Conference on inclusive labour markets concluded

In his opening speech, the Minister for Welfare of Latvia, Uldis Augulis, emphasised the role of job quality and sustainable inclusion in the labour market expressing his appreciation to EMCO and SPC for their involvement in different EU discussions and processes. The opening speech on behalf of the European Commission was given by Lieve Fransen, the Director for the EU-2020 Social Policies Department of the Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission (EC).

In the beginning of the conference presentations were given by Raymond Torres, the Director of the Research Department of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Alexander Hijzen, representative from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Both aspects - job quality and labour market inclusion were discussed during the conference. EU social partners expressed their views on job quality, experts focused on the importance of education. Selected EU Member States presented measures carried out to facilitate better job quality, EC informed about recent analysis in these field. Representative from Greece focused on measures to reduce undeclared employment, the representative from Ireland spoke about the restoration of social dialogue structures following the crisis, and representative from Norway presented the measures aimed at reconciling work and family life.

The second part of the conference aimed at assessing measures and activities that are important for reducing economic inactivity and facilitating inclusion into the labour market. Representatives from Sweden and Poland shared their experience in implementing active labour market policy measures and ensuring effective functioning of public employment services. Evaluation of Latvian active labour market policy measures was presented by Mihails Hazans, the Professor of the University of Latvia, who emphasised the importance of impact evaluations. EC presentation centred around mutual learning activities.

Representatives of NGOs and academics analysed the role of benefits and minimum income schemes in activating the unemployed. The importance of individual approach, as well as the impact and the role of integrated social protection and employment services for promoting inclusive employment were stressed. Some attention was devoted to minimum wage. Representative from the World Bank informed about minimum income programs in countries outside Europe by emphasising the need to strengthen the provision of integrated services and work towards promoting productive inclusion.

Results of the conference will feed into the draft Council Conclusions on inclusive labour markets. EMCO and SPC have already started to work on the draft conclusions and it is planned to put them on the agenda of the Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council on 9 March 2015.

The conference was attended by participants of the EMCO and SPC informal meetings, including the representatives from the EU Member States, the European Economic Area/ European Free Trade Association, representatives from EU institutions, international organisations and academic institutions.

The agenda of the event and presentations are available on the website of the Ministry of Welfare.