodies and NGOs will all attend the conference 'Gender equality: a step ahead, a roadmap for the future'.
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28/04/2006
Transitional measures for the free movement of the workers forming the subject of the accession treaty of 2003 - Second phase 2006-2009
After the last enlargement on 1 May 2004 Member States have had the possibility to introduce transitional arrangements concerning the access to their labour markets by workers from eight New Member States (Workers from Malta and Cyprus did not fall under this exemption). The first phase of these transitional arrangements comes to an end on 1 May 2006.
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26/04/2006
Commission addresses specificities of social services
As social services modernise in many EU Member States, often in partnership with the private sector and non-profit organisations, all involved need clarification on how European law affects this evolving situation. A new Communication adopted today by the European Commission addresses this issue and the rapid changes in 'social services of general interest'. The Communication presents for the first time a list of these services' specific characteristics and reviews the support which they receive from various existing community instruments. It also opens up a process of wide consultation, open to all actors of the sectors, Member States, Social Partners, NGOs and operators of social services, through which the Commission will better take into account the specificities of those services when implementing EU legislation. These services differ from country to country, but can include sectors such as social housing, childcare or services towards families and persons in need. However, it does not deal with health services, which will fall under a separate initiative from the Commission.