Wouter van de Klippe
@woutervandeklippe.bsky.social
Freelance EU labour journalist | MA Public Policy & Msc Science and Technology Studies.
Substack: https://klippe.substack.com/
Website: https://wouter-vandeklippe.com/
Substack: https://klippe.substack.com/
Website: https://wouter-vandeklippe.com/
My newest for @euobserver.com follows the story of securing rights for food delivery workers after Spain's passing of the landmark Rider Law.
While the law was a major step, the process that followed was lengthy and saw years of falsely classified self-employment for these workers.
While the law was a major step, the process that followed was lengthy and saw years of falsely classified self-employment for these workers.
EU gig-workers still exploited, despite landmark laws
EU gig-workers still exploited, despite landmark laws
Spain’s 2021 'Rider Law' reclassified food couriers as employees, in a landmark for gig-worker rights. But despite progress, riders such as Fernando García in Madrid, and others in the EU, still face an uphill struggle.
euobserver.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:51 AM
My newest for @euobserver.com follows the story of securing rights for food delivery workers after Spain's passing of the landmark Rider Law.
While the law was a major step, the process that followed was lengthy and saw years of falsely classified self-employment for these workers.
While the law was a major step, the process that followed was lengthy and saw years of falsely classified self-employment for these workers.
Weakening EU's due diligence rules a 'betrayal' for workers.
While much of the Omnibus discussion focuses on distant impacts, experts and trade union reps described that impacts will be massive for workers across the EU.
Read my latest in @euobserver.com.
While much of the Omnibus discussion focuses on distant impacts, experts and trade union reps described that impacts will be massive for workers across the EU.
Read my latest in @euobserver.com.
How weakening due diligence EU rules became a ‘betrayal’ for workers
The proposed rollback of the EU’s corporate accountability rules will significantly weaken their ability to address labour violations within the EU, experts and labour union representatives told EUobs...
euobserver.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Weakening EU's due diligence rules a 'betrayal' for workers.
While much of the Omnibus discussion focuses on distant impacts, experts and trade union reps described that impacts will be massive for workers across the EU.
Read my latest in @euobserver.com.
While much of the Omnibus discussion focuses on distant impacts, experts and trade union reps described that impacts will be massive for workers across the EU.
Read my latest in @euobserver.com.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
The proposed rollback of the EU’s corporate accountability rules will significantly weaken their ability to address labour violations within the EU, experts and labour union representatives told EUobserver.
How weakening due diligence EU rules became a ‘betrayal’ for workers
The proposed rollback of the EU’s corporate accountability rules will significantly weaken their ability to address labour violations within the EU, experts and labour union representatives told EUobserver.
euobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The proposed rollback of the EU’s corporate accountability rules will significantly weaken their ability to address labour violations within the EU, experts and labour union representatives told EUobserver.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
Uganda has passed one of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world and is described as a living hell for lgbtq+ people. Meanwhile, the Netherlands strikes a deal with the Ugandan government to send rejected asylum seekers there.
September 27, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Uganda has passed one of the harshest anti-gay laws in the world and is described as a living hell for lgbtq+ people. Meanwhile, the Netherlands strikes a deal with the Ugandan government to send rejected asylum seekers there.
Having grown up in the US and lived in Europe since adulthood, I’m always struck by the fact that Europeans have no idea how bad it can get if the continent’s healthcare systems aren’t defended.
I’m even more struck by the failure of left parties to campaign on that fact effectively.
I’m even more struck by the failure of left parties to campaign on that fact effectively.
Tell me about Europe's problems again, please.
Deborah Buttgereit fell and fractured her arm. Doctors told her she needed surgery to repair it.
Then the bill came: $97,998.
After the hospital applied a self-pay discount, Buttgereit was on the hook for $78,398.40.
Then the bill came: $97,998.
After the hospital applied a self-pay discount, Buttgereit was on the hook for $78,398.40.
September 24, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Having grown up in the US and lived in Europe since adulthood, I’m always struck by the fact that Europeans have no idea how bad it can get if the continent’s healthcare systems aren’t defended.
I’m even more struck by the failure of left parties to campaign on that fact effectively.
I’m even more struck by the failure of left parties to campaign on that fact effectively.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
September 12, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
This morning, we published a story saying that European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen auto-deletes all her text messages on the Signal app, including those with an EU leader, president Emmanuel Macron of France.
Here is why this is a massive problem for public accountability. 🧵
Here is why this is a massive problem for public accountability. 🧵
September 1, 2025 at 7:42 AM
This morning, we published a story saying that European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen auto-deletes all her text messages on the Signal app, including those with an EU leader, president Emmanuel Macron of France.
