Europe’s employment industry contributes to more inclusive, open and sustainable labour markets

April 9, 2018, 5:42 am

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Social Europe & Jobs

Records €154 billion turnover with 11 million people placed in work as economic recovery drives growth

Brussels, 9th April 2018 - Europe’s employment industry recorded a sales turnover of €154 billion in 2016. This record figure since 2007 reflects the new labour market reality and the changing needs of employers and workers. Agency work, always a gauge for economic growth, represented the industry’s largest business segment accounting for over 70% of revenues. Europe is home to 11 out of the world’s 15 best performing agency work markets.

Published this week, the World Employment Confederation 2018 economic report (based on 2016 data) gives a comprehensive picture of the employment industry and labour markets around the globe and Europe. It demonstrates how the industry acts as a labour market enabler, delivering work, adaptation, security and prosperity to help organisations remain competitive and support workers navigate a changing world of work.

“Jobs are no longer full time, 9-5, Monday-Friday, explains Denis Pennel, managing director of the World Employment Confederation. “Today’s world of work is increasingly diverse with people working under a host of different contracts including part-time, fixed term, agency work, freelance and on-line. The employment industry sector is at the forefront in supporting this social innovation, creating secure, good quality work that meets the needs of businesses and people in the 21st century.”

World Employment Confederation-Europe president, Bettina Schaller adds: “The employment industry plays a key role in Europe’s 2020 strategy: the EU employment rate reached 71.1 % in 2016, narrowing the gap to meet the Europe 2020 employment target of 75 %. World Employment Confederation-Europe members are committed to placing people in work and its 75.000 HR solutions company affiliates help some 11 million Europeans get access to labour markets each year. Robust employment trends continue across Europe, including in those markets where the economic crisis was acute: All regions in Spain for example have increased their employment levels during the recovery period from 2013-2016.”

2016 represented a year of consolidation across all employment industry services in Europe with some markets – particularly the Netherlands, France, Italy and Germany - showing pleasing growth compared with 2015. The UK leads the European staffing market, despite Brexit’s potential impact on jobs, and was responsible for close to 30% of the revenue generated by the industry in 2016 with a total of €36 billion across all HR services. Germany is Europe’s second largest market followed by France and the Netherlands.

Agency work remains the highest revenue generator for Europe’s employment industry sector at €139 billion and representing over 70% of the total annual sales revenue. The sector placed almost 11 million people in work in 2016 with France leading the field and placing some 2 million people, followed by the UK 1.2 million, Germany 1 million, Poland almost 0.8 million, the Netherlands nearly 0.8 million people, Italy 0.65 million and Spain over 0.6 million.

Placements of people under 25 years of age rose while the job markets in the Netherlands, Italy and Spain performed well. The fortunes of the agency work sector are closely tied to the economic cycle with companies hiring agency staff during periods of growth in order to meet extra demand.

Direct Recruitment is the second largest sector in Europe, accounting for almost €10 billion of the total. The UK and Germany are the largest European markets with Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and France also in the Top 15 global players. The sector placed almost 1.5 million Europeans in work in 2016.

Management Service Provider (MSP) sales revenues in Europe were consistent with the previous year and represented €30 billion in 2016. The UK, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium and France feature in the global top 10 markets for MSP.

Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) while still small was the sector to grow the most year-on-year with 11% expansion in Europe and a turnover of €1 billion.

Career management is well established in Europe and the continent accounts for 33% of total sector sales around the world. It is however still small, at less than 1 billion in sales revenue and saw a slight fall in 2016, primarily driven by a decrease in outsourcing due to fewer layoffs as economic growth returns.

There are over 75,000 private employment agencies in Europe, employing over 400,000 staff.

For further information, please contact:

Denis Pennel

+32 475 867 510

denis.pennel@wecglobal.org

About the World Employment Confederation-Europe

The World Employment Confederation-Europe is the authoritative voice of the employment industry at European level. It connects labour market enablers from 30 European countries and 7 major workforce solutions companies with a unique network that brings together EU institutions, social partners, the academic world and other relevant stakeholders.

Through its policy work, the World Employment Confederation-Europe strives for recognition of the employment industry’s economic and social role. It leads the way in defining better employment and recruitment standards and practices and is a thought leader in shaping a futureproof and competitive labour market. It acts as an advisor to the European employment industry on new ways of workforce sourcing and deployment. With analysis and research covering most European labour markets it is able to provide members with a broad range of services including support in capacity building across the continent. Members of the World Employment Confederation-Europe cover a wide range of HR services, including agency work, direct recruitment, career management, RPO and MSP.

PR Economic Report WEC-Europe Final - March 2018.pdf

09 Apr 2018

↧

S&Ds: International community must stop the slaughtering of Syrians. UN action can no longer be blocked

April 9, 2018, 5:46 am

≫ Next: Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Brussels Office

≪ Previous: Europe’s employment industry contributes to more inclusive, open and sustainable labour markets

Global Europe

Med & South

Security

Following the atrocities committed in the recent days in Douma and elsewhere in Syria, namely the chemical bombing attack over the population, the S&D Group vice-president on foreign affairs, Victor Boştinaru, and the S&D vice-president responsible for foreign affairs and human rights, Elena Valenciano, stated the following:

S&D Group vice-president Victor Boştinaru said:

“It is difficult to make yet another statement while standing by and watching the Syrians being slaughtered by Assad, Russia and Iran. What else can we say about a war that has seen more than 500.000 dead in 7 years, 200 victims every day and now more than 70 killed in yet another chemical attack on Douma yesterday?

