The equal treatment of young people in the labour market

Background

Despite various policies and instruments aimed at improving the labour market situation for young people, both at the EU and national levels, there is evidence that policies and laws discriminate against young people solely on the basis of their age. This is particularly concerning given that crises such as COVID-19 and the economic crisis have shown that young people are more susceptible to economic shocks and job losses, as they are often employed in service sectors and have more insecure employment.

These significant events not only impact young people's job prospects and financial stability but also take a severe toll on their mental health, as seen during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the EESC's opinion, young people are particularly dependent on minimum wages, with more than 1 in 4 being minimum wage earners, compared to 1 in 10 adults. Furthermore, some Member States establish separate youth minimum wages, which are consistently lower than the general minimum wage, thereby undermining young people's right to equal pay for equal work.

In addition, fragmented periods of social security coverage have an impact on their future. Other provisions such as unemployment benefits vary significantly across European countries, often putting young people at a disadvantage and impacting their labour mobility rights within the EU. When it comes to labour market access and transition from education to employment, the regulations concerning internships and traineeships also differ among Member States, with some allowing young people to work for free for longer periods.

Key points:

In the opinion, the EESC:

• calls for ensuring better enforcement of the principle of equal treatment regarding young people's access to the labour market, working conditions and employment benefits, including wages, social security and social assistance while supporting their economic activity through entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. It recommends that young people be entitled to the same minimum wage as other workers in their respective countries under the equal pay for equal work principle;
• recommends that traineeships should offer good quality learning content and adequate working conditions and not be used as a substitute for regular jobs or a precondition for a job placement;
• supports greater integration of the European Youth Test, which evaluates the effects of new policies on young people, into mainstream practices.

The text of the draft opinion can be found here.

Additional information

Section: Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship (SOC)

Opinion number: SOC/721

Opinion type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteur: Michael McLoughlin

Date of adoption by section: 31/05/2023

Result of the vote: 47 in favour/0 against/0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 15/06/2023

Result of the vote:

Contacts:

Press officer:  Laura Lui           

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 9189

email:  laurairena.lui@eesc.europa.eu

Administrator: Bartek Bednarowicz

Tel.:     00 32 2 546 9229

email:  Bartek.Bednarowicz@eesc.europa.eu