The future of business in Visegrad region

European Journal of Futures Research

Table 2 Policy priorities for countries facing high long-term unemployment, low labour force participation of specific groups and a large productivity gap (Source: Adapted from [18], p. 22)

Policy priorities	Countries
	CZE		HUN		POL		SVK
	R^*	A	R	A	R	A	R	A
Fostering stronger efficiency gains in private and public sectors
- Reduce public ownership and state control of business operations					√	•
- Ease firm entry and administrative burden			√		√	•	√	•
- Reform bankruptcy procedures			√
Improve public sector efficiency
- Streamline public administration and facilitate monitoring and evaluation			√	•
- Improve efficiency of public procurement	√	•
- Raise effectiveness of public R&D	√						√
Promoting employment by tackling disincentives to job creation, job search and labour force participation
Reduce labour tax wedge	√		√	•	√
Improve effectiveness of job search assistance
- Strengthen resources for job search assistance and individual follow-up							√	•
- Better target subsidised job creation							√
Reduce housing-related restrictions on labour mobility					√		√
Strengthen gate keeping measures for sickness and disability systems					√
Boost labour force participation of women
- Reduce fiscal disincentive to work for second earner and lone parent	√						√
- Improve access to childcare services	√						√
Reform pensions to reduce disincentive to work at older age			√	•	√	•
Facility the development of labour force skills, competencies and more broadly, human capital
Strengthen vocational education and training							√	•
Improve efficiency and outcomes in:
- Pre-school education					√		√
- Primary and secondary education	√		√	•
- Tertiary education	√		√		√		√	•

^*R stands for recommendation in that area, A stands for action taken over the horizon of the past 2 years