How I went from EU federalist to EU skeptic in 3 short weeks

Considering unemployment levels are astronomically high across the EU right now (even in Germany)...

They aren't though are they?

Actually, they are. Like I said in the following point, those numbers aren't really very honest. They're politicized because politicians like to score points by saying look at how low it is, but a few examples include them counting anyone who works more than 12 hours a week as employed, dropping anyone who's been looking for work for more than 6 months out of the unemployment figures (Just fucking lol) and counting employment that doesn't even offer minimum wage (for example, teenagers who can legally be paid a third).

just because these measures are "fairly well agreed" between member states doesn't really make them anything but unreliable and laughable political soundbites. Most economists know that real unemployment is far, far higher - if for no other reason than because they count the people who haven't had a job for more than 6 months as well.

Workers aren't needed (or wanted, really) in most EU countries.

This is where it starts to get a bit daft. Of course there is a need for workers in the EU. There is a lower need than there has been, that demand is changing and I think there is a risk with automation and other tech advances that we will see more unemployment (or economically disengaged individuals..). But there is still significant demand for skilled and unskilled workers.. Politically work is important too..

Links back to my previous point: Unemployment is high because the jobs are there. People take jobs that underpay and are way below their skill level. People with masters degree take bachelor jobs at lower pay, a bachelor takes a job from someone with a VET degree, and VET degrees can barely seek any kind of skilled employment and end up stuck doing jobs that high schoolers would normally be hired for.

Labor is losing its value, fast, because the amount of people willing to work greatly exceeds the amount of work available. Why do you think employers can come up with ridiculous demands for entry level jobs, asking for five years of work experience or similar? Because they will find someone highly overqualified to fill the position anyway, and they can offer him pennies to what his expected, normal wage should be.

To your other points, I simply don't agree. Perhaps it's because I fundamentally disagree with you on the reality of the labor market, but I'm going to refer to the U.S. again: Competing on workers rights or taxes shouldn't happen because it starts a race to the bottom. The rich get richer because they're being buttered up with lower tax rates, while the gaps in the government budget are met with increased taxes on the working classes (That are already earning lower and lower incomes every passing year), or by simply cutting social services.

It. Is. Garbage.

/r/europe Thread Parent