European Commission presents the European Pillar of Social Rights

European Commission adopted a proposal for the European Pillar of Social Rights. The Pillar sets out 20 key principles and rights to support fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems. The Pillar is designed as a compass for a renewed process of upward convergence towards better working and living conditions in the EU. It is primarily conceived for the euro area but it is also applicable to all EU Member States wishing to be part of it.

The Pillar was prepared by the Commission, under the leadership of Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioner Thyssen, in close consultation with stakeholders at all levels. It reaffirms rights that are already present in the EU and international legal acquis and complements them to take account of new realities. The principles and rights enshrined in the Pillar are structured around three categories: equal opportunities and access to the labour market, fair working conditions and social protection and inclusion. They place the focus on how to tackle new developments in the world of work and society at large so as to deliver on the promise of the Treaties of a highly competitive social market economy, aiming at full employment and social progress.

More on European Pillar of Social Rights: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-1007_en.htm

Communication from the Commission – Establishing a European Pillar of Social Rights: http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=17624&langId=en

Commentary by young IRMO researches on Waste Menagement published

How is the adjustment of waste management policies in Croatia and in the Czech Republic advancing? (croatian) written by Marina Funduk, senior research assistant at IRMO, is the eleventh commentary within the POLO-Cro28 project. The commentary analyses Croatian and Czech Republic experiences in the implementation of EU waste management legislation and identifies the main challenges in this area untill 2020.

The Croatian government outlines 9-measure package aimed at boosting employment and has allocated 1.5 billion to help jobless people

This set of measures entered into force on 2 March 2017 and includes subsidies for job creation, self-employment, casual employment, and other steps that can boost employment. Therefore, there are 1,5 billion Kuna in budget provided for active labour market policies and the outlays for boosting employment this year were 400 million Kuna higher compared to last year. Also, 650 million Kuna for this purpose is to be absorbed from the European Social Fund. It is expected that this measures will contribute to the country’s economic stability and growth, and facilitate the availability of employment opportunities. Currently, there are 22,000 job vacancies, according to the statistics from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ). If these jobs were filled in, the number of unemployed would fall by 10%. Concerning self-employment, grants for this purpose have been raised from 25,000 to 35,000 Kuna. It is expected that this package will also be beneficial to the long-term unemployed, people with disabilities and young job-seekers.

More information available on: http://mjere.hr/

Commentary by young IRMO researches on NEET population published

NEET population – challenges in Croatia, Poland and Slovenia, written by Ivan Bedeniković is the tenth commentary within the project POLO-Cro28. NEET population is very heterogeneous phenomenon that ranks high on the European Union list of priorities. This commentary analyses challenges of youth neither in employment nor in education and training (NEET) in three selected countries.

THE EC PUBLISHED A COUNTRY REPORT FOR CROATIA 2017 INCLUDING AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW ON MACROECONOMIC IMBALANCES
On 22th February 2017 the European Commission has published 2017 Country Report for Croatia including an In-Depth Review on the prevention and correction of macroeconomic imbalances. This Report is an integral part of the 2017 European Semester cycle and the result of the 2017 Alert Mechanism Report (AMR). The 2017 Country Report for Croatia provides a detailed analysis of the key economic issues and challenges facing the Croatian economy. Moreover, it contains summary assessment of Croatia’s implementation of the 2016 country specific recommendations (CSRs) as well as the progress assessment regarding the achievements of national Europe 2020 targets.
More information available on: https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/2017-european-semester-country-reports_en

Commentary by young IRMO researches on European Semester published

Inclusiveness of the European Semester implementation at the national level – the prerequisite for successful implementation record?, written by Ivana Skazlić is the ninth commentary within the project POLO-Cro28. This commentary analyses how the process of the European Semester is being implemented in Croatia and the Czech Republic and examines in which way an inclusive approach could usefully contribute to the creation of the national ownership of reforms and make for an important component for raising compliance with recommendations issued within that framework.

Public debt management strategy for the period 2017-2019 adopted

On January 26^th, 2017 Croatian Government adopted the Public debt management strategy for the period 2017-2019. This Strategy defines the main goals and implementation mechanisms for improvements of the public debt sustainability and limiting the negative effects of associated risks. In addition to the risk analysis of the public debt management, the Strategy provides 2017 Indebtedness Plan with planned dynamics and auction calendar, including the indebtedness projections by 2019. The realization of the Strategy will be supported by economic policy measures, oriented towards growth enhancement, fiscal consolidation and activation of the state-owned property. An active public debt management implies continuous definition, publication and evaluation of the Strategy implementation. Therefore, the following period envisages a regular annual adaptation and publication of the Strategy for three-year period in line with the ongoing Convergence Program and three-year fiscal projections.

The Public debt management strategy is currently available in Croatian only: https://vlada.gov.hr/UserDocsImages/Sjednice/2017/01%20sije%C4%8Danj/18%20sjednica%2014%20VRH/18%20-%202.pdf

Waste Management Plan in the Republic of Croatia for the period 2017 -2022 adopted

On January 5th 2017 Croatian Government adopted the Waste Management Plan in the Republic of Croatia for the period 2017 -2022. Adoption of the Plan is an important precondition for the use of funds in the waste sector, from the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014-2020. The Plan should enable the development of the recycling industry, the creation of new green jobs and fulfilment of the EU’s commitments. An integral part of the Plan is the Waste Prevention Plan, which introduces measures for separate collection at the source, selection of waste and household composting.

Waste Management Plan is currently available only on Croatian: http://www.mzoip.hr/doc/plan_gospodarenja_otpadom_republike_hrvatske_za_razdoblje_2017-2022_godine.pdf