http://www.akeuropa.eu/en/news-full.html  The EU Commission assumes in its latest spring forecast that the EU economy is currently in slight recession. It has been estimated that the economic output in the Eurozone this year will fall by 0.3 percent, whilst zero growth has been predicted for the entire EU. The forecast expects a slow upturn which will probably start in the second half of the year. ]]>  The financial and economic crisis has ripped large holes into national budgets; domestic debt has risen, putting the sustainability of public finances in jeopardy. The most logical consequence - at least in the opinion of the Economics and Finance Ministers at this week's conference in Brussels - is cutting back on pensions! Admittedly, population ageing represents a great challenge; however, it must not be used as a pretext to squeeze those who have not caused the crisis in the first place even further.]]>  A number of complaints to the European Commission have resulted in the EU authority dealing with the charges levied on light private vehicles in individual EU Member States. The Commission informs in a Communication that currently seven Member States have put in place a vignette system for light private vehicles, including Austria, Slovenia and Hungary. Belgium is planning to introduce such a tolling system for light passenger vehicles; the Netherlands and Denmark are discussing the issue. ]]>  An informal meeting of EU Ministers for Employment and Social Affairs took place last week to discuss among other solutions to combat youth unemployment. Due to the financial and economic crisis, the situation of young people in Europe has tremendously worsened, and youth unemployment in the euro area has risen to 22.1 %. Spain even has an unemployment rate of over 50 % among the under-25s. Many regard a youth guarantee based on the Austrian model as a way out of the dilemma. However, there are only a few supporters of this idea and as usual, Great Britain is against the idea in any case. ]]>  A debate in the European Parliament on the EU Budget revealed that the battle lines are drawn between Council and European Parliament. MEPs Reimar Böge and Ivailo Kalfin, competent co-rapporteurs for the EU financial framework for 2014 - 2020 did not mince their words. A new financial framework would only come about once the European Parliament had given its approval. They were not concerned that an agreement would not be reached: in this case, the 2013 Budget limit would apply and this would significantly exceed the limit many Member States in the Council had set for their national budgets.]]>  Similar to banks, they arrange credits, but without being subject to the same regulations: How the regulation of “shadow banks“, such as finance companies or money market funds can be improved in the future to counteract their risks to the stability of the financial system, is currently being hotly debated at EU level. Following the Green Paper on Shadow Banking published by the EU Commission and in the context of the ongoing consultation, it was the aim of a conference to discuss different views on the role of shadow banks and possible relevant regulatory plans. ]]>  This week, the European Central Statistics Office Eurostat presented the latest data concerning public sector debt and deficit. The figures once again showed the enormous impact the rescue of the financial sector and the recession, which is unprecedented since the existence of the European Union, had on the public sector: within only 4 years (2008 – 2011), the level of debt in the European Union rose by more than € 2.6 billion resp. by 20 percentage points from 62.5 to 82.5 % of the Gross Domestic Product. Hence it looks as if the austerity measures, which were implemented in almost all Member States, have not only failed, but that they even appear to have had a counterproductive effect on the economy and the level of debt.]]>  The European Union is experiencing the most serious crisis in its history. But this is not only a crisis of the financial markets and the economy, but also a crisis of confidence by the citizens in political institutions at national and EU level and their ability to find solutions to urgent issues. Commission President Barroso, EU Parliament President Schulz and the Danish Prime Minister Thorning-Schmidt, who took part in a discussion event in the European Parliament, organised by European Ombudsmen outlined their positions as to how confidence in European integration could be restored. ]]>  The world looked alright for the European Commission at the start of the year: in January, ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, had been signed in Tokyo by 22 of the 27 EU Member States. Neither the Commission nor the Member States expected that the Agreement would trigger such a storm of indignation with the population. This resulted in a number of EU Member States deciding to back down. EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht reluctantly announced in February that he would ask the European Court of Justice to review the Agreement. And the European Parliament has also put the brakes on: the House will probably reject ACTA.]]>  Not true, many will argue. However, if one reads the latest proposals included in the employment package of the EU Commission, one quickly realizes where the priorities lie. Even the German “Handelsblatt” puts it in a nutshell and writes: 84 billion Euros are planned to boost employment - from 2014 to 2020 - however, putting the houses of the crisis-ridden banks in order cost many times as much! In the opinion of the Commission, workers and employees should show restraint on pay and brace themselves for labour market reforms, such as changes to the protection against dismissal.]]>  What shall the future of EU Company Law look like? The EU Commission is presently in the process of clarifying within the scope of a public consultation whether it is necessary to adjust the European regulatory framework covering this sector to current developments. During a conference organised by the Social Democratic Faction in the European Parliament which was attended by trade unions, it became clear that workers' involvement and participation rights of employees are at stake and have to be defended. ]]>  How can the EU's foreign trade and investment policy contribute to promote development? Are free trade and open markets really always beneficial to developing countries? These questions were debated by experts attending a workshop in the European Parliament, who also took a closer look at the Communication of the EU Commission on “Trade, growth and development”. ]]>  The European Commission announced its intention this week to carry out an investigation throughout 2012, whether cross-border and seasonal workers are being disadvantaged from a tax point of view. According to the Commission, the elimination of tax disadvantages is an important factor to promote the mobility of workers.]]>  Money laundering, corruption and organised crime are the topics, which a new special committee in the European Parliament has been asked to investigate. The subject of this enquiry is to establish the extent of embezzlement of public funds, bribery or money laundering in the European Union.]]>  Actually, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas had imagined everything would be running smoothly when he entered the conference room of the Transport Committee in the European Parliament last Monday: he would inform the MEPs that the cross-border use of up to 60 tonnes heavy and up to 25.25 metre long HGVs - also called mega truck or Gigaliner - would now be possible, because it was the wish of the freight lobby. However, he did not expect the reaction of the MEPs: even many of his fellow group members strongly criticized him for the probably unprecedented approach of an EU Commissioner. In the end, the Commissioner had no choice but to beat a (hasty) retreat. Kallas, who definitely showed that he was not comfortable in his skin after the meeting in the Transport Committee, apologised and said he would rethink the matter. ]]>  Prompted by the newly reignited discussion about the cross-border admission of so-called mega trucks, HGVs with a weight of up to 60 tonnes and a length of up to 25.25 metres, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation organised a short-term discussion event. MEP Jörg Leichtfried, Kristian Hedberg of the European Commission, William Todts of Transport & Environment, Joost van Doesburg of the European Shippers Council and Heinz Högelsberger of the Austrian Trade Union for Transport, Commerce and Service Workers vida were invited to the discussion as speakers. ]]>  On Wednesday, the EU Commission presented a proposal for a Directive which shall help to improve the implementation of the so-called Posting of Workers Directive. The need for action exists because workers living in the EU, who are temporarily posted to another EU country, are frequently confronted with wage and social dumping. The aim of the Commission is to improve the cooperation of national authorities and to make the implementation of workers' rights easier. However, the planned restriction of national Control options must be viewed with a critical eye. ]]>  According to experts at a hearing in the European Parliament, at European level, water supply and disposal, district heating, energy services, refuse collection, social and health care services as well as culture and education are often provided within the scope of so-called service concessions. Now a new legal framework will be set up for contracts, concluded between the public sector and private companies. However, the legislative proposal, which the European Commission has published on this matter, is met with strong criticism both by the bodies affected as well as by the European Parliament.]]>  Financial institutions, which undertake bank-like transactions, but operate outside the regular banking sector, represent a growing market in Europe. However, the activities of shadow banks, such as investment funds and finance companies entail enormous risks, which could spill over into the entire banking sector. Based on a Green Paper, the EU Commission now wants to start a public consultation in order to clarify, what shadow banks actually are and how their regulation and supervision could be improved. ]]>  On 13 March, the EU Finance Ministers discussed their positions on the EU Financial Transaction Tax. The result is sobering: it comes as no surprise that the opponents of an EU-wide tax on shares, bonds and derivatives - led by Great Britain and Sweden - are still refusing to agree to the plan. Apart from clarifying still unresolved issues concerning the Commission proposal, the Finance Ministers now want to look for alternatives. The danger is that the search for a compromise will produce a watered down “Mini Tax”. ]]>  This week, the Statistical Office of the European Communities EUROSTAT published the latest unemployment figures for the European Union as at January 2012. The results of the reviews of the EU labour market are alarming: within only four years, the number of persons unemployed increased from 16.1 to 24.3 million or by more than 50 percent. As at January 2012, the EU unemployment rate stands at 10.1 percent. The youth unemployment situation is a disaster: 22.4 percent of young people aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed - the highest level since records began. At 49.9 and 48.1 percent respectively, in January every second young person in Spain and Greece was without a job.]]>  The Free Trade Agreement of the EU with Peru and Colombia was scrutinised during a hearing in the Trade Committee of the European Parliament. Whilst EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht praised the Agreement as the engine for growth for the European economy and the Latin American countries involved, the Trade Union Confederation of the Americas argued that the Agreement hardly took any social, labour related and ecological issues into consideration. ]]>  On 13 March, the Finance Ministers of the EU states will discuss the possibility of introducing an EU Financial Transaction Tax. The campaign for the urgently needed EU-wide Financial Transaction Tax organised by the Chamber of Labour (AK) and the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) - in cooperation with a broad alliance of European organisations - now enters its decisive phase. Now we once again need your support: if you go to www.financialtransactiontax.eu you can send an email directly to the EU Finance Ministers, asking them to support the introduction of an EU Financial Transaction Tax! ]]>  EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding wanted to try the soft approach when she started the initiative on a voluntary commitment for more women on company boards of listed companies exactly a year ago. The result is sobering. Just 24 companies in the whole of Europe have signed the voluntary commitment, not one of them comes from Austria. Hence, the time has come to bring bigger guns into play, and Reding threatens the introduction of a statutory EU-wide quota for women as a last resort. However, it will be some time until this comes into fruition. ]]>  A public hearing at the Legal Affairs Committee has started the consultation on a common European Sales Law in the European Parliament. The Commission proposal has been criticised and rejected by a broad majority both by consumer and business organisations. A significant deterioration of the level of consumer protection and a high degree of legal uncertainty are major concerns. AK EUROPA has already commented accordingly - see the link at the end of the article. However, the first hearing of the European Parliament was overshadowed by the invitation policy of the competent MEPs: invited business and consumer representatives only included supporters of the controversial proposal.]]