Here is why this is a massive problem for public accountability. 🧵
Here is why this is a massive problem for public accountability. 🧵
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
Warnings From Weimar
Why bargaining with authoritarians fails.
www.foreignaffairs.com
August 28, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
Israel could still face an avalanche of EU sanctions despite its veto-holding allies in the Council, former diplomats have said.
Israel could face massive EU sanctions, despite veto
Israel could still face an avalanche of EU sanctions despite its veto-holding allies in the Council, former diplomats have said.
euobserver.com
August 27, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Israel could still face an avalanche of EU sanctions despite its veto-holding allies in the Council, former diplomats have said.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
Call for help! @katemac.bsky.social & I are writing about Insurance in the Polycrisis.
Send us reading material, interesting things happening in the world, your takes 🙏
www.phenomenalworld.org/series/the-p...
Send us reading material, interesting things happening in the world, your takes 🙏
www.phenomenalworld.org/series/the-p...
The Polycrisis
A project by Kate Mackenzie and Tim Sahay, focused on today’s intersecting crises and the political economy of climate change.
www.phenomenalworld.org
August 26, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Call for help! @katemac.bsky.social & I are writing about Insurance in the Polycrisis.
Send us reading material, interesting things happening in the world, your takes 🙏
www.phenomenalworld.org/series/the-p...
Send us reading material, interesting things happening in the world, your takes 🙏
www.phenomenalworld.org/series/the-p...
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
we heterodox economists have been saying this for decades, but now Big Finance is saying it, you know it's the end of liberal macro institutions, a death brought to you by Donald Trump.
August 26, 2025 at 9:17 AM
we heterodox economists have been saying this for decades, but now Big Finance is saying it, you know it's the end of liberal macro institutions, a death brought to you by Donald Trump.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
I think it's time to give up the idea that Capital only thrives under liberal institutions.
I'm totally baffled abt the markets. Where is Capital? Trump is messing w/ govt data; imposing tariffs; flirting w/ default; meddling in corporate management.
Where are the CEO complaints? The bond vigilantes? Where are billionaire hedge funders who trade on good data? Was Capital's power a mirage?
Where are the CEO complaints? The bond vigilantes? Where are billionaire hedge funders who trade on good data? Was Capital's power a mirage?
"Antoni is the chief economist at the Heritage Foundation. He has been a relentless booster of Trump’s policies on social media. And he has demonstrated time and again that he does not understand economic statistics." With embarrassing examples from trade, employment, LFP, UI.... [Dominic Pino, NRO]
August 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
I think it's time to give up the idea that Capital only thrives under liberal institutions.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
It's been a while since I wrote something on my substack.
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
Who writes the EU's laws again?
On the EU-US trade deal and how it could hurt Europe's workers.
open.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It's been a while since I wrote something on my substack.
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
It's been a while since I wrote something on my substack.
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
Who writes the EU's laws again?
On the EU-US trade deal and how it could hurt Europe's workers.
open.substack.com
August 22, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It's been a while since I wrote something on my substack.
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
Loads of people are writing on how the trade deal will impact the environment - fewer covering that the US exemptions potentially undermine some of the EU's most powerful tools for fighting labour abuse. 👇
open.substack.com/pub/klippe/p...
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
The CEOs of the country's lowest-paying large companies made $17.2 million on average last year. Their workers made $35,570.
The Wage Gap Between CEOs And Workers Is Widening—And This Popular Company Is The Biggest Offender
The CEOs of the country's lowest-paying large companies made $17.2 million on average last year. Their workers made $35,570.
www.forbes.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The CEOs of the country's lowest-paying large companies made $17.2 million on average last year. Their workers made $35,570.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
NEW: After DOGE outed Mohammad Halimi on social media, Taliban intelligence agents blindfolded and took three of his family members to a remote prison.
They were repeatedly beaten and questioned about Halimi and his recently publicized work for the United States.
They were repeatedly beaten and questioned about Halimi and his recently publicized work for the United States.
DOGE Targeted Him on Social Media. Then the Taliban Took His Family.
Afghan scholar Mohammad Halimi, who fled the Taliban in 2021, had worked to help U.S. diplomats understand his homeland. Then DOGE put his family’s lives at risk by exposing his sensitive work for a U...
www.propublica.org
August 22, 2025 at 10:34 AM
NEW: After DOGE outed Mohammad Halimi on social media, Taliban intelligence agents blindfolded and took three of his family members to a remote prison.
They were repeatedly beaten and questioned about Halimi and his recently publicized work for the United States.
They were repeatedly beaten and questioned about Halimi and his recently publicized work for the United States.
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
Journalism is facing a structural crisis with far-reaching effects on those working in the industry. In this climate, how are freelance reporters faring in France, Italy, and Spain? The short answer: not well.
