http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Sun, 19 May 2013 05:14:02 +0200 Sun, 19 May 2013 05:14:02 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/press-review-on-mass-influx-of-european-immigrants-to-germany-a-898786.html#ref=rss This week, Germany announced it received more immigrants in 2012 than it has in almost two decades. Yet rather than sounding the alarm, newspaper commentators are welcoming the trend. Most of the newcomers are well-educated and come from other countries in Europe. Wed, 08 May 2013 15:45:51 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/press-review-on-mass-influx-of-european-immigrants-to-germany-a-898786.html This week, Germany announced it received more immigrants in 2012 than it has in almost two decades. Yet rather than sounding the alarm, newspaper commentators are welcoming the trend. Most of the newcomers are well-educated and come from other countries in Europe.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-cites-rise-in-low-wage-workers-dependent-on-welfare-benefits-a-898693.html#ref=rss Germany's low unemployment rate is the envy of much of Europe. Yet it masks the difficulties many working Germans have in making ends meet and their reliance on welfare benefits. The issue could become important as the election campaign heats up. Wed, 08 May 2013 13:10:04 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/report-cites-rise-in-low-wage-workers-dependent-on-welfare-benefits-a-898693.html Germany's low unemployment rate is the envy of much of Europe. Yet it masks the difficulties many working Germans have in making ends meet and their reliance on welfare benefits. The issue could become important as the election campaign heats up.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/speed-of-innovation-and-automation-threatens-global-labor-market-a-897412.html#ref=rss Past warnings about how technological innovation threatens jobs have proved exaggerated. Yet the digital revolution now has many scholars warning that this time things are different, and that the breakneck speed of automation could wreak havoc on the global labor market. Fri, 03 May 2013 10:49:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/speed-of-innovation-and-automation-threatens-global-labor-market-a-897412.html Past warnings about how technological innovation threatens jobs have proved exaggerated. Yet the digital revolution now has many scholars warning that this time things are different, and that the breakneck speed of automation could wreak havoc on the global labor market.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-companies-linked-to-collapsed-bangladesh-factories-a-897149.html#ref=rss More than 3,000 people worked producing cheap t-shirts for European clothing chains in the highrise sweatshop that collapsed in Bangladesh last week. Hundreds died because the facility was lacking even the most basic safety standards. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 18:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-companies-linked-to-collapsed-bangladesh-factories-a-897149.html More than 3,000 people worked producing cheap t-shirts for European clothing chains in the highrise sweatshop that collapsed in Bangladesh last week. Hundreds died because the facility was lacking even the most basic safety standards. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-worker-strike-grounds-almost-all-flights-a-895754.html#ref=rss Lufthansa cancelled most of its flights on Monday due to a strike by ground and cabin crew aimed at pressuring the airline in an ongoing wage dispute. The German national carrier called the measure "excessive" and "unprecedented." Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/lufthansa-worker-strike-grounds-almost-all-flights-a-895754.html Lufthansa cancelled most of its flights on Monday due to a strike by ground and cabin crew aimed at pressuring the airline in an ongoing wage dispute. The German national carrier called the measure "excessive" and "unprecedented."]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bulgarian-migrant-worker-case-exposes-problems-in-german-labor-market-a-894611.html#ref=rss Injured on the job, a Bulgarian migrant worker desperately needs surgery, but his official status as an independent contractor has allowed the companies involved to shirk responsibility. His case exposes a troubling gray area in Germany's labor market. Wed, 17 Apr 2013 17:06:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bulgarian-migrant-worker-case-exposes-problems-in-german-labor-market-a-894611.html Injured on the job, a Bulgarian migrant worker desperately needs surgery, but his official status as an independent contractor has allowed the companies involved to shirk responsibility. His case exposes a troubling gray area in Germany's labor market.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/broken-career-ladder-german-women-regret-taking-leave-for-children-a-888054.html#ref=rss To what extent do careers suffer when parents take leave to stay home with their children? According to a new survey by the German Family Ministry, nearly 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men regret going on parental leave because of the professional consequences. Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:10:51 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/broken-career-ladder-german-women-regret-taking-leave-for-children-a-888054.html To what extent do careers suffer when parents take leave to stay home with their children? According to a new survey by the German Family Ministry, nearly 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men regret going on parental leave because of the professional consequences. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/sheryl-sandberg-and-marissa-mayer-create-new-guilt-for-working-moms-a-887421.html#ref=rss Two high-profile working mothers in America claim they aren't setting off the 2013 version of the "mommy wars." But, in light of their recent actions, it's hard to view the perspectives of Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg and Yahoo's Marissa Mayer any other way. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 13:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/sheryl-sandberg-and-marissa-mayer-create-new-guilt-for-working-moms-a-887421.html Two high-profile working mothers in America claim they aren't setting off the 2013 version of the "mommy wars." But, in light of their recent actions, it's hard to view the perspectives of Facebook's Sheryl Sandberg and Yahoo's Marissa Mayer any other way.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/sheryl-sandberg-encourages-women-to-storm-the-executive-floors-a-887006.html#ref=rss Silicon Valley executive Sheryl Sandberg has written a new book in which she calls upon women to storm the corridors of power. The senior Facebook manager has unleashed a new debate about feminism and female ambition that is likely to spread beyond the United States. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:34:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/sheryl-sandberg-encourages-women-to-storm-the-executive-floors-a-887006.html Silicon Valley executive Sheryl Sandberg has written a new book in which she calls upon women to storm the corridors of power. The senior Facebook manager has unleashed a new debate about feminism and female ambition that is likely to spread beyond the United States. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/outrage-after-job-center-suggests-brothel-job-for-young-woman-in-germany-a-882021.html#ref=rss It's happened again: A German job center has tried to line up a position for a young woman in a brothel. The job was just serving drinks, but the issue has rekindled the debate about how far the government should go to get people back in the workforce. Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:29:25 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/outrage-after-job-center-suggests-brothel-job-for-young-woman-in-germany-a-882021.html It's happened again: A German job center has tried to line up a position for a young woman in a brothel. The job was just serving drinks, but the issue has rekindled the debate about how far the government should go to get people back in the workforce.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-court-to-rule-on-right-of-eu-nationals-to-german-social-welfare-a-880383.html#ref=rss Are immigrants from EU states entitled to claim welfare benefits in Germany? Chancellor Merkel's government has tried to prevent this from happening, but Germany's Federal Social Court will soon rule on the issue -- and potentially set a costly precedent. Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:22:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-court-to-rule-on-right-of-eu-nationals-to-german-social-welfare-a-880383.html Are immigrants from EU states entitled to claim welfare benefits in Germany? Chancellor Merkel's government has tried to prevent this from happening, but Germany's Federal Social Court will soon rule on the issue -- and potentially set a costly precedent. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-kindergarten-teachers-find-work-in-germany-a-873675.html#ref=rss German daycare centers are suffering a woeful shortage of teachers. A recruitment agency is hiring Greek kindergarten teachers who are desperate to escape the debt crisis. With as many as 14,000 positions unfilled in Germany, these workers are being welcomed with open arms. Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:55:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/greek-kindergarten-teachers-find-work-in-germany-a-873675.html German daycare centers are suffering a woeful shortage of teachers. A recruitment agency is hiring Greek kindergarten teachers who are desperate to escape the debt crisis. With as many as 14,000 positions unfilled in Germany, these workers are being welcomed with open arms. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/high-youth-unemployment-and-poverty-in-france-breed-hopelessness-a-872943.html#ref=rss As in other struggling European economies, the youth of France face dire prospects. Some 26 percent are unemployed, and almost as many live in poverty. Though the problem has been there for decades, ambitious political programs have improved little. Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:23:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/high-youth-unemployment-and-poverty-in-france-breed-hopelessness-a-872943.