ACTIVE EMPLOYMENT POLICIES IN EUROPEAN UNION AND

GREECE

Dr. Miltiadis StaboulisLabor Economics, PhD

staboulis@gnosianaptixiaki.gr tel. (+30) 2310 403371

Active Employment Policies

Active employment policies: attracting and retaining more people in employment

Passive/traditional employment policies cash benefits for the unemployed

Active employment policies

Objectives: Increasing employment and reducing unemployment

Conservation of the quantitative size of the workforce and increase its working skills

Strengthen mechanisms for matching of labor supply and demand

Management of insurance for the unemployed

Active employment policies

Basic prerequisites for effective implementation: Accurate and clear targeting of active intervention

programs Combination with:

General employment policy Needs of companies Overall framework of objectives for growth and employment

Active employment policies in EU

Amsterdam Treaty (1997):

Objectives: Employability: combating long-term unemployment and youth

unemployment Entrepreneurship: establishing clear, stable and predictable rules

concerning the start-up and running of businesses and the simplification of administrative burdens on small and medium size enterprises (SMEs)

Adaptability: modernizing work organization and flexibility of working arrangements and putting in place of a framework for more adaptable forms of contracts

Equal opportunities: combating the gender gap and supporting the increased employment of women

Active employment policies in EU

Lisbon Strategy (2000) Objectives by 2010: EU: “to become the most dynamic and competitive

knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010 capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion and respect for the environment”

Increasing the employment rate from 62.2% (1999) to 70% and 60% less for women (2010)

Active employment policies in EU

Revision of Lisbon Strategy (2005)

Active and preventive measures for the unemployed and inactive people focus on training and career guidance and job creation

Developing National Reform Programs by each Member State

Active employment policies in EU

Revision of Lisbon Strategy (2005)Two cycles:

2005-2007

2008-2010: Implementation of employment policies

Active employment policies in EU

Financing “Progress” Program (2006)Areas:

Employment Social inclusion and protection Working conditions Non-discrimination Gender equality

Active employment policies in EU

“European Union 2020”Priorities: Growth based on knowledge and innovation An inclusive high-employment society Green growth: a competitive and sustainable

economy

Active employment policies in Greece

Objectives:

Wage subsidy Temporary reductions in social security contributions Creating jobs in areas like the environment through

specific incentives Local employment initiatives Education and training

Active employment policies in Greece

Implementation of active employment policiesInitiative co-financed by structural funds and programs managed by the European Commission: Local Employment Pacts Local Development Initiatives Projects funded under Article 6 of the ESF

Active employment policies in Greece

Period 2000-2006The creation of local employment was mostly horizontal objective of the ESF measures.

Interventions : Local Initiatives for Employment Integrated Actions Intervention in Local Small Scale Urban Areas Integrated Projects for Rural Development Operational Program: “Employment and vocational training 2000-

2006” : Improvement of the access and participation of women into the labor market

Active employment policies in Greece

Greek National Employment Agency (OAED) through funding the Account for Employment and Vocational Training (LAEK):

Integrated interventions for areas in crisis or deindustrialization with redundancies

Active employment policies in Greece

NSRF 2007-2013 Operational Program: “Human resources development 2007-2013”

Objectives: Utilization of all human resources as a moving force for the country’s

growth Reinforcement of social cohesionPriority axes: Supporting Adaptability of Human Resources and Enterprises Facilitating Access to Employment Complete Integration of all Human Resources into a Society of Equal

Opportunities Establishment of Reform in the Mental Health Sector -Development of Primary

Healthcare and Promotion of Public Health

Conclusions

The active employment policies: were not the only tool for tackling unemployment, but also a

means to achieve a sustainable, competitive and dynamic EU economy

have not brought the desired results

The new strategy “EU 2020” aims to create potential for growth and employment growth with actions at local / national and Community level, based on the achievements of Lisbon Strategy and new guidelines (innovation, green economy)

Conclusions

The Greek active employment policies:

Applied with considerable delay Did not have the desired effects as the youth and woman

unemployment rate remained at high levels Include in the period 2007-2013:

National scale and local employment actions New jobs to exploit new sources of growth based on:

• Knowledge and innovation• Green growth • The modernization and sustainability of the productive sectors of the

Greek Economy