The State of Working Europe 2004

There are many excellent reports produced by international, European and national bodies and agencies concerning developments in the European economy, jobs, working conditions, living standards, pensions, and so on.But they rarely bring out the interconnections between these issues, or address them in the round. Nor do they take the perspective of ordinary working people in different parts of Europe.This review aims to fill that gap: exploiting the analyses of others, where they are available; undertaking new research where existing studies are inadequate, or fail to go far enough. As such, the review aims to bring new insights and new understanding to Europe's most basic domestic concerns. How well is the EU doing in building a better life for its citizens? How are the different sections of society, and parts of the Union, faring? How does Europe's performance compare with what it should be capable of achieving, and with that of other countries?The review seeks to focus on the facts, and on interpreting them in an intelligible way. In doing so, it aims to help strengthen the basis for positive policy making at European, national and international level. And so help to improve the lives of ordinary people across the new enlarged Europe - whether they are working, looking for a job, or retired.In this task, we have been inspired and encouraged by the series of reports on the State of Working America produced by the Economic Policy Institute in Washington since 1988. We intend to emulate their high standards of analysis and advocacy in the rather different context of the European Union.An independent review published with the support of the ETUC, SALTSA and the HBS.