Tag: youth unemployment

Almost nine million people in the European Union were considered “underemployed” in 2011, according to new Eurostat figures. These numbers add to the growing ranks of nearly 25 million unemployed in the EU, highlighting a ticking social time-bomb.

Workplace inequalities have increased significantly across Europe as a result of the global economic crisis – harshly affecting temporary and low-skilled workers, women and young people – and will continue to do so as more and more countries introduce austerity measures and labour market reforms, says Daniel Vaughan-Whitehead of the International Labour Organization.

EU leaders agreed yesterday (30 January) a treaty on tighter fiscal rules to preserve the eurozone from new crises. But the Czech Republic said it would not sign it for now due to ratification difficulties, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy said his country is unlikely to ratify before the 6 May presidential election.

To reduce youth unemployment, training and education might not be enough, Peter Matjašič, president of the European Youth Forum, told EurActiv in an interview. Turning young people into entrepreneurs could be the solution, he said.

Convinced that economic growth patterns of the past will not be viable in the future, the European Commission has started a crucial dialogue with stakeholders to ensure that social enterprises are given the means and the recognition to grow, as it is fully aware that policies alone are not enough.

Europe's recovery cannot succeed if European societies continue to economically and politically exclude their young people, argue Henri Lastenouse and Xavier Damman.

The wide wealth gaps between Europe's regions can mostly be explained by using just a handful of measures related to 'human capital' including youth unemployment, research and innovation, according to research published this week (28 February).

The European Commission yesterday (15 September) launched its flagship initiative to tackle youth unemployment and promote mobility, but critics have already said that it mainly re-brands existing funding and will largely rely on member states for its implementation.

Ninety-five percent of participants in the EU's 'Youth in Action' programme improve their language skills, while two-thirds (66%) believe the experience boosted their job prospects, according to a survey of the scheme's effectiveness published last week. 

EU unemployment levels will continue to rise and are expected to breach the 10% mark in 2010, while young people are the worst affected by mass joblessness, a report by the European Commission has found.

Newly unemployed people in need of loans to start their own businesses will be able to avail of up to €25,000 in the form of loans and credit guarantees from the European Union. The scheme, especially targeted at young people, will make €100 million available over a four-year period.

Meeting in Luxembourg on 9 June, European labour ministers called on the Commission and national governments to accelerate measures to increase the proportion of people aged 24 and under who hold a regular job. 

Welfare reforms and privatisations, but no new euro referendum, form the agenda of new Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt of the centre-right coalition which ousted the Social Democrats.  

The article argues that the EU's policy-makers have missed one of Europe's key labour market challenges: eastward enlargement.

This paper aims to explain the advantages of using the principle of mutual recognition, instead of equal treatement, in the Union's labour markets.