Background information

On 4 March 2021 the European Commission presented a Recommendation on Effective Active Support to Employment following the COVID-19 crisis (EASE). It outlines a strategic approach to gradually transition between emergency measures taken to preserve jobs during the pandemic and new measures needed for a job-rich recovery. The Commission explained it should be treated as an action under the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Content of measure

Within the EASE framework, the Commission promotes job creation and job-to-job transitions, including towards the digital and green sectors.

The Recommendation provides guidance to Member States on active labor market policies and indicates how Member States can use EU funds to support EASE policies.

Member States are urged to develop coherent policy packages, combining temporary and permanent measures, to address the challenges of the labour market caused by the pandemic, to fill the skills shortages that are likely to stem economic growth during an economic recovery, and to help everyone make the transition to a successful economic recovery, ecological and digital transformation.

These policy packages should comprise three components:

• hiring incentives and entrepreneurial support;
• upskilling and reskilling opportunities;
• enhanced support by employment services, with a special focus on young people and workers of all ages in the sectors worst affected by the pandemic.

The Commission underlines that social partners should be closely involved in the design and implementation of these policies.

Use of measure

n.a.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government Social partners jointly Public employment service EU (Council, EC, EP)	European Funds National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Social partners did not participate in the designing phase, however, the Commission indicated that it expects them to be involved in the implementation process at national level.

Views and reactions

Views of social partners not known yet.

Sources

• 04 March 2021: Commission Recommendation of 4.3.2021 on an effective active support to employment following the COVID-19 crisis (EASE) (ec.europa.eu)