Brussels, 20/04/2007
Flexicurity is supposed to be about combining a flexible workforce with high levels of employment and social protection. The European Commission is due to present proposals to the December 2007 European Council.
Yet so far, business appears to have hijacked the debate with claims of too much regulation and too little dynamism in the EU economy. “The current picture is almost wholly negative,” argued ETUC General Secretary John Monks. The facts tell a different story. European labour markets already have the flexibility to adapt to change, and companies are enjoying record profit levels. Strong employment creation is not at odds with robust job protection systems and high levels of trade union organisation.
The ETUC is alarmed that the current flexicurity agenda threatens to damage the most vulnerable workers most, undermining working conditions and job security, and extending long working hours, bogus self-employment and involuntary short-term and part-time contracts.
“We are told that no-one can expect a job for life these days,” added John Monks. “Really? What about doctors, teachers and all the other jobs requiring long apprenticeships? If it becomes public policy to turn employment relations into promiscuous relations, don't be astonished if there is resistance.”
The ETUC has published its position on flexicurity, demanding:
- more jobs and better quality work;
- flexibility that offers opportunities to combine work and family life;
- strong employment protection legislation and social welfare;
- respect for the role of the social partners.
The Flexicurity debate and the challenges for the trade union movement