EURES - for a better integration of labour markets (own-initiative opinion)

Key points

The EESC:

• encourages initiatives at European and local level that develop a more adaptable and accessible European labour market for all citizens, regardless of nationality, gender, age or social status. The transparency and accessibility of information, counselling and intermediation services in the labour market are key to strengthening and developing the European labour market;
• The socio-economic changes that have taken place over nearly 27 years since the creation of EURES call for the improvement of its services and for greater clarity and visibility of the real performance of public employment services;
• The new realities following Brexit, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, the dynamic socio-economic environment in the EU and the EEA, and the inclusion of EURES in the activities of the European Labour Authority, also call for an updated reading of the EURES regulatory framework. It is also necessary to take account of the fact that, since its creation, EURES has not been subject to any substantial changes to update its roles and activities in a timely manner;
• believes that the network has the potential to provide more analytical information and carry out monitoring of processes related to labour mobility. Through its electronic portal, the network could provide consolidated information and advice to jobseekers and employers on a much larger scale than at present. With the incorporation of EURES into the activities of the ELA, the activities of the network could be expanded and optimised in order to maximise the output of the human and financial resources invested therein;
• calls for a public consultation to be launched on the modernisation of the EURES network and portal, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided, which should be carried out in cooperation with the social partners at both national and European level;
• believes that a systematic and detailed analysis is needed of the activities of the EURES network, in the light of its inclusion in the general mechanism of action of the ELA. Being part of the ELA enhances the potential and opportunities of the network to further develop its activities in combatting malpractice in the labour market and to facilitate and better inform users about labour mobility and related challenges.