The overall objective of EU labour market policies is not to return to the modest employment levels of the pre-crisis period, when the overall average employment rate peaked at a moderate 66%, with only 59% of women of working age, and 46% of older workers (55-64) in work. Rather the objective is to attain the high levels of employment and social cohesion that characterise a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy. In this perspective, it is clearly appropriate to envisage a gradual phasing out of most of the crisis-related employment measures and a progressive strengthening of labour market policies that reduce structural unemployment rates, increase labour participation, strengthen the re-allocation of labour towards a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy, and promote social cohesion by targeting specific groups of workers.
A coordinated approach across Europe, with the active involvement of social partners, is seen as essential for reaching these objectives.