Photo : Fabian Bimmer/REUTERS
15 November 2023, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #673
EM in Brief
By Padmashree Anandhan
FINLAND
Interior ministry to propose border closure over entry of asylum seeker without documents
On 14 November, Finland’s government criticised Russia was allowing asylum seekers to enter Finland without required travel documents. Calling it a “international crime,” Finland’s border service recorded 91 undocumented migrants without visas since August. According to the authorities, the individuals belonged to third countries were transiting through Russia had increased in number in past months. Petteri Orpo, Finland’s Prime Minister highlighted the unfamiliarity of the government over information about the migrants. He said: “The Russian border guard has clearly changed its practice. They allow people to cross the border without valid travel documents.” In response to this, Finland’s interior minister proposed to prepare a draft for border closure to restrict the border crossings and cross-border traffic. (Pierre Emmanuel Ngendakumana, “Finland considers closing border with Russia amid spike in asylum seekers,” POLITICO, 14 November 2023)
GERMANY
Rail union announces 20-hour strike
On 14 November, Deutsche Welle reported on train strike announced by Germany’s rail union. According to the report, Germany’s GDL train drivers union announced a 20-hour warning strike between 15 to 16 November, which is expected to disrupt train services. The main demand of the protestors is salary raise of EUR 555 per month apart of the one-time payment of EUR 3000 to handle inflation. The union also aims to reduce working hours from 38 to 35 hours. Talks between the union and Deutsche Bahn (DB) state owned rail operator began last week and is expected to continue till 16 November. The DB has agreed to increase by 11 per cent and stressed it unwillingness to discuss union’s core demands. Earlier in 2023, the union and the rail operator signed an agreement to increase pay of EUR 410 per month. (“German rail union announces 20-hour train strike,” Deutsche Welle, 14 November 2023)
Federal Statistics Office report increase in insolvency applications
On 14 November, Germany’s Federal Statistics Office (Destatis) published an annual report on increasing insolvency among businesses and individuals in Germany. According to the report, insolvency application rose by 22.4 per cent as of October 2023 which was 19.5 per cent in September 2023. This insolvency application includes, companies under framework of orderly insolvency process and not those which are forced into bankruptcy. Experts stated that despite a weak overall economy, they predict this to be a wave and not a tsunami of bankruptcies. According to chairman of the German Registered Association of Insolvency Administrators (VID), Germany’s state assistance and relaxation of rules on forced insolvency during COVID-19 combined with energy crisis has helped the company afloat, implying normal insolvencies to occur. (“Germany: Number of bankruptcies continues to grow,” Deutsche Welle, 14 November 2023)
ICELAND
Iceland government prepared for evacuation ahead of seismic activity
On 13 November, Iceland’s meteorological office reported on the higher chances of a volcanic eruption in its southern peninsula. Seismic activity seems to be reduced, but the office still issued warning in Grindavik town which has experienced minor earthquakes resulting in damaged public infrastructure. Ahead of this, the emergency response team asked the people residing in the town to evacuate on 11 November. The Reykjanes Peninsula is observed to the hotspot of seismic activity of Iceland. In 2021, the lava erupted from fissure in the ground spreading to 500-750 meters in Fagradalsfjall volcanic system. Similarly there were two more eruptions in August 2022 and July 2023. (“Iceland braces for eruption as fissures emerge in Grindavik,” Deutsche Welle, 14 November 2023)
THE UK
Supreme Court rules government Rwanda plan as unlawful
On 15 November, highlighting the “poor human rights record,” Rwanda’s 100 per cent rejection of asylum claims, and concerns over reliability of Rwanda, Reed ruled the scheme as unlawful. In April 2022, the government announced its plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda. In June 2022, the first flight with the asylum seekers scheduled to reach Rwanda was cancelled on European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) intervention. During December 2022 and October 2023, the High Court along with the Supreme Court investigation the case. The High Court ruled the deportation scheme as lawful whereas Court of Appeal ruled it as unlawful resulting to the case proceeding to Supreme Court hearing. In the final ruling of the Supreme Court, Lord Reed stated that unless a country qualifies as a safe country for refoulement and no risk present for those send to Rwanda only then it can be considered safe. (“Rwanda asylum plan unlawful, UK Supreme Court rules,” BBC, 15 November 2023)
REGIONAL
European Commission reports stagnation in reducing the gender pay gap
On 14 November, the European Commission reported on the persisting gender pay gap in Europe. According to the report, women earn 13 per cent less than men on an average, similar to 2022, in 2023 for every EUR one earned by a man, a woman earns only 87 cents. Currently the gender pay gap decreased by 2.8 per cent and the commission reiterated: “Equal pay for the same work or work of equal value is one of the founding principles of the EU. It was laid down in the Treaty of Rome in 1957.” Still the progress on eradicating the pay gap has been on slow trail. Earlier to address this, the Commission adopted the Pay Transparency Directive in June 2023 to ensure the employers applied principles of equal pay and allotted EUR 6.1 million to member states to implement the directive. Yet the progress is yet to utilise. (“EU: Gender pay gap still at 13%, commission says,” Deutsche Welle, 14 November 2023)