The European Commission (EC) has launched a Green Paper on modernising labour law and adaptation to the modern world of work.
The paper will ask member states, social partners and other stakeholder how labour law at EU and national level can help the job market become more flexible while maximizing security for workers – the so-called ‘flexicurity’ approach.
The consultation will run over a period of four months and its contributions will feed into in the upcoming EC communication on flexicurity in June 2007.
Vladimir Spidla, EU commissioner for employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, said: “These more flexible arrangements are vital to confronting the effects of globalisation and demographic ageing in our labour markets.
“At the same time, it is essential that workers do not lose out in this process and that their call for greater security is heard. We want an open debate on how labour law could be adapted both at EU and national levels to reflect the new reality of work in Europe.”
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The consultation seeks views on 14 specific questions covering the much debated flexicurity approach; flexible and inclusive labour markets; employment transitions; a life-cycle approach to work; temporary agency work; working time; mobility of workers; and undeclared work.
The consultation will remain open until 31 March 2007 and is available online.
