ABSTRACT
This chapter shows that labour pools could contribute to the solution of further problems on the labour market. It analyses the functions of labour pools and the conditions under which they can be successful in comparison to competing ways of offering flexibility to companies, like the commercial temporary employment agencies. Labour pools are to be found in the Netherlands and in Germany but there have so far been only a small number of initiatives. Some labour pool organisations work all over the country with numerous agencies; others are local initiatives with a small number of employees. The more labour market-oriented labour pools aim at promoting and supporting the reintegration of unemployed people into permanent employment. Labour pools meet some essential requirements which play an important role in the current discussion about reform of the German Employment Promotion Law. The labour pool in the retail sector in Amsterdam even guaranteed only the payment of minimum wages to its employees.