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-leads-skilled-workers-from-southern-europe-to-flock-to-germany-a-867681.html#ref=rss Economic crisis and mass unemployment in Southern Europe have triggered an exodus of highly qualified jobseekers, many of whom are making their way north to Germany. There, a relatively strong economy and growing shortage of skilled workers makes companies eager to ensure that the newcomers feel welcome. Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/crisis-leads-skilled-workers-from-southern-europe-to-flock-to-germany-a-867681.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-commission-moves-towards-approving-board-gender-quotas-a-867181.html#ref=rss The European Commission has agreed to a gender quota for the boards of corporations across the Continent. The proposal faces a tough approval process in Brussels, but should it pass, 5,000 publicly traded companies would have to guarantee that 40 percent of their non-executive board posts be filled by women by 2020. Wed, 14 Nov 2012 12:28:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/european-commission-moves-towards-approving-board-gender-quotas-a-867181.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/euro-zone-unemployment-rises-in-september-to-highest-level-ever-a-864541.html#ref=rss The European debt crisis and related austerity measures continue to drive up unemployment across the euro zone. In September, according to statistics released on Wednesday, fully 18.5 million people were without work in the common currency area, more than ever before. Wed, 31 Oct 2012 16:18:53 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/euro-zone-unemployment-rises-in-september-to-highest-level-ever-a-864541.html The European debt crisis and related austerity measures continue to drive up unemployment across the euro zone. In September, according to statistics released on Wednesday, fully 18.5 million people were without work in the common currency area, more than ever before.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/criticism-over-damages-offered-by-german-discounter-for-pakistani-dead-a-862918.html#ref=rss German discount textile retailer Kik plans to pay damages totalling $500,000 to the families of more then 250 workers who died in a fire at a Pakistan factory used to produce its clothing. The families say that is too little and are threatening to sue. Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:32:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/criticism-over-damages-offered-by-german-discounter-for-pakistani-dead-a-862918.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/high-university-tuition-in-england-leads-students-to-germany-a-859447.html#ref=rss Massive tuition hikes and deep cuts to university funding in England are driving increasing numbers of students to look for alternatives abroad. Germany, with a competitive price tag and a fast-growing selection of English-language programs, is hoping to reap the benefits for its own labor market. Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:27:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/high-university-tuition-in-england-leads-students-to-germany-a-859447.html Massive tuition hikes and deep cuts to university funding in England are driving increasing numbers of students to look for alternatives abroad. Germany, with a competitive price tag and a fast-growing selection of English-language programs, is hoping to reap the benefits for its own labor market.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germans-fear-poverty-in-retirement-even-after-life-of-work-a-855352.html#ref=rss For decades, Germans have been able to live out their golden years in comfort. For today's younger generations, however, the retirement dream is turning into a nightmare. Increased life expectancies, an aging population, low birth rates and vanished investment returns have many worrying about a future of poverty. Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germans-fear-poverty-in-retirement-even-after-life-of-work-a-855352.html For decades, Germans have been able to live out their golden years in comfort. For today's younger generations, however, the retirement dream is turning into a nightmare. Increased life expectancies, an aging population, low birth rates and vanished investment returns have many worrying about a future of poverty.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cost-cutting-strategy-backfires-with-cabin-crew-strike-a-855250.html#ref=rss The anger that fueled last week's strike by Lufthansa cabin crew members caught the company off guard. The airline wants to reduce its relatively high personnel costs, but appears to misunderstand how certain efforts to do so have alienated their employees. Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/lufthansa-cost-cutting-strategy-backfires-with-cabin-crew-strike-a-855250.html The anger that fueled last week's strike by Lufthansa cabin crew members caught the company off guard. The airline wants to reduce its relatively high personnel costs, but appears to misunderstand how certain efforts to do so have alienated their employees. ]]>