Euobserver.com

Europe is facing a critical social problem that risks further dividing our society, into one of extreme haves and have-nots.

Messaging apps are an inescapable fact of life — it therefore comes as surprise that Ursula von der Leyen, claims that the EU's freedom of information law does not cover her text messages. The New York times is challenging that.

As states increasingly outsource tasks to consultancies, this 'consultancy culture' contributes to the phenomenon of staff leaving the public sector for the private sector, only to return to the public sector as private consultants.

As the EU is heading towards a bloc-wide law strengthening rights of platform workers, Paris hopes to avoid the future directive by introducing collective bargaining between gig-workers' representatives and the platforms.

Policies have a strong impact, argues EIGE director Carlien Scheele. But gender equality is improving by a snail's pace. And more women in decision-making also mean more backlash.

EU leaders are preparing to bless joint purchases of Ukraine ammunition, amid deeper strategising on how to protect Europe from Russia.

In a letter to Italy's prime minister, concerning the shipwreck that killed some 70 people, the European Commission suggests shoring up the Libyan coast guard and launching anti-smuggling partnerships with Tunisia and Egypt.

More pay-transparency equals more tools to close the gender pay-gap. A historic step in the EU, but still with room for improvement.

The European Commission proposed a temporary fix to the bloc's much-debated debt and deficit rules — which will allow member states more leeway in reducing public debt this year.

An opinion piece accuses our think-tank, MCC Brussels, of promoting "Putin's vision". Hungarian MEP Katalin Cseh states that our aim is "to destroy the EU". In typical McCarthyite fashion she relies on innuendo and false allegations to discredit our work.

Five years ago, investigative Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, were murdered. The Slovak authorities are now close to delivering a verdict in the trial — offering an example of how to challenge impunity for journalist killings.

Long-term care facilities are subsidised to a large extent by public money. When financial risks aimed at increasing profitability do not pay off, the state must step in to ensure the welfare of care recipients, from the public purse.

Women and frontline workers are most exposed to the risks of bullying, harassment, violence, verbal abuse or threat, resulting in burnout, exhaustion, anxiety and depression according to a study by Eurofound, an EU agency.

"It's important, especially in times of crisis, that we look at the benefits of gender equality," Carlien Scheele, the director of the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) said, adding that losing women in the labour market is a "shame".

While there is a shortage of healthcare workers all over Europe, wealthier European countries are recruiting healthcare workers from other parts of Europe. With dire consequences.

A new report has found regional differences in the tendency for workers to take on low quality online jobs, with workers in less prosperous EU regions taking on more online jobs — often next to their 'traditional' jobs.

Press-freedom groups from Paris to New York have voiced dismay at Sweden's proposal to weaken a landmark EU law against corporate and political bullies.

The European Commission is imposing new rules to restrict free trips paid for by countries like Qatar, following revelations that its director-general of transport not only accepted such flights — but had also cleared himself of any conflict of interest.

20 million children do not have their basic rights ensured: they lack healthy food, adequate shelter and health care, and their chances for personal and professional development are also undermined.

This 'Windsor Framework' renegotiation took place without any new (European) Council guidelines, mandate or significant involvement. Members states and the European Parliament, which once used to scrutinise every twist and turn with their magnifying glasses, now face a fait accompli.