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The AGS behind, the Semester ahead | Great success for the Semester Alliance Hearing in the EP

On 1 March 2016 – (9.30-12.30), Sergio Gutierrez Prieto (S&D) and Marian Harkin (ALDE), with the EU Alliance for a democratic, social and sustainable European Semester, hosted a very well-attended hearing The AGS behind, the Semester ahead, what proposals to make Europe 2020 more social, democratic and sustainable?  in the European Parliament. The Alliance presented its proposals on the AGS 2016 and its report on the Country-specific Recommendations with concrete key messages.

EESC | “Migration needs both – humanity and clear rules”. EESC calls for a common European asylum and migration policy

10/12/2015 – Europe needs a truly common European asylum system with harmonised procedures throughout Europe. In the current complex situation, Europe needs to secure its borders in a European rather than a national effort while at the same time assisting asylum seekers outside the EU. Moreover, it has to put in place an effective immigration policy which is transparent, clearly outlining who will have a chance to immigrate and welcoming those newcomers by supporting their start in the respective EU Member State.

EC – DG IPOL | Study on ‘EU Social and Labour Rights and EU Internal Market Law’

06/11/2015 – Having developed incrementally, EU social and labour rights only in 2009 became legally binding through the Charter of Fundamental Rights for the European Union (CFREU). The study requested by EMPL Committee develops the concept of a constitutionally conditioned Internal Market as a way to overcome the perception that social and labour rights limit Internal Market law. On this basis, alternative responses to perceived tensions are proposed.

2015 Mussel and steak bar

The Poverty Alliance (EAPN Scotland) | Edinburgh Restaurant Becomes First to Serve Up the Living Wage

06/11/2015 – The Mussel & Steak Bar based in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket has become Scotland’s first Living Wage accredited restaurant. The family run restaurant specializes in surf and turf, and currently employs 24 staff.  By becoming an accredited Living Wage employer, the Mussel & Steak Bar has committed to paying their staff £8.25 per hour – the new rate announced on Monday 2 November. 

EuroHealthNet welcomes the report on child poverty adopted by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the EP

13/10/2015 – The own-initative report on “Reducing inequalities with a special focus on child poverty”[1] was adopted today by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. The report – by rapporteur Inês Cristina Zuber MEP – makes several recommendations that could make a real contribution to reducing child poverty and improving health equity. These recommendations are also in line with the evidence from DRIVERS[2] research, a FP7 project coordinated by EuroHealthNet and with EAPN as one of the main partners.