Comprehensive crisis packages rather than isolated initiatives focusing on
fostering growth in the labour market are far more efficient ways of moving
European economies out of recession, according to a new report from Eurofound,
the Dublin-based EU agency. The report, Tackling the recession:
Employment-related public initiatives in the EU Member States and Norway,
examines the measures that governments and trade unions in the EU and Norway
are taking, in an attempt to maintain jobs or minimise job losses.

The report finds that avoiding unemployment is a far more efficient strategy
for job protection in the in the medium-to-long term than is attempting to
remedy it, through active or passive labour market policies. Unemployment can
be minimised by, for example, supporting companies through providing better
access to finance as well as strategic investment in research and development
(R&D) and innovation.

Social dialogue plays an essential role, the report also finds, in ensuring
fair and inclusive arrangements against the background of the recession, which
challenges both workers and employers. Across Europe, the involvement of social
partners in the development and implementation of recession measures differs
with regard to the level and extent of their integration in policy design.

While highlighting a range of practical solutions from all 27 EU Member States
and Norway, the report also states that an important challenge for many Member
States will be to find the right balance between supporting individuals and
companies without adding to the burden on the state budget.

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AplusA-online.de - Source: Eurofound