The document “Towards more dynamic, inclusive and resilient labour markets in Europe” builds on the lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic and makes recommendations to support economic and social recovery.

The joint recommendations were discussed and negotiated over the last two months and adopted by the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee, based on the approval of the WEC-Europe Executive Committee.

It follows a first set of joint recommendations focused on “Protecting workers in the COVID-19 pandemic, safeguarding work and preparing for an inclusive economic and social recovery” of April 2020 and the joint Work Programme for the period 2021-2023 adopted by the sector’s social partners of May 2021.

The recommendations focus on moving towards more dynamic, inclusive, and resilient labour markets in Europe and address the following main elements:

• Creating a favourable environment for labour market transitions by emphasising the outplacement role of Employment Agencies and ensuring social protection and adequate social rights for all through social purpose and social innovation;
• Ensuring access to training policies at European, national, and local level that put people at the centre, building more inclusive labour markets;
• Ensuring adequate protection for all workers through social dialogue, fostering more resilient labour markets by recognising and encouraging dialogue and exchange on the application and enforcement of existing European and national law.

The joint recommendations adopted by the sectoral social partners have been discussed and negotiated at European level, aiming to foster and guide labour market reforms also at national level in the EU Member States.

The importance of private employment services, agency work and career management services, that provide a valuable contribution to fostering labour market transitions, up- and reskilling and the recognition of prior learning, has also been recognised at the end of the

informal EU Employment and Social Affairs Council on the need for reskilling support in the context of the digital and green transitions in Bordeaux on 15 February 2022.