2010 is not least for Europe's young people a crisis year. On EU-average, 20 % of the under- 25-s do not find a job; the rate in Spain even lies at 40 %. In view of these figures, the European Commission too recognises the urgency of measures and presented on Wednesday the Europe 2020 flagship initiative Youth on the move.

In spite of some welcome ideas, it is questionable whether the idea is suitable to solve the problem of youth unemployment in a sustainable and satisfactory manner. For a start, one should criticise the fact that the responsible Commissioners Androulla Vassiliou and László Andor only name two concrete, i.e. measureable targets in their joint presentation. The number of early school leavers shall be reduced from 15 to 10 % and the rate of graduates of tertiary education facilities increased from 31 to 40 %. What is particularly lacking is a cast iron commitment to a high employment rate of young people.

Employability and self-employment as proposals for solutions

Apart from that, the targets mentioned focus, as does the majority of the presented measures, only on the employability of young people. The quality of their education as well as learning and work mobility shall continue to be promoted. With regard to reducing mobility obstacles, the Commission has among others published a suggestion for a Council proposal.

Furthermore, the Commission supports the idea to arouse the entrepreneurial spirit in young people and in those who have lost their job. A micro financing instrument was also created for this purpose in spring 2010, which will receive a hundred million Euros from the EU budget. Micro loans shall help people without a job to set up their own business and create work for themselves. 

Other planned measures at Commission level concern the introduction of a European Vacancy Monitor and the extension of the EURES Programme, in which national labour market agencies are linked.

Youth guarantee taken up

With regard to issues, which concern the creation of jobs as well as the services of Member States and enterprises, nothing else - also because it falls not within the area of responsibility of the EU Commission - was forthcoming but suggestions. Fortunately, the Commission has taken up the "Youth guarantee", which had already been demanded by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Parliament. The Member States are urged to ensure that all young people have either a job, are in training or take part in national programmes for job placement. What is lacking apart from enforceability is a commitment on gender equality within the scope of this guarantee. 

The subject of reducing the working time in order to create more jobs is not addressed in the initiative.

Young people increasingly in precarious employment

Apart from that, the presented strategy is lacking in concrete proposals to prevent the increase of precarious employment conditions. According to ETUC, currently two third of the young people find themselves in atypical employment relationships.

Particular cause for concern in this context is another idea the Commission has come up with. For example, it will be suggested to the Member States to permit contracts for young employees. Based on "sufficiently long probation period" and the "gradual increase of protection rights", incentives are to be created for enterprises to make them more inclined to recruit young people. ETUC has already suggested in this context, to subsidise companies that employ young people. That way, the desired incentive would be created without curtailing the rights of young employees.

Further information:

Youth on the Move: Homepage of the European Commission