Independent MEP Marian Harkin has welcomed the EU "Youth Guarantee" as a "tangible indication" that Europe is responding to the youth unemployment crisis. However, she cautioned that it is only a first step, and the bigger picture requires a change in the EU's ongoing austerity policies.
Speaking from the European Parliament in Strasbourg today (14 January), Harkin argued that while the Youth Guarantee is a positive initiative, it is "only a first step and only a small step".
"We also have to look at the bigger picture and address the demand as well as the supply side of the youth unemployment situation," the Ireland North & West MEP said.
"Without a return to growth, investment and job creation, initiatives such as this one will remain small steps. Continuing the economic model of austerity and slashing of public investment has in my own country contributed significantly to a 29.7% youth unemployment rate. And while this is by no means the worst in Europe, the real figure is masked by mass emigration - 87, 000 people, most of them young, left Ireland in the year up to April 2012 because there is nothing for them at home".
Harkin concluded that "President Higgins summed it up perfectly when he referenced the discourse that concentrates entirely on the security of the currency, but is happy to leave aside the question of an enormous wedge of the population that are unemployed – 55 per cent of young people in some countries'".
"In reality, a big problem such as Europe's chronic youth unemployment can only be tackled with big solutions, none of which will be viable until austerity is eased. I echo the sentiments of EU Employment Commissioner Andor, who today said that we must not compromise our future when we consolidate our finances".
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The European Youth Guarantee is a proposal to ensure that every young person in Europe is offered a job, further education or work-focused training at the latest four months after leaving education or after becoming unemployed: www.youthguarantee.eu