“The expression ‘never again’ has lost its strength. Something has to be done to stop the carnage of Syrians; otherwise, one day we might look back on this, unfortunately not soon enough, and ask ourselves why we did nothing to stop the war crimes.

“There is no doubt today we need an immediate condemnation and co-ordinated response from the international community in order to ensure the accountability of those responsible for these atrocities.”

S&D vice-president Elena Valenciano added:

“This use of chemical weapons is once again a gross violation of international humanitarian law in an everlasting war that is taking an insufferable toll on innocent civilian populations.

“As such, it must not go unpunished. The international community must go beyond condemning these horrific actions. The UN Security Council should react immediately to ensure all measures are taken to guarantee the identification and prosecution of the perpetrators and avoid this happening ever again. There is no space for any more vetoes when we need to end the use of such cruel practices and uphold, if not too late, the most basic principles of humanity in protection of those who need it most.”

Press Release on the S&D Website

09 Apr 2018

↧

Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung, Brussels Office

April 10, 2018, 2:05 am

≫ Next: The EU must live up to its values and put Roma issues at the heart of its political programme

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↧

The EU must live up to its values and put Roma issues at the heart of its political programme

April 10, 2018, 5:11 am

≫ Next: ESA - European Society of Anaesthesiology

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Social Europe & Jobs

Justice & Home Affairs

The S&D Group is calling for the European Union to put improving the lives of Roma people at the heart of its political agenda. The call came during the EU’s annual Roma week, from 9 to 13 April 2018, and alongside the launch of a new Group publication on what the EU needs to do to tackle anti-Gypsyism.

S&D Group spokesperson for Roma issues, Soraya Post said:

“The European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity, equality and respect for human rights. However, for Roma living in Europe, the EU is clearly failing to live up to those values. Millions of Roma are still denied their basic human rights and face massive discrimination throughout their lives from education to employment and access to justice. This stems from a deep rooted anti-Gypsyism that marginalises Roma people and communities. The depth of this prejudice was highlighted this week by the disgusting comments of Matteo Salvini in Italy on International Roma Day. These remarks must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The EU needs to finally live up to its ideals and put improving the lives of Roma people at the heart of its political strategy.

“The events we are holding this week and the publication launched today are designed to provide new ideas on how to tackle anti- Gypsyism in Europe. We need to put pressure on national governments to finally take meaningful action. We have called for a series of measures that can help tackle the historic injustices Roma people have and continue to face. We are demanding Truth and Reconciliation Commissions at member states and at EU level to acknowledge the persecution, exclusion and disownment of Roma throughout history. We call on the Court of Auditors to check the performance of EU programmes, as they seem to fail to reach out to the most disadvantaged. We also ask for a civil society monitoring and reporting call concerning hate speech and hate crime in member states.

“Improving the lives of Roma people can no longer be a secondary issue. If the EU wants to be a credible voice on human rights around the world then it must immediately put improving the lives of Roma people in the EU at the top of its priorities list.”

Note to editors

The new S&D Group brochure on the fight against anti-Gypsyism can be found here

The EU’s annual Roma week will continue until Thursday 12 April, the full agenda can be found here

Press Release on the S&D Website

10 Apr 2018

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ESA - European Society of Anaesthesiology

April 10, 2018, 5:41 am

≫ Next: #EuropeTogether Hamburg: Time has run out - Let’s assume our responsibility and tackle migration and globalisation effectively for all!

≪ Previous: The EU must live up to its values and put Roma issues at the heart of its political programme

↧

#EuropeTogether Hamburg: Time has run out - Let’s assume our responsibility and tackle migration and globalisation effectively for all!

April 10, 2018, 8:17 am

≫ Next: Financial services see growing risks a year before Brexit, finds ACCA

≪ Previous: ESA - European Society of Anaesthesiology

Social Europe & Jobs

Justice & Home Affairs

Med & South

This Thursday, 12 April, the S&D Group, together with its partners, will organise its next #EuropeTogether event in Hamburg focused on ‘Managing Migration & Supporting Refugees in a Globalised World’.

The conference will gather citizens, politicians and progressive partners with the participation of high-level speakers from Africa, Europe and the United Nations to discuss about global migration policy and the EU-Africa cooperation.

Speakers include the newly-elected S&D Group president Udo Bullmann; Frans Timmermans, First vice-president of the European Commission; Niels Annen, Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office; several S&D MEPs from various European countries including the S&D Group’s spokesperson for foreign affairs Knut Fleckenstein; as well as Rosa Malango, UN Coordinator in Uganda; Moussa Boly, vice-president of MPP in Burkina Faso; and other international representatives.

The conference will be moderated by Michel Abdollahi, prize-winning TV reporter and performance artist.