>  Tax policy under a Common Currency was at the centre of lectures and discussions of the Brussels Tax Forum 2012. In view of the crisis phenomena, one of the main questions was which contribution tax policy would be able to make in order to stimulate growth and employment. In particular a shift from taxes on income to less distorting forms of tax was discussed. The options of more tax coordination were also on the agenda. ]]>  The lack of openness concerning the negotiations in respect of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which attracted harsh criticism, shall now be replaced by a transparency offensive by the European Parliament. Accompanied by the lively participation of interested citizens, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and experts presented their assessments in respect of the impact of the controversial agreement in a workshop on 1 March. Many experts are still concerned about the vague provisions of the agreement text. ]]>  The role of the European Central Bank and its new Italian boss Mario Draghi in respect of managing the current financial crisis is becoming increasingly clear. Austerity at any price, hence cutting back, regardless of the consequences, was the order of the day. And, the labour markets in the Member States of the Euro zone had to be made more flexible, hence employment protection had to be overhauled, commented the former Goldman Sachs Manager in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. The culmination of Draghi's interview: the Italian proclaims the end of the European social model. At the same time, his institution floods the banks with cheap money, the extent of which is so far unknown, entailing consequences, which are highly controversial, even among economists. ]]>  This week, the draft report of the Greek Social Democrat MEP Anni Podimata on a common Financial Transaction Tax system was debated in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament. Even though the chief negotiators of the most important political parties appeared to have achieved broad consensus it is not yet clear whether all MEPs will really follow the party line.]]>  The EU Parliament agrees that the great reliance of the financial markets on the three big credit rating agencies shall be reduced. However, there are different opinions as to achieve this target. On Wednesday, the MEPs debated a Commission proposal on the credit rating agencies in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. ]]>  EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski outlined during a hearing of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), which direction the EU budget would take until 2020: basing his comments on an EU budget payment volume of 1.18 % of the EU Gross Domestic Product in the nineties, Lewandowksi forecast a continuous reduction to 0.94 %. Some EESC members worry that this might happen at the expense in particular of the cohesion policy and thereby also of social projects. MEPs too seemed to be less than happy with the developments around the EU financial framework.]]>  If one believes the media reports these days, there might be trouble coming from Brussels. Various reports informed that with regard to the well-known and controversial Working Time Directive, the authorities in Brussels had thought of something special. Politicians and representatives of the sector immediately reacted with panic. But panic is the worst recipe for keeping a cool head. And that was needed to prevent falling for unnecessary scaremongering. The reality is that neither the existence of voluntary activities of the fire brigade nor the rescue services are threatened by the EU.]]>  The latest attempt of EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas, to allow Monster HGVs in the European Union by sledgehammer method is simply unbelievable. For years now, the Commission has made every effort to introduce HGVs with a weight of up to 60 tons and 25.25 metre lengths throughout the EU. However, until now the resistance of many EU Member States, trade unions and civil society representatives was too great. Now EU Transport Commissioner Kallas had his officials draw up a legal opinion on the respective existing EU Regulation. “Surprise” result: monster HGVs may now even operate across borders under existing law is the generous interpretation of the Commission representative.]]>  The economic recovery had unexpectedly stalled at the end of 2011, said Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs yesterday in a press conference. However, in view of the extensive austerity measures introduced by many EU countries in order to cut public spending it is more than astonishing that the Commission is surprised by the poor state of the economy. Nevertheless, Rehn is convinced that acting decisively could turn the tide towards increasing growth and employment.]]>  This week, both employer and employee representatives voiced their dissatisfaction with the new Commission Proposal on groundhandling services and the loading and unloading of or refuelling of aircrafts within the scope of a hearing in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). Although the competent Commission official did not tire of emphasising the necessity of more competition, suggesting this would bring more quality and efficiency, employer and employee associations criticised the proposal, as they envisage the danger that in particular the quality of services might deteriorate. ]]>  It may be described as a small miracle and celebrated as a big success that the EU Commission in one of the currently most important strategy papers, the White Paper on Pensions, regards the “dependency ratio calculator”, which was developed by the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, as a crucial Instrument in the debate on the financial sustainability of pension systems. However, the public debate in respect of the publication of the White Paper was mainly concerned with raising the statutory pension age, even though this has not been explicitly required by the EU Commission.]]>  The measures for stronger economic policy coordination or economic governance, which the EU has come up with in response to the crisis, are based on two key issues: the reduction of public deficits and the early identification of macroeconomic imbalances. According to the EU Commission, the initiative for the latter shall now be provided by the first so-called ‘Alert Mechanism Report' on macroeconomic imbalances, which was presented on Wednesday. The report lists twelve Member States - among them France, Great Britain and Italy - whose economic development is to be analysed - Austria would not give cause for concern. ]]>  Many local authorities within the European Union award services of general interest such as the maintenance of road infrastructure, health services or refuse collection to third parties. Which rules shall apply to the so-called service concessions has now been defined by the European Commission in the European Parliament. However, giving their initial reaction, several MEPs voiced their concern that the proposal was now so complex, that many - in particular smaller - communities would find it difficult to cope with tendering these services. Apart from that, the Commission proposal would not make it clear whether social services would also fall within this scope criticised the EU representatives.]]>  The EU Commission regards ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) as an important step towards enforcing intellectual property rights also outside the Union. In contrast, many critics warn against massive restrictions on the liberty of Internet users, which the Agreement might entail. Whilst public protests have already prompted some governments to halt the ratification process of the Agreement, the Commission rejects the criticism of ACTA. ]]>  The discussion on a Financial Transaction Tax in the EU has been given new impetus. In a letter to the Danish Presidency, the finance ministers of nine Member States, among them Austria, have demanded the speedy implementation of an EU Financial Transaction Tax. The debates in respect of a tax on financial transactions are also at full swing in the European Parliament. On Monday, experts presented the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs with their assessments concerning a possible implementation of the tax, its impact on the economy and the distribution of the tax burden. The majority of experts were convinced that a Financial Transaction Tax would significantly lower the risk of future financial crises and thereby benefit the economy as a whole. ]]>  In the midst of the serious EU financial and economic crisis, the EU Budget Commissioner Janusz Lewandowski shocks with new information, this time concerning the EU budget: due to their self-imposed austerity packages, the Member States are desperately looking for funds to stimulate their economies again. The problem: based on the multiannual financial framework of the EU, there are theoretically billions available for investments at structural or social level. However, the EU countries were already tight fisted when it came to providing funds for the 2011 EU budget, and now there is a shortage of money for the projects, which were supposed to boost the EU economy - a great shortage...]]>  This week, the European Council - Europe's heads of state and government met in Brussels. Apart from the Fiscal Pact, employment policy impulses and in particular the necessity to tackle youth unemployment were also on the agenda. Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, put it in a nutshell, when he said that Europe had to help young women and men to find a job in the labour market. This needed solid investments, commented van Rompuy. However, in time of crisis and record unemployment in Europe, in particular investments are more than difficult to realise. ]]>  The European Parliament has rushed through its decision to stop plans of the European Commission to allow misleading food labelling. It was only at the start of the week, that the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted against statements on food packages, such as “only contains 5 % fat” and similar. Only a few days later, this vote was confirmed in the Plenum. ]]>  The target is ambitious. The EU Commission plans to reform the more than 15-year old rules on data protection with far-reaching proposals. The aim is to create common regulations at EU level. The hope at the same time is that this move will give new impetus to growth, jobs and innovations in Europe. The proposed legislation gives the impression of having been thoroughly thought through. However, whether it will work in practice, remains to be seen.]]>  This week, Siim Kallas, EU Commissioner for Transport, presented the new package of measures for the air transport sector in the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, including a new legislative proposal for ground handling services. This concerns among others services such as aircraft loading and unloading, as well as the de-icing and refuelling of planes. Regarding these services, the Commission would like to see even more competition than has been possible until now. However, in the discussion with the Commissioner, most comments by MEPs were sceptical or of a disapproving nature. The problem was not competition, but security and efficiency.]]>  This week, a public hearing on the planned new rules for credit rating agencies took place in the European Parliament. Whilst the agencies are free to put their thumbs up and down as they please and in the process plunge already ailing countries even deeper into the abyss, some MEPs were surprisingly lenient towards them.]]