Amidst all the current debates in Europe about competitiveness, productivity, migration, and economic transitions – both ‘green’ and ‘digital’ - the ongoing issue of labour shortages has emerged as a major policy concern, intrinsically tied to all of the above.

But what are the major factors driving these shortages? Where do we see them the most? And what kinds of solutions would be the most effective?  

Discussion with ETUI Senior Researcher Wouter Zwysen, author of multiple recent papers on labour shortages, job quality, and workers' bargaining power.

Further reading:

⁠Labour shortages, job quality and workers’ bargaining power | etui⁠

⁠Labour shortages – turning away from bad jobs | etui⁠

⁠Monopsony and non-competitive labour markets | etui⁠

⁠Benchmarking Working Europe 2024 | etui⁠

⁠Wage inequality in Europe | etui

Lowering wage inequality through collectively negotiated minima | etui⁠

⁠Green transition and job quality: risks for worker representation | etui

Industrial policy for quality jobs and a just transition | etui⁠

⁠What are governments doing about low-wage employment – and how successful is it? | etui⁠

⁠Job quality in turbulent times | etui