Employment in Europe: Young People are Bearing the Brunt of the Crisis

(Original article taken from the European Youth Forum's Youth Policy Watch)

Last week the European Commission published the Employment in Europe 2010 report. The report highlights how young people have especially been bearing the brunt of the crisis, with unemployment disproportionately hitting 15-24 year olds and reaching over 30% in some countries. With regards to young people, the report stresses that there are many structural obstacles that now need to be urgently tackled, especially in relation to labour market segmentation. To this, the report mentioned the negative consequences of labour market segmentation between those working in protected regular contracts and those in temporary jobs.

Now in its 22nd year, the European Commission's 'Employment in Europe' annual publication has served as one of the main tools in supporting Member States in analysis, formulation and implementation of employment policy. This year's edition naturally focuses on the effects of the onset of the economic crisis. In an analysis of both EU and Member State policy aimed at mitigating the effects of the crisis and supporting recovery, the report highlights the need to reduce segmentation in labour markets in order to improve the job situation of young people.

The European Youth Forum notes that, importantly, the report highlights that all too many young people are experiencing difficulties in the transitional period from Education to Employment. The Forum has, for some time, put forward a clear list of priorities and policy actions upon which it calls EU Member States to act in order to minimise the effects of the crisis when it comes to young people’s entrance into the labour market, as well as decent working conditions for young people. The European Youth Forum sees it as hugely worrying that the report stresses that it might be some time before there is a clear upswing of jobs for young people in Europe.