ABSTRACT
In several European countries (e.g. Belgium, France, and Norway) public employment services still have a monopoly position. In contrast to this, in other countries (e.g. the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland) public employment services (PES) and private employment services (PRES) have now been coexisting for quite some time. Recently a tendency toward liberalization in the area of job placement has been observed. In Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden public employment services have lost their monopoly position. Different institutional arrangements for job placement in Europe have also given rise to to changes within the framework of the Single European Market. It is questionable whether the prohibition of market entry for private employment services is reconcilable with the freedom to provide services guaranteed in the EEC treaties.
