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Evaluative Active Labor Market Programmes in Romania

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  • Nuria Rodriguez-Planas†
  • Jacob Benus

Abstract

Successful implementation of active labor market programmes is of paramount importance for developed, developing, and transition economies. In this paper, we show that these programmes do work for transition economies. Using unusually rich (for transition economies) follow-up survey data and propensity score matching techniques, we evaluate the presence of effects from joining one of four active labour market programmes implemented in Romania in the late 1990s compared to the no-programme state. We find that three programmes (training and retraining, self-employment assistance, and employment and relocation services) had success in improving participants' economic outcomes and were costbeneficial from society’s perspective. In contrast, public employment was found detrimental for the employment prospects of its participants.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuria Rodriguez-Planas† & Jacob Benus, 2007. "Evaluative Active Labor Market Programmes in Romania," Working Papers 2007-31, FEDEA.
    • Handle: RePEc:fda:fdaddt:2007-31
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