Are the New EU Member States Prepared for the Flexicurity System?

Abstract

Social policy and labour market policy in the EU are facing a challenge to regulate a dynamic labour market in the context of the globalised economy. The New Member States are seeking more stability and security in order to encourage employers to invest more in human capital to be able to boost productivity and competitiveness. Countries need to promote more flexibility and adaptability for both -enterprises and workers, and to better balance them with security. Flexicurity system contributed to higher employment and also to higher mobility between unemployment and employment labour force in some west European economies. Attitudes, values and tradition of certain economy are preconditions for successfulness of the flexicurity system.