6th ILO European Regional Meeting

The meeting came at a time of improving labour market performance in Europe. The ILO report pointed out, however, that 'the persistence of high rates of unemployment in many Western European countries continues to be a fundamental economic and social problem and is still an important source of poverty.' In particular, the ILO noted that 'long-term unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving a significant number of individuals effectively excluded from the labour market.' Levels of youth unemployment have also remained high in some countries.