Working in the EU – or maybe you’re not working?

Young people from all over Europe – represented by one employee and one unemployed person from each EU country – will come to the European Parliament in Brussels in early November.

Agora 2013 will debate the European employment market and youth unemployment and make their recommendations to EU decision-makers.

So, what are the main issues? We’ve all heard a lot recently about unemployment and undeclared work, especially pertaining to migrant workers. Are you fed-up of inaccuracy and biased statements? Over the next week, this blog will feature impartial and up-to-date information related to employment, unemployment self-employment and undeclared work in the EU.

The goal – guaranteed work and training for young Europeans

If you live in Greece, Spain and Croatia, you already know that over half of young persons (under 25) are unemployed. In the EU as a whole, unemployment affects almost a quarter of young persons, with the risk that they become a ‘lost generation’ who cannot find steady employment later in life. The European Parliament has repeatedly called for the introduction of youth guarantees in Member States to ensure that young persons have access to work and training after leaving school. Read up on the state of play in our keysource on Youth Guarantees in the EU.

Migrant workers – living and working in another EU country

Although hotly contested in some Member States, whether they want to get out of unemployment, take up attractive job offers, or gain new experience, EU citizens have the legal right to work in any EU Member State. In 2012, 6.6 million EU citizens – 3.1% of the EU workforce – lived and worked in a MemberState other than their own. Another 1.2 million people lived in one EU country but worked in another. The European Commission supports facilitating intra-EU labour mobility. And you? Maybe you do, maybe you don’t – just make sure you know the facts with our keysource. Perhaps your fear is that your national welfare system will be exploited by “benefit tourists”? Make a reasoned judgement on the EU situation with our briefing on welfare benefits and intra-EU mobility.

Dodging tax and social security? Working in the shadow economy

In tackling undeclared work, we look at what the EU is doing about the problem of unpaid tax and social security contributions, and the risks to workers unprotected by an employment contract.

Perhaps you are a so-called “migrant worker” are worried about possible dispute with your employer which has to be settled in court? Our briefing on EU jurisdiction rules applicable to employment explains the rules governing the applicable jurisdiction, good to know for employees and employers alike.

Being one’s own employer

Citizens with entrepreneurial spirit can be self-employed – and even create new jobs. What happens when social security systems treat self-employed people differently from employees? Our keysource on social protection for self-employed workers has the answer. Our briefing on self-employment and social security analyses the effects on innovation and economic growth.

Your local factory has moved to China? Assisting workers affected by globalisation

The EU globalisation adjustment fund exists to provide assistance when communities suffer from the effects of globalisation, such as when a factory is closed due to global competition. This week we took a look at the Globalisation Adjustment Fund and specifically its recent application to provide EU support for redundant workers in Italy.