Latest news with #EuropeanPillarofSocialRights
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
What Has Europe Ever Done for Us? Quite a lot, actually...
EU citizens are protected by many rights throughout their career and life. There are safeguards in place for all areas of your life: when you're job hunting, when you're working, and when you start a family. All of this is anchored in the European Pillar of Social Rights and its Action Plan, that was endorsed by EU leaders in 2021. Through it, the EU is creating more job opportunities, fighting inequality and promoting social inclusion through high-quality work and training access. In Ireland this year, at the All Together Now festival held in Portroe, County Waterford, the EU's Directorate-General for Employment, Social affairs and Inclusion hosted the 'Let's Make It Work ' stand to raise awareness of citizens' social and employment rights in a clear and accessible manner. At the stand, participants had meaningful conversations around quality jobs, skills, and work-life balance. Inspired by real conversations at the 'Let's Make It Work' stand at All Together Now, this imagined dialogue explores how EU social rights shape our everyday lives." Hello there and welcome to the European Commission Let's Make It Work stand, how've you been? Been up to anything fun? Well, yeah actually, I recently spent a week in Italy. Oh Italy, sounds like a lovely getaway. And no surprises from work when you returned? Well, my inbox had 517 unread emails. That took a while to get through. I'd say so. Aside from that, your job remained the same and you still got paid while you were away?. I'd say it's comforting knowing that it's there. I didn't really think about that but Well, yeah of course I did. it is. Why do you say that? Well, it's because you have the EU to thank for that. The EU? I don't think it's done that much for us. It's just a bunch of people sitting around having meetings and not contributing much. I wouldn't be so quick to judge. For one, that trip to Italy is protected by the EU. It enshrined that every worker gets four weeks of paid, guaranteed leave. Ok, that's nice, but that's just one part of my life. What about the other 48 weeks of the year? Oh, they've certainly got you covered on that. In recent years, the EU has made significant efforts to ensure that every citizen has a healthy and strong work-life balance, recognising that life is more than just work. It means you can go away without having to worry about your job changing or being gone when you return. You expect your job to remain the same when you return, right? Well, yeah, of course. It would be silly if that happened. Let me guess who I should thank… Yep, the EU. It ensures that all workers, including yourself, have clear and predictable working conditions. This means you know, in writing, what is expected of you and your employer, as well as the terms of your contract and more. More importantly, it prevents any sneaky business from happening. You don't want to return home and find out your job requires you to work longer hours or you have to sweep chimneys. Sweeping chimneys? I'd probably take that over trawling through all those emails earlier, to be honest. Sure it can feel that way, but jokes aside, these measures are to protect you in all areas of work. Take the probationary period, which can't go on any longer than six months. It's a way of balancing the needs of both employee and employer, so they can establish if you're a good fit for the company while ensuring they don't abuse it. These measures also apply to part-time and zero-hour contracts as the EU knows that people can't live and work to their fullest potential if they're stressed and working with uncertainty. That's a relief to know. Work can be stressful enough, and we don't need the rug pulled from under our feet. Exactly, and all of this is to develop what the EU describes as quality jobs, which contribute to your well-being, productivity, and societal benefits. Imagine a world where you didn't have your hobbies, time to see friends and family. I'd hate it if I had to drop photography or the five-a-side football I play on Tuesdays. They're important to me. And it's what makes you who you are. It's important to say this isn't just for hobbies. By providing stable and adaptable working conditions, these measures enable you to adapt to your needs so you can have a fulfilling working and personal life. It also applies to those who are caring for others. For parents, you have the right to healthcare, affordable childcare and long-term care, so you can pursue your career knowing your family is taken care of. These measures are the standard and also apply to those who are self-employed or have non-standard employment arrangements. That's good to hear, and for the people in need, wouldn't it be good to give them the skills so they can better themselves? There are loads of jobs out there unfilled, and it's better to train people to take them. Absolutely, and it may not surprise you that this is also a core mission of the EU. Earlier this year, it launched the Union of Skills, which aims to equip people with the skills they need to advance and succeed in their professional lives. So if you want a career change, want to upskill for a promotion, or add another string to your bow, you can. The great thing is that all of this is transferable across the EU. If you move to a different country in the EU, all of this carries over. Ok, ok, you got me, the EU has done a lot for us. And it doesn't stop there, the EU is always looking to improve the lives of those living in its member states. The core drive is to create societies that benefit everyone. When people are safe and secure, they're able to do more and contribute to the world around them, like caring for their families, pursuing hobbies, or giving back to the community. Ok great, now can I show you my photos? Oh, go on then. Here ya go These are quite good. Picturesque too. Wait, are these three photos the only ones photos you took? Well, it was a busy trip, and a lot of the photos didn't come out well. They were overexposed and I… You know what, it's the experience that counts.
Euractiv
30-06-2025
- Business
- Euractiv
Romanian government extends licensing requirement for Ukrainian products
BUCHAREST – The Romanian government has extended the mandatory licensing requirement for Ukrainian products until 31 December 2025, as a measure to protect local farmers. Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu urged Romanian processors "to source their raw materials from domestic farmers in order to support national agricultural production." According to the Agriculture Ministry, the regulation applies to all actors in the agri-food supply chain – including producers, processors, and traders – and plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable social groups, in line with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights. Following the European Commission's decision in September 2023 not to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain imports to five neighbouring EU countries – Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary – Bucharest introduced an import licensing system for cereals and oilseeds from both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova. Initially introduced in October 2023, the measure has since been extended and broadened to cover additional products.
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Home Youth Liaison Service opens new office in Leitrim and launches support programme for young parents
The Sligo Leitrim Home Youth Liaison Service (HYLS) recently welcomed community members, partners, funders and other supporters to the official opening of a new office space in Carrick on Shannon. At the opening event, the team also launched their newest initiative; The Young Parents Support Programme (YPSP) for Sligo and Leitrim. This event marked a significant milestone in the service's ongoing commitment to supporting young people and families across the region. HYLS was established in 1989 to address the needs of young people facing challenges at school, home or their wider communities. Operating across Sligo, Leitrim and West Cavan, the HYLS provides a range of services designed to support youth development and family well being. The mission is to provide a sympathetic, confidential, non-judgmental and personal support service to young people and their families, aiming to enhance the young person's future personal and social development and well being. The service's newest initiative, the YPSP is a targeted community-based support service to young parents, mothers and fathers, under the age of 24 years. This program aims to support young parents during pregnancy and through the first 1,000 days of their child's life. The YPSP operates in a flexible, needs-led manner, offering support in locations that best suit the parents, including home visits, office settings and various other independent community spaces. Some of the supports include pre and post natal care, housing support, financial advice and guidance, education and employment support, relationship and family support, legal advice and much more. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more There are two dedicated young parent support project workers; Sarah O Connell in Sligo and Ciara Tolan in Leitrim and West Cavan. The project is co-ordinated by the deputy manager Linda Halstead. A spokesperson for the service said, 'Both Sarah and Ciara, while new to the HYLS, in the last eight months have both proved to be an excellent addition to the team and have already helped many young parents across the counties. 'The referral process for this service is universal meaning that referrals for support can come from any source, including directly from young parents themselves. 'If there is anyone that feels that they are in need of support please get in touch with us at or call the HYLS office at 071 9144441 and we will do our best to support you through whatever challenges that may be present.' This program is co funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union alongside TUSLA. The ESF+ is the European Unions main instrument for investing in people and supporting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights. This programme is supported by the National Organisation Treoir, which is the National Information Service for Unmarried Parents.
