Part I

The issue of social inclusion among young people has taken on new dimensions since the onset of the financial crisis. Data collected at both the European and global levels indicate a dramatic rise in youth unemployment between 2008 and 2012. In search of structural support for the integration of young people into the labor market, European Union member states have prioritized youth policies, recognizing the need for an integrated approach and coordinated actions to help young people find employment.

An analysis of the existing legal framework at the international and regional levels (specifically, at the European Union level), both from a diachronic perspective and in terms of the degree of protection afforded to young people, reveals a consistent focus on the education, training, and professional retraining of young people, as well as their integration into the workforce. However, Romanian legislation has failed to align with European requirements in this area, as there is no stable framework regarding the social inclusion of young people.

Given that, more than four years after the global recession, unemployment remains one of the most acute socio-economic problems, it is imperative to identify additional solutions and strategies to incentivize both employers and young people, with the aim of helping the latter find and secure employment in the labor market.

Keywords: protection of young people, employment, unemployment, minimum age, education, employment, vocational training