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Labour markets
Studying labour markets is important because they are vital to the competitiveness of the EU economy, today and in the future. DG ECFIN is responsible for carrying out economic analysis and evaluation at both the micro and macro levels, and for providing policy advice on EU labour markets. It monitors and analyses labour-market and labour-cost developments, labour taxation and reforms of labour-market institutions.
Last update: 7/5/2009.
In this way, DG ECFIN contributes to the assessment of the appropriateness
and effectiveness of EU policies in labour markets and social security systems,
within the framework of the multilateral surveillance related to the Growth and
Jobs strategy (Lisbon Strategy).
The focus is on:
- Labour-market issues, including wages, labour taxation and financial
incentives to work (tax and benefit systems);
- Labour-market reforms, particularly assessment of the overall impact of reforms on macroeconomic performance. For example, their impact on adjustment capacity, and their likely contribution to raising labour utilisation and improving economic resilience.
In both areas, the work consists of regular surveillance/monitoring and
assessment of developments in all Member States. The DG also produces ad hoc
studies and analyses specific themes to contribute to shaping EU policy
discussions and recommendations on labour-market policies.
In order to develop an effective framework for the surveillance of labour
markets, DG ECFIN has established an extensive database (LABREF) that describes
the main reforms implemented since 2000. This database was created in
co-operation with experts from Member States who are members of the Labour
Market Working Group, attached to the Economic Policy Committee.
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