New package of measures presented by the Commission to job creation
The European Commission presented a set of concrete measures that have as main goal to boost jobs. In particular, the package focuses on the demand-side of job creation, and identifies the areas with the biggest job potential for the future as well as sets out ways for Member States to encourage hiring by reducing taxes on labour or supporting business start-ups more.
The new packages of measures adopted by the European Commission considers that the areas with the biggest job potential for the future are the green economy, health services and ICT. The measures are taken with regard to the continues increase of unemployment in the EU, such it was released in February 2012 by Eurostat. The package urges Member States to strengthen their national employment policies. Particularly it includes proposals for Member States to exploit the areas mentioned such as the green economy where 20 million jobs could be created between now and 2020 and to include green employment into their’ National Job Plans, strengthening green skills intelligence.
In addition, on the package the Commission commits to create a genuine EU labour market by improving labour mobility, and by removing legal and practical obstacles to the free movement of workers such as improving the portability of pensions, the tax treatment of cross border workers or awareness of rights and obligations. Moreover, the employment package paves the way for reinforced coordination and monitoring of employment policies at EU level in line with EU economic governance. On the other hand, the Commission sets out in a Communication key areas for reform so that labour markets become more dynamic and inclusive and therefore more resilient to economic change.
The employment package in the EU contains in addition to these measures and the Communication which indicates some areas for reform, nine Commission Staff Working Documents, of which two are consultation papers. It will be discussed at a high level employment conference 6-7 September to further mobilise all partners to implement the measures announced.