>  The attempts to solve the so-called “government debt crisis“ continue to be the focus of the debate between the political factions. This is the conclusion for the public hearing on evaluating the instruments to deal with the government debt crisis, which took place in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament on Monday and Tuesday. The dividing lines in respect of solving the current crisis are between a further consolidation of the budgets of the EU Member States on the Conservative-Liberal side and a fundamental restructuring of the EU rescue plans into a growth-oriented Marshall Plan for the entire EU, commented the German MEP of the S&D, Udo Bullmann. The representative of the European Commission, Marco Buti, continued to insist on the bureaucratic austerity measures. Klaus Regling, the German chief of the EFSF bailout fund, defended the harsh conditions imposed on the bailout countries in return for aid. ]]>  Just in time for the mid-term arrival of the legislative period in the European Parliament, there are a number of new appointments to be made in the Parliamentary committees. Apart from the election of Martin Schulz (Socialists & Democrats) as new President of the European Parliament, there are also significant changes from an Austrian point of view.]]>  This week, the EU Commission launched a public consultation on corporate restructuring and its social consequences. The aim is to identify successful practices and strategies in the field of restructuring and the adoption to change, so that lessons can be learned from the economic crisis. The results of the Consultation will also be integrated into the planned and revived flexicurity agenda. Interested parties have until 30 March 2012 to provide answers to the questions of the Green Paper.]]>  Interference in the freedom of the media, threatening the independence of justice and the National Bank, and worrying developments concerning the minority rights in Hungary are only some of the issues that triggered an unusually heated discussion in the European Parliament this week. Whilst Social Democrats, Liberals, the Greens and the Left levelled harsh criticism at the new Hungarian constitution, Orbán's party colleagues from the People's Party, the nationally-oriented fraction “Europe of Freedom and Democracy” and some independent right-wing MEPs showed understanding and in part also supported Orbán's political approach. Meanwhile, the European Commission blew its top and has now initiated three infringement procedures against Hungary.]]>  This week, the European Parliament has announced its ideas on the sustainable future for European transport. Surprisingly positive are the admissions by MEPs that working and social conditions for transport sector employees had to be improved. However, the positive attitude towards the Commission proposal to once again dust off the concept of public private partnerships to fund transport networks leaves a negative connotation.]]>  This week, the European Parliament decided that citizens from third countries, who are legally working within the EU, will enjoy common rights, similar to those of EU citizens as regards working conditions, pensions, social security and access to public services. The law was passed under the title ‘combined working and residence permit' (Single Permit). However, it remains at the discretion of the Member States whether and how many third country nationals will be admitted and permitted to work. The Member States are also entitled to impose specific restrictions on these rights.]]>  That high-quality statistics are indispensable for political decisions has been clearly demonstrated since the start of the financial crisis in 2008. In its new annual report, the European Statistical Governance Advisory Board (ESGAB) urges national governments to play their part in strengthening the credibility of official statistics. In 2012, the seven-strong ESGAB will begin its second term, with strong participation of Austrian statistics expertise: two of the seven advisors come from Austria.]]>  The European Commission recently published a new package of measures for the air transport sector. Apart from reducing capacity bottlenecks at European airports and introducing new regulations on aircraft noise, it is also planned to improve quality and efficiency of ground handling services. This sector is notably very labour-intensive and employs about 60,000 people in Europe. However, the Commission's new liberalisation plans come under strong criticism from labour representatives - wage dumping and cuts in social services are to be feared.]]>  Just two years after the Pittsburgh Declaration of the G20 States to fully regulate the financial markets and to get rid of the shadow banking system, the European Commission presented with some delay new proposals on the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive on 20 October 2011. Now the struggle for the substance of the MiFID will begin in the European Parliament and the Council. It remains to be seen what will be salvaged in respect of protecting investors. On Monday, the European Parliament held a public hearing to give stakeholders and experts the opportunity to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. The opinions for and against stricter regulation of the financial markets widely differed; however, no one is blind to the fact that the need for regulation exists. Subsequent to the hearing, it became apparent at least that the rapporteur of the European People's Party on the new Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID/MiFIR 2), Markus Ferber (EVP), is in favour of an advance ban on unfair and harmful financial market products. Naturally, the representative of the Finnish finance industry, Mrs Piia-Noora Kauppi, took a completely different view. She claimed that preliminary examinations of financial products were strict enough in any case. Has the MiFID covered the right institutions, services/activities, trading venues and instruments?]]>  Since the beginning of the financial crisis, the EU Commission has already published about 30 proposals on regulating the financial market informed EU Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier at a conference on the role of civil society in financial regulation in Brussels. Replying to the criticism of many representatives of the civil society that the financial industry would be in the majority in the EU advisory committees Barnier just said: only 37 percent of the Committee members came from the financial industry, compared to 36 percent of members who came from consumer protection organisations, trade unions, small and medium enterprises and universities. ]]>  On Tuesday, EU Commissioner Antonio Tajani, presented two legislative proposals on the alternative dispute resolution of consumer disputes. Based on these proposals, disputes between consumers and businesses will be increasingly settled out-of-court. This is to result in a faster, cheaper and more effective resolution of a dispute for both parties, said the Commissioner. However, representatives of consumer protection organisations see no reason to be overjoyed: the proposals do not contain anything indicating that the instrument is obligatory. It is also not clear who would take the decisions within the scope of alternative dispute resolution.]]>  Europe is facing huge challenges. One of the measures to gain control of the situation was the introduction of the Europe 2020 Strategy at EU level. Targets were set in the areas of education, employment, research and development, combating poverty, including the famous “20-20-20” climate protection and energy target. However, a first analysis of the EU Commission has shown that Europe is currently far from achieving these targets in 2020. A great disappointment.]]>  Employment figures and unemployment rates are the key indicators of the labour market. However, these figures are lacking something: they do not say anything about the quality of jobs. Or about the reconciliation between work and family life. The distribution of income is as little taken into consideration as are the chances on the labour market. AK and WIFO now want to change this and have developed the Labour Market Monitor, which was now introduced in Brussels.]]>  Commission President Barroso and the recently appointed Mr Euro, Commissioner Rehn used this occasion to open a public consultation, which should provide an answer to the question whether issuing a common European Government Bond would be feasible. However, both Barroso and Rehn regard such common European Bonds only as part of the package. In particular the tighter budgetary and economic supervision of the Member States of the Eurozone would have priority. A two-speed Europe is becoming increasingly more likely. Barroso said that tightening supervision was necessary because the EU Member States had lived beyond their means. A serious misconception, which puts the blame of the misery caused by the debt crisis not on the rogue financial markets, but on the citizens of the EU, who allegedly had not saved enough. ]]>  They are among the high priests of casino capitalism. When they put their thumb up or down, most investors follow like lemmings, even when faced with the abyss. The list of their misdemeanours and their failures is long, entailing serious consequences for taxpayers and employees, but without repercussions for themselves. Because they hide behind their own interpretation of freedom of opinion. The rating agencies. ]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented its priorities for 2012. The plans of the EU Commission include a total of 129 initiatives next year, as well as further initiatives the Commission intends to have reviewed by the end of its term in office in 2013. Key priorities include the creation of a Union of growth and solidarity, as well as a Europe of stability and responsibility. On the world stage one would like the EU to have a more effective voice. Interesting is the fact that the integration of interest groups is put on the same level as the inclusion of the EU Parliament and the Council. ]]>  A number of third countries are currently negotiating new trade agreements with the European Union. If trade agreements until recently excluded public services, the Commission is now proposing to include these services in a discussion paper. A seminar of experts, organised this week by the European Federation of Public Service Unions EPSU, the European Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB and by AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour, put special focus on this issue and discussed the possibilities of taking appropriate counter measures.]]>  It is crazy. One bubble after the other is bursting; and one sector after the other is targeted. Now the financial sharks have discovered their next victim - after the internet at the turn of the millenium, followed by property only a few years later, they are now speculating on commodities and food commodities. Rice, coffee and wheat have become the daily bread of financial sharks. And this inevitably results in the fact that the indispensable daily bread of others is taken away from them in an outrageous manner.]]>  On the occasion of a high-ranking Commission conference on the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, Commission President José Manuel Barroso, EU Parliament President Jerzy Buzek and the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commented on the future of the EU budget and the new economic crisis. Commission President Barroso did not hesitate to use dramatic words: the EU was in a systemic crisis, the meeting of the G20 and the EU summit on the rescue package would bring important decisions. The banks had to be strengthened (once again). The EU budget could help to overcome the crisis, said Barroso.]]>  Following a long period of stalemate, we are at last confronted with a historic opportunity. The Treaty of Lisbon includes a Social Dialogue, which enables the social partners to conclude socio-political agreements at European level, which, on the proposal of the EU Commission and the Council Decision become applicable law. Adopting such a procedure, the European Parliament would only be informed. The Working Time Directive could now be subject to such an agreement.]]>  This week, the Plenum of the European Parliament debated the current state of the negotiations concerning the EU Directive on maternity leave. The reason was a question of the European Parliament to the Council, where a decision has been due for over a year, whether the Council would be prepared to compromise in order to reach agreement and finalize the Directive on maternity leave, which has been a subject of negotiations since 2008. To-date, agreement could not be reached because the great disparity of opinions adopted by both Council and European Parliament.]]