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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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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

Środki mające na celu zaradzenie niedoborom siły roboczej: wnioski dla przyszłej polityki

Wraz z ożywieniem gospodarczym po pandemii COVID-19 niedobory siły roboczej stają się coraz bardziej widoczne pomimo wpływu wojny na Ukrainie na ceny energii i towarów. Należą do nich niedobory pogłębione przez kryzys w niektórych sektorach i zawodach, w których były one od pewnego czasu powszechne

28 March 2023
Publication
Research report
Skills and training
Unemployment
Employment structure
European Green Deal
Zatrudnienie i rynki pracy
COVID-19
Epoka cyfrowa: możliwości i wyzwania w obszarze pracy i zatrudnienia
Labour market policies
Just transition
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Konwergencja UE: wymiar geograficzny, wpływ COVID 19 i rola polityki

Patrząc na ostatnie wydarzenia, debata polityczna na temat konwergencji UE nabrała tempa w następstwie kryzysu. Celem przedmiotowego sprawozdania jest podsumowanie ostatnich dwóch dekad tendencji konwergencji w kontekście pandemii COVID 19. Badanie rozpoczęto od empirycznej analizy konwergencji

22 March 2023
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Promowanie spójności i konwergencji społecznej
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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Ostatnie wydarzenia: lockdowny związane z COVID 19 a zmiany na rynku pracy

W 2020 r. pandemia COVID 19 doprowadziła do zamknięcia lub ograniczenia wielu obszarów działalności gospodarczej, a to miało daleko idące skutki na rynku pracy. Spadki zatrudnienia na początku pandemii były ostrzejsze niż w czasie globalnego kryzysu finansowego. Jeszcze większa była skala

19 October 2021
Publication
Research report
Czas pracy
Telepraca
Employment structure
Zatrudnienie i rynki pracy
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Just transition
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Przeciwdziałanie niedoborom pracowników w państwach członkowskich UE

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
Zatrudnienie i rynki pracy
COVID-19
Labour market policies
Online resources results (199)

Rapid conclusion to bargaining round in construction

On 21 April 1999, employers and trade unions concluded pay agreements for *construction sector wage earners* which have an unusually lengthy duration of 24 months. The signatories were the Union of Construction and Wood Workers (Gewerkschaft Bau-Holz, GBH) and the Association of Industrial Employers

27 Maj 1999
Article
Pay and income
Labour market policies
Working conditions
Working conditions and sustainable work

UK trade unions and the euro

A one-day conference to discuss the UK's potential participation in the European single currency was held in London on 13 May by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) as part of its policy of encouraging debate and disseminating information about the euro. TUC general secretary John Monks and some key

27 Maj 1999
Article
Labour market policies

Union examines EMU, employment and industrial relations in banking

EMU membership will mean that employment will decline in Greek banking and that the sector's industrial relations will need to be altered in the direction of a consultative model. These are the conclusions of a study completed in April 1999 by the Institute of Labour of the Greek Federation of Bank

27 Maj 1999
Article
Labour market policies
Work organisation

Employability and adaptability in the Portuguese NAP

In spring 1999, Portugal's National Action Plan (NAP) in response to the EU Employment Guidelines had been in effect for a year. We review its provisions on employability and adaptability and the results achieved so far.

27 Kwiecień 1999
Article
Labour market policies
Skills and training
Employment and labour markets

Sectoral bargaining provides important test on hours, flexibility and bargaining structure

According to recent estimates, in 1999 around 9 million Italian workers will be involved in the round of renewals of sectoral collective agreements. These are especially important negotiations because they come immediately after December 1998's confirmation of the July 1993 national tripartite

27 luty 1999
Article
Collective bargaining
Labour market policies
Industrial relations
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Economic and Social Committee introduces work programme for 1999-2000

On 2-3 December 1998, the President of the Economic and Social Committee (ESC), Beatrice Rangoni Machiavelli, presented the main components of the Committee's new work programme. Also present at the ESC plenary session in Brussels were Pádraig Flynn, the member of the European Commission whose

27 Styczeń 1999
Article
Social dialogue
Labour market policies
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations
Industrial relations and social dialogue

Less agreement on link between pay and competitiveness

Since 1987, when the Government, trade unions and employers' organisations agreed the so-called joint declaration, collective bargaining on pay in Denmark has been based on the principle that total pay trends must be below the pay rises in Denmark's competitors, particularly Sweden and Germany. This

27 Styczeń 1999
Article
Collective bargaining
Pay and income
Labour market policies
Industrial relations
Employment and labour markets
Industrial relations and social dialogue

National Action Plan on Employment poses challenges

In 1998, the number of people in employment in Austria rose by 22,000 or 0.7% to 3,077,000 on annual average. At the same time, unemployment also rose, with the annual average standing at 237,794, up from 233,348. History thereby repeated itself: over the period that the economy was growing at an

27 Styczeń 1999
Article
Labour market policies
Employment and labour markets

National Action Plan on employment still not approved

Luxembourg's National Action Plan on employment, in response to the EU Employment Guidelines, had still not been adopted by the Chamber of Deputies in January 1999. The Council of State continued to express formal opposition on a number of points, while the consultative Chamber representing white

27 Styczeń 1999
Article
Labour and social regulation
Labour market policies
Employment relationship
Working conditions
Employment and labour markets
Working conditions and sustainable work

Minimum wage for workers in sheltered workshops finally agreed

In Belgium, the "guaranteed average minimum monthly income", or minimum wage is set in line with am intersectoral collective agreement, concluded within the National Labour Council (National Arbeidsraad/Conseil National du Travail) NAR/CNT) dating back to 1975. The guaranteed monthly minimum wage is

27 Styczeń 1999
Article
Labour market policies
Employment and labour markets
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 Marzec 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 Grudzień 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 Lipiec 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 Czerwiec 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 luty 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 Maj 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 luty 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 Październik 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 Listopad 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 Listopad 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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