EMPLOYMENT : EU MOVING FURTHER AWAY FROM 2020 SOCIAL TARGETS - REPORT.

The European Union is moving further and further away from the social targets of the Europe 2020' strategy , ie a 75% employment rate and a 25% reduction of poverty. Thus concludes the report on Employment and social developments in Europe 2012' (ESDE), published by the European Commission on 8 January. Its 500-odd pages show that unemployment is reaching new peaks, that household income is declining and that the risk of poverty or exclusion is on the rise.

"2012 was another very bad year for Europe in terms of unemployment and the deteriorating social situation," commented the Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, Laszlo Andor. "Moreover, it is unlikely that Europe will see much socio-economic improvement in 2013 unless it achieves greater progress also...