Commenting on the upcoming conference, S&D Group president, Udo Bullmann, said:

“We need to get out of the mind-set that increased migration is a temporary occurrence. Demographic changes, poverty, climate change and instability in North Africa and the Middle East mean that large numbers will continue to seek a better life in Europe for the foreseeable future.

“We need to show to our citizens that we can manage migration in a sustainable way. This means tackling the root causes of migration, but it also means creating a truly European asylum system and helping those newly arrived in Europe to integrate.

“It is now almost three years since the height of the refugee crisis and still we have not found a long-term solution on how to manage asylum in Europe. Our system still leaves countries on Europe's borders, such as Italy or Greece, to face the bulk of asylum cases alone and allows other countries to shirk their humanitarian responsibilities. This is not sustainable; we risk turning a manageable situation into another crisis. The European Parliament has proposed an ambitious overhaul of the EU asylum system – we now need national governments to finally act and approve it.”

S&D co-ordinator for foreign affairs, Knut Fleckenstein, added:

“Our work on migration and refugees is in close dialogue with the African countries. For us it is crucial to plan together with Africa, and not for Africa. Africa is a top priority for the S&Ds. We will continue to work towards a strong EU-Africa partnership to effectively tackle the root causes of migration and create a long-term perspective for the African population.”

The conference is open to the public and to the press.

Please see the full programme here

The conference can be followed via web streaming here

Note to the editors:

The #EuropeTogether initiative aims to bring European politics closer to citizens. The campaign brings together politicians, academics, civil society and citizens to debate and come up with new proposals for the future of Europe.

The conference will be preceded by two political workshops in the afternoon and then leads on to the wider event in the evening, ending with the adoption of a ‘Declaration on Managing Migration & Supporting Refugees in a Globalised World’

Press Release on the S&D Website

10 Apr 2018

↧

Financial services see growing risks a year before Brexit, finds ACCA

April 11, 2018, 12:13 am

≫ Next: CONSEIL DE COOPERATION DOUANIERE

≪ Previous: #EuropeTogether Hamburg: Time has run out - Let’s assume our responsibility and tackle migration and globalisation effectively for all!

Euro & Finance

UK in Europe

UK financial services increasingly feel risks outweigh opportunities as Brexit draws nearer, according to the latest snapshot member survey by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).

Almost half (49%) of representatives from FS firms surveyed by ACCA stated that the risks posed by Brexit are greater than the opportunities (compared to 14% who believed the opposite). Last year this negative imbalance was 40% to 16% respectively and this year it increased to 49% and 16% respectively.

The survey also found that the number of respondents making Brexit contingency plans has increased from last year. Yet over a third say they will have either little or no preparation plan in place by the time the UK formally leaves the EU in a year’s time.

At the same time, views are more balanced regarding the long-term impact of Brexit. One third (33%) expect that in five years’ time the opportunities will outweigh the risks, while 32% state the opposite.

Maggie McGhee, Director of Professional Insights at ACCA says,

‘While this is only a snapshot of the large and diverse FS sector, the findings reflect the views commonly heard from our membership. While the proposed transition deal means business as a whole has some degree of clarity, the race is now on to secure a favourable Brexit outcome for FS.

‘At the same, government should not lose sight of the long-term opportunities for Brexit. A favourable regulatory environment could benefit financial services if it facilitates improved relationships with the global economy.

‘Yet to achieve the right levels of cooperation and coordination with our European and global partners, the work has to start now.’

The second edition of Brexit impact on financial services is based on the views of 250 professional accountants working across the financial services sector: http://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/global-economics/brexit-impact-on-financial-services-second-edition.html

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

David Bowden, ACCA Newsroom
T: +44 (0)20 7059 5019
M: + 44 (0)7540919819
E: david.bowden@accaglobal.com

Twitter @ACCANews

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants, offering business-relevant, first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.

ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up-to-date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

29 Mar 2018

↧

CONSEIL DE COOPERATION DOUANIERE

April 11, 2018, 4:32 am

≫ Next: Member states back S&D’s demand for equal pay for equal work

≪ Previous: Financial services see growing risks a year before Brexit, finds ACCA

↧

Member states back S&D’s demand for equal pay for equal work

April 11, 2018, 4:55 am

≫ Next: Mark Zuckerberg must now testify in front of the European Parliament

≪ Previous: CONSEIL DE COOPERATION DOUANIERE

Social Europe & Jobs

The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament welcome today’s approval of new rules for posted workers by member states. The introduction of equal pay for equal work at the same place for workers temporarily posted in other EU countries is essential to ensure fair conditions and fair competition for all workers and companies in the EU. The Socialists and Democrats led the fight to revise the Posting of Workers Directive to better protect posted workers from day one.

European Parliament negotiator on the Posting of Workers Directive and S&D spokesperson for employment, Agnes Jongerius, said:

“Today is a good day for workers all over Europe. Now that member states have backed our proposal to introduce equal pay for equal work at the same place, co-workers can be colleagues again, instead of competitors. I am proud that the Socialists and Democrats won this important victory for all European workers.

“Too many of the two million posted workers are paid lower salaries and enjoy less protection than the local workforce; some of them live and work under shocking conditions. With the new rules, we want to end abuse and ensure that posted workers are protected from day one, as well as stop the race to the bottom on salaries and working conditions. This is important to guarantee fair conditions and fair competition for all workers and companies in the EU.”

