For European workers, 2009 does not - on the face of it - look like a good year. Europe's overall unemployment rate is nearly 8.5 per cent at the moment, and much higher in some countries. It also looks set to rise over the coming months. Youth unemployment is especially a problem. At such times, arguing that job mobility benefits all Europeans might seem strange, but it is not. Free movement of workers is a vital element for greater productivity, which in turn is a major factor in economic growth.

Our economic growth is under threat from a combination of uncertainties over the state of our economies and over the precise form of global governance which will be adopted over the coming years. At times of uncertainty, individuals are naturally cautious and defensive. It is an understandable human reaction; but it is not necessarily a helpful one if we wish to progress.

It is easy to blame someone from outside your country for "stealing your job", but the facts don't support that. All the evidence shows that economies with mobile labour forces are able to recover from economic shocks and downturns much quicker than countries with more rigid labour structures. The mobile economy is able to adapt to change more readily; its workers can move more easily to new regions or new sectors, finding employment and generating economic activity.

The current financial and economic crisis will require the quick adaptation of many European employees to changing conditions, the transfer of some of the workforce to areas where new jobs are being created and the rapid re-inclusion of unemployed and inactive persons into the labour market.

In the long term, Europe will face a shortage of labour. By 2015, Europe's working age population will have halved. Between 2010 and 2030, if current immigration flows do not change, the decline in the working age population will mean a reduction of 20 million workers. Such developments will have a huge impact on economic growth and competitiveness as employers struggle to find the staff they need. In this context, job mobility has an important role to play for our citizens, for employers and for the member states.

The problem faced by employers is that low levels of mobility can lead to a mismatch between skills and jobs. Addressing this mismatch will increase productivity. The current economic and financial climate is causing a downturn in demand for goods and services and changes to labour markets. With a more mobile labour force, businesses can adapt to these new market forces. Increased labour provision improves the possibility of a business successfully moving to new business strategies. This is particularly true for the small and medium-sized businesses which account for 99.8 per cent of enterprises in Europe. Traditionally, they operate within their domestic markets and many of them are currently experiencing difficulties in filling vacancies with the correct skill set.

This is why it so important to promote mobility and improve matching between jobs and skills.

For the individual citizen, if they are mobile, they are more likely to find a job. The average employment rate is higher for geographically mobile workers. They have better access to employment on permanent contracts and improved chances of upward job mobility. Mobile workers tend to register wage gains in their new job and they benefit from engaging with new cultures, working methods and environments.

Europe can bring added value here. Putting the two elements - the worker and the employee - together is an essential part of the role played by Eures. Eures is a Europe wide employment service, supported by all the public employment services. It provides information, advice and job-matching services for the benefit of workers and employers across the European Economic Area (EU plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland).

This is supported by a network of more than 750 advisers working in the local national employment offices offering services to jobseekers and employers. They can offer personalised advice on moving between countries. They are trained specialists who have specialised expertise in the practical, legal and administrative aspects of mobility at national and cross-border levels.

Unemployment represents a huge challenge for families and involves much upheaval and distress. But the fact remains that there are skilled labour shortages in many specific parts of the EU, shortages which cannot be filled locally. So the message must be - mobility works, now more than ever. It will help provide all Europeans with a better future.

The author is European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.