European Foundation
for the Improvement of
Living and Working Conditions

The tripartite EU agency providing knowledge to assist
in the development of better social, employment and
work-related policies

EU PolicyWatch

Database of national-level policy measures

Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch collates information on the responses of government and social partners to the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, as well as gathering examples of company practices aimed at mitigating the social and economic impacts.

Factsheet for measure EU-2021-10/1784 – measures in European Union

Commission's Recommendation on Effective Active Support to Employment

Country European Union , applies eu-wide (or beyond)
Time period Open ended, started on 04 March 2021
Context COVID-19, Green Transition, Digital Transformation
Type Non-binding recommendations or other texts
Category Promoting the economic, labour market and social recovery into a green future
– Active labour market policies (enhancing employability, training, subsidised job creation, etc.)
Author Barbara Surdykowska and Eurofound
Measure added 04 March 2021 (updated 17 March 2021)

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)

Citation

Eurofound (2021), Commission's Recommendation on Effective Active Support to Employment, measure EU-2021-10/1784 (measures in European Union), EU PolicyWatch, Dublin, https://static.eurofound.europa.eu/covid19db/cases/EU-2021-10_1784.html

Share

Eurofound publications based on EU PolicyWatch

30 January 2023

 

Measures to lessen the impact of the inflation and energy crisis on citizens

Governments across the EU continue to implement policies to support citizens and businesses in the face of rising food and energy prices caused by the COVID-19 crisis and intensified by the war in Ukraine. This article summarises the policy responses as reported in Eurofound's EU PolicyWatch database from January to September 2022.

Article

12 September 2022

 

First responses to cushion the impact of inflation on citizens

Although the worldwide pandemic situation had already disrupted supply chains and triggered increases in energy and food prices in 2021, the situation deteriorated in 2022 with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Article

12 September 2022

 

Policies to support EU companies affected by the war in Ukraine

This article summarises the first policy responses that governments across the EU have started to implement to support companies affected by the rising prices, and those with commercial ties to Ukraine, Russia or Belarus.

Article

5 July 2022

 

Policies to support refugees from Ukraine

This article summarises the first policy responses of EU Member States, including those of the social partners and other civil society actors, enabling refugees to exercise their rights under the Temporary Protection Directive.

Article

Disclaimer: This information has not been subject to the full Eurofound evaluation, editorial and publication process.