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During its February session, the European Parliament is expected to vote on a report containing a series of recommendations aimed at combating poverty and social exclusion across the EU. The report is intended to contribute to the policy debate ahead of the publication of the European Commission's new EU anti-poverty strategy, announced in the Commission work programme for the second quarter of 2026.

During the January plenary session, the European Parliament is expected to vote on a legislative initiative calling on the European Commission to propose a new directive to protect workers in the green and digital transitions. The directive would address the challenges and opportunities of a just transition in the workplace, and establish an EU framework of policy measures for regions affected by the twin transitions. The report calls for more EU funding for the just transition post-2027.

In this background paper, the authors trace regulatory and policy proposals for further EU action for an added role of the EU in solving some aspects of the health workforce challenge. The authors sketch the legal competences of the EU in this sphere to take legislative action, list and analyse the proposals that have been put forward at various levels including the European Parliament. The authors also present the different policy and legal options that can be considered for adoption.

The EU and its Member States have signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and use its definition of disability as a common reference at EU level. There is no other harmonised definition of disability in the EU. The introduction of the Global Activity Limitation Instrument indicator (GALI) in most of Eurostat's social and economic surveys offers the opportunity to have a clearer assessment of disability in the EU than before. It confirms that in 2024 the prevalence of disability ...

Women remain under-represented in the EU fisheries sector, particularly as regards fishing and aquaculture activities. This in-depth analysis provides an overview of women’s participation in the sector, exploring available statistics and the incorporation of the gender dimension in EU fisheries policy. It also outlines the gradual integration of gender considerations in EU funding schemes, and the impact of the sectoral support provided by sustainable fisheries partnership agreements on women in ...

This study investigates the integration and effects of artificial intelligence and algorithmic management (AM) technologies within European workplaces, extending beyond the realm of platform work. It thoroughly examines the European regulatory framework for the use of AM technologies, engages in stakeholder interviews, and analyses case studies within the logistics, healthcare, telecoms, automotive and manufacturing sectors, revealing notable gaps in worker protection and regulatory oversight. The ...

To raise awareness of the many forms of trafficking in human beings and to boost efforts to address them, the European Union has set 18 October as EU Anti-trafficking Day. Marking the day is an opportunity to highlight the European Parliament's call to step up action against trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation, which is now broadly recognised as a significant problem across the EU, affecting both EU and non-EU citizens.

During the October l plenary session, the European Parliament is expected to vote on the provisional agreement reached with the Council on European Works Councils (EWCs). EWCs are bodies that represent EU workers in large European-scale undertakings. Following Parliament's 2023 call to strengthen their role and capacity as information and consultation bodies on transnational matters, the European Commission put forward a proposal for a directive revising the 2009 EWC Directive.

The aim of this paper is to identify key enables, gaps and policy mechanisms that facilitate the creation of quality jobs, promote inclusive economic transformation and ensure that all communities, particularly the most vulnerable, are supported by Just Transition. Drawing on comparative evidence, it analyses how different elements of governance arrangements, financing tools and stakeholder participation shape reskilling, job quality and inclusion. The findings provide policy directions to strengthen ...

The aim of this paper is to identify key enables, gaps and policy mechanisms that facilitate the creation of quality jobs, promote inclusive economic transformation and ensure that all communities, particularly the most vulnerable, are supported by Just Transition. Drawing on comparative evidence, it analyses how different elements of governance arrangements, financing tools and stakeholder participation shape reskilling, job quality and inclusion. The findings provide policy directions to strengthen ...