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Labour market policies

To improve the functioning of labour markets, policymakers need to address labour market mismatches, labour market segmentation, and design employment policies geared towards the integration of specific groups into the labour market. Active labour market policies (ALMP) are public interventions which are explicitly targeted at groups of persons with difficulties in the labour market. These policies include Public Employment Services or other publicly funded services for jobseekers. Active support to employment is included in the European Pillar of Social Rights.
 

Topic

Eurofound research

Explore Eurofound's regularly updated EU PolicyWatch database of measures introduced by governments and social partners in the EU Member States to alleviate the effects on businesses, workers and citizens of recent crises – COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and rising inflation. It also lists policies to support the digital and green transitions, as well companies that need to restructure. 

Database: EU PolicyWatch

Recent updates

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Becoming adults: Young people in a post-pandemic world

During the pandemic, many young people had to change their plans for the future. While at the end of 2023 young people’s labour market situation was more favourable than it...

21 Maijs 2024
Publication
Research report
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Spanish presidency 2023: Eurofound's contribution

From July to December 2023, Eurofound supported the work of Spain's presidency of the Council of the EU, providing valuable research results on specific topics linked with the presidency priorities.

Web page

Eurofound expert(s)

John Hurley

John Hurley

John Hurley is a senior research manager in the Employment unit at Eurofound. He took up the role of research manager in February 2012. He is responsible for the European...

Senior research manager,
Employment research unit
Publications results (149)

Becoming adults: Young people in a post-pandemic world

During the pandemic, many young people had to change their plans for the future. While at the end of 2023 young people’s labour market situation was more favourable than it had been in recent years, many obstacles remained on their route to independence, such as the rising cost of living and

21 May 2024
Publication
Research report
Youth
Living conditions and quality of life
NEETs
Subjective well-being
Psychosocial risks
Labour market policies
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Gender differences in motivation to engage in platform work

The rise of the platform economy during the last decade is one of the main disrupting forces for European labour markets. While standard employment remains the norm, platforms are expanding their reach and diversifying into novel business models. In doing so, they are also attracting an increasing n

16 May 2023
Publication
Policy brief
New forms of employment
Platform work
Gender equality
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Digitalisation
Labour market policies
Labour market participation
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Changing labour markets: How to prevent a mismatch between skills and jobs in times of transition - Background paper

On request by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Eurofound prepared a background paper as a basis for the discussion at the informal Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) meeting on 3-4 May 2023. The paper outlines some of the key challenges

04 May 2023
Publication
Customised report
Skills and training
European Green Deal
Employment and labour markets
Digitalisation
Labour market policies
Just transition

Pasākumi darbaspēka trūkuma novēršanai: Secinājumi turpmākajai politikai

Tā kā ekonomika no Covid-19 pandēmijas sāk atgūties, darbaspēka trūkums kļūst arvien acīmredzamāks, pat neraugoties uz Ukrainas kara ietekmi uz enerģijas un izejvielu cenām. Ietekmējošo faktoru vidū ir darbaspēka trūkums, ko krīze ir saasinājusi dažās nozarēs un profesijās, kurās tas jau kādu laiku

28 March 2023
Publication
Research report
Skills and training
Unemployment
Employment structure
European Green Deal
Nodarbinātība un darba tirgi
COVID-19
Digitālais laikmets: iespējas un izaicinājumi darbam un nodarbinātībai
Labour market policies
Just transition
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ES konverģence: Ģeogrāfiskā dimensija, Covid-19 ietekme un politikas loma

Vēsturiski politiskās debates par ES konverģenci ir kļuvušas aktīvākas pēckrīzes periodā. Pēc Covid-19 pandēmijas šā ziņojuma mērķis ir izvērtēt pēdējo divdesmit gadu konverģences tendences. Pētījuma sākumā ir veikts empīrisks pētījums par ekonomisko, sociālo un institucionālo konverģenci 2004.–2019

22 March 2023
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Sociālās kohēzijas un konverģences veicināšana
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Inequality

EU-ANSA mapping report: Socioeconomic aspects of sustainable development

The European Union Agencies Network on Scientific Advice (EU-ANSA) consists of technical and regulatory agencies that provide scientific advice to EU policymakers. This report demonstrates how EU-ANSA member Agencies are addressing the socioeconomic effects of sustainable development. It is based on

05 January 2022
Publication
Other
Skills and training
Social dialogue
Social policies
Structural change
European Green Deal
Gender equality
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Labour market policies
Just transition
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Initiatives to improve conditions for platform workers: Aims, methods, strengths and weaknesses

The rapid rise of the platform economy has led to a marked transformation of European labour markets, and existing regulatory frameworks and voluntary initiatives have yet to catch up. While platform work offers opportunities for workers and employers and potentially contributes to innovation

02 December 2021
Publication
Policy brief
New forms of employment
Platform work
Employment relationship
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Digitalisation
Labour market policies
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Exploring the social challenges of low carbon energy policies in Europe

