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

Taking Back Control of our Borders – The Impact on Modern Day Slavery

Publications

The UK seeks to be a leader in the fight against modern slavery. The present border system is demonstrably not good enough at preventing traffickers getting through and safeguarding victims. Meanwhile, without a new determination for action, convict...Read More

TAGS: Reporting Europe

National Hotline 2019 Georgia State Report

Graphics & InfographicsPublications

The data in this report represents signals and cases from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019 and is accurate as of July 30, 2020. Cases of trafficking may be ongoing or new information may revealed to the National Hotline over time. Consequen...Read More

TAGS: North America

Impact of Covid-19 on Women Workers in the Horticulture Sector in Kenya

COVID-19 resourcesPublications

Hivos commissioned an assessment in April 2020 to establish the impact of Covid-19 on women workers in the horticulture sector. This was assessed with special focus on their current employment status, living conditions, shifts in their household exp...Read More

TAGS: Sourcing or Production Agriculture, Horticulture & Landscaping Africa

Nationality and Borders Bill Part 5: Modern Slavery

Legislation

The anti-slavery sector is concerned by the inclusion of modern slavery in the Nationality and Borders Bill and the preoccupation with viewing modern slavery through an immigration lens. This consideration paper evaluates the Clauses in Part 5 of th...Read More

TAGS: Europe