Ministers of the European Union (EU) have warned efforts to provide young people with greater access to work and education.

According to representatives of EU governments concerned with employment, health, social policy and consumer affairs, austerity measures being brought in following the global financial crisis could curtail opportunities for this demographic.

The ministers have urged states to ensure jobs for young people are not placed at risk by funding cuts and other policies.

Leila Kurki of Finland, president of the Section for Employment, Social Affairs and Citizenship at the European Economic and Social Committee, warned: "So far, the austerity measures have not been very efficient in creating jobs, and they have hit the most vulnerable in society, including young people, very hard."

Attending informal talks in Budapest, she added governments should examine the roles being recommended to young people and the working conditions they experience.

Meanwhile, employment and social ministers of the EU are holding a formal meeting in Godollo, Hungary, on January 17th and 18th 2010, which will look at ways of improving labor market access for younger employees.

Posted by Alex Donnell