Summary of the key messages

This resolution aims at providing an analysis of the current scheme based on ETUC members’ experience as well as recommendations for further steps to reinforce the scheme, also in the view of the new urgencies caused by the pandemic.

• ETUC members, as well as independent evaluators, identified major shortcomings when it comes to the implementation of the Youth Guarantee in Member States. The most relevant issues are: (1) low quality of the offers provided under the scheme; (2) timely intervention within the promised period of 4 months;  (3) the poor outreach strategies to offer the scheme to those young people who are furthest from the labour market (NEETs).
• ETUC sees the current situation, and the skyrocketing numbers of youth unemployment, as direct consequences of structural reforms and austerity measures introduced after the financial crisis in 2009.  The neoliberal policies, promotion of labour market flexibility, liberalisation of employment protection systems, and weakening of social protection systems, and collective bargaining institutions caused an extreme shortage of decent job opportunities for young people. ETUC will oppose any similar so-called ‘solution’ in the upcoming period and calls for better involvement of social partners on European, National, Sectorial, and company level in design, implementation, and evaluation of the scheme.
• ETUC insists that all the recovery measures, as well as previously planned European programs, must have a long term perspective and put the well-being of the citizen at its centre. Massive investments into public services and a bailout for private companies must be accompanied by financial discipline (no dividend payment, no buyback of shares, no executive bonuses, no tax avoidance, and no aggressive tax planning), and social responsibility (maintaining and creating employment with quality working conditions).

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