|
EU falls short on employment goals
According to the mid-review of its "Lisbon agenda," the
European Commission is doubtful about the EU's chances
to achieve its goals in employment and social policies.
The Lisbon Agenda sets out economic targets to make Europe
the world's most competitive economy by 2010. However, the
numbers show that the EU is lagging behind both its own goals
and its key competitor - the US.
To meet the EU employment rate target of 70% in five years,
Europe still needs to create more than 22 million jobs.
Despite the move towards better quality in work, reformed
public services better legislation for
setting up business, the EU still needs to solve
such issues as involving older workers in the labour
market, cutting
down a pay gap
between men and women and dealing with illegal
labour.
Pregnant Women Face Discrimination
Although it is illegal under sex discrimination
legislation to fire a woman because she is pregnant,
research by the Equal Opportunities Commission
suggests that one in twenty expectant working
women faces extreme pressure to leave their jobs
as soon as their bosses learn of their pregnancy.
The research, based on interviews with more than 1,000 new
mothers, also found that a fifth of women lose out financially
as a result of being pregnant. This can be because their pay
is cut or because they are given a lower pay rise than colleagues.
In some cases, employers refused to allow them paid time off
for antenatal appointments, even though they are entitled
to this by law.
Almost half of all women who worked while pregnant within
the past three years had experienced some form of discrimination
as a direct consequence of their pregnancy, the Commission
concludes.
The research reveals the many forms of discrimination faced
by the 441,000 women who are pregnant at work each year. These
range from denial of promotion, bonuses and training opportunities
and changes in job descriptions to being left out of decisions
and even verbal abuse.
The survey found that discrimination was worst in the retail
sector, where 53 per cent of pregnant women experienced some
form of discrimination, and best in the financial services
sector, where 42 per cent of women were affected.
Although manual workers were hardest hit, 46 per cent of
women at a managerial or professional level were also affected.
IImmigration Tightened
The British government proposed tighter immigration
controls this month, saying only skilled workers
who speak English would be allowed to settle
in Britain permanently.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke said the government
would also fingerprint all foreigners applying
for visas to stop them from remaining in Britain
once their permits expire.
The measures, which would not affect citizens
of the European Union, are part of a Europe-wide
drive to tackle illegal immigration.
Announcing a five-year plan for immigration and
asylum to the House of Commons, Clarke said the
government would introduce a points system - already
in place in Australia and Canada - favoring those
with sought-after skills, such as doctors and engineers.
The government will limit the number of dependents
who can join a migrant worker in Britain and eliminate
the automatic right to permanent residency for
people who have lived in Britain for four years.
Under the proposals, only skilled workers who
can support themselves financially can apply to
stay permanently. They must have lived in Britain
for five years and be able to speak and write in
the English language.
The European Union justice and interior ministers
hope to agree on common immigration and asylum
rules by 2010, which means the EU may end up creating
common legal migration standards and introducing
a U.S.-style green card system.
|
