Job Market Monitor
Politics & Policies
Refugees in Germany – Only 8 percent find work in the first year
The influx of refugees into Germany is both a boon and a burden for the economy: it needs huge numbers of migrants to rejuvenate an aging workforce, but must financially support many for years until they learn the language and gain qualifications. The country needs about half a million migrants a year until 2050 to … Continue reading
Syrian Asylum Seekers – Nordic countries have reached the political limit
Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland, countries that long set the standard for welcoming refugees from war and persecution, are rapidly rethinking their generosity as the tide of migrants to Europe strains their budgets and roils their politics. The abrupt change in the Nordic nations is one of the most striking consequences of the surge into … Continue reading
US – 79% utilized online resources in their most recent job search
The internet is a top resource for many of today’s job hunters: Among Americans who have looked for work in the last two years, 79% utilized online resources in their most recent job search and 34% say these online resources were the most important tool available to them Online employment resources now rival personal and … Continue reading
UK – Immigrants’ spouses must speak English before entering Supreme Court says
The supreme court has rejected a challenge against an immigration rule requiring spouses to be able to speak English before moving to the UK. Five justices in London had been urged to rule that the pre-entry measure was “unreasonable, disproportionate and discriminatory”. But the panel, led by the court’s president, Lord Neuberger, unanimously dismissed an … Continue reading
US – Republican presidential candidates on the minimum wage
The most recent Republican presidential debate coincided with a nationwide day of action from the Fight For $15, a grassroots movement advocating for higher minimum wages. To Fox Business anchor Neil Cavuto’s credit, he seized this opportunity to ask the candidates a simple question: “Are you sympathetic to the protesters’ cause?” The answer was a … Continue reading
Immigrants who had prior Canadian skilled work experience had a very large initial earnings advantage study finds
Although most Canadian temporary foreign worker programs did not include provisions that allow participants to apply for permanent residency until recently, a substantial number of temporary foreign workers have become landed immigrants since the 1980s. For instance, from 2008 to 2012, about 32,000 temporary foreign workers gained permanent residency each year, accounting for 13% of … Continue reading
China – A plan to push back retirement
China has the world’s lowest retirement age. Chinese officials want to shed that distinction. The average retirement age in China is 55, younger age than any other country, a senior social security minister said this week. As a result, he said, officials will soon unveil a plan to push back the country’s retirement age, which … Continue reading
UK – Some details on the apprenticeship levy to come
Although consultation on the Levy closes today, it’s clear that some questions have already been answered. The Levy will see ‘large’ employers (probably those with over 250 employees), paying a percentage (probably around 0.5%) of their payroll costs to the government, to be spent on apprenticeship creation. It’s not yet clear how the system will … Continue reading
India – Protest against planned labor reforms
Modi plans to launch the biggest overhaul of labor laws in decades, giving companies greater flexibility in hiring and firing workers – reforms that economistsand businesses say will help job creation and unleash more economic growth. These changes would make it tougher for employees to form unions or to go on strike, but include measures … Continue reading
Minimum Wage in UK – Women, pensioners and part-time workers to gain most from increases
Women, pensioners and part-time workers stand to gain most from increases in the minimum wage, new research shows. One-in-three working women will benefit from the Government’s plans to introduce a national living wage, according to new research. Six million workers, representing about a fifth of all employees, will see their pay lifted by the end … Continue reading
Uber in Brazil – It increases unemployment says president
The president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, has criticised ride-sharing service Uber for increasing unemployment, adding to a chorus of labour concerns about the world’s most valuable venture-backed startup. Rousseff said local authorities must regulate the service, which has led conventional taxi drivers to stage protests and lobby lawmakers in Brazil’s three biggest cities. São Paulo, … Continue reading
UK – More than six out of 10 employers are opposed to paid volunteering leave
More than six out of 10 (61%) employers are opposed to the Conservative pledge of paid volunteering leave, according to research from Jelf Employee Benefits. The policy, pledged in the Conservative party’s election manifesto, would oblige all public sector employers, and private companies with more than 250 employees, to give workers up to three days … Continue reading
The Dutch ‘Basic Income’ Experiment
Free cash is in the works for a growing number of Dutch urbanites. After the city of Utrecht announced that it would give no-strings-attached money to some of its residents, other Dutch cities are getting on board for social experiments with “basic income,” a regular and unconditional stipend to cover living costs. Tilburg, a city … Continue reading
Minimum Wage Around the World – A Chart for OECD’s 34 member countries
Supporting low-wage earners is one of the keys to promoting inclusive growth, and minimum wages are a common if sometimes controversial way of doing it. Of the 34 countries that are members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 26 have a minimum wage – 9 of which have been introduced since 1990. … Continue reading
Europe – Which reforms should be implemented?
In many parts of Europe, labour market reforms during the last eight years were misguided and backfired. Theory and evidence tell us that: It is always better to have institutions allowing adjustment along several margins, not only employment. When implementing labour market reforms, it is important to take into consideration cyclical conditions. A very tough … Continue reading
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