Council Recommendation on the integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market

13.10.2015

Question for oral answer O-000121/2015
to the Council
Rule 128
Thomas Händel, on behalf of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs

In the wake of the economic crisis, long-term unemployment has doubled since 2007 and accounts for half of total unemployment. Over 12 million people, namely 5 % of the active EU population, are long-term unemployed. In 2014 over 60 % of the long-term unemployed had been out of work for at least two consecutive years. Each year, one in five long-term unemployed people stop looking for a job altogether. Whereas the EU labour markets show some signs of improvement, the long-term unemployment rate remains high.

– How does the Council intend to deal efficiently with the multiple barriers many long-term unemployed people face, such as poverty, skills erosion and health problems?

– How does the Council envisage creating sustainable jobs for the long-term unemployed, especially in countries and regions with high structural unemployment? Is the Council considering employment-favourable labour tax measures in this context?

– What flexibility in national budgetary rules can be envisaged and what resources can be made available (in particular through the European Social Fund), especially for Member States under economic adjustment programmes?

– By what means does the Council plan to improve the link between skills and jobs for the reintegration and employability of the long-term unemployed?

– How will Member States ensure the quality of jobs for the long-term unemployed and avoid them ending up in precarious employment?

– Member States differ markedly as regards their social, economic and budgetary conditions. At the same time, the long-term unemployed constitute a highly heterogeneous group. How does the Council in its recommendation envisage coping with this diversity while aiming for successful implementation across the Member States? How will the identification and exchange of best practices be ensured?

– How does the Council intend to improve the situation of people who have been unemployed for over 18 months, or the large group of people not registered, if it focuses on the 12-18 months’ unemployment bracket?

– What specific measures does the Council plan to take in order to successfully include all relevant stakeholders (including NGOs and private employment services) in the process of integration of the long-term unemployed?