ETUC welcomes and supports the European Parliament's call for a more balanced set of flexicurity principles

Brussels, 29/11/2007

The report of the European Parliament adopts key flexicurity principles such as the promotion of stable employment relationships, action against abusive practices in non-standard contracts, action to improve job security for all workers regardless of their employment status, the strengthening of employability, transition security (for workers between jobs), gender equality and work-life balance, social partnership and dialogue and a macroeconomic framework for more and better jobs.

The ETUC urges the European Commission and the Council to take this into full account when deciding on the common European principles on flexicurity.

Says ETUC General Secretary John Monks: “Both the joint analysis of the European Social partners and the Parliament’s report share one basic message: flexicurity is about improving job security and complementing job protection by investing in more secure professional transitions. It is not about ‘free firing’ of workers.”