The theme of this year's EU Tax Symposium in October 2023 was "The future of taxation in the EU". Politicians and academics discussed the taxation of corporations, assets and possible new EU own resources. It became clear that tax policy must also provide answers to the current crises and future challenges.

In the course of the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework, the EU Commission is proposing an increase in funds. This is necessary to ensure that the budget can fulfil its most important tasks in view of the numerous crises. The focus is also on investments in key technologies. In contrast, no increase in funds is planned for important social programmes. AK demands a significantly stronger focus on social policy goals.

On Wednesday, 13 September 2023, Commission President von der Leyen delivered the annual State of the Union (SOTEU) address at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. The last SOTEU in this legislative period before the upcoming EU elections in June 2024 focused on green transition, artificial intelligence (AI) and enlargement. The social perspective was addressed with individual important points, for example with regard to the role of the social partners. However, overall it fell too short.

The Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) and the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS) invite you to the joint film screening of the movie "FOR THE MANY - The Vienna Chamber of Labour".

As part of the mid-term review of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the European Commission has put forward a number of proposals to ensure that the budget can continue to fulfil its key tasks in the face of rising costs. These include support for Ukraine, promoting strategic technologies, implementing the Pact on Migration and Asylum and covering unforeseen expenditure.

The Brussels Office of the Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB European Office), the Brussels Office of the Austrian Federal Chamber of Labour (AK EUROPA) and the Daseinsgewerkschaft (Younion) are pleased to cordially invite you to our event "EU Blue Deal — a plan for the future of our water".

Spain has taken over the EU Council Presidency for the coming six months. Under the motto "Europe, closer", Spain is presenting a programme that attempts to find committed European solutions to common problems. Before the approaching elections to the EU Parliament, Spain thus holds the last full EU Council Presidency in this legislative period. This is a strategically important phase to finalise legal acts that are still being negotiated.

In the course of the strategic foresight, the EU Commission annually tries to identify the challenges of the EU’s future and to anticipate them in political present day measures. This year, the focus is on sustainability and well-being and thus on the question of which strategic decisions need to be taken today in order to create a socially, ecologically and economically sustainable EU in the future. Not only can future expectations determine policy today, but policy today also determines the future situation, not least of workers.

A broader public is probably not aware of the existence of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) and the work it does. Yet this body has far-reaching powers in the European legislative process. The work of the RSB drew attention in the course of the Commission's proposal on the EU Supply Chain Act, which was delayed and watered down by the RSB. A study commissioned by the Chamber of Labour and LobbyControl now sheds light on the role of the RSB in the EU legislative process and identifies a need for reform.

Two years after the Porto Social Summit, the Porto Social Forum took stock of the progress made so far on the European Pillar of Social Rights (ESSR) on 26 and 27 May 2023. The main themes of the Forum were the European Year of Skills in the context of the digital and green transformation and the continuation of the EU Social Agenda. In particular, the need to provide adequate education and training and to implement the EU Child Guarantee more quickly and effectively was highlighted.