Trade Union Training on Employment Policies – Focus on Youth Turin, 10 July 2007 Kristian Weise, ITUC

Agenda Global and European Employment and Labour Market Policies Youth Employment Policies ITUC Policies and Actions on Employment Promotion and Youth

Global and European Employment and Labour Market Policies

In Europe: continuous unemployment; globalisation and its challenges Background: Globally: a crisis in the world of work

Crisis in the World of Work rising unemployment and jobless growth; continuous high levels of under-employment and under-paid employment; working-time stagnating wages and workers’ diminishing share in productivity gains and economic activity; declining welfare, particularly where this is employer provided; increasing pressure on practices of collective bargaining;

Crisis in the World of Work growing ‘casualisation’ of work, in the form of more temporary, agency and part time work; mounting instances of disguised and ambiguous employment relationships; continuous surge in work in the so called informal economy; and the spread of export processing zones and the labour relations these are infamous for.

Different global answers World Bank OECD ILO The UN: possible coherence

Unemployment and Globalisation in Europe Still too many people out of work - close to 10% unemployed and many excluded Globalisation creating new challenges - off-shoring, outsourcing etc. - the need to constant adaptation Competitiveness and growth as imperatives - Europe in the global arena

Different models and realities Denmark Finland Sweden United Kingdom Ireland Austria Belgium France Germany Greece Italy Portugal Spain New Member States / CEE Luxembourg Netherlands

4 main labour market & social models English Speaking Countries - - Low taxes - Low unemploy- ment benefits - Low EPL - Low ALMP - Low union density Nordic Countries - - High taxes - High unemploy- ment benefits - Medium/Low EPL - High ALMP - High union density Continental and Southern Europe - - High taxes - High/medium unemployment benefits - High EPL - Low ALMP - High union density Tranisition Economies / CEE - - Medium taxes - Low unemployment benefits - High EPL - Low ALMP - Low union density

‘Flexicurity’ as the answer? FlexibilitySecurity +

…but more to it Flexibility Security + Active labour market policies Education and training Strong social partners

And very different views on the matter… Between unions in different countries Between law makers and workers’ representatives - The current debate between the European Commission and the European Trade Union Confederation

Youth Employment Policies

The situation of young people in the labour market - more and more young people find themselves unemployed - young people are increasingly squeezed out of the labour market - more and more young people are underemployed or working in poverty `- young people are deprived of decent work

The World Bank approach Youth challenges in the labour market - starting too early - failing to enter the labour market - getting stuck in jobs that don’t build capacities ` Young people’s vulnerability - large youth cohorts - lack of access to information and credit - restrictive labour market institutions

The World Bank approach Broadening opportunities - improving the investment climate - reforming institutions - expanding rural opportunities - facilitating mobility Other issues - skill development - entrepreneurship - reintegration of the most vulnerable

The World Bank approach Time for you to work!

ITUC Policies and Actions

Global Governance – wrong balances, priorities WTO World Bank IMF G8 and regional groupings like APEC UN Family Including ILO UNDP UNEP UNTAD etc.

Changing globalisation Placing Decent Work at the heart of global governance

Decent Work for Young People Youth employment should be considered in all relevant social, employment and economic policies through a well-balanced policy mix. Two principles should be at centre stage in the development and implementation of such policies: ► The approach should be rights based. ► Young people should be included in all processes

Decent Work for Young People Comprehensive and integrated approaches to ensure decent work for all young people should be embraced by governments and international institutions. They should be developed around four interrelated objectives: ► Creating more decent jobs for young people. ► Ensuring the quality of existing and new jobs. ► Enhancing skills, qualifications and access to education. ► Improving the transition from school to work, matching employees with employers, and shortening the time youth might find themselves unemployed.

Decent Work for Young People See ‘ITUC Youth Policy on Decent Work’ (of Berlin 3-4 June 2007) for more as well as ’10 demands of the G8’ (from Youth Action for Decent Work, Berlin, 1-2 June 2007). Both documents distributed at the presentation ;-)