The name is absent

Flexibility and security: an asymmetrical relationship?

8. Challenges ahead

8.1. Addressing growing inequalities and labour market
segmentation through institutional and social reforms

Social protection systems need be drastically re-designed so as to take into account the impact
of more flexibility on individuals and the welfare system, rather than punishing flexible workers, as is
the case today in most countries. This implies broadening the concept of what constitutes “standard
forms of employment” to encompass the variety of flexible working patterns and of employment
contracts practiced nowadays. The revised systems should also aim to encourage individuals to take
risks (positive mobility) by moving towards more individualized social security rights and greater
protection from new risks.

The revised systems should be based on 4 broad principles (Eurofound, 2007):

a) on the equality of treatment between the various forms of employment contracts;

b) on the transitions between activity and inactivity, as well as between different employment
statuses and contracts;

c) on the transferability (and, whenever possible, the maintenance) of acquired rights, on the
occasion of job changes, protected labour market exits or unemployment;

d) and on the aggregation of insurance periods, especially in building pension rights.

Increasingly, the occupational schemes will have to complement the state-funded social security
systems, especially in terms of health care and pension.

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