labour_market_policies.jpg

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

es-presidency-logo.png

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)

Impact of the recession on age management policies: Czech Republic

Eurofound’s research on ‘Restructuring in recession and labour force participation’ explored the age management practices of companies in light of restructuring undergone during the recession. The study looked at policy in relation to the retention of older workers (aged 50 or more) in employment at

22 January 2012
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Sustainable work
Retirement
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies: Latvia

Eurofound’s research on ‘Restructuring in recession and labour force participation’ explored the age management practices of companies in light of restructuring undergone during the recession. The study looked at policy in relation to the retention of older workers (aged 50 or more) in employment at

22 January 2012
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies: Netherlands

Eurofound’s research on ‘Restructuring in recession and labour force participation’ explored the age management practices of companies in light of restructuring undergone during the recession. The study looked at policy in relation to the retention of older workers (aged 50 or more) in employment at

22 January 2012
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies: Austria

Eurofound’s research on ‘Restructuring in recession and labour force participation’ explored the age management practices of companies in light of restructuring undergone during the recession. The study looked at policy in relation to the retention of older workers (aged 50 or more) in employment at

22 January 2012
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies: Belgium

Eurofound’s research on ‘Restructuring in recession and labour force participation’ explored the age management practices of companies in light of restructuring undergone during the recession. The study looked at policy in relation to the retention of older workers (aged 50 or more) in employment at

22 January 2012
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Sustainable work
Retirement
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies: Sweden

Eurofound’s research on ‘Restructuring in recession and labour force participation’ explored the age management practices of companies in light of restructuring undergone during the recession. The study looked at policy in relation to the retention of older workers (aged 50 or more) in employment at

22 January 2012
Publication
Research report
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies - Case study: Latvian Railway Group, Latvia

As is the case in many other organisations operating in the transport industry in Latvia, Latvian Railway Group’s human resources (HR) strategy, policies and activities are built on the General Agreement and collective agreements. The aim of the General Agreement and collective agreements is to

22 January 2012
Publication
Case study
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies - Case study: Vattenfall Nordic and Vattenfall Services, Sweden

Vattenfall launched its age management programme in 2001. As an early adopter of such programmes and policies, Vattenfall has been seen as a forerunner in Sweden. It won an Employer of the Year Award in 2006 and received considerable attention in the media for the programme’s innovative approach

22 January 2012
Publication
Case study
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies - Case study: T-Mobile, Czech Republic

T-Mobile HR manager confirmed that age management is an emerging concept in the Czech Republic in general and in the company’s HR policy in particular. Czech firms have not developed age management measures in greater extent due to the excess of labour force supply over demand. In addition, early

22 January 2012
Publication
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work

Impact of the recession on age management policies - Case study: Abengoa, Spain

There are two approaches to age management at Abengoa. Firstly, Abengoa has HR practices and policies that promote the employability and mobility of all workers - although these policies apply to the whole workforce, regardless of age. These policies enable employees to remain in the job market and

22 January 2012
Publication
Case study
Social policies
Sustainable work
Structural change
Working conditions
Work organisation
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Ageing workforce
Working conditions and sustainable work
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 april 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 februari 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 januari 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 januari 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 januari 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 januari 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 januari 1999
Article
Labour market policies
Employment and labour markets
Blogs results (10)
ef23046.png

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 mars 2023
Tina Weber
Blog
Skills and training
Working conditions
Gender equality
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
ef21087.png

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 december 2021
Ivailo Kalfin
Blog
Youth
Subjective well-being
COVID-19
Labour market policies
ef21082.png

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 juli 2021
Dragoș Adăscăliței
Blog
Skills and training
Employment structure
European Pillar of Social Rights
Employment and labour markets
COVID-19
Labour market policies
ef21078.png

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 juni 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
ef21048.png

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 februari 2021
Tina Weber
Blog
COVID-19
Employment and labour markets
Labour market policies
Pay and income
Social protection
Unemployment
Working time
image_blog_short_term_working_05052020.png

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
image_blog_low_carbon_24022020.png

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 februari 2020
James Higgins
Blog
Employment and labour markets
European Green Deal
Industrial policy
Job creation
Just transition
Labour market policies
Structural change
image_1_blog_good_jobs_29102019.png

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 oktober 2019
John Hurley
Blog
Employment structure
Labour market policies
Job creation
Job quality
Employment and labour markets
image2_blog_the_challenge_of_plenty_19112018.png

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 november 2018
Catherine Cerf
Blog
Labour market participation
Labour market policies
Migration and mobility
Working conditions
Working conditions and sustainable work
Working time
image_blog_platform_work_02112018.jpg

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 november 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

Disclaimer

When freely submitting your request, you are consenting Eurofound in handling your personal data to reply to you. Your request will be handled in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data. More information, please read the Data Protection Notice.