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29 April 2009
The Commission has adopted a new EU strategy for youth policy for the coming decade. Entitled «Youth – Investing and Empowering», the new strategy acknowledges the fact that (1) young people are one of the most vulnerable groups in society, especially in the current economic and financial crisis, and (2) in our ageing society, young people are a precious resource.
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21 April 2009
Although companies across Europe are continuing to make substantial job reductions, there has been a fall-off in the number of announced job losses in March compared to previous months.
Nevertheless, as overall business and consumer confidence remain at low levels, further deterioration in the labour market situation can be expected in the coming months.
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23 March 2009
The report of the European Commission presents the main developments, the challenges and policy orientations concerning the progress toward gender equality. It states that while there were positive developments in this regard, especially in respect of employment, still there are shortcomings in respect of gender equality in several areas.
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10 March 2009
The European Commission has issued a staff working document entitled «Synthesis of the replies from the Member States to the questionnaire on criminal law, administrative law/procedural law and fundamental rights in the fight against terrorism». The paper draws together existing information from EU Member States on counter-terrorism legislation and fundamental rights.
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9 March 2009
The Joint Report examines the Member States’ integrated national strategies on social inclusion, pensions, healthcare and long-term care. It reviews the main trends across the EU and at national level and is the outcome of a process involving the European Commission and the Council. Most of the work involves the Social Protection Committee (a group of high-level officials established in 2000 to serve as a vehicle for cooperative exchange between the Commission and the Member States).
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20 January 2009
The European Commission publishes results of an open public consultation on the future priorities in the area of freedom, security and justice for the years 2010-2014 and a Eurobarometer on awareness of key-policies in the same area.
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19 January 2009
Study on quality of life in Europe reveals major disparities between EU countries. A survey - carried out by Eurofound (the European foundation for the improvement of living and working conditions) - reveals major disparities between old and new EU countries, and between north and south.
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19 January 2009
Current statistics confirm that the economic crisis is affecting growth and jobs throughout the EU. Industrial new orders were down by 6.3% in October compared with September and the real agricultural income per worker was down by 4.3% in 2008 compared with 2007.The EU external trade deficit in October amounted to €17.1bn. To restore confidence and mitigate the effects of the crisis on the real economy, the Quarterly Report on the Euro Area emphasised that a swift and coordinated implementation of the European Economic Recovery Plan is necessary.
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2 December 2008
A European Commission report published 18.11.2008 shows that mobile workers from the countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007 have had a positive impact on Member States’ economies and have not led to serious disturbances on their labour markets. Workers from the EU-8 as well as Bulgaria and Romania have made a significant contribution to sustained economic growth, without significantly displacing local workers or driving down their wages.
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1 December 2008
On 27 November 2008 the European Commission sent reasoned opinions to Austria, Lithuania, Slovenia, Hungary, Italy and Malta to fully implement the Directive on equal treatment for men and women in employment (2002/73/EC). The States have two months to reply.