>  After it became apparent that that the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID), which came into force in 2007, threw the doors wide open for the creation of even more intransparent trading platforms, thereby enabling the speculation with commodity derivatives on a scale never seen before, the Commission has finally agreed to introduce a new Directive and Regulation in respect of the MiFID in order to bring more transparency and regulation to all existing trading platforms for financial products. In addition, a Market Abuse Directive (MAD) is to provide for more severe criminal sanctions against financial jugglers. This is to be guaranteed by stronger rights of intervention to be granted to the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and the national supervisors. However, the extent of such sanctions remains at the discretion of the Member States. Austria belongs to the group of countries that according to the Commission do not have any regulation against market manipulation. ]]>  Each year, the Consumer Markets Scoreboard reflects the subjective satisfaction of consumers with a wide range of market sectors. The EU Commission would like to use these results to draw conclusions for optimising the single market from a consumer's point of view. The comprehensive Europe-wide surveys show that customer satisfaction has even further decreased in respect of consumer credits and fuel markets, in particular with regard to subjective trust and price comparability. Austria's record in the category “complaints” is really not all that good, whereby due to different survey methods and questions the comparability between the Member States is not fully borne out. ]]>  After a long break and in the midst of the Euro crisis and the anti-bank movements, the EU reports back with proposals on regulating the financial markets. Following a year of negotiations, “naked” short selling of European government bonds is to be restricted. And the deregulation in respect of trading with financial instruments, which had only been implemented three years ago, is to be partly reversed. The greatest problem with turning back the wheel of history: the City of London and its European allies have fully put the brakes on.]]>  According to the Commission, the proposal for a new facultative European Sales Law has been a great success: trade obstacles could be eliminated and consumers would have more choice and a higher level of protection. What the Commission does not mention: both consumer organisations and associations for small and medium enterprises are opposed to the Commission proposal. The organisations fear among others legal uncertainty for their members.]]>  The discussions on new rules for services of public interest at EU level are once again in full swing. Only a few weeks ago, the Commission presented draft proposals for the state aid rules to services of general economic interest; this week, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament will vote on a resolution on this subject. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) devoted a separate conference to the issue. However, it is not yet clear what the final proposal of the European Commission will look like in the end; the intention is to publish it in February 2012. However, individual comments of the Commission give rise to concerns that the pursuit of profit will increasingly take priority over public services.]]>  According to the Commission, within seven years from 2014 onwards, €50 billion will flow into the so-called Trans-European networks. These funds will be used to develop the transport, energy and digital infrastructure within the European Union. In order to drive the plans of the EU forward, the Commission also proposes to include private and institutional investors by means of EU Project Bond Initiatives. ]]>  “We were in Brussels long before Austria became a member of the European Union“, said AK President Herbert Tumpel at the anniversary celebration of the European Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour at Brussels “Square”. And this presence is worth its while: together with the Austrian Trade Union Federation ÖGB, the AK has made significant contributions to topics such as the demand for a Financial Transaction Tax. On October 3rd, the good work was acknowledged by EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, ÖGB President Erich Foglar, federal minister Rudolf Hundstorfer and many other guests.]]>  About 30 million people living in the European Union do not have a basic account. This has serious consequences for everyday life, for example when applying for a job or looking for a flat or simply going about one's daily business. The recommendation, which has now been published by the European Commission in respect of the right for all citizens to hold a basic bank account is a disappointment to the MEPs as it does not oblige the banks to provide every person with a bank account. ]]>  On 10th and 11th October, the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection of the European Parliament invited representatives of the national parliaments, the Council and the Commission to take part in a debate on “Relaunching the Single Market: State of Play and Challenges Ahead”. All representatives agreed that the Single Market has to function more smoothly and more citizen-oriented. A further harmonisation of the Single Market also found the approval of all parties. However, Green and Social Democrat politicians at EU and national level demand a stronger orientation towards the social dimension of the Single Market and greater consumer protection. In contrast, Liberals and Conservatives urge greater liberalisation. ]]>  Last week, a conference under the title “Network of European Labour and Social Academies - Better Information and Training for Trade Unionists” took place at the European Parliament. The AK EUROPA Office together with the European Academy of Labour, the European Trade Union Institute and the non-governmental organisation SOLIDAR acted as co-organiser of the conference. The Social Academy was presented as a best practice model of trade union education within the scope of a panel discussion.]]>  According to a current survey of the European Youth Forum, typical European interns are between 20 to 30 years old. Their internship lasts between 4 to 6 months. Only 25 % are able to support themselves on the basis of their internship pay. Nevertheless, the majority does one to two internships; hence they spend up to one year in precarious employment. They are inadequately paid and - independent of the economic sector - are only able to make ends meet with the support of their parents, savings or other financial benefits. The main motive for doing an internship is the anticipated better chance to obtain a regular job at a later stage. ]]>  In the light of recent events, AK EUROPA, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour and the ÖGB Europabüro, the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation hosted a well-attended and exciting panel discussion on the subject of “Labour migration into the EU - problem and potential”. The background of the event was among others formed by the recent proposals of the European Commission on seasonal workers and on the intra-corporate transfers of third country workers. However, the discussion also dealt with the future structure of EU migration policy. Emilie Turunen, MEP, Rudolf Kaske, Chairman of the trade union for transport workers vida, Sverker Rudeberg of BUSINESSEUROPE and Johannes Peyrl of the Chamber of Labour, Vienna got to the bottom of the most important questions and revealed that in spite of having different positions, there was also some common ground.]]>  This week, MEPs, scientists and stakeholders discussed the assessment of the current liberalisation measures in respect of public services. Scientists demanded that the experiences of the past 20 years concerning the liberalisation of public services were thoroughly reviewed at last. Previous examinations were not able to cover the various aspects of public services, criticised the researchers.]]>  According to new calculations of the European Commission, the average debt of public budgets in the Eurozone will be about 88 % by the end of 2011. It is forecast that debts will decrease again from 2013; this, however, requires constant economic growth. With on average 4.3 % forecast for this year, public budget deficits are still significantly above the 2 % deficit from 2008, the year, in which the financial crisis began. One thing, the Report of the EU Commission on Public Finances clearly shows: the crisis, which was above all caused by the financial sector, is by no means over.]]>  Based on the fact that no end is in sight with regard to the Euro and economic crisis, this week the European Commission, the Council as well as the European Parliament came out in favour of a common strategy to stabilise the situation. The majority of representatives of Parliament made it clear that the Economic Governance Package was a significant step in the right direction. However, the MEPs warned against passing the entire costs of the crisis to the citizens. ]]>  Education is the best insurance against unemployment, in particular in weak labour markets. Education enables people to earn a significantly higher income. Public investments in higher education are profitable - in the long term, every Euro invested brings three times as much back into the state coffers. These results of the OECD Education Study, which was published in Brussels on 13.9.2011, argue for further reforms of the Austrian education system. Because compared to the international trend, Austria clearly lags behind with regard to 15 to 19-year olds in education and the number of university graduates. ]]>  A conference, which had been organised by the European Economic and Social Committee, debated possible measures of the European Commission on air passenger rights. During the course of the discussion, a high-ranking civil servant from the Commission pointed out that a new legislative proposal on air passenger rights could come as early as next year.]]>  An event by AK EUROPA in Brussels on the considerations of the European Commission concerning the future of transport within the European Union was met with great interest. Two days prior to presenting his draft report on the Transport White Paper in the European Parliament, rapporteur MEP Mathieu Grosch provided an initial insight into his deliberations on the transport sector. Eduardo Chagas, the General Secretary of the European Transport Workers' Federation and the Transport Policy expert of the Chamber of Labour Vienna, Thomas Hader, described the problems of both employees and users. Michael Nielsen of the International Road Transport Union completed the panel.]]>  The European Parliament did not waste time and used its first day of the new session to debate the latest problems on the financial market, which, due to a stock market slump at the end of July, had flared up again. The President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet, the President of the Euro Group, Jean-Claude Juncker, the Polish Finance Minister, Jacek Rostowski, and the EU Monetary Affairs Commissioner, Olli Rehn, answered questions of MEPs of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee. The statements of the four speakers were barely encouraging.]]>  Recently, biting remarks of EU Commissioners Reding and Barnier directed at credit rating agencies made people sit up and take notice. The criticism refers in particular to the dubious conduct of the agencies against the background of the European rescue packages.]]>  This week, the Institute of Economic and Social Research in the Hans-Böckler Foundation (WSI) presented the new European Tariff Study. This shows that this year in two out of three EU countries employees are threatened with real wage losses. Responsible for this is not least the prevailing policy within the European Union to burden only the workforce with the consequences of the crisis and to propagate pay cuts as a supposed strategy to solve the crisis.]]>  This week, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee of the European Parliament voted on two applications concerning the support of Austrian Employees, who have lost their job because of the financial and economic crisis. About € 9.5 Million from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund are to be made available for the ca. 430 employees.]]>  From the point of view of trade unions, the EESC has taken a positive position towards central labour market policy challenges, which the European societies will be faced with due to the ageing population. ]]>  In future it will become mandatory to state allergens on food packaging; the origin of pork, lamb and goat meat as well as poultry has to be declared. These are only some of the new provisions, the European Parliament and the Council have agreed upon.]]>  This week, the EU Parliament voted on a report on women in economic leadership roles. Currently the share of women in the highest decision-making bodies of the largest listed companies only makes up 10.9 %. In order to change this, the European Parliament (EP) has asked the EU Commission to prepare a proposal on a legal quota for women. Spain, France, The Netherlands and since last week also Belgium and Brussels have already implemented such a quota.]]>  This week, the European Commission published detailed data on taxation trends in the European Union, Iceland and Norway. In the past years, in particular as a reaction to the crisis, the EU-27 states increased in particular indirect taxes. The race-to-the-bottom of corporate taxes slowed down during the crisis, whilst the tax burden on labour was reduced in some countries. However, another trend seems to emerge in Austria.]]