An occasional paper by DG ECOFIN, warning that employment in the Arab Mediterranean countries is a major challenge for the region – and for Europe – in the next 10 to 15 years, calling for immediate action before permanent damage is caused to development prospects in the region. 

 

The study analyses the key labour market determinants of migration flows from selected Arab Mediterranean countries (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and the Occupied Palestinian Territories). It makes a number of recommendations including: upgrading the statistics available and conducting further in-depth analysis; upgrading education and training systems; mainstreaming the policy goal of job creation and higher productivity; promoting active labour market policies; creating incentives to hire new graduates and women; creating incentives to transform informal into formal employment; and establishing social protection systems guaranteeing universal coverage, with the emphasis on worker rather than job protection. (May 2010)

 

DG ECOFIN Press release