Key points of the new Directive:

Posted workers are entitled to the same pay as the local workforce from day 1. Namely:

Wages according to collective bargaining agreements
Allowances such as a thirteenth salary, cold weather payments and other benefits
The reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs, on top of the salary
Change from home, to host labour law after 12 months with a possible extension of 6 months, instead of after 24 months as proposed by the Commission

Note to the editor:

The new rules still need to be confirmed in a vote in the employment committee and in the plenary of the European Parliament. Today there are 2.05 million posted workers in the EU. 42% of posted workers work in the construction sector, 21.8% in the manufacturing sector and 13.5% in social services. The average duration of a posting is four months. Posting increased by 41.3% between 2010 and 2015.

More information and registration

11 Apr 2018

↧

Mark Zuckerberg must now testify in front of the European Parliament

April 11, 2018, 4:58 am

≫ Next: Dieselgate and Facebook scandal show EU citizens need to be able to bring lawsuits collectively

≪ Previous: Member states back S&D’s demand for equal pay for equal work

InfoSociety

Security

The S&D Group today called for an urgent plenary debate next week in Strasbourg on the misuse of millions of Facebook users’ data. The Group is also calling for Mark Zuckerberg to come before the European Parliament's civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee and explain exactly what took place and how EU citizens have been affected.

S&D Group leader Udo Bullmann said:

“The allegation that data from millions of Facebook users was harvested without their permission is staggering. It is even more shocking that this data was used for political purposes under the pretext of academic research. Across Europe hundreds of millions of people use Facebook, and it is essential that they understand how their data has been, and is being, used. We are calling for a debate to be added to the plenary session next week, so the Parliament can urgently discuss this matter. We also need to have a special hearing in the civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee, with all relevant experts present. As he did with the US Senate yesterday, Mark Zuckerberg must come to this and explain what exactly occurred, how EU users have been affected, and what is being done to ensure it never happens again.”

S&D Group spokesperson for civil liberties, justice and home affairs, Birgit Sippel said:

“The allegations against Facebook are mounting every day. We need a comprehensive hearing in the civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee to get to the bottom of exactly what occurred. In the European Parliament, the S&D Group has been fighting for years to protect citizens online. From the new data protection laws that will come into force next month to the update of the e-privacy directive, we fought hard for the interests of citizens and against those of the big tech companies. It is laughable to now see the faux outrage from the EPP Group on this scandal. Their words say one thing, but their voting record says something completely different. On every major piece of legislation in recent years, they have toed the line of lobbyists from the internet giants and against the interests of citizens. We hope they have finally now seen the light on the importance of data protection and online privacy and will start voting accordingly.”

Press Release on the S&D Website

11 Apr 2018

↧

Dieselgate and Facebook scandal show EU citizens need to be able to bring lawsuits collectively

April 11, 2018, 5:00 am

≫ Next: EU glass packaging closed loop recycling steady at 74%

≪ Previous: Mark Zuckerberg must now testify in front of the European Parliament

Health & Consumers

InfoSociety

Security

The S&D Group today welcomed a new package of proposals from the European Commission to strengthen consumer rights in Europe. In particular, the Group supports the proposals on collective redress, which would allow EU consumers to bring lawsuits collectively against large companies.

S&D spokesperson for legal affairs, Sylvia-Yvonne Kaufmann said:

“We have been pushing for the European Commission to come forward with proposals to allow citizens to bring lawsuits collectively against companies in the European Union for a long time. The recent revelations about Facebook misusing customers’ data is an example where millions of people are affected but where they have no easy legal recourse.

“The proposals from the Commission are a step in the right direction. However, we regret that this proposal is limited to consumers. We see a need for all citizens to have easier access to justice, for example farmers affected by chemical spills or workers harmed by companies who do not respect health and safety regulations.”

S&D spokesperson for the internal market, Nicola Danti added:

“Following the Dieselgate scandal, VW were forced to pay large amounts of compensation to US consumers, while European consumers got nothing. When multinational companies act illegally, it is vital that all those affected are adequately compensated. We are glad the Commission has woken up to this and come forward with proposals to allow representative action at EU level. Our Group will push to make this compensation tool even more ambitious and effective, to ensure that these new proposals benefit consumers and not just law firms.

“Although collective redress is the main aspect of the consumer´s package, there are other important elements that need to be underlined. The proposition of new stricter penalties for companies who cause widespread infringements that affect consumers is also a good idea, as are proposals to make it easier for consumers to know whom they are buying from online. It is vital that customers have trust in the single market – these new proposals will held to build that trust.”

Press Release on the S&D Website

11 Apr 2018

↧

EU glass packaging closed loop recycling steady at 74%

April 11, 2018, 5:23 am

≫ Next: Decent work for all - S&Ds call for ban of zero-hour contracts in new rules on working conditions

≪ Previous: Dieselgate and Facebook scandal show EU citizens need to be able to bring lawsuits collectively

Health & Consumers

Climate & Environment

Latest industry data on glass recycling show that the average glass recycling rate in the EU28 is steady at 74%. This means that over 11.6 million tons of glass bottles are collected, and recycled into food grade quality material for the production of new glass containers.

