With around hundred days to go before the European elections, Insiders, Euronews' hard hitting current affairs show, has produced a series of reports on some of the major issues concerning Europe and its citizens. **In this episode, reporter Hans von der Brelie travels to Bulgaria to find out about the difficult working conditions faced by textile workers. The country has the lowest minimum wage in the EU.** Every morning, anything up to six days a week, textile workers in Bulgaria get up before the crack of dawn. They are just a few of the many thousands who make up the country's garment industry. Most, if not all, earn poverty wages. Global competition from low cost producing countries in Africa, Asia and Turkey mean that East European factories remain under pressure to drive down costs. "It's 5:30 and we're in front of one of the biggest garment factories in Europe. In Bangladesh textile workers are on strike for better pay, here in Bulgaria they keep on working, despite being … [Read more...] about Bulgarian: textile workers in Bulgaria demand EU-wide minimum wage
Poorest country in europe
Italy has the highest levels of corruption in Europe, study shows
The Italian economy loses 236 billion euros a year to corruption, which is about 13 percent of gross domestic product, or equal to 3,903 euros per inhabitant. The figure is twice as high as that of France, where it’s equal to 120 billion euros and 6 percent of GDP, and that of Germany, where corruption costs 104 billion euros (4 percent of GDP). The analysis was conducted by the American NGO RAND for the European Parliament. 89 percent of Italians think that corruption is “extremely widespread” in their country, with 84 percent convinced that it is “part of the business culture” of Italy. The study highlights how, in Italy, the wasted money could resolve all of the country’s major social problems, Repubblica writes. Photo: DepositPhotos The cost of corruption in Italy is more than one and a half times the national public health budget. It's also 12 times bigger than the funding for the country’s police force, 16 times the funding … [Read more...] about Italy has the highest levels of corruption in Europe, study shows
These 5 Numbers Explain Why the French Are in the Streets
Sections SEARCH Skip to content Skip to site index Europe Subscribe Log In Log In Today’s Paper Europe | These 5 Numbers Explain Why the French Are in the Streets Supported by ByLiz Alderman Dec. 4, 2018 President Emmanuel Macron of France is facing the toughest crisis of his leadership after three weeks of violent protests across the country. “Yellow Vest” demonstrators have demanded that the government give financial relief to large parts of the population that are struggling to make ends meet. Prime Minister Edouard Philippe sought to calm the furor on Tuesday by suspending a planned fuel tax increase for six months, reversing a policy that had set off the revolt. But it’s not apparent that this single concession can clear the streets. The Yellow Vest movement — whose followers wear or display high-visibility vests used in emergencies — has morphed into a collective outcry … [Read more...] about These 5 Numbers Explain Why the French Are in the Streets
NI businesses boost charity’s work in Haiti
A business breakfast in Belfast has raised more than £23,500 for Irish-based charity Haven which will provide a significant boost to its extensive work in Haiti. Organised by the Northern Ireland Ambassador for Haven, Ronnie Foreman, the event took place in the Belfast Harbour Commissioners’ offices and attracted around 140 leading figures from local businesses. The keynote speaker was businessman Leslie Buckley, who founded the charity ten years ago. Other speakers were Patrick Flaherty, Chief Executive Europe, India, Africa and Middle East for AECOM and Joe O’Neill, Chief Executive of Belfast Harbour. Most of the proceeds from the Belfast event will go towards supporting Haven’s new business development programme, which aims to encourage entrepreneurship and empower the people of Haiti through vocational and business training. Participants will first gain valuable personal development skills, and then receive practical training in areas such as boatbuilding or … [Read more...] about NI businesses boost charity’s work in Haiti
More creches and €1 school lunches: Here’s Macron’s plan to fight poverty in France
All eyes in France were on the president on Thursday as Macron, dubbed "the president of the rich" by his critics, presented his plan to combat poverty in France. Initially the plan was due to be unveiled in April before it was postponed until July and then it was famously (and controversially) delayed again due to the World Cup. But there is an urgent need to tackle poverty in France, which spends more on social benefits than any other country in Europe and yet nine million people live below the poverty line, surviving on around €1,000 ($1,160) a month. "I'm here to launch a new fight, crucial for our country, to see that no-one gets forgotten," he said, adding that the "scandal of poverty" had become normalised in France. "There is a Mozart in every child, including a child born into a poor family," Macron said. But that potential was being snuffed out "because we decide that there is no … [Read more...] about More creches and €1 school lunches: Here’s Macron’s plan to fight poverty in France