In its response to the Commission Communication on Flexicurity released late June, the European Anti Poverty Network (EAPN) suggests ways to ensure that the security dimension of Flexicurity is more developed. EAPN calls on Member States to give the objective of social inclusion a higher priority in the Flexicurity debate.
“The security we need cannot be summarised by secured transitions between jobs!”, declared Fintan Farrell, EAPN Director. “What we need instead are policies implementing an inclusive labour market, contributing to the fight against in-work poverty and discrimination, and allowing access for all to quality sustainable employment”.
He added: “These policies should go along with high levels of social protection and respect of fundamental rights – notably human dignity, the right to engage in work and the right to social assistance. For EAPN, no real security can be built without progressing on the road to ambitious social standards, including adequate minimum income distinct from employment status.”
In the opinion of EAPN, the common principles on Flexicurity which will be developed later this year must address these concerns.
Last but not least, EAPN regrets that the need to actively take on board the views of people experiencing poverty and social exclusion is not flagged up in the Communication. “If flexicurity is ‘supposed to have a positive outcome on at risk of poverty rates’, as stated, it has to be also discussed with people concerned by poverty”, commented Fintan Farrell.
/ENDS
See:
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The EAPN response to the Commission Communication on Flexicurity: “The security we need cannot be summarized by secured transitions between jobs! It requires high levels of social protection, quality employment and respect of fundamental rights”
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The Commission Communication “Towards common principles of Flexicurity: more and better jobs through flexibility and security”
For further information, please contact Audrey Gueudet (Information Officer) or Fintan Farrell (Director), tel. +32 2 226 58 50 – fax. +32 2 226 58 69 – E-mail: team@eapn.skynet.be – Website: www.eapn.org