>  The Commission proposal on the EU budgets 2014 to 2020, which was presented this week, was to a large degree quite disappointing. For a long time, Commission President Barroso had been declaring that his top priorities were the reduction of unemployment and poverty as well as providing better education within the European Union. Now it has transpires that apart from general remarks on the Europe 2020 Strategy no new measures with regard to the EU Budget can be expected. Instead of reforming the Common Agricultural Policy, the Commission now proposes to provide the agricultural sector also with access to the EU Research Fund and the Globalisation Fund. Extra funds have also been earmarked for food safety.]]>  Last week, the EU Commission and the European Parliament launched the new Joint Transparency Register. In it, lobbyists, as well as advocacy groups and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) provide information on their objectives, budget, personnel and the organisation itself, which can be accessed by the public.]]>  This week, the EU Commission organised a conference on the relation of fundamental social rights and economic freedoms in the EU in the light of the posting of workers. The subject matter is not new; however, in particular against the background of the Posting of Workers Directive and the planned related activities of the EU Commission, it is extremely fascinating. It is also closely related to the - from the point of view of the workers - scandalous judgements of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in the cases of Laval and Viking. ]]>  At an event organised by the Greens/ European Free Alliance, participants discussed the alternatives to the austerity packages, which the Greek Parliament recently approved. Whilst the purely environment-related orientation of the economic programme presented did not quite go far enough, some of the proposals, in particular on a stricter regulation of the financial markets by a Financial Transaction Tax and the consideration how to conduct an orderly restructuring of the Greek national debt have to be welcomed.]]>  AK and ÖGB stick to their guns. Together with a large number of European trade unions, political and civil society organisations, they enter the next round in the fight for a European Financial Transaction Tax. This time, they need to convince the Heads of State and Governments. When they gather for their summit on 24 June in Brussels, they want to send a clear signal to Europe's workers: the speculators will not get off scot-free! For this we need your support. Take part and above all - spread the word: www.financialtransactiontax.eu !]]>  This Thursday, the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection in the European Parliament has voted on a new consumer right in the European Union. In the run up to the vote, following a number of informal talks with the Council, agreement was reached between the two EU institutions. Both the vote in the plenum of the European Parliament and the approval at the next Council of Ministers are regarded as a mere formality. Most of the deteriorations for consumers included in the Commission proposal could be averted. However, apart from some improvements for consumers, several provisions of the new Directive have to be regarded as negative.]]>  Causes and solutions concerning the increasing volatility and the rising levels of prices for raw materials and food products were the main topics at the conference “Commodities and Raw Materials: Challenges and Policy Responses”, which the Commission had staged on Tuesday. ]]>  On Tuesday, the EU Commission presented its “economic policy recommendations” to the Member States as part of the first so-called “European Semester”. The Member States are required to implement these “recommendations”, following the endorsement by the Heads of State and Government, within the next 12-18 months. ]]>  The Council and the European Parliament have already adopted three railway packages on the liberalisation of rail transport in accordance with proposals of the European Commission. With only moderate success, as even the Commission admits. Nevertheless, the Commission remains on liberalisation course and proposes further liberalisation steps in its new Paper on reviewing the 1st Railway Package. In a discussion event, the European trade union representatives are now depicting the consequences of the railway packages and provide information on which further dangers the new proposal of the Commission entails.]]>  On 1 July, Poland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. On Tuesday, 31 May, the Polish Parliament approved the objectives of the Presidency. Security, economic growth and the internal market, as well as foreign and security policy are central issues of the programme. ]]>  On Tuesday, the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament has agreed the report on the Directive proposal on Deposit Guarantee Schemes. Private savings deposits are to be guaranteed up to Euro 100,000 EU-wide. The Social Democrat rapporteur Peter Simon stated that this legislative change would be necessary to ensure that banks would take appropriate measures to secure these deposits and would not rely on the state to foot the bill in case of crisis. ]]>  The fight against high unemployment and poverty in the European Union, the emphasis on the particularly important role of education, investments in research and in EU infrastructure projects and the demand to retain the 2 pillar system for the Common Agricultural Policy are some of the central requirement of the European Parliament on the future EU budgets from 2014. Following a year of discussions, this week, a special committee on the European Financial Framework from 2014 voted on a respective report, which now only needs to be confirmed in the plenum of the European Parliament.]]>  The new financial architecture, Economic Governance and ways out of the crisis were the central topics at the Brussels Economic Forum, which the European Commission organised this week. The proposals on Economic Governance, which is to be adopted by June, were very welcomed by most discussion partners.]]>  The logo of the incoming Polish EU Presidency symbolises dynamics, positive energy and solidarity. Poland introduced the logo, the obligatory visual symbol of any EU Presidency, even before taking over the EU Presidency for the first time on 1 July 2011. Poland is part of the fourth Trio Presidency, which will also include the Danish and the Cypriot Council Presidency in 2012. Details of the plans of the Polish EU Presidency were not yet introduced officially. According to all accounts, immigration policy, the multiannual financial framework and the reform of the European monetary union will play an important part.]]>  Right at the top of agenda was the aid package for Portugal. Portugal was granted an amount of 78 billion Euros. The decision was made to divide the aid for Portugal equally between the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism (EFSM), the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). ]]>  This week, the European Parliament voted on the new EU Transparency Register. Following lengthy negotiations, the European Parliament (EP) and the EU Commission agreed on a joint Transparency Register. It replaces the previous register of lobbyists of the EU Commission. Each organisation and each individual person wishing to make a contribution to EU policy has to register therein. The intention is to make the register available online in June. ]]>  On Wednesday, the European Parliament (EP) voted on the report on corporate governance in financial institutions. What is called for is an improvement of corporate governance in financial institutions, such as a more long-term orientation of the institutes or a better supervision. The MEPs approved the report with a large majority.]]>  On Monday, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the European Commission organised a conference on the subject of “Strengthening the Foundations of Integrated and Stable Financial Markets”. Apart from representatives of ECB, Banking Supervision and Commission, the liberal MEP and chair of the Economics Committee Sharon Bowles, Mario Draghi, Governor of the Italian Central Bank, Samir Assaf of HSBC, Martin Hellwig, liberal economist at the Max-Planck-Institute and Franco Bassanini, who has set up an Italian Think Tank on state reforms, discussed the latest developments on the financial markets. ]]>  This week, Eurostat published the first deficit and debt data of the public sector in the EU27 for 2010. The severe financial and economic crisis is a major factor why the Member States are so far removed from the debt limit of 60 percent determined in the Maastricht criteria: if the average debt of the Member States prior to the start of the severe financial and economic crisis in 2007 was at about 59 percent, in 2010 it had already risen to 80 percent. The debt level in the euro area is even over 85 percent. However, one cannot just blame the rating agencies and media of particularly criticised countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal. A number of countries with excellent credit rating also have a level of debt of more than 80 percent.]]>  Last week, the European Parliament held a Hearing on Legal Migration to Europe and carefully examined the new Directive proposals of the EU Commission on seasonal work and on the intra corporate transfer of third country nationals. Also discussed were the now available working documents of the rapporteurs on the proposals. There did not seem to be any major opposition among the participants. ]]>  In the aftermath of the financial and economic crisis, the European Commission has for some time been deliberating about private debts. Under the title “Responsible Lending and Borrowing”, the Commission invited the public to contribute to this subject already back in 2009. In a debate, the European Parliament now concentrated on credit agreements relating to residential property. With widely divergent views as one could hear from the comments made by MEPs.]]>  Over half a million petitions have been sent in support of a Financial Transaction Tax. By doing so they helped convince the Members of the European Parliament to demand a Europe-wide Financial Transaction Tax on March 8.]]>  In a letter dated 7th April 2011 to EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso, the Austrian EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy, John Dalli and the Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour emphasises that due to the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant special regulations for Japanese food products were urgently needed. Irritation was in particular caused by an Implementing Regulation of the European Commission. It assumed radiation limits for food products coming from Japan, which even exceeded those of Chernobyl as well as those set by the Japanese Government. Following the criticism from many quarters, among others the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour the Commission has now reacted quickly and published a revised Implementing Regulation on 11th April, which drastically reduces the radiation limits for Japanese food products.]]>  On Wednesday, EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso and Michel Barnier, the European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, presented the final version of the Communication on the Single Market Act. “We believe the Single Market can be one of the most important tools to deliver a new kind of growth – growth and jobs for the European citizens”, declared Barroso. In contrast to the first version in October, the Commission underlined the significance of fundamental social rights. Of the 50 proposals to realise the Single Market, which were presented in autumn, only twelve projects were selected, which were introduced in the Communication. ]]>  The European Commission is planning a legislative proposal, which should guarantee the right to a Basic account for all EU citizens. According to an information of the European Commission, currently about 30 million people do not have access to a personal account. This has serious consequences for the people affected, who for example face problems in the labour market, because they cannot specify an account into which their wages can be paid. Apart from that, they have to rely on cash payments instead of being able to use modern means of payment. The European Parliament this week has discussed the problems of people without access to bank accounts in a workshop.]]>  The European Commission has been trying for months to make its preferred approach in respect of EU contract law more palatable to the Council and the European Parliament. The Commission does not tire of claiming that the introduction of a 28th contract law in addition to the existing 27 national contract laws was what consumers really wanted. However, as the Chamber of Labour and The European Consumers' Organisation BEUC have explained on several occasions, this approach burdens the consumer with the decision, which contract law should apply. This week, the Legal Affairs Committee of the European Parliament voted on its position on EU contract law. Unfortunately, the serious concerns of BEUC and the Chamber of Labour were not considered at all.]]