Rapid technological progress as well as globalisation have fundamentally changed European labour markets. Fixed term contracts, part-time work, on-call and zero-hour contracts, hiring through temporary employment agencies and freelance contracts have become an established feature of the European labour market, accounting for 25% of the workforce. At the same time, there is a growing gap between those looking for work, those in non-standard, sometimes precarious contractual arrangements on the one hand (so-called 'outsiders'), and those in permanent, full-time jobs on the other (the 'insiders').
Employment rules which are clear and easy to understand are as important for employers as they are for workers. Even though many aspects of labour law are dealt with at national level, a solid basis has been created at EU level to ensure a level playing field (such as legislation in areas like information and consultation of workers and working conditions).
The Green Paper debate will help to identify key challenges which have not yielded an adequate response yet. 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.
Member States and Social Partners are invited to participate in the debate on the Green Paper, as well as anyone else with an interest in the issues at stake. To have a genuinely open debate, the Commission is calling on all parties to make their views known during the consultation period until 31 March 2007.
