The Week Ahead 15 – 21 October 2018
Workers’ rights/Gig economy. EU rules to protect precarious workers, including on-demand, voucher-based and platform workers, will be voted on by the Employment Committee. Proposals include more information on contractual terms, making work schedules more predictable, length of probationary periods and cost-free training. It aims at addressing recent digital developments that led to the so-called Gig economy and the rise of platforms such as Uber and Deliveroo. (Thursday)
Climate change/CO2 emissions from trucks. New binding reduction targets for CO2 emissions produced by heavy-duty vehicles will be up for a vote by the Environment and Public Health Committee. CO2 emissions from trucks represent 6% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions (2015). Without EU action, this share is expected to increase. (Thursday)
Borders control/Migration. The Civil Liberties Committee will vote on two legislative proposals that aim to make information exchange and data sharing between the various EU information systems more effective and efficient, to boost protection of the EU’s external borders, improve migration management and enhance internal security, while fully upholding fundamental rights. (Monday)
Development policy/Bill Gates. The Development Committee and the European Think Tanks Group (bringing together five think tanks) are organising a public debate on the future of development and innovation in Europe. EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates will join one of the panels. (Wednesday)
Plenary preparations. Political groups will prepare for the 22-25 October plenary session in Strasbourg, where they will vote on an EU ban on polluting throwaway plastics, quality of drinking water, recommendations following the Facebook/Cambridge Analytica case, road charging for heavy goods vehicles and the 2019 EU budget. MEPs will also discuss the conclusions of the 17 and 18 October European Council and continue the debate on the future of Europe with Romania’s President Klaus Iohannis.
President’s diary. EP President Antonio Tajani will meet Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, on Wednesday. On Thursday, President Tajani will meet Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates and participate in the European Council, followed by a press conference.
Youth Media Days. 120 young journalists, aged between 18 and 30, will gather for the Youth Media Days. They will participate in several media workshops and discuss with politicians, professional journalists and experts on how to inform young voters about the European elections. (Tuesday to Thursday)