This Explainer builds on the work of EAPN’s National Networks and European Organisations over the past three years, and it attempts to map how (and whether) quality of work (understood as the intrinsic quality of a specific job) and employment (understood as the quality of one’s engagement with the labour market throughout the lifecycle) are defined in different countries across the EU, by governments, the social partners (trade unions and employers’ organisations), people experiencing poverty, and international organisations, including the European Union. It discusses the concept of inclusive labour markets, looks at activation policies, as well as the impact of poor quality of work and employment on poverty and social exclusion, and what the consequences of bad quality jobs and labour markets for the society as a whole are. The role of the European Union is clearly outlined, and the booklet ends with ways forward for EU and national policy making, as well as with EAPN’s own list of criteria for what constitutes quality of work and employment.
This Explainer is the 5th in a series of EAPN Explainers, tackling key issues and debates, which are also priorities within the EU poverty discourse, in understandable, everyday language. They are aimed primarily at people working in civil-society organisations, trade unions, academics, the media and other stakeholders, but also at anybody who is concerned with how to make progress on reducing poverty and social exclusion in the EU.
Open the explainer here in English – Macedonian – Polish
There is also a brief summary, inluding: What the Explainers’ about; Defining quality of work/employment; the link to poverty; the role of the EU; recommendations for the EU & for Member States and EAPN’s 10 principles on quality work. Here in Dutch
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
What are we talking about?
What this explainer will tell you
How this booklet was developed
DEFINING QUALITY OF WORK
National governments
Social partners
The European Union
Other international organisations
EAPN’s 10 principles on quality work
DEFINING QUALITY OF EMPLOYMENT
Introducing inclusive labour markets
The 3 pillars of Active Inclusion
Positive versus negative activation
Combating discrimination
Is a “suitable job” a quality job?
What is quality of employment to people experiencing poverty?
THE LINK BETWEEN QUALITY WORK AND EMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY
Insufficient wages and in-work poverty
Unstable, insecure employment
Implications for social security
Long-term impact of low-quality work
The economic crisis and austerity measures
What do people want?
SOME WAYS FORWARD
The role of the European Union
The role of Member States
The role of NGOs and social partners
A coherent agenda for the future
KEY SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND DATA
EAPN documents, positions, videos
Other sources
