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Article: SOCIAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL: MINISTERS PLACE EMPHASIS ON GETTING THE UNEMPLOYED BACK TO WORK.(access to social benefits)
- Article from:
- European Report
- Article date:
- January 21, 2004
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Incentives to look for work.
The Ministers' discussions on helping the unemployed get back into work were underscored by the need to "strike the correct balance between employment policies and social benefits". There was talk of financial and non-financial incentives to get a job, like minimum wages, fiscal policies, childcare provision, training, etc. However, it is also important to read between the lines: when Ministers speak of "enhancing incentives" they are also thinking of social benefits, considered as being too generous, acting as a disincentive to looking seriously for work. In short, there should be no remuneration for inactivity. Ireland's Minister ...