Europe is in its fifth year of crisis with no signs of any improvement. Rising and persistent unemployment across Europe in the wake of the banking and sovereign debt crises have been further aggravated by the choice of a therapy based on austerity. Over recent months the policies have been challenged by public demonstrations and have led to extreme elections results. Leading figures from the EU and international agencies have expressed deep concern over the direction the European economies have taken. Publications from the IMF have revised estimates of the negative impact of cuts in public spending and European Commission President Barroso has spoken of austerity policies reaching ‘their limits’. So far, the only medicine on offer is a continuation of austerity alongside measures aimed at reducing wages and security of those in employment. This conference will bring together researchers and practitioners to discuss the effects of past policies, the changes taking place in labour markets and the alternatives to current policies.
Draft Agenda
9.15-9.30 Welcome
9.30-11.00 Failing austerity and beyond
Speakers:
11.00-11.30 Coffee break
11.30-13.00 The myth of success from labour-market deregulation: what lessons from Germany and Poland?
Speakers:
13.00-14.00 Buffet lunch
14.00-15.30 Collective bargaining in the crisis and the real way forward
Speakers:
15.30-16.00 Coffee break
16.00-17.20 The alternatives
Speakers:
Moderator:
17.20-17.30 Closing remarks
Interpretation into and from the following languages will be provided: English, French and German
A more elaborated draft agenda can be downloaded (see below). More information will be published soon on this webpage.
Links:
[1] http://www.etui.org/Events/Getting-Europe-back-to-Work-Alternatives-to-Austerity