Brussels, 27/04/2012
CONSEQUENCES OF POLITICAL CHOICES
The young represent 5.5 million of the unemployed (out of a total of almost 24 million).
"Unemployment is not the only dimension of social exclusion that youngsters are confronted with. If in work, youngsters have little choice but to accept precarious work contracts. Temporary contracts offer a lower wage, reduced access to social security and reduced access to continuous training. In short, they are not a basis for youngsters to build their future life and family on.”
Since the onset of the crisis, unemployment has increased from 15% to 22.4%. This is an increase of 50% (1.5 million extra). The young represent 5.5 million of the unemployed (out of a total of almost 24 million).
Youth unemployment rate in EU-27 and EA-17 (2000-2012)
Source: Source: European Commission 2012
{{THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES }}
“The dire situation of labour markets for youngsters calls for urgent measures. The ETUC does not agree with the usual policy prescription of revolving door effect of insecure work contracts for the young unemployed".
We need different policies policies
• Guarantee the creation of quality jobs for young people;
• A “Youth Guarantee for Decent work”, stable contracts, paying decent wages with robust access to safety nets;
• Active labour policies implemented jointly with the social partners;
• Access to high-quality education open to everyone;
• Guaranteed training or a job within a set period of time;
• Measures to prevent young people from dropping out of school;
• A guaranteed European quality charter on internships and apprenticeships.
The ETUC expresses its solidarity and full support