Is youth unemployment really the major worry? (AOM)

Youth unemployment is neither the only nor the basic problem of the European labour market. The comparative analysis of unemployment data demonstrates that the unemployment of older people is even more serious. The article proves that the weight of young people in total unemployment has as a tendency been declining in the “inner periphery” of the EU, among them in Central and Eastern European member states (CEECs). The trend is just the opposite in the developed or “core” countries of the Union where youngsters took a higher share in total unemployment in 2012 than 10-12 years ago. In Europe there are millions of young people beyond the active unemployed who do not want to work or think they cannot find a job that fulfils their expectations and refuse to take part in any kind of education or training (NEETs-“Not in Employment, Education or Training”). By estimating the rate of NEETs in the adult population the article claims that the NEETs-phenomenon is not the differentia specifica of the youth. At the end the article details two suggestions for the mitigation of the problem. It concludes that the joblessness in Europe is an old and tendencially worsening problem that cannot be solved by particular policies

2011), ‘Social dialogue and social security governance: A topical ILO perspective

Abstract Amongst all the topics addressed in the world of work, none, perhaps, reflect the principles of tripartism and social dialogue better than social security. It is natural, therefore, to ask how effectively these key instruments of sound governance have been and are being used in addressing significant challenges presently facing social security systems in many countries. The process of social security reform, notably in pension provision, has been high on the agenda of many countries in recent decades, reflecting the impact of factors such as globalization and demographic ageing. More recently, fresh strains have arisen as a result of the global financial and economic crisis. The International Labour Office (ILO) has sought to analyse and understand these questions, and the ILO Departments of Social Dialogue and Social Security have jointly undertaken studies both before and in the aftermath of the crisis. The evidence shows mixed outcomes. In a range of countries with strong traditions of effective social dialogue, their value has been reiterated. Disappointingly, however, in other countries, often under the pressures of severe economic strains and urgent demands of the international financial institutions (IFIs) and other agencies, governments have acted unilaterally, sometimes with rather little heed of constitutional responsibilities. The authors conclude that there is both the need and scope for a renewed focus to secure an appropriate degree of political will and commitment to th