>  The Transport Committee of the European Parliament this week voted on the so-called Eurovignette Directive and expanded the scope for setting HGV toll tariffs. In future, the cost of air and noise pollution shall also be included in HGV toll calculations. However, the impact of this new approach will be extremely moderate in practice.]]>  This week, the European Commission started a public consultation on corporate governance. The aim of the Commission is to gather opinions as to how corporate governance, whose weaknesses became particularly apparent during the crisis, could be improved within the EU. Key issues of the consultation are the function and composition of the boards of directors, the orientation of shareholders, which is too short-term and the problems associated with it as well as the improvement of monitoring and enforcement of corporate governance codes. The Consultation will continue to the end of July 2011.]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented its third Demography Report. The results were not really a surprise. That the Europeans are living longer and the EU population is shrinking, is already a well-known fact. However, the EU Commission is drawing far-reaching conclusions from the demographic development. It sees the danger of exploding social expenditure in the areas of pensions, health care and long-term care. The reform of social security systems shall now provide the solution.]]>  There has been an ongoing discussion for years at EU level on introducing European rules for collective redress. The European Commission has invited all interested citizens, organisations and corporations to give their opinion within the scope of a Consultation on collective redress. Apart from this, the Commission invited to a public hearing this week. With 350 participants attending, the interest was huge; apart from consumer organisations and public authorities, in particular lawyers and business organisations were extremely strongly represented. Especially corporate lobbyists and legal representatives were putting the brakes on: alternative dispute settlement procedures were much better; one would warn against USA-like conditions.]]>  This year, the Brussels Tax Forum, which is an annual event organised by the European Commission, mainly focused on taxing the financial sector. The preference of the European Commission for a Financial Activities Tax, a mini variant of the Financial Transaction Tax, was evident for all to see. Hence, only two supporters of a Financial Transaction Tax, namely Stephan Schulmeister (Austrian Institute of Economic Research WIFO) and a representative of OXFAM had been invited to the one and a half day Conference. All other speakers came out in favour of a Financial Activities Tax. ]]>  On Monday, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas presented the new Transport White Paper, in which the Commission outlines its transport strategy until 2050. Similar to the last Transport White Paper from 2001, the Commission is setting targets for reducing transport emissions. The intention is to achieve this by internalising external costs and implementing a shift to low-emission modes of transport. In spite of the lack of success it is planned to continue with liberalising rail transport. ]]>  The Commission announces a review of the state aid rules on public services in a new Communication. The text informs that the review would only concern so-called services of general economic interest. According to the Commission, the Member States had a broad margin of discretion as to which services it would cover; however, it mentions in the same breath that competition and trade should not be affected to such a degree that they would act against EU interests. Hence, the questions, which services should continue to be provided and financed by the public sector, remains wide open. Which consequences that might have for consumers and employees working in this sector is not mentioned. ]]>  This week, new rules on economic and budgetary coordination and supervision were not only discussed by the heads of state and government but also in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament. The package consisting of six legislative proposals aims at extending the budgetary supervision and coordination of economic policies, proceedings in case of excessive deficit, the avoidance and correction of macroeconomic imbalances as well as implementing measures. Political dispute is pre-programmed.]]>  The approach of the Commission in matters of consumer protection has been difficult to comprehend for quite some time. Following the publication of a draft Directive on Consumer Rights, the Commission is now intending to also legislate a segment of the Contract Law, which has great significance for consumers. Today, as with the Consumer Rights Directive before, the Commission sees many benefits for both consumers and small to medium-sized enterprises. However, there is a problem: both consumer protection organisations and entrepreneurial representatives criticised or even clearly rejected the plans of the Commission. Why the Commission nevertheless insists on this opinion is more than questionable.]]>  If the European Commission had its way, a new Directive on Consumer Rights would be introduced, which would put the high consumer protection standards of many Member States at risk. Both the Council and the European Parliament have significantly toned down this proposal in their current negotiations. However, this Thursday, the MEPs have voted on it in the plenum – with a surprising referral of the proposal back to the Committee.]]>  This week, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) presented their jointly prepared Benchmarking Working Europe Report 2011. The Benchmarking Report is published on an annual basis as a contribution to the Spring Summit of the European Union. This year, the new Europe 2020 Strategy is carefully examined and the question is explored whether the promises of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth are not just empty words. Based on the report, ETUI and ETUC try to make a contribution to the practical implementation of a social benchmarking process.]]>  Koos Richelle, the new Director General of the EU Commission, responsible for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, for the first time appeared before the European Parliament's Employment Committee. He focused on the first European Semester, the future EU's multi-year financial framework and the EU 2020 strategy and of course did not fail to mention the Working Time and Posting of Workers Directive. ]]>  On Wednesday, the Commission presented its proposal on a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base. In future, companies operating in several Member States shall be able to choose whether they use the tax systems of the respective countries or a 28th EU system to calculate the corporate tax base. However, the Commission does not provide for a minimum corporate tax rate. As a result, the competition between the Member States for the lowest corporate tax rate will continue.]]>  Following the experiences in the wake of the financial and economic crisis, statistics are currently very popular with politicians: with Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Commissioner Janez Potočnik and Commissioner Olli Rehn attending, three Commission members spoke at the event organised by the Statistical office of the European Union, Eurostat, on the subject of “Statistics for policymaking”. The statistics discussion is of explosive nature, in particular now, as the course has to be set with regard to on which statistics and indicators the major key topics EU 2020 strategy and Economic Governance should be based on. ]]>  The plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg saw a much-noticed showdown this week. The MEPs voted on whether the EU should play a pioneering role with regard to introducing the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT). What lies behind this is the stubborn resistance of important international economic partners of the EU and the European Commission against the introduction of such a tax on speculations. This in turn served the opponents of FTT as a welcome excuse to put the project on the shelf. The massive mobilisation of AK and ÖGB together with national and international partners has helped to turn a close vote round. ]]>  This week, the Austrian Federal Minister of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection Rudolf Hundstorfer and the chairman of the German services trade union ver.di, Frank Bsirske harshly criticised the ideas of the European Commission concerning a coordinated EU economic policy within the framework of a panel discussion, which had been organised by the Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour. The EU Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs László Andor tried to appease and commented that the social partners will continue to have the same rights as before.]]>  The hundredth anniversary of the International Women's Day was celebrated on 8 March. There is cause to celebrate many successes - however, equality is still a long way off.]]>  Four months after the official end of the consultation period on the Green Paper on Pensions, the EU Commission presented the results for the first time. It is a summary of the over 1,700 reactions received. Europe will not be able to rid itself quickly of the pension debate as the Commission plans to publish a “White Paper on Pensions” as early as the third quarter of this year. It will already contain the next measures to be taken. One thing is already clear - this will not be an easy ride.]]>  The clock is ticking. In 4 days the European Parliament will vote in its plenary session on 8th March, whether the EU will go ahead internationally with the introduction of a tax on speculators or not. ]]>  This week, the chairman of the Union of Postal and Telecommunications Workers Helmut Köstinger has made his first official visit to the EU institutions in Brussels. Apart from meetings at the Commission, there was a Round Table with MEPs on the liberalisation of postal services, which had been organised by the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Chamber of Labour as well as by UNI Global Union. The discussion clearly revealed something: the liberalisation will lead to significant changes for the worse in some sectors of customer services; the postal workers have more than reached breaking point.]]>  This week, the European Parliament debated in its special committee on the future of the EU budget from 2014 the revenue side of the EU budget. Janusz Lewandowski, commissioner for financial programming and budget, who had been invited, remained disappointingly vague. Replying to a comment by an MEP that the commissioner had in reality hardly said anything in his 10-minute statement, Lewandowski himself admitted that this statement was not too far from reality. In the end the budget commissioner gave a little hint in favour of taxing the financial sector. However, unfortunately not (yet) in respect of a Financial Transaction Tax.]]>  On Tuesday, Werner Langen of the European People's Party presented 125 Amendment Applications on a Proposal for a Regulation on OTC derivatives, central counterparties and trade repositories in the Economic and Finance Committee of the European Parliament. The intention is to debate the regulation again mid-April in the Committee and to vote on it in Parliament at the beginning of June. ]]>  The proposal of the EU Commission concerning the intra corporate transfer of third-country nationals has now been on the table for over six months, during which time the Council has held negotiations behind closed doors. The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has also prepared a draft opinion and this week even held a very interesting public hearing on the subject. The European Parliament (EP) too is discussing the issue; however, not much else is currently happening.]]>  That is the title of an article by the American economist and Nobel Prize winner Paul Krugman. The plans of an European economic government also seem to be hooked on the idée fixe of competitiveness, associated with wage and government cuts. Austerity measures and the European economic government were the key topics of a conference, which had been organised by the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI) and the European Federal of Public Service Unions (EPSU) this week.]]>  This week, the plenum of the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg voted on the report on the Green Paper on Pensions. Nobody expected great surprises because the report - not exactly drafted in the interest of workers - was a compromise of all fractions. However, there was a welcome reversal in respect of the delicate issue of linking statutory retirement age to life expectancy. This demand was quashed with a wafer-thin majority of two votes by overall 736 voting MEPs. Unfortunately, this remained the only glimmer of light during the vote.]]