Hairdressers On The March

Forget the refugee crisis, Greece, the euro, Brexit, climate change. One of the more hair-raising crises to hit Europe’s shores in recent years is the exploitation of the continent’s hair stylists. “The health and safety of hairdressers is not a ‘small thing’ — they are at very high risk of developing skin ailments, musculoskeletal diseases and occupational asthma,” Oliver Roethig, regional secretary of union UNI Europa, said in a statement. The group and its allies feel the European Commission has “mocked” them.

This week they plastered the area around Berlaymont (Brussels) with posters demanding tougher standards. The campaign’s catchy slogan: “Better Regulation — it really isn’t.” Is it ever?