Programme for the Policy Forum

How can Labour Market and Social Policies best help workers weather the storm of the crisis?

28 September 2009, OECD Conference Centre, Paris

The Policy Forum provided an opportunity for the social partners, researchers, Ministers and representatives of the civil society to discuss the social dimension of the economic crisis and how best policy-makers could respond to the challenges of rapidly rising unemployment which is likely to persist for some time even after the recovery gets underway.

- Are standard employment policies adequate to respond to the crisis?

- Do these measures need to be reinforced or complemented by other less conventional measures?

- What should be done to minimize the risk that the current steep rise in unemployment will become persistent into the recovery and beyond?

- How can dialogue with social partners and other stakeholders facilitate the design and implementation of the most suitable labour market and social policy package to help workers weather the storm of the crisis? 

Monday 28 September 2009 

POLICY FORUM

How can Labour Market and Social Policies best help workers weather the storm of the crisis?

9:30 - 9:40

Welcome by Mr. John Martin, OECD Director of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs

Introductory remarks by the Chair

9:40 - 10:10

Key note address by Mr. David Blanchflower, Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College (USA)

10:10 - 10:20

Opening comments by Minister

10:20 - 11:00

Comments by BIAC, TUAC and the ILO

11:00 - 11:20

Coffee break

11:20 - 11:30

Comments by Minister

11:30 - 12:20

Discussion

12:20 - 12:30

Concluding remarks by Chair