Invitation ETUI-ETUC seminar: A tight labour market – from threat to opportunity, 16/09, 12h30

 

The Covid-19 pandemic has contributed to labour market tightness, in which the demand for labour is at least as strong as the supply. Labour shortages have been recorded in some sectors, particularly those involving intensive social contact, where due to safety considerations, former employees have been hesitating to return to their jobs.

There are however also other underlying factors such as unfavorable working conditions and declined labour migration which have had an influence on the move of workers, putting upward pressure on the bargaining capacity of workers and their trade unions. The ETUC believes that labour market tightness provides for enhanced bargaining power for workers, and while many challenges needs to be addressed, this is an opportunity for trade unions to improve working conditions for workers.

This seminar will try to explore the reasons behind the pressing phenomenon of labour market shortage and put forward measures to address it.

The topic will be addresses from the point of view of different political actors, including employers’ organisations, trade unions and the European Commission, as well as the research community.

 Agenda

Introduction and chair: Sotiria Theodoropoulou, Head of unit European economic, employment and social policies, ETUI

Some numbers on labour migration in the EU, Mehtap Akgüç, Senior Researcher ETUI TBC

Working conditions as driver for labour market shortages in the health sector, Paula Franklin, Senior Researcher ETUI

Roundtable discussion with:

Claes-Mikael Ståhl, Deputy general secretary, European Trade Union Confederation

Maxime Cerutti, Director of BusinessEurope’s Social Affairs department

Joost Korte, Director-General of Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission

Interpretation in English/French and possibly other languages will be available.

The event will be in a hybrid format – participation will be possible in the room and via Zoom. Please register here indicating how you prefer to attend. The venue is TBC (walking distance from the ITUH) and will be communicated to you some days before the event.

Lunch will be offered to the participants in the room from 12h.