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On the United Nations International Youth Day, CESI Youth highlights the difficult situation young people are facing in light of the current economic crisis driven by the COVID-19 global pandemic.
Economic downturns tend to be particularly hard for the vulnerable groups in our society, such as young people. The COVID-19 economic crisis is proving to be no different, with 16.8% of youth unemployment rate in the EU (June 2020 – EUROSTAT data).
Furthermore, young people tend to be employed in retail and tourism sectors, two of the most affected by the economic crisis. This is particularly worrying for those who use their summer break to work and use those savings for the next academic year. In addition, young people tend to be over represented in the gig economy and in atypical working contracts, limiting their access to social protection measures. This culminates in young people being the most affected in terms of mental health by the COVID-19 health crisis.
To tackle this problems, the European Commission issued a proposal for a Reinforced Youth Guarantee, as well as a modern apprenticeship policy and skills agenda. This new proposal positively extends the age group from under 25 to under 29 and distinguishes between long and short-term NEET’s. However, the proposal could have gone a bit further in guaranteeing quality standards for education, internships and apprenticeships.
CESI Youth hopes on this International Youth Day to raise awareness to the need to prevent youth unemployment rates like those witnessed in the last global financial crisis, especially in Southern Europe, as well as the need the ensure quality offers and paid internships.
Young people, especially from vulnerable backgrounds and minorities, cannot be left behind. The coronavirus recovery has to be socially inclusive, with strong public services at its core.
Watch the full conference Preventing a Lost Generation 2.0 in following here.
Consult CESI statement on an ad-hoc EU social partner consultation on a reinforced Youth Guarantee here.
Consult CESI Youth article on Youth Employment and COVID19 here.
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International Youth Day 2020 – Protect Youth Employment
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