- Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are excellent for the right project, but they remain controversial and need to be used with care, as their value for money is very limited, were the main conclusions of a roundtable organised by ACCA ( The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)  recently in Brussels -

“Based on our latest survey, flexible employment contracts play an important role in the successful operation of European metal, engineering and technology-based industries”, comments CEEMET Secretary General Uwe Combüchen CEEMET’s latest survey among its membership.

Due to the volatile economic cycles today, rapid technological development, the intensified globalisation of markets, lean manufacturing and changing employee needs, more flexible forms of employment contracts have become a necessity. 

Opening the GUE/NGL hearing on women's pension rights on the eve of International Women's Day, MEP Mikael Gustafsson, Chair of the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee, reminded participants that "women's precarious working conditions, sharp pay inequalities during their working lives, and an unequal sharing of care for children, are later mirrored in their lower pension rights".

The European Commission today announced it would be continuing with infringement proceedings against the Hungarian government for the proposed laws threatening the independence of the judiciary and the data protection authority, as well as seeking further clarification over a new law affecting the independence of the central bank (1). The Greens welcomed the decision but expressed concern that the Commission is continuing to ignore the wider concerns with constitutional changes, which are leading to a scale-back of democracy in Hungary.

Now in their 12th year, the SOLIDAR Silver Rose Awards 20121 this year honour four individuals or organisations whose extraordinary struggles contribute to social justice and solidarity in Europe and worldwide:

European Category: Kaos GL, Turkey