The term "equality mirage" was first described by professor Amelia Valcárcel to refer to the idea that equality between men and women is already a reality. Even in times of crisis and exacerbation of inequalities, we can still hear voices telling us that we have already achieved equality (especially... Find out more

The Transnational Trade Union Rights Experts Network (TTUR) has recently released an edited book on the enforcement of EU labour law. Enforcement is the key ingredient that makes rights effective and ensures compliance. It can make or break a legal system. Despite this, enforcement of EU labour law... Find out more

Since early 2021, global oil prices have doubled, coal prices have nearly quadrupled and European natural gas prices have increased almost seven-fold. Spiralling inflation has sparked a cost-of-living crisis across Europe, and governments are stepping in to try to shield households and businesses... Find out more

IEA World Energy Employment Report On 8 September, the International Energy Agency published its first comprehensive report on jobs in the global energy sectors. The World Energy Employment Report provides data on energy jobs ‘by sector, region, and value chain segment’ and will be published... Find out more

The ETUC on the energy crisis At the end of June, the ETUC’s Executive Committee adopted a resolution on the energy price crisis. This resolution points out that the skyrocketing prices of oil, gas, and electricity – not least due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – have reduced the purchasing power... Find out more

The recent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is properly recognised as the largest climate policy in US history. In this short essay I will first summarise and comment on its provisions, then outline the reactions to it, with a focus on labour unions, and will close by providing my own thoughts. The IRA... Find out more

Can you imagine being displaced in your own country because of abnormal heavy rainfall or prolonged droughts? According to the UNHCR , every year more than 20 million people leave their homes because of extreme weather events and are relocated to other areas of their country. This phenomenon, called... Find out more

In his first cabinet meeting after the summer break, Emmanuel Macron warned the French that the ‘end of abundance’ era has arrived . The series of crises that people in France and elsewhere are facing, ‘each worse than the last’, are the outcome of a societal model based on the illusion of abundance... Find out more

The summer of 2022 was supposed to be the ‘return to normality’ after two years of Covid crisis. At the end of 2021, most European and international media were quite optimistic about the global health situation and the upcoming economic recovery. Some commentators even started to speak about the... Find out more

Europe - New rights to improve work-life balance in the EU EU-wide rules to improve work-life balance for parents entered into application on 2 August. These rules set out minimum standards for paternity, parental and carers' leave and establish additional rights, such as the right to request... Find out more