The seminar „Changing labour market – challenges for professional activation of groups with fewer employment opportunities: older workers, young people, refugees" took place in Lublin/Poland from 7 to 10 December 2023, organised by Europejski Dom Spotkań - Fundacja Nowy Staw, in cooperation with EZA and funded by the European Union. Representatives of worker’s organisations from Poland, Spain, Germany, Lithuania, Slovakia, Italy, Ukraine, Belgium and Bulgaria participated in the seminar.
IMPORTANCE OF THE SEMINAR
The main objective of our seminar was a debate and then exchange of good practices, opinions and ideas related to the challenges of today's labour market for groups with fewer professional and educational opportunities. Special attention was paid to current situation in Europe in the context of the economic crisis, inflation and ongoing war in Ukraine. This topic was widely discussed in the conference room and during the breaks.
The richness of the panel discussions was made possible by the participation of speakers representing various labour market circles: trade unions, NGOs working on behalf of groups with fewer opportunities, universities, companies, schools and education circles. The panels included people from different parts of Europe measuring the problems and challenges of the labour market for older workers, young people and refugees.
This seminar provided an opportunity to share knowledge about situation of these people in different European countries, experiences of working with young people, older workers and refugees. It gave an opportunity to share good practices and methods of working with them and their protection on the labour market as well as the challenges and tasks facing Europe in this dimension.
THE MAIN TOPICS DISCUSSED DURING THE SEMINAR AND USED METHODS
During this 2-days seminar speakers and seminar audience could exchange knowledge and reflections connected with different aspects of the situation of groups with fewer employment opportunities on the labour market in face of post-pandemic reality and ongoing economic changes in Europe as follows:
-Situation of refugees in Europe with special focus on Italy, Spain and Poland and exchange of good practices for their socio-economic activation.
-The role of solidarity of European countries and their citizens in welcoming refugees and supporting them in the labour market is highlighted.
-The issue of diagnosing and harnessing the talents of people with refugee experience so that they have a sense of empowerment and subjectivity - so that they find their place in society and feel comfortable in it - was addressed.
-Refugees can help to increase the population of towns that are losing their inhabitants as a result of the demographic crisis - refugees can live and work there.
-The very important role of psychological and psychotherapeutic support towards refugees - especially those arriving from Ukraine (with experience of the trauma of war) as equally important in relation to professional activation was highlighted.
-The issue of discrimination and stereotyping of workers 50+ was raised and a discussion was held on how to counteract it and how to use the potential of older workers.
-The results of the Polish report 2022 were presented, according to which the profile of a 50+ employee appears as a person who is attached to the workplace, responsible, loyal, less likely to take sick leave.
-The need for intergenerational solidarity was pointed out, as well as for the generations to learn from each other, and it was emphasised that older workers are the future of the labour market.
-Good practices and methods of educational activation (formal and non-formal) for students, young scientists and young people in the context of European programmes and opportunities are presented.
-The need to improve career counselling and to adapt it to the educational realities of specific countries was identified.
-The topic of digital transformation was discussed - the challenges faced by the employee and the employer in this context.
-The focus is on key competences and the competences of the future (digital), the combination of which offers the possibility for all groups of employees to find their way in the labour market effectively and efficiently.
-The role of co-determination in companies by employees was highlighted - in line with Catholic Social Teaching.
-The seminar addressed the mental wellbeing of workers with fewer opportunities and talked about effective and innovative ways to look after their mental health.
The seminar was largely in the form of a debate, in which speakers were able to address the topic of discussion in their presentation by contributing a high level of substantive value. All speakers prepared high quality graphic and factual multimedia presentations. Each panel was followed by a session of questions and comments.
THE MAIN CONLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE SEMINAR
During the discussion panels and exchange of knowledge and good practices following conclusions and recommendations have been developed:
-Tailoring education and development programs to the specific needs of people with fewer opportunities - individualised support paths rather than one-size-fits-all programmes
-Adaptation of support with respect to cultural background - including the provision of language and integration/cultural activities
-Educational work with employers' convictions - so that they do not discriminate against people with disabilities or those from other countries - including African countries, but also the proposal that European countries support Africa in activating its people - so that they do not have to flee their homes from economic or political reasons
-Call for policies that support the integration of refugees and strengthen social cohesion on the basis of dialogue and mutual cooperation
-Developing a legal framework for 50+ employees and their employers - clear and transparent regulations protecting both sides, as well as solutions enabling older workers to gradually retire and remain active in the labour market according to their needs, abilities and wishes
-Providing all employees, but especially 50+ employees, with free training in digital competences and social skills
-Raise awareness among workers about the role of mental well-being of workers and methods to support it, especially in the context of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic; increase the availability of free psychological help - develop state system solutions in this aspect