Fittex
Revision of the European Works Councils Directive: Stronger social dialogue in a multinational context
European Works Councils (EWCs) are bodies that should guarantee employees the right to be consulted on important issues in large multinational companies active in multiple EU countries. However, EWCs have been criticised for being ineffective, on account of unclear definitions, non-dissuasive sanctions and ineffective access to justice. In February 2023, the European ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾ called for legislative action to address the shortcomings identified and strengthen the functioning of EWCs. In response ...
A common system for the return of third-country nationals staying illegally in the European Union
According to Directive 2008/115/EC, third-country nationals staying illegally on the territory of a European Union (EU) Member State should, as a general rule, be issued a return decision obliging them to leave the EU. However, available data suggest that, among those who receive such a decision, only about a quarter actually leave the EU. The limited effectiveness of the return policy is due to several challenges that the EU and Member States face when carrying out return procedures, including difficulties ...
Cross-border protection of vulnerable adults
The IA supports the above proposals with a qualitative assessment of legal, social and economic impacts, complemented by quantified estimates of costs and savings of procedural and administrative costs. Impacts on fundamental rights and digitalisation are also assessed, including concerns raised by stakeholders with respect to data protection. The IA follows a clear intervention logic and is based on solid internal and external sources and various stakeholder consultations. It clearly makes an effort ...
Germany's National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Latest state of play
Germany was originally entitled to a maximum financial contribution of €25.6 billion in grants from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the unprecedented EU response to the crisis triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The national recovery and resilience plan (NRRP) for Germany does not include requests for loans. Following the latest amendment of the German NRRP in July 2024, which added a REPowerEU chapter, the EU resources devoted to the plan reached €30.3 billion. This amount corresponds ...
Targeted amendments to the CMO and other CAP regulations: Strengthening farmers' position in the food supply chain
In response to the difficulties and challenges faced by EU farmers in recent years, the Commission put forward a proposal to amend some of the rules on the common organisation of the markets in agricultural products (CMO), so as to reinforce the position of farmers in the food supply chain. The proposed amendments enhance the existing provisions on contracts involving farmers, reinforce the bargaining power of producer organisations, simplify their recognition, and establish an incentive framework ...
Navigating challenges to UK data adequacy
The United Kingdom (UK) adequacy decisions are set to expire on 27 June 2025, unless the European Commission reaffirms that the UK continues to ensure an 'essentially equivalent' level of data protection to the EU's. Critics raised concerns that recent and ongoing UK reforms could jeopardise the renewal of these decisions.
Progress on the proposal for a Parenthood Regulation
During the March plenary session, oral questions will be asked to the Commission and Council on the state of negotiations on the proposed Parenthood Regulation, on which ºÏ·¨²©²ÊÍøÕ¾ adopted its opinion in December 2023, and their willingness – in case of failure to reach unanimity in the Council – to use enhanced cooperation.
Commission proposal for a revised Facilitation Directive: Targeted substitute impact assessment
This study constitutes a targeted substitute impact assessment of the Commission’s proposal for a revised Facilitation Directive (COM(2023) 755), presented on 28 November 2023 as part of a package to address migrant smuggling. It provides a critical review of the existing legal and policy framework at EU level and its shortcomings regarding transposition and implementation. It also undertakes a critical and thorough appraisal of the proposed objectives and measures in terms of coherence, effectiveness ...
Maternity and paternity leave in the EU
This infographic aims to present the current maternity and paternity leave situation in EU Member States. Most EU countries also grant an additional period of parental leave, but parental leave is not covered in this infographic.
Algorithmic discrimination under the AI Act and the GDPR
After the entry into force of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act in August 2024, an open question is its interplay with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The AI Act aims to promote human-centric, trustworthy and sustainable AI, while respecting individuals' fundamental rights and freedoms, including their right to the protection of personal data. One of the AI Act's main objectives is to mitigate discrimination and bias in the development, deployment and use of 'high-risk AI systems ...