In the light of the growing interest of economists in the relationship between labour market institutions and labour market performance, DG ECFIN and the LMWG have established LABREF on those reform measures which aim to modify relevant labour market institutions in the EU.

Launched in December 2005, LABREF systematically records, on an annual basis, information on reforms that are likely to have an impact on labour market performance.

LABREF is an instrument to provide information on the design, scope and durability of reforms. As such, it focuses on selected characteristics of reform measures and provides information on their expected implementation phase.

LABREF covers nine broad policy areas: labour taxation, unemployment and welfare-related benefits, active labour market programmes, employment protection legislation, early-retirement and disability schemes, pension systems, wage-bargaining framework, working time organisation, immigration and labour-mobility policies.

Main uses of LABREF

• ex-post description of enacted reforms, including the interlinkages across reform areas and over time;
• analyses of reform strategies and their interlinkages (e.g. flexicurity approaches);
• country studies and EPC multilateral surveillance exercises for thematic reviews;
• background information for multi-annual assessment of reform strategies;
• information on labour market and welfare reforms to the Economic and Financial Committee and the Economic Policy Committee and its working groups (for instance, on financial incentives to work especially for older workers);
• feeds into ECFIN analytical reports and country studies, as well as briefings, speeches and inputs to the Commission's work in general;
• assistance in assessments and recommendations in various coordination processes such as the Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs, the Stability and Growth Pact, and the Open Method of coordination on social protection.

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Information available

As of Spring 2012, LABREF covers the 27 EU Member States and the years 2000-2010 (2003-2010 for Bulgaria and Romania). A backdating up to 1997 for the EU15 is in process of being finalised and will be published by end 2012.

User guide

Coverage and structure of LABREF

Papers and publications - suggested citation

When quoting, please include the link to LABREF and the following reference:

"European Commission, Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs and Economic Policy Committee LABREF database"

We are pleased to establish links to published and unpublished works that make use of the LABREF database. To avail you of this facility please send your work with the relevant references via the contact mailbox of the Directorate General for Economic and Financial Affairs.