European Employment Strategy: Five year evaluation, July 2002

The European Commission adopted a Communication [COM(2002)416b final] on the 17 July 2002 which summarises the findings of a five year evaluation of the European Employment Strategy (EES).

Agreed at the Luxembourg Jobs Summit in November 1997, the EES was developed following the adoption of the Amsterdam Treaty, which introduced a new title on employment. Leaders from the 15 Member States met in Luxembourg to discuss how to provide more and better jobs and change words into action in combating unemployment. They decided to develop a strategy based on four thematic priorities:

• Employability
• Entrepreneurship
• Adaptability
• Equal opportunities

Actions to achieve these priorities were described in Employment Guidelines which were then to be translated on an annual basis into National Action Plans for Employment (NAPs) by the Member States. The NAPs are analysed by the European Commission and the Council with the results presented in a Joint Employment Report, whose findings are the basis for conclusions to be drawn and any reshaping of the Guidelines or country-specific Recommendations for Member States employment policies.

At the Luxembourg Summit, leaders agreed that the EES should be reviewed five years after its launch according to the Social Policy Agenda. In 2001, the European Commission and the Member States agreed on a joint work programme, whereby the European Commission would coordinate an impact evaluation, based on national policy impact evaluation studies following a common thematic breakdown and an EU-wide labour market performance assessment by the European Commission. The national studies were in general carried out by independent experts under supervision of the national employment ministries and their findings form the basis of the Communication.

The main findings of the five year evaluation are:

• Improved EU Labour market performance with more than 10 million new jobs created since 1997 and 4 million fewer people unemployed
• Greater flexibility in the EU labour market reflected through a more rapid labour market response to economic and social changes
• Convergence of national policies towards the priorities outlined in the employment guidelines
• Shift away from managing unemployment towards managing employment growth

The report also notes that the so called 'open method of co-ordination' employed in the strategy has proved successful by fostering partnerships at the EU and national level and encouraging participation by all relevant actors.

The Communication also looks to the future of the EES following the 2002 Spring Barcelona European Council which called for a reinforced Employment Strategy. The European Commission proposes examining the way the EES can be used to help achieve the objectives of the Lisbon strategy by increasing employment; improving the quality of work and production rates; and promoting an inclusive labour market. In this context, the evaluation identifies four main issues to be discussed:

• the need to set clear objectives in response to the policy challenges
• the need to simplify the policy guidelines without undermining their effectiveness
• the need to improve governance and partnership in the implementation of the strategy
• the need to ensure greater consistency and complementarity with respect to other relevant EU processes, notably the Broad Economic Policy Guidelines

Speaking about the evaluation of the five year strategy, Anna Diamantopoulou, European Commissioner responsible for Employment and Social Affairs, said:

'Five years ago, we made a fresh start to combat unemployment. This evaluation shows that a lot has been achieved in five years, with more than 10 million new jobs and 4 million fewer unemployed people across Europe. Member States' co-ordinated labour market reforms have made a visible impact. The Strategy must continue to build on its success. It must also be adjusted to respond to changing circumstances such as new demographic trends, economic restructuring and the imminent enlargement of the EU'.

Links:

European Commission:

• 17.07.02: Press Release: More jobs throughout Europe: Commission welcomes evaluation of EES (European Employment Strategy) [IP/02/1067]
• Communication: 'Taking stock of five years of the European Employment Strategy [COM(2002)416 final]
• European Employment Strategy
• Evaluation of the first five years of the implementation of the European Employment Strategy: Links to national studies
• The Four Pillars of the European Employment Strategy
• Luxembourg Jobs Summit, 20-21 November 1997

European Sources Online: Topic Guides

• Employment and Labour Market Policy

Helen Bower
Compiled: Monday, 22 July 2002

The European Commission adopted a Communication [COM(2002)416 final] on the 17 July 2002 which summarises the findings of a five year evaluation of the European Employment Strategy (EES).