| European Commission |
| Commission publishes minimum wage proposals The European Commission has published a Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages which seeks to ensure that minimum wages are set at an adequate level (link). The proposal does not oblige Member States to set minimum wages, nor does it set the level of minimum wages. All Member States will be asked to take measures to increase collective bargaining coverage, and those with statutory minimum wages will be asked to put in place governance elements and ensure the effective involvement of social partners in minimum wage setting. The ETUC has welcomed the proposal, but warned that improvements need to be made to ensure it is fit for purpose (link).Commission launched ‘roadmap’ consultation on health and safety at work The European Commission is gathering views on an early-stage consultation on health and safety at work as it develops new strategic priorities for the period 2021-2027 (link). A new framework will be published in Q2 2021, which will encourage Member States to improve their national OSH strategies. Stakeholders are invited to provide views until 26 November.Commission unveils package to improve coronavirus testing and tracing The European Commission has unveiled new measures (link) to improve EU-wide coronavirus testing and tracing. The Commission has a coordinating role on this issue and can only ask Member States to work together. The proposals aim to improve data-sharing between Member States on testing, equipment, travel and vaccination strategies. |
| European Parliament |
| Artificial Intelligence Committee begins work The new Artificial Intelligence Committee in the European Parliament has begun work, with an exchange of views with Commission Vice-President Margrethe Vestager. The Commission will propose a new legislative framework in early 2021, which will seek to set high European standards in AI. The discussion touched on biases and the possibility of using facial recognition technology; the Commissioner warned against using facial recognition in public spaces unless absolutely necessary (link).Civil Liberties Committee told about police training needs in the wake of COVID-19 The Executive Director of CEPOL has told members of the European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee that the COVID-19 pandemic has seen new crime phenomena and new patterns of criminal behaviour come to the fore (link). The law enforcement community needs specifically designed training to stay ahead of criminals he said, particularly related to cybercrime and online investigation. He noted that strengthening of capacities is also needed to deal with domestic violence, due to a substantial increase in cases that has arisen as a consequence of the pandemic. |
| National updates |
| · Belgium: Over 500 police officers in COVID-19 quarantine (link)
· Cyprus: Officers participate in workshop on handling rape cases (link) · Finland: Police debate the introduction of body cameras for officers (link) · Germany: Federal police to deploy federal police officers to enforce coronavirus rules (link) |
| · Poland: Police warn protestors not to target churches in demonstrations (link)
· Sweden: Swedish Police Authority conducts review of requirements profile for admission to police training (link) · UK: Almost 6000 officers join police as coronavirus steps up (link) |
| Other news |
| Interpol: new guide for criminal justice statistics on cybercrime and electronic evidence The Council of Europe and INTERPOL have developed a new Guide for Criminal Justice Statistics on Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence to support countries understand the scale and impact of cybercrime (link).CoE: Latest report on police detention facilities published The Council of Europe has published its latest report on police detention facilities in Poland (link). The response of the Polish government has also been published (link). |
| Look ahead |
| – The European Parliament is in recess |