EMPLOYMENT : REPORT URGES "RAPID, RELEVANT AND COORDINATED ACTION".

Improve "flexicurity pathways" and create "better skills matching": these are the two key areas where the European Commission sees "the need to reinforce certain efforts" during the economic meltdown. In its Joint Employment Report 2009, the Commission provides an analysis of the EU labour market, indicating that "some member states will need to take measures that go beyond their plans laid out in the national reform programmes". The EU executive adopted this report, together with the country chapters' and recommendations, on 28 January.

It is essential to take "rapid, relevant and coordinated action," says the...