Future of work

This paper explores how COVID-19 will make it harder to address the pervasive skills and labour challenges that the European Union was already facing before the pandemic hit. Failure to sufficiently invest in skills during these troubled times may have implications for how quickly European economies will recover. Investing in building the skills of resident workers, as well as those migrating into Europe, will likely continue to play a role in meeting labour market needs. The author emphasizes that policy makers must ensure that the economic downturn will not undo progress made in the recent past. A transparent system is required to indicate where there are needs and why immigration is the right tool to meet them. European success will hinge on migrants’ successful labour market integration and participation in the labour force.