Journal of European Social Policy (24.06.2025) Over the past few years, the legal status and the working conditions of platform workers have been among the most debated manifestations of the digital transformation of work. Tense negotiations on the EU platform work directive (from 2021 to 2024) epitomize long-standing conflicts in EU social policymaking, namely the opposition between capital and labour, on the one hand, and resistance to EU involvement or impact on Member States’ social arrangements, on the other.

oecd.org (30.06.2025) Governments in OECD countries are increasingly applying advanced uses of data and technology to improve the coverage, effectiveness and efficiency of social programmes, yet they are proceeding with caution when introducing artificial intelligence (AI). Common AI uses in social protection include client support, automating back-office processes and fraud detection.

International Labour Organization (2025) This paper discusses the current state of social protection systems in Africa, their challenges, and the relationship between social protection, climate change and employment. It also provides a brief overview of the jobs implications of climate change and efforts to address it. The key message of the note is to underscore the essential role that social protection and skills can play in addressing the challenges related to climate change while providing an overview of the current state of social protection systems, including floors, in Africa.

worldbank.org (24.06.2025) This Guidance Note was developed to support Public Employment Services in navigating complex decisions involved in digitalizing employment services. As the role of PES evolves with the need to balance expanded mandates with limited resources, digitalization presents an opportunity to strengthen service delivery, enhance operational efficiency, and improve access for job seekers and employers. However, successful implementation depends on more than just introducing new technology.

The Greek Herald (16.06.2025) Starting June 16, Greece has become the first country in Europe to provide free home delivery of high-cost medications through its national health insurance agency, EOPYY. The program is expected to support around 139,000 patients, including those undergoing cancer treatment and individuals with chronic illnesses who depend on EOPYY pharmacies for their medications. EOPYY President Theano Karpodini hailed the initiative as a landmark in public healthcare.

ilo.org (24.06.2025) The demographic changes currently underway in the Europe and Central Asia region - most notably, the ageing of its populations - have prompted the preparation of this new publication intended to inform tripartite discussions on developing effective strategies and policy responses. The publication provides projections of the region’s labour force evolution through to 2050, alongside an analysis of the challenges posed by these demographic shifts.

theedgemalaysia.com (17.06.2025) The Social Security Organisation (Socso), also known as Perkeso, aims to introduce mandatory contributions for gig economy workers starting January 2026. This initiative is part of broader efforts to extend social protection to Malaysia's expanding informal workforce which, according to official data, constitutes over 25% of the country’s workforce.

In most European countries, the average income of people over 65 is lower than that of the total population, according to the OECD. In several cases, elderly incomes fall below 80% of the national average, contributing to significantly high poverty rates among pensioners. So, how do these levels of financial precarity vary across Europe? In which countries do pensioners face the highest levels of poverty? And how does elderly income compare to the national average?

worldbank.org (17.06.2025) Almost every country in the world today is facing a predictable, but addressable, trend that will profoundly impact societies and economies: Aging. Despite numerous calls  to action, the aging agenda remains under the radar, especially when compared to other “mega trends” like climate change and digital transformation.