Brussels, 15/06/2006 (Agence Europe) - The OECD countries may increase the number of persons with a paid activity by reforming the current policies that discourage people from taking employment. Such is the main message of the new OECD strategy on employment and its 2006 employment outlook, presented by Secretary General Angel Gurria in Paris on 13 June. The OECD mainly recommends: - application of macroeconomic policies aimed at price stability and balanced public financing but avoiding a permanent fall in employment; - making it more profitable for people to work than to receive state benefits; - adapting tax policy in order to encourage companies to step up the number of employees rather than avoiding recruitment; - and offering older active people the possibility of training required for finding work and improving their income. Speaking to the press, Angel Gurria said: “We are convinced the countries that take measures based on those that we recommend will benefit from a stronger labour market and, above all, will improve their standard of living”. (Information: http://www.ocde.org )