Three main characteristics of unemployment policy in the EU

Contemporary unemployment policy in EU Member States displays several similarities. The general trend is towards active unemployment policy or workfare. This new policy paradigm has three main components:

The first concerns the management of unemployment insurance – reforms point towards further decentralization and outsourcing.

Read more on the management of unemployment insurance in comparative perspective...

The second has to do with the further curbing of the income replacement function of the unemployment insurance. This is achieved through the continuous restriction of the eligibility criteria for and conditions attached to the receipt of unemployment benefit. In conjunction with the increase of unemployment, especially among risk groups such as the young, this has in many countries led to a decrease of the overall coverage of the unemployment insurance.

Read more on the conditionality of unemployment benefit...
Read more on the eligibility criteria for unemployment assistance in germany...
Read more on the level of unemployment benefit and eligibility period...

The third component is the strong emphasis on job placement and activation measures. Willingness to work and/or participate in training is additionally used to legitimate receipt of unemployment benefit.

Read more on the hierachy of need for activation...
Read more on the activation 'is good' philosophy and the UK prototype...

 

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