The extremely high unemployment level among those aged 15 to 24 in Estonia could have dire consequences for the nation's future and deserves more attention from politicians, Martti Martinson, a youth policy officer at the Estonian National Youth Council says.
First quarter unemployment in the age group was 40.6 percent, more than twice the national average and the highest in the EU barring Spain, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Speaking on ERR's morning television program Terevisioon on Tuesday, Martinson said that although unemployment for young people is traditionally higher than the average due to their lower levels of experience, the difference in Estonia is unacceptably large.
He said that the situation is putting society at risk of creating a so-called "lost generation,” wherein young people who spend a year or two unemployed won't be able to develop proper working habits."They'll have a negative experience and there's at greater danger that they'll become a burden on society in the future, not being able to find work even in more prosperous times,” he said.
On Monday the Youth Council will meet with the Parliament's Cultural and Social Committee where, according to Martinson, they will make two proposals: introducing tax breaks for employers who hire young people, and setting up separate job market services, aimed specifically at the cohort.
Source: Estonian Public Broadcasting
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