Countries such as Belgium, Slovenia or Sweden, with excellent separate collection systems, continue to outperform beyond 95%. While glass stands alone as the most circular packaging solution, maintaining permanent quality even when recycled, the reality is that there is still an important collection gap to fill in many EU countries.

“Our industry is mobilized to fill the gap to 100% EU glass recycling because recycled glass is our most important raw material”, commented Adeline Farrelly, FEVE Secretary General. “We hope the new packaging recycling targets will give the necessary boost to all EU countries to invest in closed loop glass collection.”

As pointed out at the Euractiv Event, real recycling is a balancing act between developing materials that are recyclable, and markets that are open to use recycled material. “More and more effort is being put at European level to use recycled material for new food packaging”, says Jean-Paul Judson, FEVE Public Affairs Manager. “Recycled glass is of food grade quality. It goes straight into new food or beverage containers. We want to engage with policymakers to make this model the reference”.

(1) - See FEVE Recycling Statistics published on the FEVE website www.feve.org

ENDS

About Glass

Made of natural minerals abundant in nature - sand, soda-ash, recycled glass and limestone - glass is a 100% recyclable material, manufactured in a one step process under one roof. Some ninety per cent of collected glass bottles and jars are used over and over again to produce new food grade glass packaging in the closed loop system. Each time a bottle or jar is recycled into new containers, energy and raw materials are also saved and less CO2 is emitted. By recycling glass, over 12 million tons of raw materials are saved each year and over 7 million tons of CO2 are avoided - equal to taking 4 million cars off the road. We save 2.5% energy for each 10% of glass recycled in the furnace.

About FEVE

FEVE is the Federation of European manufacturers of glass containers and machinemade glass tableware. Its members produce over 20 million tons of glass per year. The association has some 60 corporate members belonging to approximately 20 independent corporate groups. Manufacturing plants are located across 23 European States and include global blue chip and major companies working for the world’s biggest consumer brands. See more on www.feve.org About the Container Glass Industry

About the Container Glass Industry

The European container glass industry provides a wide range of glass packaging products for food and beverages as well as flacons for perfumery, cosmetics and pharmacy to their European and world customers. With its 160 manufacturing plants distributed all over Europe, it is an important contributor to Europe’s real economy and maintains 125.000 direct and indirect jobs along the total supply chain. See more on www.feve.org

For further information contact:

Michael Delle Selve, Senior Communications Manager, E-mail: m.delleselve@feve.org, Tel: +32 (0)2 536 00 82

Jean Paul Judson, Public Affairs Manager, E-mail: jp.judson@feve.org, Tel: +32 (0)2 536 00 85

Follow FEVE now on Twitter! @FeveEU

Rec-Stats-2015-Press-Release-FINAL.pdf

PDF

10 Apr 2018

↧

Decent work for all - S&Ds call for ban of zero-hour contracts in new rules on working conditions

April 11, 2018, 7:05 am

≫ Next: VDMA: Mittelstand befürchtet Klagewelle durch EU-Sammelklagen

≪ Previous: EU glass packaging closed loop recycling steady at 74%

Social Europe & Jobs

At a conference on Decent Working Conditions hosted by the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament today, S&D MEPs called for setting new rights for workers, especially to better protect workers in precarious jobs. They welcomed a proposal put forward by the Commission on the revision of the Written Statement Directive, a follow-up on the declaration of the Social Pillar in Gothenburg in November 2017, for which the S&D Group has been campaigning for years and continues to push for its implementation.

Speaking at the conference, S&D Group vice-president and European Parliament’s rapporteur on the European Pillar of Social Rights, Maria João Rodrigues MEP, said:

“Now it is time to deliver on the promises made in Gothenburg. To be meaningful, the Social Pillar must consist of enforceable social rights, fairer economic policies and properly funded public investments. A full revision of the Written Statement Directive is needed to improve the lives of millions of Europeans working in precarious jobs. We Socialists and Democrats led the drive for the declaration of the Social Pillar and we will now continue the fight to make social rights a reality for all Europeans.”

Agnes Jongerius, MEP and S&D spokesperson on employment, said:

“With a growing number of Europeans working in precarious jobs like on-demand, platform or voucher-based work, it has become even more urgent to up-date and broaden the scope of existing laws to close the loopholes used by some employers to deny atypical workers even minimum protection. All workers, no matter what type of contract they have, must be guaranteed two basic rights: a clear and decent labour contract and full access to social protection. Decent jobs for all - that is what it is all about.”

Javi Lopez, S&D MEP and responsible for the revision of the Written Statement Directive, said:

“We welcome this necessary initiative of the Commission. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity to improve working conditions and workers' rights. Prohibiting unfair terms such as excessive probation periods, charging workers for training or exclusivity clauses all go in the right direction. However, to ensure that all workers in all forms of work really enjoy guaranteed rights, the Commission’s proposal must become more robust. We want all employment relationships to be covered by the new rules and we call on the Commission to ban explicitly zero-hour contracts and unpaid internships. These are especially scandalous forms of exploitation and should be prohibited.”