This briefing is co-produced by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and Eurofound. It is based on the results of two complementary analyses by the EEA and the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (Eurofound) on the socioeconomic effects of climate policies, in

29 October 2021
Publication
Other
Social policies
Structural change
European Green Deal
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Just transition
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Nesenie notikumi COVID-19 izolācija un pārmaiņas darba tirgū

Covid-19 pandēmija 2020. gadā slēdza vai ierobežoja daudzas saimnieciskās darbības ar tālejošu ietekmi uz darba tirgu. Nodarbinātības samazināšanās pandēmijas sākumā bija straujāka nekā globālās finanšu krīzes laikā. Vēl vairāk nostrādāto stundu skaits samazinājās valsts atbalstītās darbinieku

19 October 2021
Publication
Research report
Darba laiks
Tāldarbs
Employment structure
Nodarbinātība un darba tirgi
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Just transition
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Darbaspēka trūkuma novēršana ES dalībvalstīs

While unemployment is still a huge challenge in Europe, some countries, sectors and occupations are experiencing labour shortages. This report explores various approaches to identifying labour shortages and maps national policy debates around the issue. It documents public and social partner

20 July 2021
Publication
Research report
Skills and training
Unemployment
Employment structure
European Green Deal
European Pillar of Social Rights
Nodarbinātība un darba tirgi
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Online resources results (199)

Social fund and extension of jobs pact agreed at Deutsche Bahn

On 7 June 2000, the rail workers' union TRANSNET (formerly GdED- DE0006263N [1]) and the board of Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG) agreed to an "alliance to safeguard the future" (Bündnis für Zukunftssicherung). This consists of an extension of the existing "pact for jobs" (Beschäftigungspakt) (DE9810277N

27 Jūnijs 2000
Article
Collective bargaining
Restructuring
Labour market policies
Pay and income

Labour and skill shortages intensify

Over recent years, the Irish socio-economic context has changed from "managing economic crisis" to "managing economic growth and rising expectations". While the Irish economy was burdened with mass unemployment and huge debt during the 1980s, there has since been strong economic growth. The

27 Jūnijs 2000
Article
Labour market policies
Gender equality
Skills and training
Job quality

Federal government gives financial support for pilot projects on subsidising low wages

On 4 May 2000, representatives of trade unions and employer's associations within the national "Alliance for Jobs, Training and Competitiveness" (Bündnis für Arbeit, Ausbildung und Wettbewerbfähigkeit [1]) and the Federal Chancellor's office agreed [2] on the introduction in four federal states

27 Maijs 2000
Article
Labour market policies
Social partners

Industrial relations at British Airways - setting a new course?

In the early 1980s, British Airways (BA) was incurring substantial losses, its reputation for reliability was poor, and its costs exceeded those of other major airlines. In order to prepare for privatisation, new managers were appointed by the Conservative Thatcher government to turn the company

27 Aprīlis 2000
Article
Industrial relations
Industrial action
Labour market policies
Industrial relations and social dialogue

DGB greets Lisbon summit targets

The European Council held an extraordinary meeting on 23-24 March 2000 in Lisbon with the aim of agreeing a new strategic goal for the European Union, in order to strengthen employment, economic reform and social cohesion as part of a "knowledge-based economy" (EU0004241F [1]). The current

27 Aprīlis 2000
Article
Social partners
Labour market policies
Teleworking
Employment and labour markets

Greek shipbuilding industry in crisis

The Greek shipbuilding industry, like the wider European industry, is in crisis due to competition from countries with low labour costs. Greek shipyards have been forced to make a series of structural changes which have resulted in lower employment levels, but which are gradually creating the

27 Februāris 2000
Article
Labour market policies
Employment and labour markets

Employers demand new labour market policy

In January 2000, the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände, BDA) presented a paper in which it calls for fundamental reforms in labour market policy. These proposals are embedded in a fundamental criticism of the current economy policy

27 Februāris 2000
Article
Social partners
Labour market policies
Social protection
Job creation
Employment and labour markets

Employment-related provisions of budget law for 2000

Italy's budget law for 2000 was approved in December 1999. The government's aim in the budget is to foster the growth of the Italian economy and to continue with the policy of redeeming the public debt. The law's provisions include a reduction of the tax burden and of labour costs, an expansion of

27 Janvāris 2000
Article
Labour market policies
Non-standard employment
Social protection
Pay and income

Crisis in Norwegian shipbuilding

Since 1998, the Norwegian shipbuilding industry has witnessed dramatic reductions in orders and Norwegian shipyards have experienced significant losses of income. The slump followed several successive years of growth, which reached a peak in 1997. As a result of this turnaround, wide-ranging

27 Janvāris 2000
Article
Industrial relations
Labour market policies
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Studies relaunch debate on further liberalisation of shop opening hours

On 12 October 1999, two social and economic research institutes, namely the Dortmund Institute for Social Research (Sozialforschungsstelle Dortmund, SFS) and the Munich-based Ifo Institute for Economic Research (Ifo Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung) submitted reports on the effects of longer

27 Decembris 1999
Article
Labour market policies
Blogs results (10)
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EU lack of labour won't be solved by skills alone: Improving job quality is key

The European Commission declared 2023 as the European Year of Skills, stating ‘Helping people get the right skills for quality jobs and helping companies, in particular small and medium enterprises, address skills shortages in the EU is what this year is all about.’

