ABSTRACT
This chapter begins by reviewing policy changes in the labour market - social policy relationship. Some of the issues raised by such changes are addressed and the range of policy options available to policy-makers to deal with them is considered. Generally speaking, the policy mix found in the Nordic countries is the most favourable to women's employment, while that in Southern Europe is least favourable. Since the 1970s, the employment rate of older workers, generally defined as persons aged between 55 and 64, has declined throughout the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The 1980s and 1990s have seen the reform of unemployment insurance and compensation systems throughout OECD countries. The conclusion is that the adaptation process of social protection and labour market systems is most successful when it is based on carefully balanced policy mixes, which are generally associated with important efforts of coordination by the relevant actors.
