Titolo
The reform of unemployment compensation: choices for East and West
Periodico
European University Institute of Badia Fiesolana (Fi). Department of Economics - Working papers
Anno: 1990 - Fascicolo: 22 - Pagina iniziale: 1 - Pagina finale: 12

The rapid emergence of open unemployment is accompanying moves towards market economies in Eastern European countries. Governments are responding with munemployment benefit schemes which may be seen as a natural and positive complement to economic reform. At the same time, compensation for the unemployed is often viewed in a negative light in Western Europe with the 1980s having been a period of retrenchment in the face of higher levels of unemployment. This contrast is used in the paper to stimulate re-consideration of principles of income support for the unemployed. Given that any civilised society would wish to provide for the unemployed, what form should compensation for unemployment take? The paper considers the choice between contributory unemployment insurance and means-tested unemployment assistance, stressing the positive aspects for labour markets of the former. The coverage of OECD unemployment compensation schemes is discussed and new unemployment benefit schemes in several Eastern European countries are briefly described. The paper concludes with suggestions for reform, and for assessment of reform, in East and West.



Testo completo: http://hdl.handle.net/1814/361

Esportazione dati in Refworks (solo per utenti abilitati)