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Social policy in the European Union: state of play 2018 
  
To mark the 19th edition of their flagship publication, the OSE and the European Trade Union Institute are holding a presentation-debate.
  
A dominant issue in this annual review is the way in which the European Pillar of Social Rights has influenced EU policy making even before it was politically endorsed. The book examines the impact of the Pillar’s new ‘rights-based social investment approach’ while also questioning if the Pillar could encourage a fully-fledged ‘European Social Union’. But will it also be able to steer the EU’s macroeconomic policies? This volume looks at social protection of the self-employed, recent progress in occupational health and the impact of the digital transition on job quality. Eco-social policies need to be put on the agenda urgently – but at whose expense?

 11 December 2018
  
 Brussels
 

(Programme, registration)

Inequalities in access to healthcare. A study of national policies
Rita Baeten, Slavina Spasova, Bart Vanhercke and Stéphanie Coster
  
This new Synthesis Report by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN) describes the main features of health systems enabling access to healthcare. It identifies the key challenges in inequalities in access to healthcare in 35 European countries. Despite a general trend towards improved access, inequalities persist in many countries. The report discusses the impact of health system financing, health coverage and healthcare provision on access to healthcare and analyses the differences in access between population groups. It identifies national reforms and puts forward a number of policy recommendations.

 
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+ 35 Country reports

The ‘generosity’ of pensions for workers in hard jobs: in need of a nuanced debate
Slavina Spasova and Bart Vanhercke
 
This policy brief examines issues surrounding recent cuts in pensions provision for workers in arduous and hazardous jobs (WAHJ). Such workers have historically enjoyed better provision because of the strong possibility of them having to take early retirement, but historic arrangements are now under threat. The policy brief presents some data on the working conditions and pensions patterns of WAHJ and provides some policy suggestions for their trade union representatives.

 
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Social investment in long-term care – 30/10/2018 – Brussels

How can the EU deliver affordable long-term care of good quality as its working-age population shrinks and the share of those of retirement age expands? The SPRINT consortium is inviting policy makers, researchers, care providers and other key stakeholders to discuss the challenges associated with the application of the concept of social investment to the provision and resourcing of long-term care.

Nordic social partners and the European Semester: what kind of engagement and why (not)?
 
Researchers, national and European stakeholders and policymakers will identify the opportunities that arise for national social partners from ‘having a say’ in the European Semester. In the framework of the Commission-funded INVOTUNES project involving eight EU Member States, leading scholars will shed light on the recent developments in Sweden and Finland. They will identify both risks and opportunities for social partners’ involvement in labour market, wage setting as well as social protection and social inclusion policies within the Semester.

Uppsala (Sweden)

28
September
2018
 

Challenges in long-term care in Europe. A study of national policies
 
This report describes the national long-term care provisions in 35 European countries, with a focus on arrangements for the elderly. It analyses the four main challenges common to all countries: access and adequacy of long-term care provision, quality of formal home care as well as residential services, employment of informal carers and financial sustainability of national systems. All countries covered will continue to face significant long-term care system challenges: the report makes a series of recommendations to help overcome them.

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Implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights: what is needed to guarantee a positive social impact
 
This new study on behalf of the Workers’ Group of the EESC concludes that the Pillar relaunched an ambitious EU ‘Social Agenda’ and has already influenced the 2018 European Semester cycle. However, doubts remain as to whether it can influence EU macro-economic and fiscal policies. National trade unions are doubtful that they will be involved in putting its principles into practice. Effective implementation requires that the Pillar be given adequate financial resources and clearly defined governance tools through an ambitious roadmap.

 


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National trade union involvement in the European Semester - INVOTUNES
 
The OSE was awarded new Commission-funded research, involving a partnership between universities, trade union-related research institutes and independent research centres as well as the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). At the core of the project are eight country case studies (BE, BG, FI, DE, HU, IT, PT and SE). The project will lead to concrete recommendations for national trade unions with a view to ensuring effective and quality involvement in the Semester.

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