27 Marts 2023
Tina Weber
Blog
Skills and training
Working conditions
Gender equality
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
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Recovering from this pandemic means rebuilding hope for the future

We need to study and understand the blow Europe’s youth have suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to adjust recovery and resilience measures to their needs: without prioritising young people in the present, we have little hope for the future.

3 Decembris 2021
Ivailo Kalfin
Blog
Youth
Subjective well-being
COVID-19
Labour market policies
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The pandemic aggravated labour shortages in some sectors; the problem is now emerging in others

Following the declines in employment rates and working hours across Europe in 2020, economies began to show signs of recovery during the first quarter of 2021. The gradual rekindling of economic activity has led to a surge in demand for workers and reawakened concerns over labour shortages

20 Jūlijs 2021
Dragoș Adăscăliței
Blog
Skills and training
Employment structure
European Pillar of Social Rights
Employment and labour markets
COVID-19
Labour market policies
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Minimum wages rise again, but the pandemic puts a brake on their growth

Decision-makers approached minimum wage setting for 2021 cautiously due to the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Despite this, nominal statutory minimum wages rose in most Member States and the UK, although at lower rates than in recent years.

8 Jūnijs 2021
Carlos Vacas‑Soriano
Blog
Social dialogue
Pay and income
Working poor
Minimum wage
European Pillar of Social Rights
Labour market policies
Industrial relations and social dialogue
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Two worlds of income support during COVID-19

​​​​​​​To date, close to six million workers in the EU have lost their jobs due to COVID-19. Many businesses have closed their doors forever or been pushed to the brink, bringing severe financial and psychological hardship to the individuals and families affected. However, the toll of the pandemic

9 Februāris 2021
Tina Weber
Blog
COVID-19
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Pay and income
Social protection
Unemployment
Working time
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Can short-time working save jobs during the COVID-19 crisis?

On 2 April, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a new fund of up to €100 billion to support EU Member States to introduce short-time working or similar schemes, including for the self-employed, in an effort to safeguard jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as SURE

5 Maijs 2020
Tina Weber
Blog
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Labour and social regulation
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Europe’s low-carbon transition makes economic sense

At the very outset of its mandate, the new European Commission presented the European Green Deal, establishing the objective of becoming the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050. The initiative emphasises the seriousness which the European Commission places on the climate and biodiversity

21 Februāris 2020
James Higgins
Blog
Employment and labour markets
European Green Deal
Industrial policy
Job creation
Just transition
Labour market policies
Structural change
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Where are all the good jobs?

Economic disparities have been decreasing between EU member states over the past decade, but at the same time inequality has been growing within member states. Despite national level convergence, the gap in wealth and income between the rich and the poor is growing in most of Europe. Some of this

29 Oktobris 2019
John Hurley
Blog
Employment structure
Labour market policies
Job creation
Job quality
Employment and labour markets
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The challenge of plenty: Tackling labour shortages in the EU

Unemployment in the EU is continuing to fall, with the rate approaching its 2008 low point. This is good news: the Europe 2020 target of 75% employment in the working age population is now in sight for many Member States. However, as unemployment reaches new lows, the opposite problem is emerging –

19 Novembris 2018
Catherine Cerf
Blog
Labour market participation
Labour market policies
Migration and mobility
Working conditions
Working conditions and sustainable work
Working time
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Platform work – Breaking barriers or breaking bad?

In the abstract, platform work is the matching of supply and demand for paid work through an online platform. In practice, most people are likely to have encountered it through big online platforms such as Uber, Deliveroo or Amazon Mechanical Turk. This is a new form employment that began to emerge

2 Novembris 2018
Irene Mandl
Blog
Platform work
Working conditions
New forms of employment
Digitalisation
Labour market policies
Anticipating and managing the impact of change
Working conditions and sustainable work
Upcoming publications results (2)

Company practices to tackle labour shortages

This report provides updated data on the scale of labour shortages and labour market slack in the EU and at Member State level and focusses on organisational policies aimed at attracting workers in shortage occupations. It provides lessons on steps employers can take to fill vacancies, whether actin

September 2024
Forthcoming
Publication
Research report
Employment and labour markets
Job creation
Labour market policies

COVID-19 support measures and their effects on mitigating the longer-term consequences of COVID-19 for business, work and employment

Job retention schemes were the main policy instruments used across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic to preserve employment and support businesses. The report provides an analysis of job retention schemes in the EU, focusing on their institutional characteristics, their impact on employment levels

September 2024
Forthcoming
Publication
Research report
COVID-19
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies

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