Challenges of the European Union in the Field of Employment

The economic crisis has led to a dramatic increase in unemployment rates and undeclared work, and demographic changes (ageing, low birth rate, migration) are likely to reduce the work force available and to put financial pressure on social protection systems. Thus, we need to analyze the most recent documents adopted at EU level – the Green Paper on “Modernizing labor law to meet the challenges of the 21st century”, Europe 2020 Strategy, Euro Plus Pact (EPP) – and to understand their effects on labor market functioning. Greater participation in the labor market would have a significant impact on the future of Europe's growth, as well as on the evolution of EU social policy.