MEPs vet Špidla’s flexicurity model

MEPs will next week (9 October) discuss common principles on labour markets proposed by Vladimír Špidla, the European commissioner for employment and social affairs.

Danish Socialist MEP Ole Christensen, who is drafting a report on the issue, will recommend that member states plough at least 2% of their gross domestic product (GDP) into labour policy costs.

Špidla’s principles, unveiled in June, aim to balance flexible labour markets with job security in a model known as ‘flexicurity’.

The model was first introduced in Denmark in the 1990s. Christensen attributed Denmark’s success to investments of as much as 4.7% of GDP in the social security system and in the promotion of policies such as lifelong learning.

"It will cost a lot of money but it will be a good investment. You have to make people secure," he said.

"I have not written the report as a socialist. I have tried to find a balance between right and left so the report can find a majority."

MEPs in the European Parliament’s employment and social affairs committee vote on Christensen’s report next month (11 November). Member states are expected to approve the principles by the end of the year.

MEPs will next week (9 October) discuss common principles on labour markets proposed by Vladimír Špidla, the European commissioner for employment and social affairs.