>  The EU institutions have held negotiations with Croatia concerning the country's accession to the European Union since 2005. The Council would like to conclude the talks with the Croatian representatives during the first half of 2011. However, no date has been set yet when Croatia will finally join the European Union. ]]>  It has been planned to amend Article 136 of the Lisbon Treaty as a basis for the creation of a permanent rescue mechanism for the Euro. The new permanent European Stability Mechanism shall replace all current stability mechanisms, which would expire in 2013.]]>  On 8th February 2011, the EU Commission held a conference in connection with the publication of the Single Market Act in October 2010. In his opening statement, José Manuel Barroso emphasised the importance of reforms aimed at job creation. However, the concrete ideas of the Commission remind more of a continuation of the little successful strategy of the Commission from the past.]]>  For more than two years, Council and European Parliament have debated a Commission proposal, which made the hair of consumer protection representatives stand on end. Consumers would have been faced with a significant deterioration of their rights. Both Council and European Parliament have defused the Commission proposal in their deliberations. Following the vote in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee in the European Parliament, a mixed picture is now surfacing. However, apart from some improvements there is also deterioration emerging compared to the current Austrian consumer protection standards.]]>  Time and time again the phenomenon of Sunday soap box oratory appears at European level. European politicians support a certain issue in their home country, but when they have to nail their colours to the mast in Brussels, they often follow other interests and hope that nobody will notice. A prime example this week was delivered by members of the European Parliament. It concerned a very important subject: the European Financial Transaction Tax.]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented its action plan to reduce the rate of early school leavers, one of the five key objectives of the EU 2020 Strategy. The aim is to reduce the current level of 14.4 % to under 10 % by the end of the decade. Early school leavers have great difficulties in finding a job, are more frequently unemployed and more often dependent on social benefits. The action plan urges the Member States to become active. Austria, which by now has achieved the 10 % mark, is already in a good position.]]>  As far back as July 2008, the European Commission had presented a new draft Directive, which proposed that in future environmental costs should be considered in the HGV toll. Since then, European Parliament and Council debated, as to which external costs should be included in the toll calculation. However, now that the joint position has been adopted in the Council, it becomes apparent that the inclusion of environmental costs has been put on the backburner. ]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented a Communication on raw materials, in which it outlines a strategy on dealing with increasing and more volatile prices of raw materials and agricultural products. A three pillar strategy shall ensure the supply of commodities and restrict the speculation with them.]]>  2011 will be a decisive year for workers and employees around Europe. This has been one of the main messages during this year's New Year's Reception, organized by AK and ÖGB in Brussels. ]]>  A public hearing on innovative financing to consolidate the budgets took place in the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs of the European Parliament at the beginning of the week. Apart from a speech of Commissioner Šemeta, responsible for taxation and customs union, there were three expert lectures on the taxation of the financial sector, the so-called CO² tax and Eurobonds. In particular the debate concerning the taxation of the financial sector was lively as usual. ]]>  Following tough negotiations between Council and European Parliament, the EU Budget for 2011 was adopted this week. This was preceded by the annual theatrical thunder between both EU institutions including the also annually recurring question what would happen if no agreement could be reached. Whilst the public is well informed about the disagreements during the negotiations, hardly any light is shed on the question: what is the EU money used for?]]>  In the high times of faith in the financial markets, it was considered the epitome of modernity and progress. The Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, also called MIFID, wanted to put an end to the conservative way of trading in securities via old fashioned stock markets. These were to be replaced by new trading platforms, which would liven up competition. Now it has become evident that the sorcerer's apprentice is out of control. The authorities are lacking supervision and overview and the jungle of providers has created new business opportunities for profiteers, who, being equipped with ultrafast computers, exploit minimum price differences. Commission and Parliament now want to backpaddle.]]>  According to well informed circles, the EU Commission will initiate the second consultation phase of the European social partners on the Working Time Directive (WTD). The focus now will be on the concrete contents of the envisaged proposal. It will be interesting to see whether this will result in a comprehensive or only a partial review and whether the European social partners themselves will open negotiations or wait for a proposal by the EU Commission. The latter is likely and more realistic.]]>  This week, a public hearing on the Green Paper on pensions took place in the European Parliament (EP). The public consultation on the Green Paper on pensions ended 15th November, by which time the EU Commission had received 1,600 replies, informed the responsible Employment Commissioner László Andor during the hearing in the European Parliament. A first and even at this point very controversial draft report on the Green Paper on pensions has now been submitted to the EP. More than 500 amendments were tabled. A clear sign for great disagreement over the pensions issue.]]>  The EU trade negotiations with Columbia have been ongoing since 2007. The aim of the agreement is to ease trade between Colombia and the European Union and to reduce tariffs. However, the human rights situation in Colombia is still dramatic: in particular labour representatives have been the victims of serious assaults: 2,848 trade unionists have been murdered since 1986.]]>  More than 23 million people in the European Union were unemployed as of October 2010. An increase of almost 45 percent compared to the 2nd quarter 2008 just before the outbreak of the financial and economic crisis, when only 16 million people were looking for work. According to Commission figures, a slight fall in the unemployment rate is only to be expected for 2012. Things are slightly better regarding economic growth in the EU27: although a projected growth rate of 1.7 % for this year and 1.5 % for next year is not yet a reason to jump for joy, they still represent an improvement on the 0.9 % growth rate for 2010, which was forecast in spring.]]>  Definitely ahead of schedule it appears that the European Parliament and the Council are close to reaching agreement on the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). The intention is reach finalization before the end of December. There seems to be agreement on most of the important political issues. After only six months of negotiations this would be a remarkable success. The ECI would give the citizens of the Union the opportunity to be directly involved in shaping the policy of the European Union. ]]>  The world economic crisis, which affected all Member States as a consequence of the heavy turbulences in the financial sector, made a very different impact on the employment situation across Europe. Austria for example belongs to that group of countries, where job cuts were far less severe than the recession itself. ]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented the Agenda for new skills and jobs. It is one of seven leading initiatives of the EU 2020 Strategy and shall contribute to achieving the envisaged EU employment rate of 75 % for women and men by 2020. According to the Commission, this requires reforming the labour markets, raising the standards of skills and matching them with market demand. The social partners are to play an important role in implementing the Agenda. But the EU Commission and the Member States are also called upon. ]]>  The Council and the European Parliament are currently deliberating on securing the quality of social services. The Council will adopt a relevant conclusion before the end of December; the European Parliament plans to set out its position in the middle of next year. The Commission has also started to move in this direction and already gave the first indications of their plans on social services within the scope of an expert conference.]]>  This week, during a discussion of the Brussels Think Tank European Policy Centre, European Council President Van Rompuy used dramatic words to describe the development of the European Union. The Member States of the EU were strongly dependent on each other, said Van Rompuy. This had been clearly demonstrated in spring 2010, when one had taken joint steps to combat the crisis of the public-sector budgets. As recently as at the G20 meeting in June, the EU had been regarded as a sick patent. During this time, the Union had been in a period, which was concerned with the survival of the Eurozone and thereby the survival of the European Union itself. ]]>  This week, the EU Economic and Finance Ministers met in Brussels to attend a regular meeting in tense economic times. The official agenda included among others the follow-up to the meeting of the heads of state and government in October and to the meeting of the G20 in Seoul last week. However, the meeting was dominated by the turbulences surrounding Ireland, Portugal and Greece.]]>  This week, the European Commission has presented its annual report on those countries, which have already made an application for EU membership or which are potential candidates for an application. 9 states are interested in joining the EU, whereby most progress has been made concerning the negotiations with Croatia.]]>  This week, the responsible committees in the European Parliament (EP) discussed the first draft reports in respect of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI). Naturally, the rapporteurs did not quite adhere to the proposal of the EU Commission and suggested a number of changes. It was among others requested that the organisers of a citizens' initiative should join together in a citizens' committee. In the opinion of the rapporteurs, the admissibility check requested by the Commission should be carried out when an ECI was registered and not only after 300,000 signatures had been collected.]]>  A new Communication on the EU financial framework has now started the official discussion on a reform of the budget of the European Union. Behind the scenes, however, negotiations have been ongoing for months, who should benefit from the EU funds. What is particularly conspicuous is the fact that the Commission hardly mentions its Common agricultural policy in the 28-page strong work. It just devotes slightly more than a page to the area, which in 2009 alone, received € 50 billion or 45 percent from the total funds of the EU budget. A more positive aspect is the fact that the Commission uses its targets regarding a future EU budget to declare its expressive support for a higher employment rate, better education and to combating poverty.]]>  This week, the French Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier presented in Brussels the plans of the Commission on the future of the internal market. "The markets must benefit the economy and our citizens", said Barnier. Whether the 50 proposals, which the Commission has presented, have done anything to improve the somewhat damaged trust of workers in the EU remains to be seen. The basic tenor reminds too much of the neoliberal recipes of the past.]]>  A connection between tax rate and economic growth cannot be established. This is the result of a new study under the heading "Do higher tax ratios result in lower economic growth?" which AK Vienna presented this week in Brussels. The results of the analysis were supported by Univ. Prof. Brigitte Unger and Gerhard Huemer, Director of UEAPME, European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. The representative of the Commission, Jean-Pierre de Laet, also acknowledge the results of the study, but sees - even if differentiated - an influence of the tax ratio on economic growth. ]]>  Great attention was paid to a conference of the Social Democrats in the European Parliament, which focussed on the inclusion of human rights in the EU trade policy. Apart from EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht and a number of other speakers, AK expert Éva Dessewffy had also been invited to present the position of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour on trade policy.]]