Thursday, May 03, 2012

[IWS] EU (Special Note): EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS IN EUROPE 2011 [15 December 2012]

 

 

IWS Documented News Service

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Institute for Workplace Studies----------------- Professor Samuel B. Bacharach

School of Industrial & Labor Relations-------- Director, Institute for Workplace Studies

Cornell University

16 East 34th Street, 4th floor---------------------- Stuart Basefsky

New York, NY 10016 -------------------------------Director, IWS News Bureau

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NOTE: The following development in this series of reports happened in December 2011--

The Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) (replacing the Employment in Europe report): produced on an annual basis it provides the basic analytical and statistical background to underpin the Joint Employment Report as well as other instruments key to the European Employment Strategy. Previous issues of the report can be found in the document database.

 

 

Employment and Social Developments in Europe 2011 [15 December 2011]

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=113&langId=en&pubId=6176&type=2&furtherPubs=yes

or

http://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=7294&langId=en

[full-text, 292 pages]

 

The economic, financial and sovereign debt crises and subsequent austerity measures underline the need for a more integrated approach to employment and social policy. This review merges two previous European Commission reports on these areas. It begins with an overview of the current European employment and social situation before looking at recent shifts in Europe's job structure and in income inequality. The review then examines patterns of poverty and social exclusion in Europe and the phenomenon of in-work poverty. Issues of active ageing, intra-EU labour mobility and the impact of enlargement are also covered. The review is available in English only.

All the graphs and tables included in this report can be downloaded both in gif and excel format by accessing the individual chapters here

 

Press Release 15 December 2012
New analysis shows employment and social policies key to Europe’s job-rich recovery
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=101&newsId=1137&furtherNews=yes

The first annual review of Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) published by the European Commission underlines that a mix of employment and social policies is necessary to ensure a long-term job-rich recovery in the current climate of fiscal consolidation and bleak economic outlook.

Its findings show how the economic crisis has aggravated Europe’s structural weaknesses like income inequality and the disappearance of medium-paid jobs, especially in manufacturing and construction. Poverty remains high with 115 million Europeans (23 % of the EU population) at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2010.

The review shows in particular that, while inequality has decreased or grown only slightly in historically more unequal countries (like Italy or Greece), it has increased in many traditionally egalitarian Member States, such as Nordic countries and the general trend remains upwards. Raising participation in employment, better social spending and fairer taxation of top incomes and wealth can contribute to mitigating inequalities.

In terms of poverty, the review stresses that while Eastern Europeans are more often facing severe material deprivation, in the Northern and Western Member States, exclusion from the labour market prevails. Elderly, lone parents and low-work intensity households are at particular risk of poverty and social exclusion. Over 8 % of people with a job are at risk of poverty – so called "working poor".

Improving the employability of older workers and encouraging active ageing are set out as essential for reaching the EU employment rate target of 75 % by 2020. Active ageing policies will help to discourage early retirement, stimulate lifelong learning, adapt working conditions to the needs of older workers and provide care for the elderly.

Workers’ mobility is also highlighted as an important way to address unemployment and imbalances across labour markets. Figures show how for most receiving countries, no significant impact on local unemployment or wages has been found, while the risks of brain drain for countries of origin seem limited overall. Experience is showing that free movement brings benefits to both individuals as well as receiving countries and contributes to reducing undeclared work.

Background

The review of the Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) builds upon and extends on two previous reports of published by DG Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion: Employment in Europe and the Social Situation Report. The review will be presented on an annual basis.

The review and its policy recommendations will feed into the European Semester, and the country specific recommendations, within the framework of the Europe 2020 strategy.

 

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This information is provided to subscribers, friends, faculty, students and alumni of the School of Industrial & Labor Relations (ILR). It is a service of the Institute for Workplace Studies (IWS) in New York City. Stuart Basefsky is responsible for the selection of the contents which is intended to keep researchers, companies, workers, and governments aware of the latest information related to ILR disciplines as it becomes available for the purposes of research, understanding and debate. The content does not reflect the opinions or positions of Cornell University, the School of Industrial & Labor Relations, or that of Mr. Basefsky and should not be construed as such. The service is unique in that it provides the original source documentation, via links, behind the news and research of the day. Use of the information provided is unrestricted. However, it is requested that users acknowledge that the information was found via the IWS Documented News Service.

 






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