EC aims to boost European job market

The European Commission has launched a new initiative aimed at boosting jobs in the European Union.

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission

Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission

Date: 19 April 2012

Article: News

With unemployment across the EU continuing to grow, the European Commission has outlined what it believes are ways of increasing the demand-side of job creation and fostering a dynamic employment market.
 
Despite the findings that unemployment figures in the UK improved in the three months to the end of February due to an upsurge in part-time positions, the Commission is aiming to encourage hiring by reducing taxes on labour and supporting business start-ups more.
 
The employment package is urging nations to support the increase of highly qualified ICT labour and to promote digital skills across the workforce.
 
Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, says that Europe needs a job-creation strategy to tackle its 'unacceptable' level of unemployment.
 
'The EU has a large untapped potential to boost job creation. All together, the green economy, the health and new technology sectors will create more than 20 million jobs in the years to come.'
 
Barroso adds that member states of the EU need to stimulate labour markets in order to mobilise existing resources.


 
Also included in the proposal is the need to establish decent and sustainable wages and avoid low-wage traps.
 
The Commission wants to see better recognition of skills and qualifications to bring the worlds of education and work closer together and eliminate the four million jobs still vacant in the EU.
 
Laszlo Andor, EU commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, comments, 'If we are to restore growth and cope with major structural changes like the greening of the economy, an ageing population and technological change, the EU needs a dynamic and inclusive European labour market.'