Zur Debatte um Krise und Arbeitsmarkt im Rahmen des SAMF – Ergebnisse und weiterführende Überlegungen / Debate on crisis and labour market within the SAMF association – resultats and continuing considerations

The analysis of erroneous trends on the labour market as well as the development of concepts allowing to counter steer are two of the main purposes of the “Deutsche Vereinigung für Sozialwissenschaftliche Arbeitsmarktforschung (SAMF) e.V.” since its foundation in 1977. In light of the latest economic crisis this topic - once again - was put into focus of the annual conference in 2009. Based on the debates during the conference and especially during the final panel discussion it is investigated, why the community of labour market research was unexpectedly surprised by the crisis to such a great extent. Explanations are elaborated for the fact that the sharp break-down affected unemployment only rather moderately (“deutsches Beschäftigungswunder”) To what extent did the labour market reforms of the Red/Green Government since 2003 alleviate this situations, i. e. what were the contributions of the reinforced use of in-plant flexibility and what are the limitations of these instruments? The pros and contras regarding the implementation of a new working hour policy are discussed finally as well as how to counteract the deepening segmentation of the labour market between the core and the marginalised workforce.