Freelance journalists in Europe: the costs of independence
Journalism is facing a structural crisis with far-reaching effects on those working in the industry. In this climate, how are freelance reporters faring in France, Italy, and Spain? The short answer: not well.
euobserver.com
August 22, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Journalism is facing a structural crisis with far-reaching effects on those working in the industry. In this climate, how are freelance reporters faring in France, Italy, and Spain? The short answer: not well.
"Andreas Rasche, professor and dean of Copenhagen Business School, said on social media that Thursday's communication "clearly shows" the EU is "prepared to downscale regulations" when asked by Washington."
This represents another blow against the movement for international labour standards.
This represents another blow against the movement for international labour standards.
The latest EU-US trade-deal details show Brussels has bowed to Washington's demands to weaken its due diligence and sustainability reporting standards (CSDDD and CSRD) while resisting any changes to EU digital regulations.
EU caves to US on sustainability rules in trade deal but keeps digital laws intact
The latest EU-US trade-deal details show Brussels has bowed to Washington's demands to weaken its due diligence and sustainability reporting standards (CSDDD and CSRD) while resisting any changes to EU digital regulations.
euobserver.com
August 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM
"Andreas Rasche, professor and dean of Copenhagen Business School, said on social media that Thursday's communication "clearly shows" the EU is "prepared to downscale regulations" when asked by Washington."
This represents another blow against the movement for international labour standards.
This represents another blow against the movement for international labour standards.
Joint statement on the US-EU trade deal is out.
Read it here: policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/joint-s...
On arms:
"The European Union plans to substantially increase procurement of military and defence equipment from the United States, with the support and facilitation of the US government."
Read it here: policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/joint-s...
On arms:
"The European Union plans to substantially increase procurement of military and defence equipment from the United States, with the support and facilitation of the US government."
Joint Statement on a United States-European Union framework on an agreement on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade
The United States and the European Union are pleased to announce that they have agreed on a Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade ('Framework Agreement').
policy.trade.ec.europa.eu
August 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Joint statement on the US-EU trade deal is out.
Read it here: policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/joint-s...
On arms:
"The European Union plans to substantially increase procurement of military and defence equipment from the United States, with the support and facilitation of the US government."
Read it here: policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/news/joint-s...
On arms:
"The European Union plans to substantially increase procurement of military and defence equipment from the United States, with the support and facilitation of the US government."
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
They say phones only make us miserable but I just got this news alert and laughed for a solid minute so who is to say
August 21, 2025 at 2:28 AM
They say phones only make us miserable but I just got this news alert and laughed for a solid minute so who is to say
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out
to WACO: World Always Chickens Out
We are now at EMPANADA:
Everyone Makes Promises And Never Actually Does Anything?
buttondown.com/polycrisisdi...
to WACO: World Always Chickens Out
We are now at EMPANADA:
Everyone Makes Promises And Never Actually Does Anything?
buttondown.com/polycrisisdi...
Taco is Dead. Long Live Empanada
EMPANDA — Everyone Makes Promises And Never Actually Does Anything? The last two weeks have seen a flurry of Trump tariff deals before the August 1st...
buttondown.com
August 5, 2025 at 3:52 AM
TACO: Trump Always Chickens Out
to WACO: World Always Chickens Out
We are now at EMPANADA:
Everyone Makes Promises And Never Actually Does Anything?
buttondown.com/polycrisisdi...
to WACO: World Always Chickens Out
We are now at EMPANADA:
Everyone Makes Promises And Never Actually Does Anything?
buttondown.com/polycrisisdi...
As we watch these wildfires rage in Southern Europe, I'm reminded of the fact that 12 EU member states *reduced* their number of firefighters between 2022-23 due austerity cuts - despite Europe being the fastest warming continent.
From: www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
@etuc-ces.bsky.social
From: www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
@etuc-ces.bsky.social
August 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
As we watch these wildfires rage in Southern Europe, I'm reminded of the fact that 12 EU member states *reduced* their number of firefighters between 2022-23 due austerity cuts - despite Europe being the fastest warming continent.
From: www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
@etuc-ces.bsky.social
From: www.etuc.org/en/pressrele...
@etuc-ces.bsky.social
Reposted by Wouter van de Klippe
How German media outlets helped pave the way for Israel’s murder of journalists in Gaza - my latest @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
How German media outlets helped pave the way for Israel’s murder of journalists in Gaza | Hanno Hauenstein
In the run-up to this week’s deadly attacks, stories linking Palestinian reporters to Hamas gained currency, says Berlin-based journalist Hanno Hauenstein
www.theguardian.com
August 13, 2025 at 5:57 PM
How German media outlets helped pave the way for Israel’s murder of journalists in Gaza - my latest @theguardian.com
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...