About: labour market

Germany’s big scramble for Ukrainian workers

The growing shortage of skilled labour may soon threaten productivity in Germany, and Europe's biggest economy is now scrambling to make the most of well-trained Ukrainian refugees as Russia's war on Ukraine enters its third month

Worst yet to come? Jobs and Cohesion in 2021

As the EU economy reels from the pandemic, forecasts suggest that unemployment rates across the bloc may hit their peak this year. At the same time, some 20% of firms foresee a permanent reduction in employment, according to the European Investment Bank's (EIB) investment report published last Thursday (21 January).

ILO warns of ‘devastating’ consequences of COVID-19 on labour markets

Lockdown measures decided across the globe to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, are having “devastating” consequences on labour markets, affecting around 81% of the world’s workforce, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) warned on Tuesday (7 April).

‘NEETs’: A youth group at high risk of poverty and exclusion

Education and skills gaps are not only a challenge for businesses seeking to recruit, they also make poverty and social exclusion more likely among young people who are excluded from labour and education at the same time. 

Two centuries to close the economic gender gap

Women will have to wait two centuries to have as many economic opportunities as their male colleagues, the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020 published on Tuesday (17 December) warns.

In-work-poverty increasing in spite of economic growth, study reveals

Social inequalities, including in-work-poverty, have increased in the aftermath of the 2008 economic crisis, according to the findings of a study released by SOLIDAR, published on Wednesday (13 November).

Make the digital transition fair as well, experts warn

The world of work is changing dramatically as a consequence of the digital transformation, while the social protection systems are often not added to the new realities of the labour market, experts warned during an event hosted by EURACTIV.

New report paints picture of rising inequality in Germany

With falling unemployment, increased exports and comparatively stable growth rates. Germany's statistics paint a positive picture. But many Germans have been left behind, EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany needs a quarter of a million migrant workers a year

Germany is dependent on migrant workers but a decreasing number of them will be EU citizens in the future. In the long term, about 146,000 immigrants from outside of the EU will have to be integrated into the German labour market every year, according to a recent study. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Commission levels up France on economic imbalances

The Commission highlights the progress of French competitiveness but also points out structural issues in the French economy. EURACTIV.fr reports.

Brussels welcomes French labour reforms as unions and left camp complain

Decried by the opposition and trade unions, the French labor reforms are praised by the European Commission and employers. EURACTIV France reports.

Greece cracks down on voucher misuse by employers

The growing trend of distributing vouchers to employees to avoid taxes has raised eyebrows in the Greek government, which has moved to crack down on unprecedented levels of tax evasion in the cash-strapped country.

Top business lobby unveils economic wish list ahead of French election

France’s biggest business group has sent its “blue book” to all the presidential candidates, summing up the economic and social demands it says must be met to relaunch economic growth and rebuild business “confidence”. Euractiv’s partner La Tribune reports.

UK employers worry EU workers will leave this year

More than a quarter of employers in Britain say staff members from other European Union countries have considered leaving their firms or the country in 2017 after last year's Brexit vote, an industry group said on Monday (13 February).

EU eSkills campaigns reduce gap in the labour market

The eSkills campaigns, launched in 2010, have contributed to reducing the gap in the EU between demand and supply of digital skills jobs, according to the European Commission.

Substantial number of refugees hold illegal jobs in Germany

Many refugees in Germany are in illegal employment, according to radio station NDR. In addition to poor working conditions, the employees at times earn just €1 an hour. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Two fifths of Europeans are digitally illiterate

The European Commission wants to sink the 40% average of people who have little or no ability to use technology.

German nursing sector hesitant to recruit abroad

Almost all parts of Germany have a shortage of qualified nursing staff. But healthcare providers are reluctant to recruit skilled workers from abroad, according to a recent study by the Bertelsmann Foundation.

Bundestag approves Germany’s first universal minimum wage

The German Bundestag gave the green light on Thursday (3 July) to introduce a universal wage floor in the Federal Republic, drawing the final line under a 10-year political debate and with only five representatives voting against the law. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Unemployment marks the divide between France and Germany

As unemployment rates are increasing in France while decreasing in Germany, the French government could hire a German advisor to remedy the situation, EURACTIV France reports.

Japanese-style productivity has side effects for EU automotive workers

SPECIAL REPORT / Ever since European car manufacturers tried to match Japanese-style productivity, the health and safety of the EU automotive sector has declined, say researchers.

Unions: Men and women more equal, but not on workplace health, safety

SPECIAL REPORT / Even though politicians and trade unions have tried for many years to tackle gender inequality in the EU labour market, gaps persist. But they have become smaller during the financial crisis, experts say.

Life-long learning can transform EU labour markets, experts say

SPECIAL REPORT / With increased life expectancies and an ageing workforce, politicians and employers alike must invest in life-long learning programmes so that workers fully adapt to new working conditions and are able to seize new opportunities, experts say.

Commission too optimistic in economic growth forecasts, analyst says

Even if the European Commission seems slightly optimistic about future growth in the EU, some consider the EU executive’s forecast too rosy and warn against underestimating other risks. This has systematically been the case in the past years of crisis.