Only four member states reach Lisbon employment goals

Date: 10/04/03

By Martin Banks

THE UK, Finland, Sweden and Denmark are the only member states to have achieved the Lisbon employment targets, Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou told MEPs this week.

The employment and social affairs chief said more needs to be done by other member states if they are to meet three key objectives set by EU leaders at a summit in the Portuguese capital three years ago:

• To achieve an EU-wide employment rate of 67% by the end of the decade;
• to increase the proportion of women in work from 55% to 60%, and;
• to boost the proportion of employees aged 55-64 from 38.8% to 50%.

The targets were set as part of an aim to make the Union the world's most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy by 2010.

Diamantopoulou rated each country by turn in her report to the European Parliament:

Belgium: Employment rates way below EU average and far from targets, especially for older workers.

Denmark: Has surpassed target for employment of women, older people and overall employment rate.

Germany: Hits targets for overall employment and jobs for women, but with regional disparities.

Greece: Well below targets, particularly for women, although unemployment fell for third consecutive year.

Spain: Unemployment rate well above EU average. Female unemployment rate more than double that of men. Labour mobility limited and productivity low.

France: Successful at attracting older workers but many youngsters leaving school without qualification.

Ireland: Progress towards goals but slowdown in economy presents a major challenge. Significant gap between employment of men and women.

Italy: Still a gap between its employment rates and the EU average, especially for women and older people. Unemployment high in south.

Luxembourg: Older workers in labour force below EU average with little progress. Too many young people without vocational qualifications.

Netherlands: Well above goal but, despite good female employment rate, gender pay gap remains high. Too many people on disability benefits.

Austria: Has met targets, except for older people. Unemployment rate lowest in EU but criticised for lack of child care facilities.

Portugal: Progress towards Lisbon target positive, with overall employment rate above 67% target.

Finland: Exceeds overall and female targets for 2005, but exposed to effects of ageing population.

Sweden: All targets already met but taxburden on labour is the highest in the EU.

UK: Exceeds each target but has significant disparities in access to labour market.

The UK, Finland, Sweden and Denmark are the only Member States to have achieved the Lisbon employment targets, Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou has told MEPs.