We need a social Union

Debate on the Future of the European Union with Greek Prime Minister

In Greece, Europe broke one of its fundamental promises, to bring prosperity to its citizens. Instead it brought poverty. Europe didn’t find a solution based on solidarity and solidity. Our lesson from this needs to be that we finally create a social union. So far we have only vague declarations on how nice social policies would be, but that’s not enough

Racism and hatred towards minorities must not become socially acceptable

Italy

The announcement by the new Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini to have a register of Sinti and Roma people will be debated today by Members of the European Parliament at the initiative of the Greens/EFA Group.

Transport committee told to try again after MEPs reject mobility package

Workers’ rights

The fight for the rights of lorry and bus drivers is still alive, after the European Parliament rejected a set of legislative proposals on driving and rest times, posting of workers, and cabotage.

Posted workers/transport: weak mandate must be renegotiated

Quote from Terry Reintke

A majority of MEPs have just rejected the negotiating mandate for posted workers in the road transport sector. MEPs voted to overturn the decision made in the Transport Committee, where Social Democrats, Liberals and Conservatives voted against social rights such as minimum wages, adequate rest periods, local collective agreements and legally secure entitlement to allowances for travel, accommodation and food.

Greens/EFA Debriefing

Plenary week, 28-31 May 2018

Greens/EFA priorities for the Strasbourg Plenary week included: Commission proposals on plastics, sustainable finance, sustainable fishing, Multiannual Financial Framework and cohesion policy, trade dispute on steel and aluminium tariffs, debate with Luxemburgish Prime Minister, posting of workers, reform of the CAP, objections to the authorisation of two GMOs

Big win for a socially just Europe

Posting of workers

The European Parliament backed the outcome of trilogue negotiations on the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. Under the agreement, workers who provide a service in an EU Member State other than their country of origin will not only be guaranteed the same pay as their colleagues, they'll also receive the same entitlements, making their terms and conditions genuinely equal.

European Labour Authority - quote from Terry Reintke

Social Fairness Package

"Setting up joint labour inspections could be a great way of protecting the rights of workers across borders," comments Greens/EFA social policy spokesperson, Terry Reintke,

Terry Reintke to submit #MeToo petition to President of the European Parliament

International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day (Thursday 8th March), Greens/EFA MEP Terry Reintke will submit a petition to the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani.

Protection of fundamental rights in the EU

European Parliament calls for more ambition

The Greens/EFA group have fought hard to improve the report’s sections on asylum, migration, economic and social rights, non-discrimination, the fight against terrorism, hate speech, gender-based violence, minority and linguistic rights, and Roma and LGBTI rights. These were either largely ignored or absent from the original text and several amendments on these issues were tabled by our group.

Posting of workers: Breakthrough for social Europe

Posting of Workers Directive

Late last night, the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council achieved a breakthrough in the negotiations on the revision of the Posting of Workers Directive. Under the agreement, workers who provide a service in an EU Member State other than their country of origin will benefit not only from the minimum wage but also from local collective agreements and shall be entitled to legally guaranteed travel, accommodation and meals allowances.

European Ideas Lab - Brussels

01.03.2018

Greens meet changemakers

During a three-day event, Greens/EFA will welcome hundreds of "change-makers" from around many organizations of most European countries. This lab will be the opportunity for us to listen, share and take stock!

Eurogroup is doing the ECB's credibility a disservice

ECB leadership

"It is high-time that a woman is part of the ECB leadership. We will do our utmost to achieve this in the coming weeks and months," comments Greens/EFA MEP, Sven Giegold.