Note to the editor:

The Directive for transparent and predictable working conditions updates and replaces the 1991 Written Statement Directive, which gives employees the right to be notified in writing of the essential aspects of their contract or employment relationship. Member states committed to this revision in the Social Pillar declaration.

Press Release on the S&D Website

11 Apr 2018

↧

VDMA: Mittelstand befürchtet Klagewelle durch EU-Sammelklagen

April 11, 2018, 7:12 am

≫ Next: Europe must do more to get child refugees back to school, a new study reveals

≪ Previous: Decent work for all - S&Ds call for ban of zero-hour contracts in new rules on working conditions

Innovation & Enterprise

Trade & Society

Brüssel/Frankfurt, 11. April 2018 – Die Einführung von Sammelklagen in der EU würde mittelständische Unternehmen zur Zielscheibe eines Klagesystems nach US-amerikanischem Vorbild machen. Für einen Irrweg hält der VDMA daher den aktuellen Vorstoß der Europäischen Kommission, Sammelklagen durch Organisationen und Interessensgruppen auch ohne Zustimmung der betroffenen Verbraucher zu ermöglichen. „Der Entwurf der Kommission lädt förmlich dazu ein, Unternehmen schon beim geringsten Verdacht mit einer Flut von Klagen zu überziehen“, warnt Christian Steinberger, Leiter der Rechtsabteilung des VDMA.

Kritisch sieht der VDMA den Vorschlag der Kommission, Kläger von Teilen der Prozesskosten wie etwa Gerichtsgebühren zu befreien. „Das finanzielle Risiko einer Sammelklage verlagert sich damit vor allem auf das beklagte Unternehmen. Damit wird dem Missbrauch Tür und Tor geöffnet“, sagt Steinberger. Das bewährte Prinzip der deutschen Prozessordnung, nach dem der Verlierer des Verfahrens auch die Kosten trägt, droht durch die EU-Sammelklage ausgehebelt zu werden. „Leidtragende wären vor allem kleine und mittlere Unternehmen, die sich aufgrund begrenzter Ressourcen und der Sorge vor Reputationsverlust keine langwierigen Verfahren leisten können und sich gegebenenfalls zu teuren Vergleichen gezwungen sehen. Das Beispiel der Sammelklagen in den USA zeigt dies deutlich“, warnt Steinberger.

Den Entwurf der Richtlinie zu EU-weiten Sammelklagen, den die Kommission im Rahmen des Gesetzespakets „New Deal for Consumers“ in Brüssel vorgestellt hat, geht damit noch weit über den aktuellen Entwurf einer Musterfeststellungsklage in Deutschland hinaus. Der VDMA verweist jedoch darauf, dass der Verbraucherschutz im Zivilrecht in Deutschland und der EU schon jetzt gut ausgebaut ist. Neue Klagemöglichkeiten würden daher kaum zu mehr Verbraucherschutz beitragen, dafür aber unverhältnismäßige Risiken für Unternehmen schaffen.

Der VDMA vertritt mehr als 3.200 Mitgliedsunternehmen des mittelständisch geprägten Maschinen- und Anlagenbaus. Mit 1,35 Millionen Erwerbstätigen im Inland und einem Umsatz von 224 Milliarden Euro (2017) ist die Branche größter industrieller Arbeitgeber und einer der führenden deutschen Industriezweige insgesamt.

VDMA European Office

Diamant Building

Boulevard A. Reyers 80

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Tel. + 32 2 706 8205, Fax + 32 2 706 8210

E-Mail european.office@vdma.org

Internet www.vdma.org

Präsident: Carl Martin Welcker

Hauptgeschäftsführer: Thilo Brodtmann

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11 Apr 2018

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Europe must do more to get child refugees back to school, a new study reveals

April 11, 2018, 7:54 am

≫ Next: New consumer rights must be "effective, practical and proportionate"

≪ Previous: VDMA: Mittelstand befürchtet Klagewelle durch EU-Sammelklagen

Languages & Culture

Education

EU countries fail to adequately integrate child refugees into their school systems, according to a new comparative study presented today at by the Global Progressive Forum (GPF), ahead of next month’s European Parliament debate with the EU Commission and Council on protection of child refugees.

EU law provides that every European country must offer access to education to each child refugee within 3 months from the filing of the asylum application. The research promoted by the Global Progressive Forum, in co-operation with the Migration Policy Group and the Sirius Network on Migration and Education, highlights instead delays and lack of resources to meet this target. In the best scenarios, the education provided often translates into educational-recreational activities, not actual schooling. Moreover, it reveals significant difference between EU countries and also within the same country.

Presenting the study at the European Parliament, in Brussels, GPF president Enrique Guerrero MEP said:

“Since early 2015, at least 1.5 million children fleeing conflict in their homeland have arrived in refugee camps in Europe and Turkey. Most of them have already lost an average of two and a half years of schooling in their home country due to the impact of conflict and violence (UNICEF 2017). Once in Europe, transfers between refugee centres and other delays in assessing their requests for asylum can add up to three and a half additional years during which they are deprived of learning opportunities. For unaccompanied minors, it can take even longer, as they also need to be provided with a guardian.

“Pragmatically speaking, sending child refugees back to school is also the best way of protecting them from abuses, exploitation and radicalization.

