Policy for the labour market: What matters

Abstract

"The way the labour market is institutionally regulated is repeatedly at the centre of disputes on the direction of policy in social and economic issues. Minijobs, temporary agency work, a minimum wage, fixed-term employment, and social benefits are typical topics on the political agenda. Here demands for stronger regulation and more social justice are met with arguments about improving the possibilities of creating jobs. During election times in particular, this is a way to sharpen profiles and put one's standpoint in a nutshell. It is of course true that the behaviour of actors and the results on the labour market are determined by how these regulations are shaped. The Hartz reforms - with both their positive and negative impacts - are quite simply the best example of this. But what is to be done in the policy sphere if one has a labour market which is already reformed, such as Germany? Are the (de-)regulation issues what really matter if further substantial improvements are now to be achieved?" (Text excerpt, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Weber, E. (2013): Politik für den Arbeitsmarkt: Worauf es ankommt. In: Ökonomenstimme No. 10.07.2013, p. 1-3.