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

Brexit and Modern Slavery: Impact on the UK’s Legal Framework for Workers in Supply Chains

COVID-19 resourcesPublications

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TAGS: Europe

Artificial Intelligence – Combating online sexual abuse of children

Publications

The rapid growth of digital technology has revolutionized our lives, transforming the way we connect and communicate. Internet access, mobile devices and social media are now ubiquitous, especially among children. Of the 4.5 billion people with acce...Read More

TAGS: Information and Communications Technology Global

National Hotline 2018 Delaware State Report

Graphics & InfographicsPublications

The data in this report represents signals and cases from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 and is accurate as of July 25, 2019. Cases of trafficking may be ongoing or new information may revealed to the National Hotline over time. Consequen...Read More

TAGS: North America

Still in Harm’s Way

Publications

Following the ground-breaking 2016 report Heading Back to Harm, leading charities ECPAT UK and Missing People have revisited the issue using 2017 data to assess what has changed. Still in Harm's Way: An update report on trafficked and unaccompanied ...Read More

TAGS: Europe