Abstract: The article deals with most recent changes in strategies and instruments of labour market policy in Germany initiated by the report of the Hartz Commission. The first part presents a preliminary summary of major legislative changes. Then, foreseeable problems of focal new instruments are discussed (first of all, personnel service agencies, various forms of mini jobs, new, preliminary self-employment, integrated systems of social support). Furthermore, additional and lasting problems of implementation are examined in some detail (among others, missing theoretical foundations and limitations, neglect of closely related policy areas, neglect of the European dimension). The concluding remarks present a rather critical overall assessment.
International Journal of Comparative Labour Law and Industrial Relations