Flexicurity

1
Flexicurity why its useful for crafts and
SMEs ?
Gerhard Huemer UEAPME Director Economic and
Fiscal Policy
5th SME Summit Graz, April 07, 2006
2
Outline of presentation
F L E X I C U R I T Y

• Introduction flexicurity nothing new
• UEAPMEs Futurisme Projects
• Challenges for the European Social Models
• Social Dialogue and Tripartite Coordination
  can they deliver?

3
IntroductionUEAPME on Flexicurity
F L E X I C U R I T Y

• Futurisme I
• About work organisation in general
• Futurisme II
• About adaptability and employability
• Social Model debate
• How to implement reforms ?
• Social Dialogue
• What is possible at which level?

4
The Futurisme Projects
F L E X I C U R I T Y

• Different problems need different solutionsgt
  independent negotiations for SMEs
• Agreements too restrictive for SMEsgt more
  flexible working timegt profit related
  earningsgt elements to enhance employability
• Increase of labour market participation gt (re)
  integration of young, female and older
  employees

5
The Social Model debate
F L E X I C U R I T Y

• Consequences of economic social developments
  gt structural unemployment / wage
  differentiationgt industrial relations in a
  service economygt incentives to work / social
  benefit systemsgt from job-security to
  employment-security
• Economic reforms ? Socal reforms gt which
  interdependencies?gt how to reduce transition
  costs? gt reforms too far or not far enough?

6
Social Dialogue and Tripartite Co-ordination
F L E X I C U R I T Y

• Its about involving the stakeholders
• Whats the right level for cooperation?gt
  creation of win-win situationsgt negotiations
  versus legal competences gt shortcomings of EU
  level dialogue
• Areas for co-operation on EU level gt economic
  restructuringgt fight against undeclared work
  gt solutions for the low wage sectorsgt improve
  training in the SME sector