Original scientific paper
PLEASE, CLIMB THAT TREE! SOME THOUGHTS ON THE OBSTACLES THAT PREVENT MEMBERS OF ‘VULNERABLE GROUPS’ FROM ENTERING THE LABOUR MARKET
Edit Kajtár
; University of Pécs, Faculty of Law
Abstract
‘Lost’, or ‘scarred generation’, ‘economic and social emergency’ – these expressions feature in several ILO and European Commission documents on employment chances of youngsters. Unfortunately the use of these disconsolate words is more than exaggerated rhetoric, the unemployment rate of youngsters is indeed permanently and significantly high, their position on the labour market is unstable. The redundancies triggered by the economic crises, and the spreading of uncertain forms of employment strike youngsters most. The paper examines the (additional) obstacles that hinder the employment of those youngsters who also belong to one (or more) of the so called ‘vulnerable groups’ and offers comments on the various measures aiming at removal of these obstacles. The meaning of vulnerable groups is discussed, with special attention to people with disabilities. The paper argues that education policy, labour law and labour market measures as well as social protection measures are mutually reinforcing and it is certainly decisive that their interaction results in a right protecting Holy Trinity and not a Bermuda Triangle in which rights mysteriously disappear. Hungary is used as a case study to demonstrate the role of hard and soft law measures, active and passive labour market policies in tackling inequality as well as their potentials and limitations. Comments are offered on the difficulties along the road to work as well as in employment. The paper underlines the importance of measures that respond to the requirements of the labour market and at the same time adapt to the special needs of ‘vulnerable groups’.
Keywords
vulnerable groups; youngsters; disability; pregnancy; social inclusion; educati- on; employment; Hungary; Empower Project
Hrčak ID:
130437
URI
Publication date:
30.8.2014.
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