ETUC welcomes adoption of a Youth guarantee by EPSCO Council

Brussels, 01/03/2013

The adoption of the Youth Guarantee shows the priority given to fighting youth unemployment. The cost of doing nothing was estimated at €153 billion by Eurofound and this will make all stakeholders take their share of responsibility.

Patrick Itschert, ETUC Deputy General Secretary declared: “the adoption of the Youth Guarantee is good news. Europe spent hundreds of billions to save its banks; it was high time that it looked after its young people and their future. Another piece of good news: €6 billion will be allocated to measures for the benefit of young people. It is still not enough, but it is certainly a step in the right direction at a time when Europe is criticised from every quarter. The real problems nonetheless remain job creation and quality jobs. For that, investments and a social contract are needed".