“Unfortunately, one of most dramatic finding of our study is that most of these children have dramatically disappeared from public authorities’ radars. There is very little few official data and information about them and their integration into schools.”

Thomas Huddleston, Research Director at the Migration Policy Group and chair of the Sirius Network on Migration and Education, added:

“Although member states have had three years to prepare with concrete recommendations and support from the European Commission and experts like SIRIUS, our study still finds insufficient support for refugee students and families as well as major differences and gaps between European countries.

“Also Europe is letting down refugee children by not monitoring how well they are doing in school and society. Europe cannot turn a blind eye to these children’s needs and strong desire to learn.”

For the full study: www.globalprogressiveforum.org/backtoschool

Press Release on the S&D Website

11 Apr 2018

↧

New consumer rights must be "effective, practical and proportionate"

April 11, 2018, 8:09 am

≫ Next: Ambitious 8 GW of offshore wind planned that will put Poland back on wind energy map

≪ Previous: Europe must do more to get child refugees back to school, a new study reveals

Health & Consumers

ECR Internal Market co-ordinator Daniel Dalton MEP today welcomed the European Commission's New Deal for Consumers.

Mr Dalton, who will pilot proposals through the European Parliament as a rapporteur, said:

"It is good to see the Commission coming forward with ideas to address problems exposed by issues such as the vehicle emissions scandal, the lack of transparency in some online sales and the 'dual food' question.

"Our task now is to ensure the Parliament produces legislation that is effective, practical and proportionate. That will take time and we must not allow the Commission's desire to complete the process before the elections in May 2019 override the need to get this right."

The proposals, unveiled today, aim to strengthen consumer rights online, introduce class actions led by consumer organisations, tackle the practice of branded food products containing different ingredients in different markets, and remove unnecessary burdens on businesses.

Mr Dalton's separate report introducing new testing measures to prevent a repeat of the emissions scandal are expected to be approved by the Parliament next week.

ENDS

Contact: Robert Taylor, robert.taylor@ep.europa.eu, +32 498 984 760

For a list of all ECR Press Officers go to (scroll down): http://ecrgroup.eu/contacts/

The ECR was created to take the EU in a new direction, according to the principles of our founding Prague Declaration. It is the third largest group in the European Parliament with 71 MEPs from 18 EU states.

For more information on the ECR, watch our promotional video at http://youtu.be/F5syQt1JuQI or visit our website: www.ecrgroup.eu

Press Release on the ECR Website

11 Apr 2018

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Ambitious 8 GW of offshore wind planned that will put Poland back on wind energy map

April 12, 2018, 12:13 am

≫ Next: Global standards more important than ever, asserts ACCA as it supports new IFAC and BIAC study

≪ Previous: New consumer rights must be "effective, practical and proportionate"

Energy

Climate & Environment

BRUSSELS, 11 APRIL 2018 – State-owned Polish Transmission System Operator, PSE, has said that as much as 8 GW of offshore wind capacity could be installed in Poland.

PSE President Eryk Kłosowski said that 4 GW of offshore wind could be installed in the Polish Baltic Sea by 2026/27 with up to 8 GW in the longer term.

Poland has become a major player in the offshore wind supply chain in recent years with major investments in the manufacturing of turbine foundations and the cranes and jack-up vessels used in installation and maintenance. The Polish wind industry now supports 12,000 jobs. This number would grow significantly with the development of a domestic offshore wind market.

WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson said:“This commitment to help kick-start the Polish offshore wind market is excellent news. After a period of stagnation in onshore wind, it will put Poland back on the European wind energy map. It’ll help diversify Poland’s energy mix and it’ll support further growth and job creation in Poland’s successful offshore wind supply chain. The skills and industrial expertise needed to meet these volumes is in place. It’s great the TSO has confirmed that the Polish electricity grid can support them too. The Baltic Sea offers enormous growth potential for offshore wind and it’s very good to see that Poland is gearing up to play its part in fulfilling that”.

According to Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association (PWEA): “Today Polish companies could deliver up to 50% of the components required to build offshore wind farms. PWEA has identified almost 80 companies that could deliver the necessary products and services, starting from offshore wind farm design and planning, production and installation of turbine components and connection infrastructure, to offshore wind farm operation and maintenance”.

ENDS

Note to Editors:
WindEurope is the voice of the wind industry, actively promoting wind power in Europe and worldwide. We have over 450 members, active in over 50 countries. In addition to wind turbine manufacturers with a leading share of the world wind power market, our membership encompasses component suppliers, research institutes, national wind and renewables associations, developers, contractors, electricity providers, finance and insurance companies, and consultants.

For additional questions, please contact:
Andrew Canning, WindEurope Press & Communications Manager, andrew.canning@windeurope.org
+32 2 213 18 67

Press Release on the WindEurope website

11 Apr 2018

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Global standards more important than ever, asserts ACCA as it supports new IFAC and BIAC study

April 12, 2018, 12:46 am

≫ Next: S&Ds: After 10 years, we finally welcome the Commission's proposal on unfair practices in the food supply chain

≪ Previous: Ambitious 8 GW of offshore wind planned that will put Poland back on wind energy map

Euro & Finance

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is supporting the findings of a must-read new study from IFAC (International Federation of Accountants) and Business at OECD (BIAC) called Regulatory Divergence: Costs, Risks, Impacts: An International Financial Sector Study.

