This paper’s analysis of working conditions in Europe compares several aspects of job quality and wages, rather than relying on earnings as a sole indicator of workers’ well-being. We use a micro-level database of workers from 22 European countries to assess how global value chains (GVCs) and... Find out more

This paper assesses how well national recovery and resilience plans (NRRPs) aim at jointly tackling the social and climate/environmental challenges of recovery from the crisis and the transition to a net zero carbon socioeconomic model. Drawing on the conceptual frameworks proposed by Mandelli... Find out more

Labour provisions in trade agreements have been criticised for minimal effectiveness in improving employment conditions. Five recent cases point to some benefits and to the lessons on when and how labour provisions can be effective. They make a difference in particular economic and political... Find out more

The European Commission published a consultation document with a view to take legislative action to establish fair minimum wages in Europe. In this policy brief, the researchers argue for a pragmatic approach of taking the ‘in-work-poverty-wage’ threshold of 60 per cent of the national full-time... Find out more

This contribution focuses on the phrase ‘in a manner affecting trade’, that is often found within labour disciplines in trade agreements, expressly linking labour standards (or their violation) to trade. The meaning of this specific phrase has been the subject of much discussion recently... Find out more

This paper provides empirical evidence on the relationship between patterns of integration in global value chains (GVCs), the ‘quality’ of such integration in terms of technological capabilities and the structure of employment in European countries and sectors. We study employment shares in... Find out more

Policy recommendations Fiscal and monetary policies should remain expansionary to ensure that the nascent labour market recovery continues, allowing a quick recovery to pre-crisis employment levels. Fiscal policy should focus on pressing short-term needs, but also on supporting the EU’s transition... Find out more

Policy recommendations Progress is being made on combating corporation tax avoidance at international level. After a pause pending the results of the 2020 presidential election in the USA, discussions have resumed in an ‘inclusive framework’ within the OECD. The recent decisions by the Finance... Find out more

Policy recommendations Policymakers should adopt an extended conception of Europe’s open strategic autonomy, including socioeconomic and environmental aspects. As policies trickle down to citizens and workers, public acceptance of related initiatives that also take into account social circumstances... Find out more

The aim of this research paper is to review the recent emergence on the European scene of the concept of open strategic autonomy and the consequences it may have for EU action. Originally stemming from the language of the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and the common security and defence... Find out more