The social benefit of active labour market policy measures

The target of active labour market policy (ALMP) measures is to help people who meet difficulties in labour market increase their chances for employment. While establishing favourable conditions to participate in the labour market for certain vulnerable groups, the principles of positive discrimination are implemented. Often, when labour demand is high, the indices such as job placement and costs per participant, which characterise the economic effectiveness of the ALMP, are most important. However, when labour demand dramatically shrinks, it is difficult to anticipate good employment results. The aim of the article is to show the social benefits of the ALMP on the basis of survey results. Also, this study has revealed that under the present economic circumstances the ALMP becomes a tool for income support which traditionally is attributed to passive labour market policies.