Uncertain Dreams of European Young Workers in the Shadow of the Covid-19 crisis

Brussels (IYCW News) - COMECE, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU, invites young people to design a future for the EU that matches their dreams, in line with Pope Francis’ message for Europe. 

A series of 3 online events was held on 3, 10 and 17 June 2021. ‘Our Dream of Europe’, a convention of the Catholic Youth, brought together over 100 young Catholics, mainly delegated by the Bishops’ Conferences of the EU and by the COMECE Youth Platform. Together, and throughout a series of webinars, they reflected and formulated concrete proposals on three main thematic areas: Just Social Recovery, Ecological and Digital Transitions, and Democracy and European values.

Carolin Moch, European Coordinator of Young Christian Workers, was one of the presenters. In her presentation, Caro underlined the things that the labour movement in Europe has done with regard to youth employment, education and skills in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis.

According to Caro, the number of unemployed in Europe continues to rise to 25 per cent. Therefore, Caro believes that the Youth guarantee can be a way to reduce the number of unemployed.

"The Youth Guarantee must be reinforced, especially in the midst of the current Covid-19 crisis. This program must really give young workers access to jobs, education, apprenticeships or traineeships," said Caro.

Dreaming in the shadow of the Covid-19 crisis is uncertain; the situation is increasingly difficult and uncertain. Looking for a job becomes difficult, and the available jobs are uncertain.

Caro described the condition of Mark, a young man who works with flexible contracts. “Mark was working at a gym when the pandemic started. With his form of contract, the employer does not have to pay him when he doesn’t go to work. His boss hasn’t fired him but still, he doesn’t have an income and his parents have to help him.”