Labour shortages – turning away from bad jobs

Policy recommendations

Rising labour shortages reflect structural shifts, including the digital and green transitions, as well as a cyclical component in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The policy debate tends to focus on the need for skills and, where they are deemed to be missing, on bringing in those skills through immigration and mobility. Most discussions ignore the role of job quality, even though labour shortages have increased most and are worst in jobs with lower wages and worse conditions.
Tight labour markets can provide workers with opportunities, to some extent making up for the slow erosion of workers’ bargaining power over time. Indeed, this can lead to higher wages, better conditions and higher equality of wages overall.
It is now necessary to support workers and sectors in improving conditions. This can be done by embracing higher minimum standards on wages and quality of work. This aspect should not be neglected.

Labour shortages – turning away from bad jobs - European Economic, Employment and Social Policy, 2023 DOWNLOAD

Sale and trafficking of children for sexual purposes

Publications

ECPAT International is a global network of civil society organisations working together to end the sexual exploitation of children (SEC). ECPAT comprises member organisations in over 100 countries who generate knowledge, raise awareness, and advocat...Read More

TAGS: Tourism, Hospitality & Recreational Services Domestic Work/ Servitude Information and Communications Technology Global

Combatting Modern Slavery through Data, Technology and Partnerships

Publications

Many valuable, but often fragmented models are currently used in the fight against human trafficking. Building from the themes raised in a five-part webinar series hosted by Freedom Collaborative last fall, this paper argues that data should be used...Read More

TAGS:

Decent Work for Ugandan Domestic Workers: Findings and Recommendations for Funders

Legislation

In Uganda and Kenya, thousands of Ugandan children work as domestic workers. Despite laws prohibiting employment of children under the age of 16 in Uganda, there is little enforcement in the domestic work sector. While poverty drives children to ent...Read More

TAGS: Africa

Freedom First Celebrating 20 Years of Progress to Combat Human Trafficking

Publications

This retrospective report provides a historical perspective on the context in which the TVPA (the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) was crafted, celebrates the major accomplishments of the United States government, and provides a view of t...Read More

TAGS: North America