The study says that fragmentation in global financial regulation costs more than USD $780 billion annually, and looks at regulatory divergence by taking the pulse of more than 250 regulatory and compliance leaders from major global financial institutions.

The findings reinforce the impact of fragmented regulation - from tangible economic costs, financial risks and barriers to economic growth. It also offers recommendations for the future in what the report calls “actionable steps to curb the impacts of financial regulatory divergence” – from “aligning regulatory definitions to enhancing transparency in rule making, monitoring, and enforcement processes.”

Sundeep Takwani, director – regulation at ACCA says: ‘We wholeheartedly back the Business at OECD (BIAC) and IFAC’s calls to enhance international cooperation among regulators, increase overall alignment in regulation, and ensure clarity in international rule-setting to repair regulatory fragmentation.’

‘ACCA believes that adherence to global standards and regulations best serve the public interest and in the promotion of sustainable global business practices.

‘For ACCA, standards and regulation must be about delivering public value and work in the public interest, without being onerous for business. This is an insightful report for CFOs and risk managers, but it’s also relevant to the global profession as a whole.’

- ends -

For media enquiries, contact:

Helen Thompson

E: Helen.Thompson@accaglobal.com

T: +44 (0)20 7059 5759

M: +44 (0)7725 498 654
Twitter @ACCANews

About ACCA

ACCA supports its 200,000 members and 486,000 students in 180 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 101 offices and centres and more than 7,200 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence.

ACCA is currently introducing major innovations to its flagship qualification to ensure its members and future members continue to be the most valued, up to date and sought-after accountancy professionals globally.

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com

Global standards more important than ever, asserts ACCA as it supports new IFAC and BIAC study.pdf

12 Apr 2018

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S&Ds: After 10 years, we finally welcome the Commission's proposal on unfair practices in the food supply chain

April 12, 2018, 3:15 am

≫ Next: EU must act now to save the rule of law in Hungary

≪ Previous: Global standards more important than ever, asserts ACCA as it supports new IFAC and BIAC study

Agriculture & Food

Following today’s presentation by the European Commission on the proposal for a directive on unfair trading practices in business-to-business relationship in the food supply chain, S&D rapporteur Paolo de Castro, and S&D co-ordinator Eric Andrieu stated the following:

S&D rapporteur, Paolo de Castro, commented:

"After having lived for more than 10 years in a legislative labyrinth made of 20 different national legislations, finally the Commissioner, Phil Hogan, has today come up with a comprehensive and overall positive proposal which aims to create a common European legislation against unfair practices in business-to-business relationship in the food supply chain.

"The draft directive is a crucial first step forward in preventing the no longer acceptable behaviours which still today create inefficiencies and food waste, to the detriment of our producers and consumers.

"The S&D Group will fight to build on what we achieved through the Omnibus regulation, up-scaling the transparency throughout the whole of the food chain and the competitiveness of the weaker actors.

"We must get rid of unfair practices such as late payments or last-minute orders’ cancellations for perishable products. The cloudy days of the ‘magic’ price multiplications from field to fork are about to come to an end."

S&D co-ordinator, Eric Andrieu, added:

Until now, there have been no rules governing relations between the various players in the agri-food chain, leaving the weakest vulnerable and farmers facing problems because of market concentration and the pressure on prices exerted by big distributors in particular. It is clear that unfair trade practices have extremely damaging consequences for the whole food supply chain, starting with small producers.

"This directive must allow us to eliminate these unacceptable practices to better protect our farmers.

"But we must go further and respond to the problems posed by the concentration of distribution at the European level. We must protect consumers and farmers against oligopolies and respond to the question of integrity in the global food system."

Press Release on the S&D Website

12 Apr 2018

↧

EU must act now to save the rule of law in Hungary

April 12, 2018, 7:15 am

≫ Next: APEAL launches Good Practice Recycling Report

≪ Previous: S&Ds: After 10 years, we finally welcome the Commission's proposal on unfair practices in the food supply chain

Justice & Home Affairs

The European Parliament’s civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee today voted in favour of launching Article 7 procedures against the Hungarian government for its repeated and sustained attacks on the fundamental values of the EU.

S&D Group vice-president responsible for civil liberties, justice and home affairs, Josef Weidenholzer, said:

"The Hungarian government flaunts the fundamental values of the European Union. It has systematically acted to dismantle the rule of law since 2010. Viktor Orbán’s reaction to the latest election results show that this is not going to improve. Immediately after this victory was announced, he launched another attack on the media and organisations that are critical of his government. Enough is enough. Today we backed a proposal to launch Article 7 proceedings. This will now be voted on by the whole Parliament in the coming months. We urge the EPP Group to finally condemn the authoritarian drift of Orbán’s government and stand up for the European values they say they believe in.

“This is about the protection of the rule of law in Hungary and the credibility of the whole Union. Viktor Orbán disregards all the principles on which our Union is built. We need to act now before it is too late and use all the resources available to protect the fundamental rights of both Hungarians and all European citizens.”

Press Release on the S&D Website

12 Apr 2018

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