The Mayor of Vila Real de Santo António defended, in Brussels, at the Committee on Social Policy, Education, Employment, Research and Culture (Sedec) of the Committee of the Regions, the need to take urgent measures to combat long-term unemployment in the European Union, particularly in the younger age groups.
According to Luís Gomes, the effects of the crisis have had strong repercussions on young people, so that transitions from education to the labor market have become increasingly complex and marked by strong instability, especially in obtaining their first job. .
«Today, we have a significant group of young people, some over 30 years old, who have never had any professional experience or contact with the world of work – due to the lack of opportunities –, despite the fact that we are facing the most educated generation ever . For this reason, it is urgent to take measures to facilitate the access of young people to their first job, in partnership with universities, social partners, corporate entities and public and private employers», notes the member of the Committee of the Regions.
This framework is currently responsible for serious worrying social imbalances, considering that 8,7 million young Europeans cannot find work and the percentage of young people in long-term unemployment or involuntary part-time remains high.
To reverse this situation, avoiding scenarios of social marginalization, which could potentially enhance situations of violence and exclusion, Luís Gomes supports the adoption of a package of measures by the European Commission, in the period 2016-2018, which should include social inclusion policies and practices of awareness that allow reaching young people from diverse backgrounds.
Among other solutions, the strengthening of youth organizations and networks is suggested, as well as the development of work to strengthen the capacity of young people to adapt to technological, behavioral and social changes.
For Luís Gomes, these mechanisms will allow the emergence of new forms of democratic participation, as well as the promotion of literacy in terms of new technologies, to which other initiatives should be added such as the reinforcement of youth networks, volunteering platforms and a greater access to political decision-making in these matters.
“Given that 82% of young people in the EU used social media in 2014, these tools can and should be channeled towards promoting youth entrepreneurship and developing bridges between young people and the labor market”, he notes.
Likewise, it recalls the role that the social economy can play in this juncture, since the sector represents an opportunity for growth and combating the economic crisis and is currently responsible for 14 million jobs in the European context and for 10% of business in Europe.
For the mayor, the social economy, as well as the strengthening of technological literacy tools, are also important instruments to combat long-term unemployment in older generations, where the scenario of long-term unemployment and difficulties in re-entering the market are growing social phenomena.
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