Combined Wage Models of European Countries

Comparison and adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alongside job-search assistance and training measures, combi-wage schemes are an instrument of active labour market policy aimed at improving the employment prospects of the unemployed by means of wage subsidies. The objectives in the development and use of combi-wage models are quite diverse and range from the incentive effect of taking up employment in the low-wage sector to improving the employment opportunities of the unemployed (with placement difficulties) and wage subsidies for companies. Against this background, the following study examines how combi-wage models are designed in other European countries in order to derive indications that can serve as a basis for discussion on a possible adaptation of the Austrian combi-wage model.