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Manuela Barišić

Position
Policy Fellow
E-Mail
info@zentrum-neue-sozialpolitik.org

Manuela Barišić is a Policy Fellow at ZSP.

As an economist, Manuela focuses on issues in labour market and social policy. She is particularly interested in how to design a labour market that enables dynamism in times of economic change while also providing as many people as possible with security, opportunities, and social inclusion. A special focus of her work is on the conditions for higher labour force participation and social mobility, as well as on how labour market institutions and incentive structures can promote quality employment.

Manuela Barisic
Foto
Question
01

What challenges does the German labour market face?

The German labour market is under significant pressure: weak economic growth, industrial transformation, digitalisation, demographic change, and at the same time relatively high unemployment despite considerable shortages of skilled workers. The key challenge is to enable greater economic dynamism and competitiveness without losing sight of social security and inclusion. People should not only cope with change, but be able to benefit from it.

Question
02

What does an inclusive labour market mean to you?

An inclusive labour market means that economic dynamism benefits as many people as possible. People need real opportunities to achieve security, upward mobility, and social participation through their own work. This requires a framework that facilitates transitions, creates opportunities, and empowers individuals to actively shape change. Transformation must not lead to people being permanently excluded.

Question
03

Where are the greatest untapped potentials?

Especially in times of economic transformation, when employment shifts and new demands emerge, it is crucial to better mobilise existing potential and make it easier for people to access quality employment. Untapped potential remains particularly where people want to work or could work more but face structural barriers—for example, among women and mothers who fall short of their potential due to insufficient work–family balance or misaligned incentives in the current system.

Question
04

Which reforms are needed to ensure quality employment?

Germany needs a labour market that combines growth, competitiveness, and security. Effective labour market policy enables successful transitions into new jobs and helps people seize new opportunities in a changing labour market. This includes modern labour market institutions, better work-life balance, stronger incentives for labour force participation, education and training, as well as a social protection system that provides security during periods of change without hindering dynamism.

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