>  This week, the European Commission presented in Brussels its ideas for new stricter rules for auditors. Similar to the rating agencies, in particular the large accountancy firms have become the centre of attention because they have given the banks a clean bill of health, in spite of considerable losses. This is about to change.]]>  The 2010 Nobel economics prize was this week awarded to two Americans and a British-Cypriot. The winners have made significant contributions to the understanding of the labour market. Their research looked into why unemployment remains high even at times when there are large number of job vacancies. The award is associated with a clear political signal – in future, the most urgent problems will happen on the labour market.]]>  The European Commission continues its strategy of mini steps. Timid and slow progress in regulating the financial markets. To add insult to injury it has now even been planned to quietly bury the Financial Transaction Tax and to replace it by a poor imitation, which is cheaper for the banks. The objective: pulling the wool over the eyes of employees and taxpayers and letting the banks off the hook.]]>  This week, the liberal MEP Diana Wallis and Commissioner Maroš Šefčovic, responsible for Inter-institutional Relations and Administration invited to an Information Seminar at the European Parliament (EP). Presented were the first concrete results, which were agreed by a working group for a joint lobby register made up by EP and Commission. Whether this attempt can give an answer to the question "Who´s knocking on our doors?" – so the title of the event –, is doubtful.]]>  This week, the European Parliament (EP) debated a cost-benefit study on extending maternity leave from 14 to 18 and 20 weeks respectively. The current EU law provides for 14 weeks. The EU Commission wants to extend maternity leave to 18 weeks; the European Parliament even demands 20 weeks. The study shall give the discussion new impetus - things seem to have to come to a standstill over the past months.]]>  In 2009, about € 1.3 billion of the EU budget were spent on the Austrian agricultural sector. This accounts for almost 72 percent of the subsidies, Austria received from the EU budget last year. A particular role within the agricultural sector is played by the so-called rural development, which originally was not supposed to only benefit farmers, but which among others was also intended to increase the quality of life of the rural population. The reply of the European Commission to an inquiry by MEP Evelyn Regner, however, showed that in 2007 and 2008 some Member States assigned up to 100 percent of these funds to farmers.]]>  For months now, the question is circulating in the media what former EU Commissioners after their period in office has ended are allowed to do and what not. Last week, the answer to a parliamentary question filled the debate with new energy. ]]>  Since the 80ies, the European Commission has tried to liberalise European Rail transport, thereby opening it also to private enterprises. The intention was to provide a better range of services for passenger and freight transport and to improve quality. The result after 3 liberalisation packages: the share of rail freight transport remains small; the share of road freight transport is even rising. The service quality of passenger transport has not improved; instead the prices of some railway tickets have risen significantly.]]>  Viviane Reding, the responsible EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship this week presented the new strategy for equality between women and men. It represents the working programme of the EU Commission for promoting equality between women and men for the next five years. Its priorities concern in particular economic independence, equal pay for the same and similar work and equality in decision-making processes.]]>  EU Parliament agrees to new financial supervisory authority at European level. In future, it will control banks, financial markets and the insurance industry.]]>  Two weeks ago, Banking Supervisors and Governors of National Banks from 27 countries put together the so-called Basel III package. This package includes a bundle of measures aimed at the stricter regulation of banks to ensure long-term financial market stability. In future, higher capital and liquidity requirements shall also prevent financial institutes from shifting losses to the state and thereby to the taxpayer. According to experts, this time the USA will also be on board. ]]>  A public hearing of the European Commission in Brussels this week was concerned with experiences made so far with the deregulation of stock markets, whereby the dogma of deregulated markets was quietly buried. The Commission also showed a willingness to learn in respect of regulating the commodity markets; however, once again significantly later than the USA. A leadership role for the EU looks different.]]>  The European Commission intends to present a Communication, which will inform about the Commission's vision on the future of public services before the end of the year. Therefore, representatives of the European Parliament, the Commission, the Belgian Presidency and civil society recently discussed which rules should apply to services of general interest. The question, which services are of an economic nature and could therefore also be provided by private companies, is thereby playing a key role.]]>  Two years after the collapse of the fourth-largest US investment bank Lehman Brothers, the Commission this week presented in Brussels two cornerstones of its ideas on regulating the financial markets. Off-exchange derivatives, short selling and credit default swaps are to be reigned in at last. The Commission is not keen on imposing bans: "To ban speculations is as if we wanted to ban the rain", says the responsible French Internal Market Commissioner Michel Barnier at the press conference.]]>  2010 is not least for Europe's young people a crisis year. On EU-average, 20 % of the under- 25-s do not find a job; the rate in Spain even lies at 40 %. In view of these figures, the European Commission too recognises the urgency of measures and presented on Wednesday the Europe 2020 flagship initiative Youth on the move. ]]>  In the European Parliament this week, within the scope of the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion, a conference took place concerning the introduction of an EU Directive on minimum income. The Belgium Presidency regards this issue as one of its priorities. An idea, which so far has not aroused much enthusiasm with the Member States and the EU Commission.]]>  This week, Juan Pablo Corlazzoli presented the results of a study on the human rights situation in Colombia in the Human Rights Committee of the European Parliament. The conclusions, which were drawn from the study, were more than sobering: whilst a number of murders of trade unionists are hardly mentioned in the study, its author recommends the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement by the EU with Colombia. Many of the MEPs voiced harsh criticism.]]>  The average economic growth of the EU Member States in 2010 will be significantly higher than originally expected. This is the tenor of a revised interim report, which was presented by Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Policy, on Monday.]]>  The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) this week was dominated by possible financial market reforms. The Financial Transaction Tax (FTT) was for the first time officially on the agenda of the ECOFIN. The EU Finance Ministers are still far away from any agreement. The ECOFIN was accompanied by a demonstration in front of the Council Building led by a group of supporters of the Financial Transaction Tax.]]>  Each year, the European Commission makes up to € 500 million available via the European Globalisation Fund to assist employees, who have lost their job as a result of the world economic crisis or due to globalisation. The analysis of the applications received for the Fund, however, now show that even in the crisis year 2009 only financial assistance amounting to about € 166.6 million was applied for. In 2010, about € 92 million had been applied for by September. This raises the question, whether the Fund is still too little known in the Member States or whether the criteria for granting assistance from the Fund were too rigidly phrased.]]>  This week, the EU Commission presented two Directive proposals to help it to attract seasonal and highly skilled migrants to Europe. In doing so, the EU Commission is pursuing a clear target. The admission criteria are supposed to be unified throughout Europe and the rights, associated with this admission, should be stipulated. These proposals, however, did not exactly inspire great enthusiasm.]]>  This week, the European Commission has proposed changes in two Directive proposals and a White Paper on existing regulations in the banking and insurance sector. This move shall help to improve the protection of investors and bank account holders in future. Michel Barnier, the EU Commissioner for Internal Market and Services, appealed to both Parliament and Council to adopt the proposals swiftly, because “European consumers [...] need reassurance that their savings, investments or insurance policies are protected no matter where in Europe they are based.” It is the aim of the Commission to make Europe's financial system more transparent and responsible for it to be in a better position to avert and manage future crises.]]>  This week, the Commission presented the long awaited Green Paper on adequate, sustainable and safe European pension systems. A field day for all those, who now feel vindicated, as they had said all along that “a comprehensive pension reform” would be an unavoidable necessity. Once again, the EU perfectly embodies the role of the bringer of bad news. One cannot help the feeling that the bad news from Brussels had been eagerly awaited to be able to do at last what otherwise one would not have dared – Thank you EU!]]>  Important dossiers for the financial market came to the vote during the last plenary week before the summer break of the European Parliament. Excitement was provided by the fact that right up to the last minute, Parliament and Member States were not able to agree on the planned financial supervision package. Using a trick with regard to the rules of procedure, the MEPs, however, managed to keep the coming into force of the new supervisory structure, which is planned for January 2011, in reach and that, based on a united stance of the Parliament, the Member States are under pressure to find an acceptable agreement.]]>  Right on time at the start of the summer holidays and the most popular travel season of most Europeans, the Commission started an information campaign on 29th June to make passengers in the EU aware of their rights. Under the motto “Your passenger rights at hand“, posters and information leaflets, translated into 23 languages, are promoting the campaign at airports and railway stations across the EU and at travel and tourism fairs. Relevant short and informative video clips can also be watched on various TV channels and online. Apart from that, the Commission has created a website to inform EU citizens about their rights as railway and air passengers. The campaign will run for two ears.]]>  A recently published study by Eurostat on the price levels of food within the EU revealed big price differences between the Member States. Although Austria is among the countries, where an above-average price has to be paid for bread, meat or fish, there are also consumer goods, which are below EU average. Further news about food: last week, Dacian Ciolos, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, announced the introduction of a new EU logo as of 1st July 2010, which is obligatory for all packed organic products.]]>  During the Euro crisis, the lack of economic coordination at European level became the focus of the debate. If prior to the introduction of the Euro the individual states had still been able to control their competitiveness individually by currency adjustments, this is now no longer possible. Countries like Germany that adopt an aggressive export strategy to keep wages at a low level, now put the rest of the Eurozone massively under pressure. So far, there are no instruments to counteract this trend at EU level and the plans of the European Commission concerning enhanced economic governance, which were presented this week, will not bring much change. It is to be feared that instead of active coordination only a kind of “neoliberal watchdog function” of the Commission will be strengthened.]]>