Ceemet welcomes the statement in the Commission’s Communication that the focus should shift from job security to employment security and that a better balance between rights and responsibilities is needed.
However, the Flexicurity debate will only have a very limited effect if it is simply reduced to a discussion on the right balance between flexibility and security, between costs and benefits as well as between rights and obligations. Employment and working conditions always represent, to a certain extent, a point of balance resulting from discussions and negotiations between stakeholders.

• Ceemet welcomes the launch of a debate on “Flexicurity” as set out in the Commission’s Communication “Towards Common Principles of Flexicurity: More and better jobs through flexibility and security”.
• Ceemet supports the integrated policy mix approach that is being proposed by the European Commission and welcomes the statement in the Commission’s Communication that the focus should shift from job security to employment security.
• For the success of European and national “Flexicurity” strategies, it is important that the concept of flexicurity and its importance are understood and accepted by all stakeholders. Ceemet therefore considers that the Communication on “Flexicurity” is an important political signal that change is necessary to ensure the competitiveness of our companies in a global economy.
• Employment legislation must facilitate the flexible work arrangements, both externally and internally, that are increasingly being sought by both employers and employees.
• Modern effective and employment-friendly social protection systems in line with active labour market policies (ALMPs) should be targeted and establish an effective link between rights and obligations.
• There is no European pattern of Flexicurity. Ceemet therefore supports the non-binding approach that is being used by the Commission which involves identifying general principles of Flexicurity that can be used and adapted as appropriate by the different stakeholders in Member States without adversely affecting national systems.