Labour Market and Social Policies in the Baltic Countries (Emerging Economies Transition)

This Review Analyses The Key Issues Facing Each Of The Baltic States - Estonia, Latvia And Lithuania - Given Its Specific Economic And Social Trends. It Provides Detailed Information And Policy Recommendations In Five Topical Areas: Labour Law; Active And Passive Labour Market Policies; Pension Reform; Long-term Care Of The Elderly; And Social Assistance Benefits As A Last Resort. This Publication Is Part Of The Oecd’s Ongoing Co-operation With Non-member Economies Around The World. Summary And Conclusions -- Chapter I. Catching Up With The World Economy -- Introduction -- The Economic Context -- Labour Resources And Employment -- Public Spending On Social Programmes -- Concluding Remarks -- Chapter Ii. Labour Market Policy -- -introduction: The International Experience -- The Institutional Framework For Employment -- The Public Employment Service (pes) And Its Programmes -- Concluding Remarks -- Chapter Iii. Pension Policy And Pension Reform -- -introduction -- The Adequacy Of Current Pensions -- Extending Working Life -- Questions Concerning Funded Pensions -- Concluding Remarks -- Chapter Iv. Long-term Care And Services For The Elderly -- -introduction -- Existing Provisions: An Overview -- Defining Rules Of Access And Setting Quality Standards -- Widening The Range Of Care Providers -- Financing And Pricing -- Concluding Remarks -- Chapter V. Means-tested Social Assistance Benefits -- -introduction -- Standardising The Benefits -- The Questions Of Municipal Financing And Discretion -- Who Should Receive Benefits -- Concluding Remarks -- References -- Annex 1. Unemployment Risks Factors -- Annex 2. Labour Force Dynamics -- Annex 3. Human Capital And Earnings -- References To Annexes 1-3 The Report Was Written By Anders Reuterswärd--foreword. Includes Bibliographical References.