Security in labour markets : combining flexibility with security for decent work

Economic and Labour Market Paper 2007/12

Describes definitional issues relating to job security, employment security and labour market security, and flexicurity. Argues that it appears possible to have flexible labour markets and workers’ security under certain conditions: investment in labour market policies and social rights, balancing of employer and worker oriented flexibility, internal and external flexibility, and, on the process side, a genuine social dialogue. Cites EU member States where the labour market combines flexibility and security, yielding beneficial effects on decent work.